# Getting into college in New York

Source: https://www.qaravan.org/resources/education/college-admission/

Anyone, whatever their immigration status, can apply to and attend CUNY, the City's public colleges, and you can skip the Social Security number (SSN) question on the application. If your education documents are from outside the United States, the fall deadline is earlier: December 1.

## Start here

- CUNY fall 2027 applications are due December 1 with documents from outside the U.S. or a student visa, otherwise February 1.
- High school students apply free until November 16, 2026. Other low-income New York State residents can get the $65 or $70 fee waived.
- You can skip the SSN question on the CUNY application; CUNY says it does not track students' immigration status.

## Which college to choose

CUNY has 25 campuses, and one application can name several colleges. There are two kinds: two-year community colleges (associate degree) and four-year senior colleges (bachelor's degree). You can start at a community college and transfer to a senior college later; on the application this is called Transfer.

1. How long you must have lived in New York to pay as a resident For a community college you need a qualifying status (for example a pending asylum application with a work permit) and 12 consecutive months in New York State before the first day of classes, the last 6 of them in New York City (or a certificate of residence from your county if you live outside the city), plus the intent to stay permanently.

Two kinds of CUNY colleges

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## How to apply to CUNY, step by step

1. Choose the application type and colleges Apply as a Freshman if you are in high school or haven't attended college since your high school diploma; one application covers up to 6 CUNY colleges. Apply as a Transfer if you have attended college since high school; up to 4 colleges.
2. Check the deadlines If your education documents are from outside the United States or you need a student visa, the fall deadline is December 1 for the application and December 15 for documents.
3. Submit the application online Log in to the CUNY Application with a guest account or a CUNYfirst account (CUNY's online system for applications, classes and payments), pick the application type, review everything and press Submit. You can then download a copy (Application Summary), and soon CUNY assigns you an eight-digit CUNYfirst ID used to match your application and documents. You don't need to answer the SSN question.
4. Pay the fee or get a waiver The fee is not refundable: $65 for Freshman, $70 for Transfer. Pay online by MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover, or by e-check. By mail, send a money order payable to CUNY, with your CUNYfirst ID on it, to the CUNY University Application Processing Center (UAPC) Lockbox, Mail Code 8770, P.O. Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-8770. New York State residents may qualify for a fee waiver.
5. Send your documents Official records are transcripts the school or college itself sends to transcripts@cuny.edu; one set covers every college on your application. CUNY does not accept notarized or translator-certified copies, photocopies, faxes or scans as official. If the institution can't send documents online, it can mail them to UAPC (CUNY's application processing office): CUNY/UAPC, P.O. Box 350136, Brooklyn, NY 11235, or by overnight service to 2001 Oriental Blvd., Building T-1, Room 122, Brooklyn, NY 11235. Documents are not returned, so don't send originals you can't replace, such as an original diploma.
6. If you studied outside the U.S., prepare your documents and their evaluation You need your complete secondary school record for all years, any external exam certificates and a translation. From applicants educated outside the United States, home-schooled applicants and HSE holders, CUNY accepts documents at admissions@cuny.edu as unofficial. Records can be evaluated free by UAPC or for a fee by an approved service: “[Foreign diploma and document translation](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/education/foreign-diploma/)”.
7. Take an English test if one is required If you are on a temporary visa and were educated in a non-English-speaking environment, you need official scores from the TOEFL, IELTS (Academic), PTE (Academic) or Duolingo. Scores are official if the test organizer sends them to CUNY or you list CUNY's code 2950 when you register; copies uploaded to the application are unofficial.
8. Track your application status After you submit, an email invites you to log in to CUNYfirst, where you see your status and decisions. Each college you listed sends its own decision. If you miss the deadline, some colleges still accept applications if space allows.

## Application deadlines

For fall 2027 the next dates are December 1 and 15, 2026 if your documents are from outside the U.S., and February 1, 2027 for everyone else; CUNY calls February 1 the priority deadline. SUNY (the State's separate college system) has no formal freshman deadline but recommends applying by December 1 for the best chances at financial aid, housing and your first-choice major. Some colleges set their own deadlines for certain programs.

CUNY admission deadlines (Freshman and Transfer)

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- SUNY Early Action deadlines (applySUNY) Any status Early Action is early application to some SUNY colleges. November 1: Alfred Ceramics, Binghamton, the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook. November 15: the University at Albany, Cortland, ESF (the College of Environmental Science and Forestry), Geneseo, Maritime, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Purchase (except fine and applied arts) and SUNY Poly. In 2026, SUNY's fee-free application weeks (up to five colleges with no fee) were October 19 to November 2. [suny.edu](https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/)

## How to avoid paying the application fee

High school students in New York City or State apply free during their own free period. Other New York State residents who are not in high school and not CUNY students can get a hardship waiver. Upload the document to the Supporting Materials section of the application, or to your CUNYfirst Admissions Center after you submit, after removing personal data such as your date of birth and SSN. Letters can be up to a year old; tax forms can be from the prior year.

Application fee waivers (New York State residents only)

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## Income guidelines for the SEEK and College Discovery programs

CUNY uses the same limits for the fee waiver. The table is for academic year 2027/2028.

Total annual household income, up to

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## CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP): English before college

An intensive, low-cost English as a Second Language (ESL) program for people already accepted to CUNY whose academic English is not yet strong enough for college courses. You postpone college and can attend CLIP for up to a year, 25 hours a week: five hours a day, five days a week, day or evening. CLIP doesn't use your financial aid: you pay a small fee and keep your aid for college. Your place at the college stays reserved, and after CLIP you are readmitted automatically. Winter and spring 2027 classes are in person or hybrid. It is demanding, with reading and homework outside class, so plan how to fit it around work and family.

1. Get accepted to CUNY first CLIP is for people accepted to a CUNY college who have not yet met CUNY's English proficiency and can attend 25 hours a week. If you are already a CUNY student, an academic advisor or professor at your college must refer you.
2. Contact a CLIP site Fill in the online CLIP enrollment form or email the site you choose so staff can help determine whether you are eligible. Each site has its own registration dates and may close early once classes are full.
3. Attend an orientation and take the tests At the orientation you hear how the program works, then take a few English tests for class placement. If you lack basic speaking, reading and writing skills, you may first be referred to a free or low-cost partner program.
4. Prepare your documents and payment Bring your CUNY acceptance letter, your CUNY EmplID (student ID number, new students only) and a credit card, e-check or other online payment your site accepts; Kingsborough also takes cash and money orders. Public assistance recipients and SEEK or CD students must show proof before paying: a budget letter or a statement of benefits from ACCESS HRA (the City benefits agency's website).

CLIP fees for winter and spring 2027

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- CLIP enrollment form Any status CUNY's online form: staff help determine whether you are eligible and point you to a site. [tinyurl.com](https://tinyurl.com/CLIP-Enrollment)
- CLIP at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@bmcc.cuny.edu. 6th floor of the New York State Office Building. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 163 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027
- CLIP at Bronx Community College (BCC) Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration October 13 to January 11. Email: clip@bcc.cuny.edu. Loew Hall, Room 336. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
- CLIP at College of Staten Island (CSI) Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@csi.cuny.edu. Building 2A, Room 202. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
- CLIP at Hostos Community College Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@hostos.cuny.edu. Building E, entrance on 150th Street between Exterior Street and River Avenue. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 590 Exterior Street, Bronx, NY 10451
- CLIP at Kingsborough Community College (KBCC) Any status Low cost Winter session January 11 to February 24, 2027 (registration November 2 to January 4) and spring session March 10 to June 7 (registration January 5 to March 5). Email: clip.kcc@kbcc.cuny.edu. Room T231. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235
- CLIP at LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC) Any status Low cost Winter session January 11 to February 24, 2027 (registration December 7 to January 6) and spring session March 15 to June 10 (registration February 22 to March 10). Email: clip@lagcc.cuny.edu. Room C224. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 29-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
- CLIP at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@citytech.cuny.edu. Pearl Building, 4th floor, Room P-414. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- CLIP at Queensborough Community College (QCC) Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@qcc.cuny.edu. Science Building, Room 216. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364
- CLIP at York College Any status Low cost Spring session January 25 to June 3, 2027, registration December 7 to January 22. Email: clip@york.cuny.edu. Science Building, Room 114. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/) 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11451

## CUNY Start: preparation for college courses

CUNY Start helps students heading for an associate degree prepare in English and math before regular courses and meet CUNY's proficiency milestones. You need a high school or HSE diploma, all CUNY admission requirements completed, admission to a campus with the program, and a recommendation for extra English or math support based on your CUNY proficiency index. It costs $75 for a semester-long program and $35 for shorter cycles, materials included. It doesn't use your financial aid, but CUNY encourages you to file the FAFSA (federal aid) and TAP (New York State aid) applications as early as possible.

1. Apply to CUNY and choose a campus that offers CUNY Start Complete the admission requirements and choose a campus that offers CUNY Start.
2. Contact the program and attend the interview Write to the CUNY Start program at your campus, then attend a short information session and interview.
3. Submit your diploma and pay Submit your high school or HSE diploma and complete any other campus-specific requirements, then pay the fee ($75 for a semester-long program, $35 for shorter cycles).

- CUNY Start at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start, Math Start and JumpStart. CUNY Start email: CUNYStart@bmcc.cuny.edu; Math Start: MathStart@bmcc.cuny.edu. Room 1018. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 70 Murray Street, New York, NY 10004
- CUNY Start at Bronx Community College (BCC) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start, Math Start and English Start. CUNY Start email: CUNYStart@bcc.cuny.edu; Math Start: MathStart@bcc.cuny.edu. Brown Annex, Room 101. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
- CUNY Start at College of Staten Island (CSI) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start and Math Start. Email: CUNYStart@csi.cuny.edu, MathStart@csi.cuny.edu. Building 4N, Room 207. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314
- CUNY Start at Guttman Community College Any status Low cost Math Start only. Email: MathStart@guttman.cuny.edu. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 50 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018
- CUNY Start at Hostos Community College Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start, Math Start, English Start and JumpStart. Email: CUNYStart@hostos.cuny.edu, MathStart@hostos.cuny.edu. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
- CUNY Start at Kingsborough Community College (KBCC) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start, Math Start and English Start. Email: CUNYStart@kbcc.cuny.edu, MathStart@kbcc.cuny.edu. Room M232. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235
- CUNY Start at LaGuardia Community College (LaGCC) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start and Math Start. Email: CUNYStart@lagcc.cuny.edu, MathStart@lagcc.cuny.edu. Room C-415. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 29-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
- CUNY Start at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) Any status Low cost Programs: Math Start and JumpStart. Email: MathStart@citytech.cuny.edu. Room 310. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- CUNY Start at Queensborough Community College (QCC) Any status Low cost Programs: CUNY Start, Math Start, English Start and JumpStart. Email: CUNYStart@qcc.cuny.edu. W Building. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/) 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364

## Support programs inside CUNY

- CUNY Office of Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs Any status Free A central CUNY Student Affairs office supporting students of every status, including people seeking asylum, across all 25 campuses. Every campus has at least two Immigrant Success Liaisons, staff you can ask about immigrant student issues. CUNY says anyone, whatever their status, can apply and attend, that you can skip the SSN question, and that CUNY does not track or document immigration status or share student records without a warrant, subpoena or court order. For one-on-one support or referrals, submit the intake form on the office's page; expect an answer within two weeks, and if none comes, email ImmigrantStudents@cuny.edu with "Delayed Intake" in the subject. Privately funded CUNY scholarships are open regardless of status; ask at the same address. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/cuny-immigrant-student-success/)
- CUNY College Discovery (CD) and SEEK opportunity programs Any status Free CUNY programs for people who need financial aid and academic support. Submit the regular CUNY application, mark CD or SEEK, send documents on your financial need and complete the Summer Bridge program. CD is a two-year program at six community colleges (BMCC, Bronx, Hostos, Kingsborough, LaGuardia, Queensborough): you must have lived in New York City at least a year before entering, be a first-year student, have a high school or state-approved equivalency diploma, an admissions average below 80 and family income within State guidelines. SEEK is a four-year program at 12 colleges: at least a year in New York State, a high school or equivalency diploma, inadmissible under the college's regular criteria, a first-time freshman and within the income guidelines. Both cover nearly all tuition for eligible students and provide counseling, tutoring and help with books. CUNY says undocumented students must complete the New York State Dream Act Eligibility form and a TAP application for full benefits, and the programs page advises filing the FAFSA; ask the immigrant student office how this applies to your status. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/seek-college-discovery/)
- CUNY Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) Any status NYC residents Free Helps students graduate on time: an unlimited-ride OMNY card for subways and buses, a tuition and fee gap award, textbooks, a stipend for expenses, priority registration and a personal advisor. Offered at 16 CUNY colleges. You must live in New York City or State, study full-time and finish an associate degree within six semesters; the bachelor's pathway takes eight semesters from first year or four after transfer. Students with no financial aid who otherwise qualify may join but don't get the gap award. Students under the NYS DREAM Act (the State law that lets non-citizens receive State aid) may get TAP, the Excelsior Scholarship (a State scholarship covering remaining tuition at SUNY and CUNY for families earning up to $125,000) and other State scholarships; the steps are on [the site of HESC](https://hesc.ny.gov/applying-aid/nys-dream-act/nys-dream-act-steps-apply), the State student grant agency. A recruiter at your campus enrolls you. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/asap/join/)

## Chosen name and gender at CUNY

- CUNY LGBTQI+ Hub Any status Free The CUNY LGBTQI+ Council's site: policies, contacts and campus centers. Under CUNY policy you can change your chosen first and middle name and your gender at your discretion, with no documents: the chosen name appears with your legal last name in CUNYfirst, Blackboard and class rosters, and you can update your student ID, email address and Zoom name. Official documents such as transcripts keep your legal name until you change it legally. Submit the CUNY Preferred Name Request Form to your college's registrar. Diplomas print your legal name by default; since fall 2025 you can enter a separate Diploma Name in CUNYfirst, but CUNY warns that a mismatch with other documents may cause legal, immigration and employment complications. Questions: lgbtqicouncil@cuny.edu. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/cuny-lgbtqi-hub/)

## What to know before you apply

- CUNY nursing programs and immigration status Any status Under CUNY's revised Nursing Programs admission policy, you need a lawful immigration status to be admitted. If you want to study nursing and are waiting for an asylum decision, first ask the CUNY Office of Undocumented and Immigrant Student Programs (ImmigrantStudents@cuny.edu) whether your situation qualifies, so you don't lose the fee and time. [cuny.edu](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/cuny-immigrant-student-success/)
- State University of New York (SUNY) Any status New York State's other public college system, separate from CUNY. Apply through applySUNY, to several campuses at once. Residency rules for tuition: “[What college costs at your immigration status](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/education/tuition-by-status/)”. Free Application Weeks (up to five SUNY campuses with no fee) were held from October 19 to November 2 in 2026; SUNY also waives the fee for about 60 percent of applications year round (see SUNY's fee waiver page). [suny.edu](https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/)

## Glossary: definitions of special terms and abbreviations

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This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

[All pages: English and education](https://www.qaravan.org/resources/education/)

**Sources, checked November 2026**

- [cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-colle…](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/model-programs/cuny-college-transition-programs/cuny-language-immersion-program-clip/)
- [cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiati…](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/cuny-start/)
- [cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/seek-college-discovery](https://www.cuny.edu/academics/academic-programs/seek-college-discovery/)
- [cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiati…](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-success-initiatives/asap/join/)
- [cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs…](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/cuny-lgbtqi-hub/)
- [suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny](https://www.suny.edu/attend/apply-to-suny/)
- [cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs…](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/student-affairs/programs-services/cuny-immigrant-student-success/)
- [hesc.ny.gov/applying-aid/nys-dream-act/nys-dream-act-steps-apply](https://hesc.ny.gov/applying-aid/nys-dream-act/nys-dream-act-steps-apply)