Tompkins Cortland Community College students have a new opportunity for financial and academic support thanks to the expansion of a program proven to help students succeed. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the expansion of SUNY ASAP|ACE, the nation’s leading evidence-based retention and completion model, to nine new campuses, including Tompkins Cortland Community College.

“New York State is committed to helping our students reach their highest potential, and ASAP|ACE is a proven program to ensure students complete their degree on the path to a great job,” Governor Hochul said. “ASAP|ACE has already assisted thousands of New Yorkers in their higher education journey, and I am proud that more students will benefit from its expansion.

Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) targets associate students and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) targets baccalaureate students, both providing financial resources and wraparound supports to remove barriers to full-time study, help students gain and maintain academic momentum, and create a connected community among students, all in service of increasing timely degree completion

“SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and ASAP|ACE is a proven, evidence-based strategy to improve retention and completion,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King. “I am thrilled that through Governor Hochul’s leadership and the support of the legislature, SUNY is expanding this vital program to even more students and campuses across the SUNY system.”

Preliminary outcomes data across current ASAP|ACE partner campuses demonstrate participating students have higher credit completion and persistence rates than similar non-ASAP|ACE students. ASAP students pursuing associate degrees have a 20 percent higher credit completion rate than non-ASAP students (73 percent versus 61 percent). ASAP students also have a higher spring-fall persistence rate: 80 percent for ASAP versus 72 percent for non-ASAP students.

“I’m proud to see Tompkins Cortland Community College included in the expansion of the SUNY ASAP program,” said State Senator Lea Webb, whose district includes TC3. “This investment reflects our shared commitment to breaking down barriers to higher education and ensuring that all students have the support they need to complete their degrees and succeed. With proven outcomes and a student-centered approach, ASAP is a smart, equity-driven model that will benefit countless families across Senate District 52 and New York State.”

“SUNY ASAP and ACE are transforming educational outcomes for students who’ve long been underserved, not by potential, but by policy,” said Assemblymember Anna R. Kelles, who represents Tompkins and Cortland Counties. “With targeted support for transportation, textbooks, and advising, these programs remove the barriers that too often end college careers before they begin or prevent successful completion for those who start the educational journey. Backed by rigorous data and a statewide commitment, this $12 million expansion will help thousands more students, especially those from low-income and rural communities, stay enrolled, graduate on time, and step into the workforce with a degree in hand. This is what equity in action looks like and, at a time when higher education is under attack, I’m proud that NY is standing up and investing in expanding expertise in our workforce.”

Eligible TC3 students will be able to receive a cost of attendance award (after Financial Aid has been applied), along with assistance for transportation and textbooks. Find out more about the program at ASAP | Tompkins Cortland Community College.