Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new collaboration between the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board and SUNY and CUNY to support injured New Yorkers by promoting free college education for adults through the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs. Under the governor’s SUNY and CUNY Reconnect initiative, New York State offers free tuition, fees, books and supplies to adults ages 25 to 55 who do not have a college degree and want to earn an associate’s degree in a high-demand field. The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board is encouraging recently injured workers to apply by sending out more than 5,000 informational brochures and launching a new website, wcb.ny.gov/reconnect, to raise awareness about the program.
“SUNY and CUNY Reconnect are life-changing programs that have already helped thousands of New Yorkers take advantage of new opportunities to earn degrees in high-demand fields,” said Governor Hochul. “As we work to expand these programs to include new degree opportunities, I also want to make sure all eligible New Yorkers know about the opportunities they have to earn a degree, get a good job, and contribute to the progress of New York.”
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Board launched a new partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) to promote the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs and support New Yorkers in need. To help injured workers learn new skills and find new careers after a work-related injury or illness, the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs offer a vital opportunity for them to return to the workforce. The Workers’ Compensation Board’s vocational rehabilitation counselors, who work closely with injured workers seeking to return to the workforce, will help identify eligible injured workers and connect them to free college programs.
New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chairwoman Freida D. Foster said: “It can be devastating when an injury or illness prevents a worker from returning to the same job. Free college education through the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs can give these injured workers not only hope, but also real skills and degrees, as they work toward a better future.” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. stated: “Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New Yorkers have more opportunities than ever to access an excellent, affordable education, earn a degree in a high-demand field, and achieve upward social mobility while contributing to the state’s economic growth. This collaboration with the Workers’ Compensation Board is a prime example of how Governor Hochul is using the many tools at her disposal to benefit New Yorkers and our state as a whole.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees stated: “We applaud Governor Hochul for advancing the SUNY Reconnect program for injured New Yorkers seeking new opportunities to re-enter the workforce as part of their recovery process. Thanks to the strong support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, SUNY Reconnect has inspired thousands of New Yorkers to pursue college degrees as adult learners, and we will continue to provide opportunities at community colleges across the state.”
CUNY Chancellor, Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, stated: “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to supporting New Yorkers at every stage of their lives and expanding access to higher education as a critical path to economic mobility and a brighter future. We are excited that CUNY Reconnect is opening doors for injured workers to learn new skills, earn degrees, and re-enter the workforce with greater confidence and determination. We thank Governor Hochul for helping even more New Yorkers have access to higher education opportunities.”
As part of Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State address, SUNY and CUNY Reconnect are offering free tuition, fees, books and supplies to students ages 25 to 55 pursuing an associate’s degree in certain high-demand fields, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, technology, nursing and paramedical professions, green and renewable energy, and teacher education in understaffed areas. The Governor announced plans to expand the successful SUNY and CUNY Reconnect programs as part of her 2026 State of the State address.
As part of the FY 2027 budget, Governor Hochul proposes an investment of $12.5 million to expand the program, targeting eligible adult students preparing for careers in logistics, air traffic and transportation control, and emergency management, as well as facilitating the return to college of adult students who wish to study nursing and already have a prior degree. This would reinforce the initial $47 million investment made by the Governor in fiscal year 2026 to establish this scholarship program.
The Workers’ Compensation Board’s Vocational Rehabilitation team offers a wide range of support services for injured workers, including resume development, job search assistance, contacting employers for light or alternative work, and much more. The Board also has licensed clinical social workers to help injured workers cope with the difficulties that may accompany a work-related injury or illness. All services for injured workers are free. For more information about the Board’s support services, visit wcb.ny.gov/content/main/Workers/lp_services.jsp.
The Governor’s 2026 State of the State address also includes a proposal to further help injured workers by improving access to health care. Instead of requiring special authorization from the Board to treat injured workers, the Governor proposes legislation that will allow all eligible, licensed medical providers in good standing to treat injured workers.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York (SUNY) is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Systemwide, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, one law school, the nation’s oldest maritime school, the state’s only optometry school, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, more than 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and operates a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves approximately 1.7 million students through its portfolio of credit and non-credit courses and programs, continuing education and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of the academic research in New York. Systemwide research spending totals nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alumni. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
About the City University of New York
The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation’s largest urban public university, a transformative engine of social mobility that is a fundamental component of New York City life. Founded in 1847 as the nation’s first tuition-free public institution of higher education, CUNY today has seven community colleges, 11 universities, and eight graduate and professional institutions, spread across the five boroughs of New York City. It serves 247,000 undergraduate and graduate students and awards 50,000 degrees each year. CUNY’s combination of quality and affordability enables nearly six times as many low-income students to enter the middle class and beyond than all Ivy League universities combined. More than 80% of the University’s graduates remain in New York, contributing to all aspects of the city’s economic, civic and cultural life and diversifying the workforce in all sectors. CUNY graduates and faculty have received numerous prestigious awards, including 13 Nobel Prizes and 26 MacArthur “genius” grants. The University’s historic mission remains: to provide a world-class public education to all students, regardless of financial resources or background. For more information about CUNY, visit https://www.cuny.edu.
About the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board
Workers’ compensation is insurance that provides benefits for loss of wages and/or medical care for work-related injuries or illnesses. These benefits are available to all eligible workers in New York State, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. The Workers’ Compensation Board oversees the administration of workers’ compensation, disability benefits, and paid family leave in New York State. Its mission is to protect the rights of employees and employers by ensuring the correct provision of benefits and promoting compliance with the law. Learn more at www.wcb.ny.gov.
