Photo: Camille Tokerud (Getty)
As I write this article, I remember my seemingly insurmountable debt I had as a result of going to school. I wished that college was free because it didn’t seem like I was going to EVER pay it down.
Luckily for me, I pinched enough to pay off my student loans, but more and more I’m an exception to the rule. Student debt sucks and eating Ramen noodles into your professional years is not only annoying, but also starts giving you some serious shits into your 30s. True story.
But if you live in New York, things just got a whole lot better for the college students because the state just became the first in the country to approve free tuition. That’s right, FREE!
The plan, which was introduced by Governor Andrew Cuomo, was approved by the Assembly and Senate over the weekend. That’s great news for people who want to go to college but don’t want to go into their retirement years wondering why the hell they’re still paying shit off.
“Today, college is what high school was — it should always be an option even if you can’t afford it,” said Cuomo in a statement, according to CNN.
Hooray for free stuff!
Done celebrating? Good because you should probably sit down for this next part.
You better get used to being in N.Y. because you’ll have to live there for at least four years after graduating to qualify. If you move away in that time, you’re going to have to pay the money back. Also, if your family gets money on the regular and earns more than $100,000 a year, this perk doesn’t apply to you. That cap will go up to $125,000 a year by 2019. Room and board also are not included, and you better make sure you’re taking at least 30 units for the year.
So if you’re willing to abide by these rules, crack open those textbooks and get your ass to N.Y. But don’t leave when you’re done.
h/t CNN, New York Post
