NEW YORK STATE--Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a change in how New York state’s public systems of higher education are making it easier for New York high school seniors to attend college. As part of her 2023 State of the State agenda to eliminate barriers to higher education, SUNY (State University of New York) and CUNY (City University of New York) are reaching out to high school seniors in new ways with personalized letters, enrollment coaching and tutorials, and multiple points of contact to assist with enrolling in college and applying for financial aid.
“Access to quality higher education is an engine for social mobility and we are taking comprehensive steps to ensure that college is affordable and accessible for students from all backgrounds,” Hochul said. “My administration remains committed to removing barriers and easing the pathway to higher education for all high school seniors - lifting up students to build a brighter future for themselves and New York.”
SUNY will be sending a letter to 125,000 graduating New York state students outside of New York City — confirming they have been automatically accepted at their local community college to attend this fall. Sending personalized letters to high school seniors and their parents has been demonstrated to help students make the decision to enroll.
SUNY and CUNY are also helping students with their financial aid questions through tutorials and contacts. The federal government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is open for students to apply. In addition, New York state’s Excelsior Scholarship application, which opened on May 23, is accepted through Aug. 31.
New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Eliminating barriers to higher education and creating an equitable playing field are critical to supporting all of New York’s students. The more information that students and families have, the better equipped they are for making the ultimate decisions that put them on their best paths to success.”
The State University of New York, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “There is a place for every New Yorker at SUNY, and we are excited to make college an easy decision because our high school seniors and their parents understand their options. High-demand jobs increasingly require a college education, and thanks to New York’s generous financial aid offerings, SUNY is an extraordinary value proposition.”
“Access to quality higher education is an engine for social mobility and we are taking comprehensive steps to ensure that college is affordable and accessible for students from all backgrounds,” Hochul said. “My administration remains committed to removing barriers and easing the pathway to higher education for all high school seniors - lifting up students to build a brighter future for themselves and New York.”
SUNY will be sending a letter to 125,000 graduating New York state students outside of New York City — confirming they have been automatically accepted at their local community college to attend this fall. Sending personalized letters to high school seniors and their parents has been demonstrated to help students make the decision to enroll.
SUNY and CUNY are also helping students with their financial aid questions through tutorials and contacts. The federal government’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is open for students to apply. In addition, New York state’s Excelsior Scholarship application, which opened on May 23, is accepted through Aug. 31.
New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Eliminating barriers to higher education and creating an equitable playing field are critical to supporting all of New York’s students. The more information that students and families have, the better equipped they are for making the ultimate decisions that put them on their best paths to success.”
The State University of New York, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “There is a place for every New Yorker at SUNY, and we are excited to make college an easy decision because our high school seniors and their parents understand their options. High-demand jobs increasingly require a college education, and thanks to New York’s generous financial aid offerings, SUNY is an extraordinary value proposition.”
