New York Free College Applications Launch Today

Today is the first day people can apply for New York State's new tuition-free college program. It's called the Excelsior scholarship, and more than three thousand people have already signed up. 

To recap, this program covers the cost of college for full-time, in-state students whose families make $100,000 or less. After they graduate, the students must live and work in New York for as many years as they received the scholarship.

There has been some controversy surrounding the free college movement, and recently SUNY made headlines for increasing the tuition of those not receiving the benefits. Still, the program is going to give a lot more students a better chance at getting an education, and that's a valuable thing.

Applications are being accepted between now and July 21st, and the program seems to move fast. Applicants should know within a week whether they are eligible for funding or not.