Greene Light to Enrollment Fund refreshed and strengthened for 2026-2027 academic year to support Columbia-Greene Community College
HUDSON, N.Y. (July 23, 2026) – The Greene County Legislature has approved a refreshed grant to support the Greene Light to Enrollment Fund, a program Greene County started in 2020 to provide tuition support for recent high school graduates and non-traditional students at Columbia-Greene Community College.
The legislature recently approved $50,000 ($100,000 annually), in which students – for both credit and non-credit courses – can utilize for the cost of academic books and supplies, academic support services, and more. The funds are distributed through Columbia-Greene’s financial aid committee.
“This program reflects our commitment to ensuring that some financial barriers won’t stand in the way of opportunity,” said Greene County Legislator Matthew Luvera. “By investing in students attending the College, we are investing in the future workforce, families, and communities of Greene County.
The program supported 55 students in the 2025-2026 academic year. Full-time students receive $1,200 per semester, with part-time students receiving $600 per semester.
“Supporting students from the community in achieving their educational goals, enabling them to access the workforce is a top priority for the County legislature,” said Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden. “The Fund represents the Legislature’s unwavering commitment to the educational success and upward mobility of Greene County residents wishing to pursue programs and courses at Columbia-Greene Community College.”
“The ongoing commitment by Greene County to fund and support our students through the Greene Light to Enrollment Fund continues to make a tremendous impact for our students,” said Dr. Victoria L. Walsh, president, Columbia-Greene Community College. “Finances remains a top barrier to education for our students. This fund makes it even more possible for residents of Greene County to obtain an education or earn one of our certificates without an additional financial burden. We are deeply grateful to the Greene County Legislature and County Administrator Shaun Groden for making this a reality for our students.”
Scholarship recipients in the 2025-2026 academic year expressed their gratitude for the program.
“The Greene Light to Enrollment Scholarship from the Greene County Legislature was a tremendous help to me to be able to attend Columbia-Greene Community College. The scholarship meant that I was better able to cover expenses for classes and transportation. It took a weight off my shoulders to get this support. I have chosen a course of study in Education. It makes me feel very hopeful to pursue my degree,” said K.K., a student pursuing their associate’s in childhood education with a 3.56 GPA.
“With the help of the Greene Light to Enrollment Scholarship, I have been able to further dive into the learning aspects that come with my future career in Criminal Justice. I have lived within Greene County for my entire life, and I am incredibly thankful for what the Legislature provides to the community. The scholarship was used to select classes and purchase textbooks to assist in completing those courses. With this scholarship, I now have a chance to jumpstart my career in the Criminal Justice field,” said K.V., a student pursuing their associate’s in criminal justice with a 3.78 GPA.
For more information about Columbia-Greene Community College and its academic programs, please visit columbiagreene.edu.
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About Columbia-Greene Community College: A campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), is a comprehensive, two-year institution offering a variety of transfer and career programs leading to the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate in Occupational Studies degrees, as well as micro credentials, one-year certificate programs, and specialized courses geared toward community interest. columbiagreene.edu