Governor Hochul Announces Application Fee Waivers Across NYS Public and Private Colleges This October

For First Time, SUNY, CUNY, and More Than 40 Private Colleges and Universities Are Banding Together to Waive Application Fees During College Application Month

A Complete List of Participating Campuses and Information About Fee Waivers Available Here; Students Encouraged to Apply

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State University of New York, the City University of New York, and 40 private colleges and universities in New York State will have free application opportunities for high school seniors throughout the month of October. This is the first time that SUNY, CUNY, and New York’s private institutions will join together to waive application fees for students applying during New York State College Application Month.

"Education is the backbone of our society, and I am committed to providing opportunities that support every student’s journey to a higher education,” Governor Hochul said. “As we celebrate College Application Month in New York State, I am thrilled that SUNY, CUNY, and several of New York’s private institutions will waive application fees. Removing financial barriers enables students who may not have considered completing an application due to financial constraints to take the first steps of their educational journey. I urge all seniors in the state to apply to at least one college this month and make the most of this unprecedented initiative.”

In support of college application month, SUNY is waiving application fees across all 64 colleges and universities for two weeks beginning October 16 through October 29 and CUNY is waiving application fees across all 25 campus all month for high school seniors in New York City public schools and for all New York State residents who will apply as a freshman between October 16 and 31. CUNY has also guaranteed admissions to all seven community colleges for any student who holds a high school diploma. Fee waivers at private institutions vary by participating institution during the month.

The complete list of participating colleges and universities, information on when fees will be waived, and how to apply to each school can be found here.

HESC, SUNY, and CUNY have scheduled virtual and in-person events throughout the month to encourage students to learn more about the New York State financial aid, inform students about their college options, and assist them in completing their applications. For a list of more than 70 financial aid events hosted by HESC click here. SUNY sessions can be found here and a list of more than 100 events hosted by CUNY can be found here.

The New York State College Application Month initiative encourages high school seniors to apply for college early with a focus on students from low-income families, first-generation students, and students who may not otherwise apply for college.

October was proclaimed by the Governor as College Application Month in New York State to raise awareness of the vast higher education opportunities across New York State and to support students seeking to pursue higher education. The proclamation is available here.

In its tenth year, New York State College Application Month, which is a part of the national American College Application Campaign is coordinated by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation in partnership with the New York State Education Department, SUNY, CUNY, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, the NYC Department of Education, and community organizations throughout the state. More than 600 high schools across New York State are registered to participate in this year’s initiative.