CUNY applications jump nine percent

Free tuition could be factor, chancellor says

July 26, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

More freshmen are applying to attend schools in the City University of New York system this year than last year. Pictured: the entrance gate of Brooklyn College. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s program to provide free tuition to students attending New York state’s public colleges could be partially responsible for a record increase in applications to attend the City University of New York (CUNY), educators said this week.

Freshman applications to CUNY for fall 2017 increased nine percent over last year to 76,345, university officials announced this week.

Several factors were attributed to the increase, including Cuomo’s Excelsior Scholarship program, which offers free tuition to CUNY and State University of New York (SUNY) students whose annual family income is $125,000 or less, according to CUNY officials.

There were 30,845 Excelsior applications to CUNY colleges.

Another factor in the surge of applications is Mayor Bill de Blasio’s initiative to waive CUNY’s application fees for low-income students, educators said.

In addition, the colleges within the CUNY system are great schools, said CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken.

“This is a testament to the outstanding work being done at our campuses, the excellent outcomes our graduates can expect, and the commitment of the state and city to increasing educational opportunity,” Milliken said in a statement. “We are gratified that CUNY’s academic quality and our commitment to accessibility are being recognized by families throughout New York City and state.”

The largest increase in CUNY applications was in the Bronx, where applications rose by an impressive 13 percent.

Milliken said that due to a record number of students graduating in the spring of 2017, the overall enrollment projection for the fall is expected to be stable.

CUNY has admitted 1.3 percent more transfers from outside academic institutions than in the fall of 2016.

Founded in 1847, CUNY is comprised of 24 institutions: 11 senior colleges, seven community colleges, the William E. Macaulay Honors College at CUNY, the CUNY Graduate School and University Center, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, the CUNY School of Law, the CUNY School of Professional Studies and the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.

CUNY serves more than 272,000 students.

College Now, a CUNY academic enrichment program, is offered at CUNY campuses and more than 400 high schools throughout the five boroughs. The university also offers online baccalaureate and master’s degrees through the School of Professional Studies.