SUNY and CUNY will automatically enroll graduates of New York schools with high scores

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a new state initiative to expand opportunities for New York students. SUNY and CUNY schools will be required to directly admit the top 10% of New York City high school students. According to SecretNYC, this will ensure that the state's brightest students end up in its higher education institutions.

“The State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY) are two of the most effective mobility engines in the country. They are engines of opportunity for young people across New York State.” Tuition at SUNY and CUNY is already among the lowest in the country, but this will be another step to further expand educational opportunities within the state.

Evidence suggests that low-income, high-achieving students attend less selective institutions of higher education than their high-income classmates. Providing direct admission to the top 10% of students will help close this gap and reduce barriers to higher education by diversifying students based on merit.

SUNY and CUNY schools will create systems to ensure this initiative runs smoothly. New York is not the first state to implement such a program: Texas, California, Illinois and Idaho already have systems in place.

On the subject: Ranking of the best elementary and secondary schools in New York

Moreover, Gov. Kathy Hochul will propose new legislation requiring high school students to complete a FAFSA or NYS Dream Act application. Data confirms that completing the FAFSA results in a 127 percent increase in higher education enrollment. Texas, Louisiana, and California have introduced similar requirements by making completion of the FAFSA a requirement for high school graduation.