Prospective college students can apply to more than 130 New York state universities and some private schools for free starting Monday, Oct. 21.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the college application fee waiver on Friday, as part of a New York state initiative called the College Application Month. Those interested can apply to up to five participating schools without having to pay an application fee.
For many universities, that window of opportunity opens on Monday. Depending on the university, the window will be open anywhere from one week to year-round.
“We’re empowering students across the state to take the first step toward achieving their educational and career goals while removing the financial obstacles that may deter students from pursuing higher education,” Hochul said in a statement.
Hochul added that the application waiver program is about breaking down barriers and opening doors to future opportunities.
“No student should ever be discouraged from pursuing a path to higher education because of the cost of applying,” state Education Commissioner Betty Rosa said in a statement. “Waiving application fees sends a clear message to all high school seniors who aspire to higher education: ‘We want you to attend one of New York’s world-class colleges or universities; we want you to succeed.'”
The following schools in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region are participating. A complete list of participating colleges and universities with their specific timeframes for free applications can be found on the state website.
Finger Lakes Community College | Year-round | |
SUNY Fredonia | Oct. 21 – Nov. 3 | |
SUNY Geneseo | Oct. 21 – Nov. 3 | |
Monroe Community College | Year-round | |
Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing | October | |
Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Year-round | |
Houghton University | Year-round | |
Ithaca College | October | |
Keuka College | Year-round | |
Nazareth University | Year-round | |
Roberts Wesleyan University | Year-round | |
Rochester Institute of Technology | October | |
St. John Fisher University | Year-round | |