(WENY) -- New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 can now earn a degree in a high-demand field for free at schools across the state, including Corning Community College and Tompkins Cortland Community College. This was made possible through the new SUNY Reconnect Program, which was created and approved as part of the state budget.

Participants in the program at TC3 or CCC can get a degree in 12 select fields, such as manufacturing, nursing, education, and more, for free as long as they do not hold any previous degrees. In addition to free tuition, any additional fees or needed books and supplies will also be provided.

In a prepared statement, TC3's President Amy Kremenek said as follows:

“The approval of the New York State budget that includes Governor Kathy Hochul's proposal for free community college marks a significant milestone in our state’s commitment to education. It is well documented that earning an associate degree in these high-demand fields will greatly enhance career opportunities and earnings, and now New Yorkers 25 to 55 will be able to get that degree at no cost. This will greatly benefit not only the individuals that earn their degree, and their families, but also New York State as a whole. We are very excited to remove the financial barrier to getting a degree for this group of students.”

TC3 shared that, back in January, Governor Kathy Hochul first proposed free community college for adults. During the State of the State address, she added that there are more than four million working-age adults in the state who do not have a college degree or credential. This program is an effort from the state to work toward that mission.

"The free community college program targets fields that are in high demand, meaning participants will be getting skills that will make them highly employable immediately upon graduation,” said TC3 Vice President for Enrollment Management, Robert Palmieri. “Adults students often face a different set of challenges when pursuing a college degree, and not having to pay for tuition, fees, or books addresses some of those challenges. Another key component of the SUNY Reconnect program is that it applies to both full-time and part-time students, which means students can take classes on the pace and schedule that best suits them. This program, coupled with all the other support services we offer at TC3, will help our adult students succeed, which will help our community thrive.”

For anyone who may be interested in the program in Dryden, an information session will be held on Tuesday, June 3, on TC3's campus from 5:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Registration is required, and a link to do so can be found here.

Additionally, applications are now open on TC3's website for the fall semester.

A list of programs at TC3 and more information can be found on the SUNY Reconnect page on TC3's website.

The SUNY Reconnect program is available at all SUNY schools across the state. More information on CCC's programming or any other individual school's programming is now available on SUNY's website.