SUNY Announces Historic Increases in College Applications to SUNY Campuses from New Yorkers and Out-of-State Students 

December 1, 2022 

Over 110% Increase in Fall 2023 Applications Following Inaugural Two-Week Fee-Waiver Initiative and as Potential Students Continue to Apply in November 

Campuses Working To Help Students Make Enrollment Decisions & Provide Financial Aid Guidance
 

Albany, NY – State University of New York today announced historic increases in applications from New Yorkers and out-of-state students to SUNY campuses. As of November 25, SUNY has seen a more than 110 percent year-over-year increase – from 97,257 to 204,437 – in Fall 2023 applications due in large part to SUNY’s first ever two-week fee waiver initiative, and as students continue to apply to SUNY campuses during the month of November. 

During the two-week fee waiver period, students had the opportunity to apply for free to up to five SUNY campuses, for a savings of $250. On average, each applicant applied to two SUNY campuses. 

At the same time, SUNY has seen increases in applications from potential students from other states. SUNY launched an out-of-state tuition match option this application season, where applicants in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, and California are eligible to receive their in-state tuition and fees at a SUNY school. From that program alone, applications are up nearly 80 percent for the Fall 2023 cycle, and across all states outside of New York, applications are up about 70 percent. 

SUNY plans to announce its “Great Minds, Big Hearts” application campaign in the coming weeks. Traditionally, applications will continue into the spring and summer. Preliminary enrollment results for the fall semester are provided in September. SUNY leadership will continue to review early enrollment indicators from now until the start of the next academic year. 

SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “SUNY’s fee waiver has been an incredible success and we are encouraged by the increase in potential students taking this step to pursue a college education. Campuses will now be working to ensure that students choose a SUNY school for their academic pursuits, providing them with guidance and financial aid assistance, when necessary. New York State has significantly invested in higher education as a driving force for its economy, and we want to make sure all New Yorkers can avail themselves of a high-quality, affordable education across our state.” 

Joel Wincowski, Deputy to the Chancellor for Enrollment, said, “The increase in applications has far exceeded our expectations. It is a testament to the high-quality education for which SUNY is known, with some of the best faculty, staff, and campus communities in the nation. This increase is only the beginning of an upward trend we expect in enrollment across our campuses. To that end, we will work with campuses to help applicants make their final decision on which SUNY campus will be home next fall.” 

Due to significant state investment, 50 percent of full-time New York undergrads pay $0 for tuition at SUNY with financial aid. Students may apply now for financial aid by filling out their FAFSA. 

SUNY has ongoing fee waivers that apply to 60 percent of all high school seniors. Students in foster care, with military connections, low-income students, and students at 500+ designated high schools can apply for up to seven SUNY campuses for free, saving up to $350 any time during the year. For more information about ongoing application fee waiver programs, please visit this link. 

To learn more about applying to SUNY, visit suny.edu/go/. Applicants can apply at ApplySUNY or by using the Common App. 

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York 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 state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.3 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 2021, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit suny.edu. 

Credit: SUNY NEWSPRESS RELEASES DECEMBER 202212-1-22 HISTORIC INCREASE IN APPLICATIONS