Governor Kathy Hochul announced that students across New York State can apply to nearly 130 colleges and universities for free throughout October, part of her proclamation of New York State College Application Month (CAM) to expand access by removing upfront costs.
Application fees are waived at all SUNY and CUNY campuses and dozens of participating private colleges. With typical fees running $50–$90 per application, the waiver delivers real savings and lowers the first barrier to a college degree.
Key waiver windows
- SUNY: up to five application fees waived per student, Oct. 20–Nov. 3
- CUNY: fee waivers Oct. 27–Nov. 21 for NYC high school students; Nov. 10–Nov. 21 for students outside NYC
- Private colleges: varying waiver periods throughout October
A full list of participating schools and application links is available on the New York State Application Waiver page. Students can also find how-to guides and events on Apply to SUNY and CUNY Month websites.
To help families navigate next steps, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) and partners are hosting 40+ virtual and in-person events covering applications and financial aid. With forms now open for the 2026–27 FAFSA, as well as TAP and the NYS STEM Incentive Program, these sessions aim to make the aid process clearer and more manageable.
State education leaders—including SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, and HESC President Dr. Guillermo Linares—praised the waiver initiative as a concrete step toward college access and equity, ensuring more New Yorkers can pursue higher education and build brighter futures.
New York State College Application Month is part of the national American College Application Campaign, which has helped more than five million students submit over ten million college applications since 2005. In New York, the initiative is coordinated by HESC in partnership 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.
More information about New York State College Application Month can be found at hesc.ny.gov/cam.
