New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D.) touted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as the inspiration behind the Excelsior Scholarship program at the signing of the bill on Wednesday.
Cuomo and Clinton spoke at Laguardia Community College before the governor signed the tuition-free college plan that was passed by the state Senate on Monday.
The tuition-free college plan referred to as the "Excelsior Scholarship" by Clinton and Cuomo during their speeches, grants free tuition for middle-class students to any New York public college.
Cuomo touted Clinton as the inspiration for the Excelsior Scholarship, which was introduced to the state legislature in January.
"The inspiration for the idea came from a woman who I know very, very well," Cuomo said, referencing Hillary Clinton.
In order for students to receive the free tuition, they must stay in the state of New York for as many years as they receive the funding. If not students decided to leave the state of New York early they must pay back the funding they received.
