Understanding CUNY Tuition and Fees: A Comprehensive Breakdown

The City University of New York (CUNY) system is committed to providing accessible and affordable education to the residents of New York City and beyond. Navigating the complexities of tuition and fees can be daunting, so this article aims to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the various costs associated with attending a CUNY school.

Tuition Rates for Undergraduate Students

Tuition costs at CUNY vary depending on several factors, including residency status, student status (full-time or part-time), and the specific program of study.

Residency Matters

One of the most significant factors influencing tuition rates is whether a student is a resident of New York City. As of Fall 2024, the tuition per semester for full-time undergraduate New York State residents at York College/CUNY is $3,465. Part-time students pay $305 per credit. Non-resident and international students face significantly higher costs, with tuition set at $620 per credit for both full-time and part-time enrollment.

To qualify for the New York City tuition rate, students must have resided in New York City for at least one year prior to the first day of classes. Students who live in New York State but outside of New York City may be eligible for the New York City tuition rate by submitting a B-81 Form to the Bursar’s Office. This form, obtainable from the County Clerk's office in the county of residence, must be submitted no later than two weeks before registration. Failure to do so results in billing at the non-resident rate, and a new form may be required each semester.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time

Tuition is also determined by student status:

Read also: The New CUNY Logo

Full-time: Generally, students enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester are considered full-time.
Part-time: Students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits are considered part-time.

At BMCC, residents of New York City pay $2,400 per semester for full-time enrollment. Part-time tuition for matriculated students is $210 per credit, while non-matriculated students pay $265 per credit.

Program-Specific Tuition

Certain programs may have different tuition rates. For instance, online degree programs at York College/CUNY have a tuition rate of $305 per credit for New York State residents and $350 per credit for non-residents. Graduate programs also have distinct tuition structures. At York College/CUNY, full-time graduate students who are New York State residents pay $5,545 per semester, while part-time students pay $470 per credit. Non-resident and international graduate students pay $855 per credit. Specific programs like Nursing Education and Physician Assistant may also have "Excellence Fees" of $500 and $800 per semester respectively.

Comprehensive List of Mandatory Fees

Beyond tuition, students must also pay mandatory fees, which cover various services and activities. These fees are typically non-refundable.

Consolidated Services Fee: This fee, typically $15 per semester, supports university-wide services such as financial aid processing, immunization programs, and tuition collection.
Technology Fee: This fee, $125 for full-time students and $62.50 for part-time students, enhances technology-related services for students and faculty.
Student Activity Fee: This fee supports student government and other student activities, costing $72.15 for full-time students and $52.15 for part-time students.
University Student Senate Fee: A small fee of $1.45 is allocated by the University Student Senate.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition and mandatory fees, students may encounter other charges:

Application Fees: New students pay $65 to apply, while transfer students pay $70. Non-degree students also pay $65. The application fee for readmission is $20.
Late Fees: Late registration incurs a $25 fee, while late payment results in a $15 charge.
Change of Program Fee: Adding or changing course sections costs $18. This fee may be waived if the college cancels a course or makes significant changes to the course schedule.
CUNY Card Replacement Fee: Replacing a lost or damaged CUNY Card costs $10.
Transcript Fee: Official transcripts cost $7 per copy.
Duplicate Diploma Fee: A duplicate diploma costs $30.
Returned Check Fee: A $20 fee is charged for checks returned due to insufficient funds.
Special Examination Fee: Taking an exam outside the scheduled time costs $25 for the first exam and $5 for each additional exam.
Online Infrastructure Fee: Students enrolled in fully online degree programs will be charged a $75.00 infrastructure fee each term. This fee is non-refundable and cannot be waived.

Material and Transportation Fees

Material fees may be charged for courses where students own the end product of their work, while transportation fees cover field trips.

Read also: CUNY Admission Guide

Payment Options and Plans

CUNY offers various payment options to help students manage their tuition and fees:

Cash, Check, or Money Order: Payments can be made in person via cash, check, or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to the specific CUNY college (e.g., "BMCC").
Online Payments: E-checks are accepted for online payments. Credit cards are not directly accepted by CUNY, but they can be used through the Tuition Pay Plan.
Tuition Pay Plan: CUNY offers a tuition pay plan that allows students to spread their payments over time. An enrollment fee is charged by the vendor.

Consequences of Non-Payment

Failure to pay tuition and fees can have serious consequences:

Collection Agency: Accounts sent to a collection agency will be responsible for all collection costs, including agency fees, attorney fees, and court costs.
Credit Report: Non-payment or a default judgment may be reported to a credit bureau and reflected in the student's credit report.
Administrative Blocks: The college may refuse to perform administrative services for students with outstanding financial obligations.

Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance

CUNY is committed to making education affordable, and a significant portion of undergraduate students attend tuition-free through various financial aid programs.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

TAP provides tuition assistance to eligible New York State residents attending CUNY full-time. To qualify, students must meet specific enrollment and academic requirements. In the first semester of receiving TAP, students must be enrolled for at least three-degree credits as part of their full-time course load. After the first semester, students must be enrolled for at least six-degree credits as part of their full-time course load. Students are eligible for up to six semesters of TAP as an associate degree student, or up to ten semesters if they are a College Discovery student.

Aid for Part-time Study (APTS)

APTS provides financial aid to eligible part-time students. To receive APTS, students must be enrolled in at least six, but fewer than twelve credits or equated hours, with at least three of these being degree credits.

Read also: CUNY GPA Guide

Veterans Benefits and Tuition Deferrals

Veterans may be eligible for tuition deferrals and educational assistance through the Veterans Administration. Applications for benefits must be made in the Registrar’s Office.

Scholarships

CUNY offers a variety of scholarships based on need and merit.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students who drop classes may be eligible for a tuition refund based on the following schedule for Fall and Spring semesters:

Prior to the first day of class: 100% refund
During the first calendar week of classes: 75% refund
During the second calendar week of classes: 50% refund
During the third calendar week of classes: 25% refund
After the third calendar week of classes: No refund

Student activities fees, consolidated services fees, and technology fees are non-refundable.

Special Circumstances

Senior Citizens

New York City residents aged 60 or older who audit courses are granted a tuition waiver but must pay a $65 administrative fee per semester, as well as the consolidated services fee and any penalty fees they incur.

Course Cancellation Policy

If a course is canceled by the college, students will receive a 100% tuition refund.

Excess Hours

Graduate students taking classes that have more contact hours than credit hours pay an excess contact hour charge.

CUNY vs. National Averages

CUNY's tuition rates are generally lower than the national average. For example, CUNY--City College's tuition is $7,340 for in-state students and $19,010 for out-of-state students, compared to the national averages of $12,436 and $29,815, respectively.

Important Considerations

Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York at any time.
Establish New York Residency Tuition Rate To qualify for the New York City tuition rate, you must have completed one year of residency in New York City prior to the first day of classes.
All tuition must be paid at the time of registration.
Tuition will be refunded 100 percent for those courses which, at anytime, are cancelled by the College.

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