Last Updated: September 24, 2026
New York College Application Month 2026 runs October through November.
NYC public high school students can apply for free starting September 15. All NYS students can start October 15.
Every student can also waive fees at up to 5 SUNY schools from October 19 to November 2, according to HESC.
New York isn’t the only state running a free-application window — see every state’s 2026 dates here.
The Three Overlapping Windows Explained
Three separate windows run at the same time. Which one applies depends on where you attend school and which college you want.
| Window | Dates (2026) | Who Qualifies | What Is Waived |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC-only | September 15 – November 16 | NYC public high school students | Application fees at participating colleges, including CUNY |
| Statewide | October 15 – November 16 | NYS public and private high school students | Application fees at participating colleges, including CUNY |
| SUNY 5-school | October 19 – November 2 | Students applying to SUNY | Fees for up to 5 SUNY campuses |
The NYC and statewide windows both end November 16. The SUNY window is shorter and sits inside both.
The windows differ because each system sets its own dates. HESC coordinates College Application Month with SUNY, CUNY, and private college associations.
Do not rely on last year’s dates. In 2025, SUNY ran October 20 to November 3, and CUNY ran October 27 to November 21.
Those 2025 dates still appear in older news coverage. They do not match this year’s windows.
HESC reports New York families saved more than $15 million in application fees during a previous College Application Month.
That figure is from a prior year, not a 2026 result. HESC says typical application fees run $50 to $90.
How the SUNY 5-School Waiver Works
SUNY waives application fees for up to five campuses per student. The window runs October 19 to November 2, 2026.
You can apply through ApplySUNY or the Common App. Last year’s process worked like this:
- ApplySUNY: the first five campus fees were waived automatically on the payment page.
- Common App: you applied campus by campus and answered “yes” to SUNY’s fee waiver prompt, for up to five schools.
Confirm those steps on SUNY’s Apply page before paying anything.
In past years, SUNY put the savings at up to $250 per student.
Choose your five campuses before the window opens. Last year, ApplySUNY waived the first five on your list, so put your top choices first.
Outside the window, SUNY says it waives 60% of application fees year round. Check SUNY’s fee waiver page for eligibility.
CUNY and Private College Waivers
CUNY confirms its 2026 free application dates on its own website:
- NYC public school seniors: September 15 to November 16, 2026.
- All other students: October 15 to November 16, 2026.
These dates apply to Fall 2027 freshman applications. See the CUNY application page for details.
NYC public school seniors get a one-month head start on the free period.
NYC public school students must enter their OSIS number and high school information. The fee is then waived automatically.
You only need to submit one CUNY application with your OSIS number. The waiver is valid only for students starting in Fall 2027.
CUNY warns that only a limited number of fee waivers are available after the free period ends for NYC students.
Outside the free period, CUNY applicants can select “Request a Fee Waiver” on the application.
Private colleges set their own dates. Many list October 1 to 31, while others waive fees all year.
HESC says nearly 130 colleges are participating. Check the HESC participating-schools list for each school’s dates.
A few entries on that list still show 2025 dates. Confirm with the admissions office before you rely on them.
Who Is Eligible
The waivers are aimed at high school seniors applying for Fall 2027. Eligibility depends on where you attend school:
- NYC public high school students: free applications start September 15.
- Other NYS public and private high school students: free applications start October 15.
- SUNY 5-school waiver: October 19 to November 2, through ApplySUNY or the Common App.
- Private colleges: each school sets its own rules and dates.
The main difference is timing. NYC public school students get the earliest start, and everyone else begins October 15.
Not sure which group you fall into? Ask your school counselor. HESC partners with more than 600 high schools on College Application Month.
How to Apply During the Window
Have these ready before you start:
- Your OSIS number, if you attend an NYC public school
- Your high school name and information
- Your ApplySUNY or Common App account
- A list of up to five SUNY campuses
- Find your window. NYC public school students start September 15. Everyone else starts October 15.
- Build your list. Choose up to five SUNY schools, plus any CUNY and private colleges.
- Apply to CUNY. Submit the CUNY application inside your window. NYC students enter their OSIS number.
- Apply to SUNY. Use ApplySUNY or the Common App between October 19 and November 2.
- Check private colleges. Confirm dates on HESC’s list, then apply before each school’s deadline.
- Verify the waiver. Confirm the fee shows as waived before you submit.
Your submission date decides whether the fee is waived. Starting an application early does not count.
Set calendar reminders for November 2 and November 16. Those are the two closing dates that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many SUNY schools can I apply to for free?
Up to five SUNY campuses per student. The waiver runs October 19 to November 2, 2026, and applies through ApplySUNY or the Common App.
Is CUNY free the whole month?
No. NYC public school seniors apply free from September 15 to November 16. Other students apply free from October 15 to November 16.
Do private colleges in NY waive fees too?
Many do, but dates vary by school. Some run October 1 to 31, and others waive fees all year. Check HESC’s list.
What if I live outside NYC — when can I start?
October 15 for the statewide and CUNY waivers. SUNY’s five-school waiver begins October 19.