New York waives college application fees for nearly 130 universities: Here’s what students need to know
New York high school seniors will not have to pay college application fees at nearly 130 colleges and universities this fall. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the move on Monday. The program is in its third year. It aims to remove financial barriers and encourage more students to apply to college.Undergraduate enrollment nationwide is still below pre-pandemic levels. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows enrollment rose 3.5% in spring 2025 compared with the previous year, but numbers have not fully recovered. Officials say removing application fees can help bring more students back into the system, as reported by Chalkbeat.
CUNY fee waivers
The City University of New York is waiving application fees for twenty of its campuses. New York City high school students can apply for free from October 27 to November 21. Students outside the city can submit applications without fees from November 10 to 21.CUNY’s enrollment fell about 10% in fall 2022 compared with 2021. Statewide, undergraduate enrollment dropped 2% over the same period. The university saw a rebound in 2024 after waiving fees for New York City public high school seniors. Personalised acceptance letters highlighting the fee waiver helped attract more students. Last year, the four-week program generated 60,000 freshman applications, according to Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez.
SUNY and private colleges
The State University of New York will allow students to apply to up to five campuses for free between October 20 and November 3. Several private colleges in New York City are also participating, including the Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, and Pace University. Some top private colleges, such as New York University and Columbia University, are not part of the program.Officials say fee waivers make college more accessible, especially for students who face financial or logistical challenges. They also give students the chance to consider schools they might not have applied to otherwise.
Why fee waivers matter
Even small application fees can discourage students from applying. Paying even a minor amount can delay applications or stop them altogether. Fee waivers remove that barrier, allowing students to apply to more colleges without worrying about cost. They also give students the chance to consider schools that might have seemed out of reach before.
What students should do
Students should check fee-waiver dates for each college and plan their applications in advance. Preparing essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters ahead of time can help them submit on time. Applying early increases chances of acceptance. School counselors can guide students on how to take full advantage of the fee-waiver program.Officials hope the program will boost enrollment and expand access to higher education. It is part of a broader effort to support students after the pandemic and address ongoing financial barriers.
Enrollment trends
CUNY’s fee-waiver program comes after a period of declining enrollment. Fall 2022 numbers were down roughly 10% from 2021, and statewide numbers dropped 2% over the same period. Last year’s fee-waiver program and personalised letters helped bring applications back up. Nationally, enrollment is rising slowly but remains below pre-pandemic levels.Removing fees is a small step, but one that officials say can have a significant impact. By making applications free, more students can consider colleges they might have skipped due to cost.
