How to Apply

We know you want a college experience that’s academically stimulating, financially affordable and personally rewarding.

Follow these steps to successfully apply:

1. Track Deadlines
2. Submit Your Application
3. Send Your Documents
4. Check Your Status

1 Track Deadlines

Make note of the below list of application postmark deadlines and admission notification dates to the majority of our colleges, and to some unique CUNY programs.

Freshman and Transfer Applicants

Unique CUNY Programs

1 Supplemental Application on the college’s website

*Two-step notification process:
1) Beginning in mid-February applicants will be notified of their admission decision as General Freshman by all college choices listed on their application.
2) March 15 – Macaulay applicants will be notified of their admissions decision into Macaulay Honors College.

*All other applicants to selective programs will be notified of their admission decision at a later date.

**The admissions review for the Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music (ACSM) is a two-step process: Admission to Queens College and admission to the ACSM after an Audition.
Please visit the ACSM website for more information.

Please note: The aforementioned deadline dates do not apply to the CUNY School of Professional Studies.

2 Submit Your Application

Three easy steps for completing your CUNY application.

Start your application

Log into the CUNY Application using either a guest account or your CUNYfirst account.

Select your application

• Freshman: apply as a freshman if you’re currently enrolled in high school or if you haven’t attended college after receiving your high school diploma. One application allows you to apply to 6 CUNY colleges.
• Macaulay: if you are a freshman applicant for the fall semester, you can choose the Macaulay application to be considered for our university honors program.
• Transfer: apply as a transfer if you’ve enrolled in college after completing high school. One application allows you to apply to 4 CUNY colleges.

Review and Submit

Make sure to review your application before clicking the Submit button. Upon submission, you’ll be able to access a copy of your Application Summary. We recommend you download a copy. We’ll also generate a CUNYfirst ID number shortly after you submit your application. This 8 digit unique number will help us identify your application quickly and match any documents you send to us.

You can return to your application post-submission to upload supporting materials, add recommendation requests and make payment. View our video tutorials for a step-by-step guide.

Application Fees

All applicants are required to submit a non-refundable application fee to be considered for admission. The Freshman Application fee is $65. The Transfer Application fee is $70.

Submit your fee online using MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover or e-check.

Submit your fee by mail by submitting a money order payable to “CUNY” to the address listed below. Write your CUNYfirst ID number on your money order. You can find your CUNYfirst ID number (an 8 digit number) on your Application Summary.

CUNY UAPC Lockbox
Mail Code: 8770
P.O. Box 7247
Philadelphia, PA 19170-8770

Fee Waivers

1. Current CUNY College students: If you’re currently enrolled at a CUNY College and intend to transfer without a gap in your enrollment, answer the CUNY Enrollment question on the application to waive your application fee. Note: please be sure to add the courses you are currently taking in order for your application fee to be waived.
2. Current New York City Public School (NYCPS) students: To request an application fee waiver, have the student select ‘Pay Later’ and submit their application. Please submit the Fee Waiver Request Form to counselor@cuny.edu for all students who receive free or reduced lunch and need their application waived. No supporting documentation is required.
3. Current Non-New York City Public School or New York State students: To request an application fee waiver, have the student select ‘Pay Later’ and submit their application. Please review the income guidelines in this form and submit the Fee Waiver Request Form with supporting eligibility documents for each student to counselor@cuny.edu.
4. Students from outside of New York State: Fee waivers are limited to students in New York State.
5. Veterans and spouses of veterans: Answer the US Military Status question on the application and upload proof of service in the supporting documents section of the application to receive a waiver. Acceptable forms of proof are DD-214, current Military ID Card, Deployment Orders or Pre-separation Orders. Spouses of veterans can provide Form 1173/1173-1 as proof of military affiliation.
6. Economic Hardship for applicants not in high school or not enrolled at a CUNY College: The City University of New York (CUNY) can provide a limited number of undergraduate application fee waivers each academic year to applicants not currently attending a NYC/NYS high school.

Eligibility: The following applicants who reside in New York State may qualify for a hardship fee waiver:

• • • Applicants in foster care, ward of the state or county
    • Applicants residing in a homeless shelter
    • Applicants receiving public assistance (NYCHA, Section 8, Government Subsidized housing, Supplemental Security Income)
    • Applicants who are unemployed or dependents of unemployed parent(s) receiving unemployment benefits
    • Applicants that meet the income guidelines for Opportunity Programs (SEEK) and College Discovery (CD) (see Financial Eligibility Guidelines below) *
    • Formerly incarcerated/Justice impacted Individuals are eligible for a fee waiver with a copy of their release paper.

    * Financial Eligibility Guidelines Academic Year 2024/2025

    Household Size (Including head of household)	Total Annual Household Income
    1	$26,973
    2	$36,482
    3	$45,991
    4	$55,500
    5	$65,009
    6	$74,518
    7	$84,027
    8	$93,536*

    Note: For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $9,509 for each additional person.

    Required Supporting Documentation : The supporting documentation will be required with your hardship fee waiver request ( Important: please remove any personal data such as DOB and Social Security Numbers in order to ensure the privacy of the applicant):

    • • • Foster Care: Letter from foster care agency verifying the applicant’s foster care status
        • Homeless/Living in a shelter : Letter from social worker verifying the applicant’s residency
        • Unemployment : Copy of unemployment benefits letter
        • CUNY Opportunity Program/Income Eligibility Guidelines : Copy of 1040 Federal Income Tax Return
        • Public Assistance: Copy of a budget letter
        • Formerly incarcerated: Copy of their release paper

        Applicant Steps to Submit an Application for Hardship Fee Waiver Request

        Applicants requesting an application fee waiver for hardship must submit their application before requesting a waiver. The applicant will need to choose “Pay Later” on the fee payment section of the admission application and submit their application. Applicants should then submit a brief e-mail request with the required supporting documentation and their CUNYfirst ID to: feewaiver@cuny.edu. Important: please remove any personal data such as DOB and Social Security Numbers from the documentation in order to ensure the privacy of the applicant. Hardship requests will be reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis, and the applicant will be notified of a decision via e-mail within 5-7 business days.