New York colleges to waive application fees for high school seniors

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the 2026 College Application Initiative, which will see over 130 New York State colleges and universities waive application fees for high school seniors. The program aims to reduce financial barriers for students, particularly those from lower-income households or first-generation college backgrounds. Typical application fees range from $50 to $90 per institution.

The initiative includes the State University of New York (SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), and more than 45 participating private colleges and universities. Last year, the program facilitated over 300,000 applications, saving families more than $15 million.

Fee waiver periods vary by institution:

• CUNY (New York City public school students): September 15 through November 16, 2026. • CUNY (students outside New York City public schools): October 15 through November 16, 2026. • SUNY: October 19 through November 2, 2026.