Several State University of New York (SUNY) colleges are expanding the successful Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program, and a few are launching ASAP at their campuses this year.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King announced the ASAP expansion – along with an expansion of its baccalaureate counterpoint Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) – in September.

In the 2025-26 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul and state leaders allocated $12 million for SUNY to expand this initiative.

ASAP supports students pursuing associate degrees by providing a wide array of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree. This includes funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation and other costs of attendance, as well as comprehensive personalized advisement and support.

ASAP students are earning up to two more credits in their first semester and have a 17 percentage-point increase in retention from their first to second term and a 15 percentage-point increase in one-year retention compared to matched comparison group students, according to a SUNY press release.

Growing ASAP

Jefferson Community College (JCC) is one of the expansion colleges. College officials reported that the program has grown in numbers from an initial cohort in 2024 of 32 students to 128 in Fall of 2025 and 291 for Spring semester 2026.

“ASAP is about more than numbers; it’s about people,” JCC President Daniel Dupee said. “It’s about students who may have struggled to finish their degrees now having the resources and support to be successful, push through challenges, and reach goals they might not have thought possible. Through this program, we are building a stronger, more resilient, and more vibrant community.”

SUNY Schenectady also is celebrating the expansion of ASAP. This expansion will mean that 255 students at SUNY Schenectady will receive resources to help keep them on track for graduation.

The college launched its ASAP program in Spring 2024 and began with a cohort of 52 students. Now, with 255 students in the program, it is one of the largest ASAP programs among SUNY community colleges.

At a Dutchess Community College event celebrating ASAP’s expansion, students discussed the importance of the program.

“I come from a family that is financially struggling, and ASAP gave me the opportunity to come here and connected me with financial aid,” said engineering student Adrian Sanchez Perez. “It was one of the reasons I was able to afford college here at DCC.”

The start of something great

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) welcomed SUNY and state legislative representatives students to campus for a celebration of the ASAP program coming to TC3 this year.

TC3 was one of nine SUNY community college campuses added to the ASAP program this year. TC3 now has 150 students in the ASAP program this semester.

“I was so excited when it was announced that ASAP would be coming here,” TC3 President Amy Kremenek said. “This program is a perfect fit for our campus, because it combines financial and wraparound supports, creating a connected community.”