There are many words that can be used to describe the state’s new Excelsior Scholarship program, but can we all agree not to use the word free?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature “free” tuition plan is about as far from free as a plan could possibly be for everyone involved.

Attending a state college or university is still going to cost students plenty even if they qualify for the Excelsior Scholarship program. A New York resident attending the State University at Fredonia this year can expect to spend roughly $20,820 on tuition, room and board. Tuition is $8.090 of that cost, meaning the governor’s “free” college is actually only 38.86 percent free for students and their families.

For taxpayers, the program’s anticipated $163 million cost is likely only the starting point. Many state legislators warned that the governor’s proposed program cost was too low. We wonder what happens if the program is “successful” in drawing more students than projected into the SUNY system. Taxpayers will be on the hook for not only an increased cost of sending more students to college, but for the increased cost of more professors, more buildings and more equipment. While we agree with the idea that students should have to stay in New York state after they graduate, we wonder who pays to make sure they do so? Surely the additional positions needed to administer that part of the program won’t be handled by volunteers.

The only thing that can be classified as free is all of the publicity going to Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his “landmark” legislation. At least somebody is benefitting from this legislation.