CANTON – SUNY Canton will be receiving $878,000 in additional funding as part of the 2024-2025 enacted New York State Budget.

The figure represents a 12.2% increase from the previous year's state funding for SUNY Canton. Overall, the State's funding increase for all campuses was $114 million, which includes significant new resources to support SUNY students and creates the largest two-year infusion of support in the last 50 years.

"The funding allows us to accomplish our mission of providing a high-quality, low-cost education, with our strong support structures in place to help students be successful," said SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran. "We thank Governor Kathy Hochul, the State Legislature, and the State University of New York System for continuing to recognize the value our college brings to the North Country, the region and the state."

Allocations include $778,000 designated to offset contractual salary increases negotiated by collective bargaining units representing state employees.

An additional $100,000 was allocated to the college's thriving Presidential Internship program, which provides $1,000 per semester to qualified student interns. In Spring 2024, the college provided 65 on-campus internships and 15 off-campus positions for area organizations.

"This was the first semester that we were able to provide living stipends for students completing unpaid internships with public service and non-profit agencies," said Kathryn L. Kennedy, assistant director of career services. "It helps remove barriers for students who need both professional on-the-job experience while also gaining college credit."

Presidential Internships can be used to supplement preceptorships, clinicals and required internship experiences for students' academic program requirements.

Last year, the college received a $1 million increase in operational funding, nearly $1 million in one-time funding from the SUNY Transformation Fund and an additional investment of more than $720,000 designated for specific projects. Departments directly benefiting from the investment include the Counseling Center, the Renzi Food Pantry and the Student Accessibility Services Office.