Q. What documents does my student need to apply to college? When should they apply?
A. Applications should be ready to submit in November of Senior year.
Your child must have these documents ready to use in November:
For College Applications:
- Resume
- Personal statement/college essay
- Recommendation letters (for 4 year colleges)
- Application accounts (CUNY, Common App. etc.)
- Full list of colleges to be applied to
For Financial Aid Applications:
- Federal and state taxes, W2s
- Benefit letters
Q. How do I find the right college for my major?
A. Colleges offer a wide range of majors. You can always check the college’s website for the majors they offer, and what classes you must take for that major.
There are colleges that are well known for specific majors, you can discuss those options with the college counselor or advisor.
Tip: if you are not fully committed to a major at the moment you apply to school, make sure to apply to a school that has various majors you might be interested in.
Q. How do I travel to my college?
A. This depends on your choice of college.
- If you choose to stay in New York City, you have the option of using the MTA system, or a car.
- If you choose a college in Nassau County, NY (Western Long Island) your most convenient option is to drive to campus. The LIRR may also be an option you can explore.
- If you decide to go school Upstate, in Suffolk County (Long Island), or out of state, you will have to stay in a dormitory. To visit home during holidays and school breaks, you will have to explore the transportation options: train, bus, plane.
Addresses of the college of your choice are on their websites.
Q. What income do you need to qualify for financial aid?
A. Households of all incomes are eligible to apply! Students living in NY will be applying for Federal aid (FAFSA) and NY State aid (TAP). Financial aid is different for every family and circumstance. Students may also receive partial financial aid, depending on the circumstances. Students can discuss their options further with the college counselor or advisor.
Q. Are CUNY and SUNY low cost?
A. Average CUNY tuition is $7,340 per year. Average SUNY tuition is $8,500 per year.
Dorming, books, and traveling expenses are a separate cost. If your child receives full financial aid from FAFSA and TAP, your child will have approximately $14,000 to use towards college tuition.
Q. What is CUNY/SUNY?
A. CUNY, also known as The City University of New York, are the public colleges in New York City’s 5 boroughs: Queens, Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. SUNY, also known as The State University of New York, are the public colleges throughout New York State, including Long Island and Westchester.
Q. Is it true that CUNY/SUNY does not offer a quality education?
A. New York public colleges offer a quality education. In fact, New York public colleges are ranked as some of the best nationwide. Colleges are also a great place to network, access internships, and career- readiness opportunities. Students should make the most of their experience!
Q. Can a student with undocumented status apply to college?
A. Yes, a student with undocumented status may apply to college and even financial aid. Their process may look a little different, which is why they are encouraged to speak with the college counselor right away. All information is strictly confidential and will not be discussed with anyone other than the student and their counselor.
Q. How do you secure scholarships?
A. There are many kinds of scholarships to apply to. Scholarship programs may ask for grades, essays, artwork, or proof of community service. If your student has any questions about scholarships, they can come to the college office and the College Office Google Classroom for more resources.
Q. What is the process of retaking the SAT? Where can I find the fee waiver?
A. The process is easy and quick. Your student will log in to their college board account where they can register for their SAT. The fee waiver benefits will be in their college board account as well after the SAT School Day exam.
Q. Will my child receive financial aid for dorming?
A. Every school has their own way of designating financial aid. Some schools offer scholarships or grants for dorming services, and others do not.
Q. How can my child attend college if I cannot pay for it?
A. If you cannot pay for college, do not worry. There are financial aid options/programs your child may be eligible for. Students will have a planning meeting in junior year that will help them identify all their options.
Q. What happens to my student’s New York financial aid if he moves to a different state?
A. If the student moves to a different state, they cannot receive financial aid from New York State (TAP). FAFSA (Federal funds) can be used nation-wide.
Q. What is the difference between a 2-year and 4-year college?
A. When a student completes their 2-year degree, they will be awarded an Associate degree. When a student completes their 4-year degree, they will be awarded a Bachelor's degree.
Q. If my child attends community college first, what can they do afterwards?
A. After your child receives their associate degree, they may transfer to a 4-year college to complete a bachelor's degree. They will require approximately 2 years at that new college, and they can continue receiving their financial aid. They may also enter the workforce.
Q. Where can you apply to college?
A. This depends on the student’s choice of college as there are various applications. It is highly encouraged for students to review these applications in Queens Tech in order to prevent any errors on their applications.
CUNY colleges: cuny.edu/apply
Non-CUNY colleges: commonapp.org
SUNY 2-year colleges: suny.edu
Q. What average is needed to apply to college?
A. Some schools may accept students with a 75+ average. Every school has a different average that they accept. The more selective/ competitive a school is, they will require a higher overall GPA. Community colleges are considered open enrollment.
Q. What are the minimum and maximum points you can score on the SAT for college?
A. SAT scores are mostly optional since the COVID pandemic. Every school and/ or major has a different SAT score that they accept. 1110 shows basic “college readiness,” and the maximum score is a 1600, which is not common. Students should inquire about SAT requirements to determine if they need a score.
