Thursday, September 20, 2001

New York May Offer Free Tuition to Families of Victims of Terrorist Attacks By JEFFREY SELINGO Families of the victims of last week's terrorist attacks would receive free tuition to New York's public colleges under two proposals circulating among lawmakers in the state capital of Albany. One plan, announced Wednesday by Gov. George E. Pataki, a Republican, would also provide at least partial tuition to the state's private colleges and would include spouses and children of those killed by the attack on the Pentagon and the jetliner crash in Pennsylvania. Another proposal, introduced only days after the attacks by Richard L. Brodsky, a Democrat in the State Assembly, included only those affected by the World Trade Center attacks. But Mr. Brodsky and several New York lawmakers agreed Wednesday that the differences between the proposals were insignificant given the size of the tragedy. They predicted that the Legislature would approve some version of a free-tuition bill within the next several weeks. The measure would take effect immediately, they said. "This is a matter of principle, and we'll work out the details," Mr. Brodsky said. "We have a responsibility to these folks. We want to make it permanent and something that people don't have to worry about." Under Governor Pataki's proposal, the state would pay the cost of attending any State University of New York or City University of New York institution for the children and spouses of the victims, or provide them an equivalent amount to attend a private college in New York. "These families should not have to worry about how they are going to pay for college, and with this measure, they will never have to," the governor said in announcing the proposal. "This commitment, which will cover those who may be seriously injured in the difficult and dangerous work still ahead, will ensure the families of our heroes will receive our support not only today, but in 5, 10, or 20 years, when they are ready to attend college." State officials could not provide an estimate on Wednesday of the total cost to the state of the free-tuition proposals. This year, the cost to attend a SUNY institution is nearly $12,000. Easy-to-print version E-mail this article

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