Governor Kathy Hochul announced that students across New York will be able to apply to nearly 130 colleges for free this October.
The announcement coincides with the proclamation of “New York State College Application Month (CAM),” which includes the waiver of application fees at the State University of New York (SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), and dozens of private universities.
With application fees typically ranging from $50 to $90 each, these waivers will save students and their families considerable money and help ensure that all New York State students have the opportunity to take the crucial step of applying to college.
Within this framework, the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) will host virtual events to support CAM initiatives and the completion of FAFSA and TAP applications.
“All New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to pursue a college education without financial barriers,” said Governor Hochul.
“By waiving application fees at SUNY, CUNY and nearly 50 private colleges across the state, we are saving families money and ensuring more students can access the opportunities and future they deserve.”
“College Application Month is focused on breaking down barriers and helping every student take that crucial first step toward college success. “I want to thank our schools for their dedication and collaboration in making this important initiative a reality.”
Application Exemption Periods
–SUNY: Waiver of up to five application fees per student from October 20 to November 3.
–CUNY: Waived application fees from October 27 to November 21 for New York City high school students, and from November 10 to November 21 for students outside of New York City.
– Universities and private schools: They participate at various times of the month.
You can find a complete list of participating institutions in the New York State Application Waiver website.
And you can find additional help with college applications and information about related events on the web pages of Application to SUNY and of CUNY Application Month.
Support for Students and Families
To help students make the most of this exciting opportunity, HESC and its partners are hosting more than 40 virtual and in-person events throughout October.
With applications open for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the New York Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and the New York State Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Program, these events offer students and their families the personalized support they need to complete their financial aid applications.
“Governor Hochul’s leadership in prioritizing education is making a big difference for students and families across New York,” said Dr. Guillermo Linares, President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.
“By waiving college application fees, we are not only making higher education more accessible and affordable, but we are also sending a clear message: all students deserve the opportunity to succeed.”
“I congratulate our participating universities for their commitment and critical role in this initiative, ensuring that students have the guidance and resources necessary to confidently take this important step toward achieving their higher education goals.”
More information about State University of New York College Application Month can be found at hesc.ny.gov/cam.
