New York State Offers Free College Applications for October

New York State is waiving college application fees for nearly 130 colleges and universities throughout October 2023. This initiative, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, aims to enhance access to higher education by eliminating the financial burden of application costs during New York State College Application Month (CAM).

Students can apply for free at all SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) campuses, as well as numerous participating private institutions. With typical application fees ranging from $50 to $90, the waiver represents significant savings for prospective students, effectively reducing one of the first barriers to obtaining a college degree.

Support for Students and Families

A comprehensive list of the participating colleges and application links can be accessed on the New York State Application Waiver page. Additionally, students can find helpful resources, including how-to guides and event schedules, on the dedicated Apply to SUNY and CUNY Month websites.

To further assist families in navigating the application and financial aid processes, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and its partners will host over 40 virtual and in-person events. These sessions will cover essential topics such as applications and financial aid, with a particular focus on the 2026–27 FAFSA and the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

Education leaders have expressed strong support for this initiative. SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, and HESC President Dr. Guillermo Linares have praised the waiver as a significant step towards achieving greater college access and equity. They emphasized that this initiative will help ensure more New Yorkers can pursue higher education and work towards a brighter future.

National Initiative and Local Impact

New York State College Application Month is part of the broader national American College Application Campaign. Since its inception in 2005, this campaign has assisted over five million students in submitting more than ten million college applications across the United States.

In New York, the initiative is coordinated by HESC in collaboration with the State Education Department, SUNY, CUNY, the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, the Association of Proprietary Colleges, and the NYC Department of Education.

For more information about New York State College Application Month and the available resources, visit hesc.ny.gov/cam. This initiative not only seeks to alleviate financial hurdles but also aims to encourage a diverse range of applicants to consider higher education as a viable and accessible path forward.