Where is Education Free in New York?

11:12 am  |  17.04.2021

American education is one of the most effective and prestigious in the world. Many dreams of going to school in New York, but high tuition costs often prevent that from happening. But today we’re going to tell you where you can study for free in New York!

Where Can You Study for Free in the United States?


Since 2018, it is possible to study free of charge at colleges in New York City – municipal and those owned by the state. Middle-class families in New York City can expect a 100% discount on tuition fees – up to $25,880 in four years in college. This program, called Excelsior, was another step towards more affordable learning in the United States. However, not all will benefit from the new program.

The Cooper Union

Studies in the United States are free of charge at Cooper Union, a prestigious private university in New York City founded in 1859 by American industrialist Peter Cooper.

A prestigious private university in New York where the number of applicants is several dozen. There are no more than 1,000 students a year. Studies cost $35,000 a year, but the entire amount is paid by the university. The Cooper Union trains both bachelors and masters.

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However, first of all, it is not easy to enter there (only about 13%), and second, besides the cost of education, there are other costs that the student will have to pay himself. The latter include housing fees, student fees, textbooks, food, transportation, and health insurance.

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Macaulay Honors College

Part of The City University of New York (CUNY). This is a college for those planning to enroll in CUNY.

Only school graduates are admitted. So if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you won’t be accepted. To enter, you must apply simultaneously to one of CUNY’s colleges and to Macaulay Honors College. If you are both accepted:

  • Macaulay Honors College will cover tuition costs.
  • You will get a free MacBook.
  • You will be able to travel to study abroad.
  • Get a free pass to most museums and other places in New York.
  • Preference was usually given to New Yorkers, but the Programme was also available to foreign students.

University of the People

In 2009, the University of the People opened another university in the United States. An online university where professors from different American schools teach. The idea is to enable anyone who for some reason has not been able to enter a traditional university to receive an education. And it’s totally free. So far, it offers only two courses – “business administration” and “computer technology.”

READ: The Best Universities of New York

As you can see, even in the U.S. Of course, it’s not easy being accepted into one of those universities, but it’s worth a try. You can read about all examinations and competitions on the websites of universities.

Do You Have to Stay in New York After Graduation?

Upon graduation, scholarship students are required to live and work in New York for as many years as they received funding. If they leave the state, their scholarship will be converted into an interest-free loan. This does not apply to those who enter a master’s degree or graduate school at a university in another state. Such students would be allowed to defer but must return to New York within six months of graduation. For students who move due to «extreme difficulties», will make exceptions. What exactly situations are meant, as yet unknown.

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How Much Does It Cost to Go to SUNY and CUNY?


The scholarship covers a tuition fee of $6,470 annually in colleges and about $4,350 annually in technical schools. But even with a scholarship, the students will have to cover other expenses. In 2017, SUNY’s college fees were $1,590 per year, and the dormitory fee was $12,590. Books cost another $1,000. At CUNY, the additional fees are on average $475. You have to pay $10,386 for the dormitory and $3,283 for the meals. However, in 2021, students will be able to reduce spending on books – the authorities allocated $8 million to educational resources for SUNY and CUNY, including electronic textbooks.

What’s Going on With the Other Scholarships and Financial Assistance?

If students receive a federal grant from Pell Grant or a grant from New York Tuition Assistance, they must use it to pay tuition fees. The Excelsior Scholarship covers the remaining tuition fee, but cannot be used to cover additional expenses, lodging, and meals. The Excelsior Scholarship is not intended to replace other scholarships that are used for expenses other than tuition fees.

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Who Pays for the Program?

The state will increase the cost of higher education to finance the program. The governor’s office said it was estimated that Excelsior would cost New York $163 million in its first year. The colleges themselves are not expected to pay for the program for the first four years.

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