Binghamton’s Stenger applauds Cuomo’s proposed Excelsior threshold increase

VESTAL, N.Y. — A proposed increase in the eligibility threshold for the Excelsior scholarship has received a thumbs up from Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger.

Stenger, in reacting to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address, says proposing to raise the Excelsior eligibility threshold from $125,000 to $150,000 of adjusted gross family income “opens up endless opportunity for our middle-class families.”

The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other student financial-aid programs, allows students to attend a SUNY or CUNY college “tuition-free,” if they meet certain requirements, the state says.

“By removing the burden of tuition for families making $150,000 or less, we can attract more talented, qualified students to our campuses who may have been discouraged by the rising costs of attending college. I thank the governor for being a champion for affordable education in New York state,” Stenger said.

Stenger also noted that Binghamton University is “very excited” that Cuomo has chosen professor and Nobel Laureate Stanley Whittingham to lead a panel to create a road map for the future of electric vehicles in New York.

“We look forward to supporting professor Whittingham as he works with the governor, NYSERDA and others around the state to advance this important initiative,” Stenger said.

NYSERDA is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

Besides his role as president of Binghamton University, Stenger also serves as co-chair of the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com