Starting June 7, college students statewide can apply for free tuition under Governor Andrew Cuomo's Excelsior Scholarship.
The program covers tuition at state universities for full-time, in-state students whose families earn $125,000 or less.
Room, board and other expenses are not covered.
Per scholarship rules, students must stay in New York for as many years as they received benefits following graduation.
If they take a job elsewhere, the money must be repaid as a loan.
Repayment can be waived or postponed in "cases of extreme hardship."
The governor says there is flexibility for military service members and disabled students.