Suffolk County Community College has been awarded the largest grant in its history—nearly $1 million annually for the next five years—to expand healthcare education and support services for students preparing for vital roles in the region’s healthcare workforce.

The New York State Department of Health’s Healthcare Education and Life-Skills Program (HELP) grant will provide approximately $4.98 million in total funding. Beginning in January 2026, the award will help cover tuition for students enrolled in Registered Nursing (RN), Practical Nursing (PN), Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA), and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs.

In addition to direct tuition assistance, the grant will fund new full-time positions to coordinate programs, oversee clinical placements, and provide students with comprehensive life-coaching and support. Students will benefit from intrusive advising, financial literacy training, job placement coaching, and a new life-skills curriculum focused on resilience, time management, and communication.

The HELP initiative is expected to increase first-year RN retention from 73% to 85%, PN retention from 65% to 80%, and add 24 CNAs and 45 CMAs annually to the regional healthcare workforce.

“This transformative investment ensures that more Suffolk students will have the resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed in high-demand healthcare careers,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, President, Suffolk County Community College. “It will strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals serving Long Island and beyond.”

The program is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with tuition support expected to reach students beginning in fall 2026.