College Partners with Rensselaer County to Launch New Educational Incentive Program
August 20, 2025
Hudson Valley Community College has partnered with Rensselaer County to launch the Rensselaer County Educational Incentive Program, a new scholarship opportunity created by the legislature for county residents pursuing high-demand workforce programs.
Through this initiative, eligible students can receive up to $2,500 to help cover the cost of tuition and fees, reducing or even eliminating the financial barriers to attending college. It will allow Rensselaer County residents and students in high-demand programs to access the financial help they need to pursue education and training in fields like healthcare, business, advanced manufacturing, construction, automotive, information technology, green and emerging technologies, and more.
The announcement comes after Hudson Valley and Rensselaer County agreed to freeze tuition at the flat rate of $2,528 for in-state residents for the third year in a row; the addition of this program means the cost of tuition for some eligible students will be completely covered.
Tuesday’s event announcing the partnership included remarks from Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Michael Brophy, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Legislature Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman, Rensselaer County Legislator Bruce Patire, Rensselaer County Legislator and Hudson Valley Community College Board of Trustees Member Tom Grant, New York State Assemblymember John McDonald, Capital Region Workforce Development Board Executive Director Brian Williams, SUNY Vice Chancellor of Workforce Development and Upward Mobility Chris White, and Hudson Valley Student Senate President Karis Kraty, who shared the story of her personal journey at the college.
“Hudson Valley Community College and Rensselaer County have enjoyed a long history of partnership, and we are proud to continue our more than 75-year commitment to creating more opportunity for our region and our residents through the Rensselaer County Educational Incentive Program,” said Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Michael Brophy. “We are grateful that this innovative, first-of-its-kind partnership has been generously funded by the county to strengthen our workforce, provide more access to affordable education for our community, and prepare even more of our students for well-paid, fulfilling careers. More than 2,000 Rensselaer County residents enroll at Hudson Valley each year, and more than 85 percent of the college’s graduates remain in the Capital Region; this program represents a true investment in the future of our students and our region.”
"Rensselaer County has been proud to sponsor and support Hudson Valley Community College and the college's mission of ensuring education is kept both excellent and affordable. So many in our county have had their lives change for the better after receiving education or training at Hudson Valley. This new program will expand those efforts and provide gateways to new and better tomorrows for more of our residents," said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.
“This dynamic partnership between Rensselaer County, Hudson Valley Community College, and our Workforce Development Career Center is a powerful step toward connecting residents with the skills our businesses need most,” said Capital Region Workforce Development Board Executive Director Brian Williams. “By reducing financial barriers to high-demand, business-driven training programs, we’re not only opening doors for individuals to build rewarding careers, but also strengthening the talent pipeline that drives economic growth across the county.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "Making community colleges more accessible is a top priority for SUNY, and I applaud this effort by Rensselaer County to support that goal. With SUNY Reconnect making community college free for adult students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields, these academic opportunities have been widely promoted throughout the state. The Rensselaer County Educational Incentive Program will help even more students access these high-demand jobs and ensure our workforce is better equipped for the new economy."