Leaders are applauding the expansion of an education initiative that will help New Yorkers advance their careers and prepare for AI.

According to a press release, New York residents ages 25 to 55 can enroll in associate degree programs for high-demand fields at either the State University of New York (SUNY) or the City University of New York (CUNY) at no cost starting in January. These adult learners will not have to take on debt for tuition, fees, books, and supplies and can earn associate degrees even if they already hold a college degree in another field.

“Higher education should never come with an expiration date,” Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said in the press release. “SUNY and CUNY’s commitment to expanding free community college access ensures that adult learners can return to school, retrain for high growth industries, and build a stronger economic future for themselves and their families.”

The initiative continues the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program, launched by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2025 to address workforce changes driven by AI, upskill workers across industries, and increase the number of workers in high-growth sectors such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and others.

More than 15,000 adult learners have benefited from free community college through the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program, according to the release.

The initiative also follows new federal data showing that New York State had the fastest-growing economy in the U.S. in the second quarter with a GDP that increased at an annual rate of 4% over the previous quarter, per the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“As AI continues to reshape the global economy, I’m taking action to ensure more New Yorkers have the skills they need to succeed,” Hochul said in a press release.

The SUNY Board of Trustees commented:

“SUNY Reconnect has expanded opportunities for adult learners throughout New York State by empowering them to pursue the next steps in their careers. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for their unwavering commitment to supporting adult learners, and for investing in programs that address our state’s most pressing workforce needs.”

New Yorkers can apply to enroll under the initiative in the coming months, depending on their SUNY or CUNY campus application periods.