Hochul’s plan is aimed at boosting the supply of trained workers for Micron Technology’s planned $100 billion complex of computer chip plants in the town of Clay and chip companies expanding across Upstate New York.
Onondaga Community College officials say the free tuition would likely lead to a surge in enrollment in its electromechanical technology degree programs that trains workers for Micron and other chip companies.
“We love it,” OCC President Warren Hilton, said of the governor’s proposal. “It signals to New Yorkers you can get a community college education in these fields where the (worker) shortages are tremendous.”
Under the proposal, adults between the ages of 25 and 55 who do not have a college degree or certificate would be eligible for free tuition at any public community college in New York.
The state would pay for tuition, fees, books and supplies after all other financial aid is applied. The costs would be covered for both full-time and part-time students.
To be eligible, students would have to enroll in programs aimed at addressing worker shortages in advanced manufacturing, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, construction, green and renewable energy, teaching, and nursing and health fields.
“Knowing you’re going to have all of the tuition and fees covered and not have any student loan debt, that is the amazing part,” Hilton said.
At OCC, the state would cover the tuition of $2,650 per semester that remains after financial aid and grants are applied.
OCC has agreed to serve as a key partner in developing the workforce for Micron and the healthcare, childcare and construction workers who will support thousands of new residents expected to move to Onondaga County.
Micron plans to build four massive chip manufacturing plants over the next 20 years that would directly employ 9,000 people and create up to 40,000 supply-chain jobs.
Micron pledged to donate $5 million to OCC – the largest donation ever made to the college — to help pay for construction of a clean room laboratory on the Syracuse campus.
Onondaga County and New York state are also contributing $5 million each for what will be named the Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab. The 5,000-square-foot lab will be used to train students for jobs in computer chip plants.
OCC expects to complete construction of the lab this year, along with training centers for machining, welding, HVAC, and diesel/heavy equipment repair jobs, Hilton said.
OCC has also started a $30 million transformation of its on-campus facilities where students receive instruction in health-related fields. That project is expected to be completed in 2026.
As of the fall 2024 semester, the college had about 577 students between 25 and 55 enrolled in disciplines targeted by the state for the free tuition program.
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