High school students can apply to colleges across New York the next couple of weeks for free.
During this free college application period, students can apply to up to five SUNY schools free of charge and apply to an unlimited number of CUNY schools for free. Forty-six private colleges and universities are also part of this cost-savings initiative.
“I think it’s a very big reason that a lot of students will apply to so many SUNY schools at this point. Application costs are very expensive. They add up quickly. It is a big chunk of money, so having the opportunity to apply to five SUNY schools is wonderful. It makes the difference for some families,” said Jennifer Quinn, a college and career counselor at Albany High School.
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation says that the average college application fee typically costs anywhere from $50 to $90 per application.
“You’re not alone in this. There is a lot of support and a lot of people out there to help you. New York State Higher Education is a great resource. We have a number of resources right on our website that are available and we also host a number of events. We provide one-on-one support. Your guidance counselors can support you through this process as well. And SUNY, CUNY and private institutions have a lot of support as well. So you’re not in this alone so if you need help, there are a lot of resources,” said Angela Liotta, VP of communications with the NYS Higher Education Services Corp.
HESC says in 2025, colleges around the state processed 300,000 free applications, amounting to $15 million in waived application fees.
The free application period for SUNY schools continues until Nov. 2. The CUNY deadline wraps up Nov. 16. Application waiver deadlines vary for participating private college and universities.