Application fees at SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestryhave been dropped as part of a system-wide effort to expand college accessibility. High school seniors and others sending out their applications can apply to as many as five campuses in the 64-campus system free of charge for potential savings of up to $250.
SUNY ESF Associate Provost for Enrollment Management Kitty McCarthy said the fee waiving is just one tool they can use to get more students in the door.
"To allow students and families to look beyond the fee and really focus on the opportunities that SUNY campuses offer. Get their applications in so that the campuses can communicate with them," McCarthy said. "Learn more about all of the opportunities, both academic and student life, that are available to them."
McCarthy said the waiving of application fees is beneficial to both prospective students and SUNY campuses.
"This initiative gives us an opportunity to look at how students apply," McCarthy said. "So we'll be monitoring the students who come to us through this no-fee opportunity throughout the cycle, encouraging them to visit, watching their progress through the cycle, hopefully getting them to campus, and connecting with them on an individual basis."
Student enrollment is down at colleges and universities nationwide, even though the pandemic has eased. But McCarthy said ESF has seen a steady rebound in applications. Certain New York families may also be eligible for free tuition through the state’s TAP and Excelsior scholarship. The no-application fee for enrollment ends Nov. 6.
