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Students participating in the Science Olympiad at Fayetteville Manlius High School, in December. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing that the top 10 percent of high school graduates who study science, technology, engineering or mathematics at New York State colleges and universities be provided with free tuition. Dick Blume | dblume@syracuse.com

(Dick Blume | dblume@syracuse.com)

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo today proposed a budget plan that would provide $8 million to pay college tuition for high school graduates who attend a state college or university and major in science, technology, engineering or math.

The subject areas are collectively referred to as STEM subjects.

Such students would have to be in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class and must commit to work in New York for five years after earning their degree.

The proposed budget also called for putting $15 million toward the beginning of a state college focused on emergency preparedness. No location is named in the proposal.

The governor's budget stresses STEM-related educational programs. It would also authorize nearly $31 million to support ongoing university-based matching grants and other high technology and research and development programs that are administered by the Department of Economic Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation.

At the high school level, the budget would create two competitive STEM programs. One will provide financial support for high school teachers of science, technology, engineering or math who take part in professional development and mentorship activities. The other proposal, aimed at high school and early college students, would support a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program for grades 9 to 14 that focused on the knowledge and skills students need for STEM careers.

Contact Dave Tobin at 470-3277, dtobin@syracuse.com or via Twitter: @dttobin