UTICA, N.Y. – Students from low-income families may not have to pay the $50 State University of New York application fee, if they meet certain income eligibility criteria.
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras visited Proctor High School in Utica Monday to announce the new initiative to automatically waive application fees.
Beginning on March 1, students who financially qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs, whose household income does not exceed 185% of the federal poverty guidelines, or are from foster families are eligible to apply to up to seven SUNY campuses for free.
Malatras says this is an investment in the long run.
“To me and to the Board of Trustees, working together with the city’s education department, this is a down payment on the future of our students. So, we are willing to forgo that revenue up front, to get our students into our doors in the long term,” said Malatras.
SUNY estimates about 110,000 seniors would be eligible for the automatic application fee waiver, which can save students and families up to $350.
To be eligible, the family income must be below the amounts below for each household size.
- Household size: 1
- Annual income: $23,606
- Household size: 2
- Annual income: $31,894
- Household size: 3
- Annual income: $40,182
- Household size: 4
- Annual income: $48, 470
- Household size: 5
- Annual income: $56,758
- Household size: 6
- Annual income: $65,046
- Household size: 7
- Annual income: $73,334
- Household size: 8
- Annual income: $81,622
Either a counselor or advisor must verify the student's eligibility, otherwise students or parents must provide proof of income.
To download the SUNY waiver request form, click here.
