SUNY Application Guide: Maximizing Your Odds at the Best SUNY Schools

SUNY Application Guide

Are you interested in attending a SUNY school? As some of the best colleges in New York, SUNY schools are known for offering an excellent education for a low price. Whether you’re a New York State resident or applying from out of state, familiarizing yourself with the SUNY application process is key to gaining acceptance.

As with any college application, there is much to learn about the SUNY application. In this guide, we’ll cover several important topics, including:

• What the SUNY schools are and which are the best SUNY schools, according to State University of New York rankings
• How to build a list of SUNY schools
• How to apply to SUNY colleges using the Common App and Apply SUNY, the SUNY portal
• All the steps to complete your SUNY application, from getting letters of recommendation to submitting test scores
• Where to find SUNY application deadlines
• How to afford tuition at SUNY colleges in New York, and more!

Let’s get started by learning more about SUNY, the public universities in New York State. We will explore what a SUNY is, what SUNY stands for, and the different types of SUNY schools that exist.

What is a SUNY school?

SUNY is the term for the network of public universities in New York. As public schools, they are at least partially state-funded, helping to keep tuition costs lower, especially for New York State residents. With SUNY schools ranked highly in a variety of categories, SUNY attracts students from all over the country and world.

As one of the largest public university systems in the U.S., there’s no shortage of options at SUNY. SUNY colleges in New York offer more than 7,000 undergraduate and graduate programs across all of their campuses. The SUNY schools offer a diverse array of majors and programs, including liberal arts, science, engineering, business, and professional degrees.

SUNY campuses range in size from small to large. For example, SUNY Fredonia has approximately 3,000 students while SUNY Buffalo State has over 10,000 students. In addition, the SUNY system includes different types of schools, from large research universities to community colleges. In a later section, we will describe these in greater detail.

What does SUNY stand for?

SUNY stands for State University of New York. SUNY was founded in 1948 with the mission to provide affordable, accessible education to New York residents. While SUNY started with just 29 schools, you may be curious just how many SUNY schools are there now.

Today, there are 64 SUNY schools. In fact, there are so many SUNY schools that nearly every New York State resident lives within 30 miles of a SUNY campus. Indeed, SUNY now educates 400,000 New Yorkers, 37% of the total higher education population in the state.

Apart from having so many schools, the SUNY system also offers an array of education options, from different programs to degree types. In the next section, we will give an overview of the types of SUNY schools that exist.

How many SUNY schools are there?

As we mentioned, there are 64 SUNY colleges in New York state. SUNY’s campuses are divided into four categories:

Types of SUNY Campuses

University Centers:

The largest schools in the SUNY system, the University Centers, include schools like Binghamton University and Stony Brook University. In addition to their larger size, these schools offer a range of degrees, from bachelor’s to certificates to doctoral degrees, in a wide array of fields. They also tend to have research institutes, labs, and affiliations with local institutions like hospitals. Many of the best SUNY schools are University Centers.

University Colleges:

These SUNY campuses are mid-size institutions that tend to offer predominantly bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Examples of University Colleges include SUNY Purchase and SUNY New Paltz, which are also among the highest ranked SUNY schools. 

Technology Colleges:

Also smaller in size than the University Centers, Technology Colleges offer associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and specialized technical degrees in fields like engineering, computer science, or naval science. Examples of Technology Colleges are SUNY Delhi and SUNY Maritime, which are some of the best SUNY schools. 

Community Colleges:

Most SUNY Community Colleges only offer associate’s degrees and certificates. SUNY Broome and Rockland Community College are examples of SUNY Community Colleges.

Determining the right type of SUNY campuses to include on your SUNY application starts with understanding the differences between them. You’ll want to consider the types of degrees offered and decide which ones best fit your needs. Then, you can explore the SUNY campuses that have the best programs for your intended field of study.

SUNY schools map

If you are wondering “How many SUNY schools are there?” or “Where are the SUNY schools near me?”, we invite you to explore the SUNY schools map. The SUNY schools map shows the geographic distribution of SUNY schools across New York State. 

As you can see from our SUNY schools map, the SUNY campuses are spread out all over New York State. From the NYC area to upstate New York, you can find SUNY schools in both rural and urban settings. Note that several of the best SUNY schools are located in big cities such as Buffalo, Albany, and New York City. Buffalo is the proud home of SUNY Buffalo State, the University at Albany is in the state capital of Albany, and the Fashion Institute of Technology is located in the heart of Manhattan.

However, there are also many amazing SUNY schools located in suburban and rural areas throughout the state. Regardless of the type of climate and off-campus experience you are seeking, SUNY can offer options that meet your needs.

Top 10 SUNY colleges

Now that you know how many SUNY schools exist and where they are located, you may be wondering about the State University of New York rankings. While the State University of New York rankings vary greatly, the best SUNY schools ranked highly among the top schools in the nation, alongside the most selective and competitive private schools.

Indeed, the State University of New York rankings are very strong and continue to rise. In this section, we will share a list of SUNY schools ranked high via several sources. Our list is based on U.S. News’ lists of the best National Universities, Best Regional Universities North, Top Public Schools, and Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges. 

Here is the top 10 list of SUNY schools ranked:

Top 10 SUNY Schools:

1. Stony Brook University

At the top of our list of best SUNY schools is Stony Brook University. Stony Brook is a large school of over 17,000 students located on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. SUNY Stony Brook boasts the only journalism program in the SUNY system and is popular among pre-meds and nursing students, in part for the resources provided by Stony Brook University Medical Center. Nationally, it is ranked #58 in National Universities and #26 in Top Public Schools.

2. Binghamton University

Consistently ranked one of the top SUNY schools, Binghamton is a large public university that offers a range of programs in both the sciences and liberal arts. SUNY Binghamton is located in the southeastern part of the state, surrounded by a plethora of outdoor activities. Binghamton is ranked #73 in National Universities and #34 in Top Public Schools.

3. University at Buffalo

Another one of the best SUNY schools, with well over 20,000 students, is the University at Buffalo (UB). UB’s most popular majors are business and engineering. Due to its location in the western part of the state, UB students have close access to Lake Erie and the Canadian border. UB is ranked #76 in National Universities.

4. University at Albany

Situated in the nation’s capital, the University at Albany (UAlbany) offers several combined degree programs in fields like law, computer science, and criminal justice. With over 12,000 students, UAlbany has a bustling campus life. The school is ranked #61 in Top Public Schools.

5. SUNY Geneseo

For students looking to attend one of the smaller SUNY campuses, SUNY Geneseo could be an excellent fit. With less than 4,000 students, the school boasts a 15:1 student to faculty ratio with 37% of classes having fewer than 20 students. SUNY Geneseo is ranked #13 among Best Regional Universities of the North.

6. SUNY New Paltz

Another excellent mid-size option on the list of best SUNY schools is SUNY New Paltz. The school has smaller class sizes with 46% of classes having fewer than 20 students and is popular for education and business majors. New Paltz is ranked #19 among Best Regional Universities of the North.

7. Maritime College

Coming in seventh on our list of best SUNY schools is SUNY Maritime. Located in the urban setting of the Bronx, New York, SUNY Maritime’s focus is nautical, meaning that students study topics like global marine transportation and naval science. Maritime is ranked #25 among Best Regional Universities of the North.

8. SUNY Oneonta

With approximately 5,000 students, SUNY Oneonta is a solid mid-sized option amongst the SUNY colleges in New York. The school is located in a rural setting in the center of New York State and is tied with SUNY Maritime for the 25^th spot on the list of Best Regional Universities of the North.

9. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

In the heart of New York State is one of the smallest SUNY campuses, SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly). Located in Utica, New York, SUNY Poly’s 2,200 undergraduates predominantly major in business, computer science, and engineering. SUNY Poly is also ranked on U.S. News’ list of Best Regional Universities of the North at #33.

10. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Another one of the SUNY Technology Colleges, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a small school with approximately 2,000 undergraduate students. Situated in the city of Syracuse, ESF students mostly major in specialties like environmental resource management, environmental biology, and conservation biology. SUNY ESF is ranked #74 in Top Public Schools, according to U.S. News.

As you can see from our list of best SUNY schools, the SUNY system has a diverse range of options. Beyond the schools on this list, there are plenty of SUNY campuses that can meet students’ differing needs. Be sure to investigate them all before starting your SUNY application.

While our list covered the best-ranked SUNY schools, you may be wondering how hard these schools are to get into. In the next section, we will reveal the hardest SUNY school to get into.

Which SUNY school is the hardest to get into?

Before completing your SUNY application, you may be wondering which of the SUNY colleges in New York is most selective. SUNY acceptance rates vary greatly. However, the most selective SUNY school is Binghamton University, with a 38% acceptance rate. According to Fall 2023 admissions data, SUNY Binghamton received 53,654 applications and accepted only 20,308 of them. There are many factors contributing to SUNY Binghamton’s selectivity, including its strong academic programs, competitive applicant pools, and its reputation as one of the highest ranked SUNY schools. 

If you are interested in attending SUNY Binghamton, or any of the SUNY schools ranked high nationally, you should be aware of admitted students’ average GPA and test scores. For example, the middle 50% of students admitted to Binghamton have a GPA ranging from 2.9 to 3.7. For SAT scores, the middle 50% of students scored from 1300-1450. With the ACT, this range is 29-33. As we can see from these statistics, SUNY Binghamton attracts dedicated and hardworking students, no surprise as one of the best colleges in New York. 

To be competitive for one of the best SUNY schools, we recommend starting early. That means getting high grades and preparing for standardized tests. Next, we’ll look at how you can narrow down the SUNYs to choose the best SUNY schools for you.

Choosing the best SUNY schools for you

When choosing which schools to include on your SUNY application, you should determine which factors are most important to you. Here are some important factors to consider when deciding which SUNY colleges to apply to:

Factors in ChoosingYour Best SUNY School

Location

Do you want to be in a rural, suburban, or urban setting? If you live in New York State and want to stay close to home, you may wonder: can I attend one of the SUNY schools near me?

Programs of study

Amongst the SUNY colleges in New York, you can find almost any major. Therefore, you should consider: which majors, academic programs, and degrees interest me most? If you are interested in a bachelor’s degree, for example, then attending one of the SUNY community colleges may not make sense.

Campus culture

Do you want a large, bustling campus or a smaller, quieter one? Consider if you want a campus with many clubs and activities. Do you hope to join a sorority or fraternity? All these campus culture factors can greatly impact your college experience.

Cost and financial aid options

How much can you and your family afford to pay for college? If cost is a limiting factor, consider whether the school offers need or merit scholarships to lower tuition. Make sure you also complete FAFSA and investigate state aid if you are a New York State resident.

Acceptance rates

Finally, consider the SUNY acceptance rates when determining which schools to include on your SUNY application. SUNY acceptance rates can tell you your odds of admission and whether you are a competitive candidate. Be sure to create a list of SUNY schools that represents target, reach, and safety schools based on your credentials. 

If you are a particularly competitive high school student, you should also consider whether you qualify for the SUNY Top 10% Promise. In the next section, we’ll review what the program is and how you can qualify.

What is SUNY’s Top 10% Promise?

If you are a New York State resident, you might be able to attend the best colleges in New York without filling out a SUNY Application. Enter SUNY’s Top 10% Promise program. If you are in the top 10% of your high school class and meet certain eligibility criteria, you can receive direct admission to up to nine of the best SUNY schools. 

The Top 10% Promise program was designed to increase access to higher education, as well as streamline the SUNY application process for the highest achieving students. The nine SUNY schools which participate in the program are: the University at Albany, Geneseo, New Paltz, the University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, Polytechnic Institute, Oneonta, Purchase, and the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. 

To be eligible for direct admission to one of these nine schools, you must:

• Be in the top 10% of your high school graduating class;
• Be on track for an Advanced Regents diploma or IB diploma OR be on track for a Regents diploma and meet certain cutoff test scores on the SAT, ACT, AP exams, or IB exams 

If you meet these criteria and opt in to the program, you will be admitted to at least one of these top public universities in New York. Best of all, you won’t have to submit a formal SUNY application via Apply SUNY. 

Understanding the SUNY application requirements

If you do not meet the requirements for the Top 10% Promise program, or if you wish to apply to additional SUNYs beyond the ones that participate in the program, you will need to complete a SUNY application. To apply to SUNY, you’ll need to determine your SUNY application deadline and submit the following items:

SUNY Application Requirements

A complete Apply SUNY application or the Common App.

Note that applying via the Common App is only an option for some SUNY schools.  If the school you wish to apply to is not on the Common App, you must submit your SUNY application via Apply SUNY, the SUNY portal. You can preview all of the questions on the SUNY portal using this worksheet.

High school transcripts.

Most schools require official transcripts that come directly from your high school. They can be uploaded by your counselor via the SUNY portal.

SAT/ACT scores.

While currently optional for SUNY applications, standardized test scores may be required for certain programs and scholarships. Consider this when deciding whether or not to take standardized tests before applying to college. 

Personal statement.

The SUNY application essay uses the same prompts at the Common Application essay. 

Letters of recommendation.

How many and what type of letters are required varies by school. Check each school’s admissions website to ensure you know which letters you will need to submit, if any. 

Application fee or fee waiver.

There is a $50 fee to apply to each school on your SUNY application. However, nearly 60% of all New York State high school students are eligible for fee waivers based on qualifying criteria.

As there are differences in requirements across the various SUNY schools, visit each schools’ admissions website to confirm application requirements. Make a list of each school’s requirements and when they are due by. Then, be sure to successfully submit them before the deadline.

How to submit a SUNY application: Step-By-Step

Once you have collected all the above materials for your SUNY application, follow these steps to apply:

In addition, some SUNYs require supplemental applications, so you will need to complete and submit these supplements by the SUNY application deadline. We will cover more information about the SUNY supplements later on. 

SUNY application deadlines

Once you’ve learned the answer to, “How many SUNY schools are there?”, you might be wondering, “How many SUNY application deadlines are there?” In general, the SUNY system offers rolling admissions. As such, there is no universal SUNY application deadline — each of the 64 SUNY campuses follows their own admissions timeline.

The Apply SUNY website recommends that students apply by December 1st to get priority access to financial aid, housing, and their major of choice. However, because programs at certain campuses fill up quickly, the SUNY acceptance rate is often higher the earlier you apply. Moreover, some SUNY campuses, like Alfred Ceramics, University at Buffalo, and Binghamton offer an Early Action admissions plan. The SUNY application deadline for Early Action at these schools is November 1st. 

In addition to the November 1st Early Action Deadline, several other SUNY campuses offer a November 15th Early Action deadline. A list of SUNY schools that offer this opportunity include: University at Albany, Cortland, ESF, Geneseo, New Paltz, Old Westbury, Oneonta, Oswego, Purchase, and SUNY Polytechnic. Only one of the SUNY colleges, Maritime, offers a binding Early Decision deadline, which is December 1st.

Regardless of which of the SUNY schools you are applying to, you’ll submit your SUNY application through the Apply SUNY portal. Students will need to create an account through Apply SUNY to access the SUNY portal for the first time. In the days leading up to your application deadline, you’ll use this account to access the SUNY portal and work on your SUNY application. The SUNY portal also allows students to check the status of their application as it is processed. Like all rolling admissions, the earlier you submit your SUNY application, the earlier your decision will be released.

What documents do you need for a SUNY application?

The SUNY application has many parts. Fortunately, Apply SUNY allows you to submit applications to all of the SUNY colleges in New York. Certain SUNY application documents are required for every school, such as the SUNY application questions, which can be found on the SUNY application worksheet. 

All SUNY applications require a School Counselor form, to be filled out by a counselor at your high school. Your counselor must also send a copy of your high school transcript to the SUNY colleges you are applying to. It is important that you confirm with your school counselor that they have completed these forms ahead of the SUNY application deadline. If they aren’t submitted on time, there could be delays processing your application.

The SUNY application also includes a personal statement essay, very similar to the Common Application personal statement. Therefore, you may be able to use your Common Application personal statement on your SUNY application. Just make sure that your essay is submitted to the Apply SUNY portal. Students looking for help writing the SUNY application personal essay can see several good examples here. In addition to the personal statement, the SUNY application offers space for an additional 250-word statement. Students often use this space to elaborate on their academic record and expand on any gaps in their transcript.

Supplemental Applications and More

In addition to these required documents, some SUNY schools have a supplemental application for applicants. A list of such schools can be found on the supplemental applications section of the Apply SUNY portal website. Applications to the listed schools will not be considered until all required documents are uploaded to the Apply SUNY portal.

Students are also permitted to submit letters of recommendation from teachers as part of their SUNY application. Strong letters of recommendation can help students earn acceptance to the best SUNY schools.

Finally, students interested in financial aid must submit proof of residency and financial aid documents, including the FAFSA. Because SUNY schools are public universities in New York, New York residents are eligible for in-state tuition as well as additional financial aid!

SUNY Application Fee Waivers

One other required aspect of the SUNY application is the application fee. The application fee is $50 for each of the SUNY schools that you apply to. This means that if you submit applications to four SUNY colleges in New York, you’d pay a total of $200 in application fees. These fees are non-refundable and must be paid in order for your application to be processed.

Therefore, it is important to consider what the best SUNY schools ranked for you are before you start to apply. Otherwise, you may pay too much in application fees for SUNY campuses you don’t end up attending. Specific questions such as, “What SUNY schools near me have my intended major?” or “What’s the State University of New York ranking for arts programs?” can help you narrow your search.

For those with financial need, all SUNY public universities in New York offer SUNY application fee waivers. Students must meet one or more fee waiver requirements to qualify for a fee waiver. To receive a fee waiver, you must download and fill out a Fee Waiver Request form.

Whether you get a fee waiver or not, it’s important to choose your list of SUNY schools wisely. The State University of New York ranking and programs vary widely across the 64 campuses. Consulting this list can help determine which SUNY schools are the best fit for individual students.

SUNY personal statement essays

One of the most crucial parts of the SUNY application is the essay. Many of the best SUNY schools require the personal statement essay. Here’s a list of SUNY schools with at least one essay question, which includes many of the campuses with the highest State University of New York ranking: 

SUNY Schools with required essays

• Albany
• NYS College of Ceramics at Alfred University
• Binghamton
• Brockport
• Buffalo State
• University at Buffalo
• Cortland
• Farmingdale
• Geneseo
• Maritime
• New Paltz
• Old Westbury
• Oneonta
• Oswego
• Plattsburgh
• Potsdam
• Purchase
• SUNY Polytechnic
• Stony Brook

As previously stated, the SUNY application essay prompts coincide with the Common Application essay prompts. The word count for the essays is also identical to the Common App essay, between 250-650 words. 

Students may write about anything they wish on their SUNY application, but it should showcase something important about your life or personality. A good essay should communicate what kind of person you are and, more importantly, what kind of student you’ll be on SUNY campuses. The best essays also include vivid and specific details that help the reader understand your character and what makes you a qualified candidate for admission. 

Before sitting down to write your essay, think about what aspects of yourself you want to feature in your writing. Then, look at the prompts and think about which one would allow you to share a story that highlights those traits. When writing your essay for the best SUNY schools, focus on you and your growth. Don’t just rehash everything you talked about in your activities list or awards list, either. Instead, try to put forward a side of you not seen elsewhere in your application.

Beyond the SUNY Essay

In addition to the main SUNY essay, the SUNY application includes an additional personal statement. Unlike the essay, the personal statement on the SUNY application is optional. If you have an outlier in your academic record, the personal statement is a good place to provide an explanation for that. You can also explain circumstances that prevented you from entering college immediately after high school, like a gap year.

Before submitting your SUNY application, be sure to check for any supplemental essays that your chosen SUNY campuses may require. Both the Fashion Institute of Technology and ESF require supplemental essays which must be submitted along with the regular SUNY application. These essays ask students to consider why they are a good fit for these SUNY campuses. When writing them, having some knowledge of the programs and what you want to pursue is extremely helpful. 

Do SUNY schools require SAT scores?

SUNY colleges in New York no longer require students to submit SAT scores as part of their SUNY application. Students may choose to submit any test scores if they wish, but they are completely optional.

However, there are some good reasons to include SAT scores on your SUNY application. International students can use the SAT to demonstrate their English proficiency, which is a required component of an international student’s SUNY application. Additionally, student athletes, merit scholarship seekers, and those interested in certain majors may need to submit SAT scores. 

Therefore, CollegeAdvisor recommends taking the SAT or ACT at least once before submitting your SUNY application. Since you don’t have to report it, a bad score will not hurt your chances for admission at SUNY colleges. On the other hand, a good score can enhance your application and put you in the running for merit scholarships.

Does SUNY require letters of recommendation?

The SUNY acceptance rate on many campuses is extremely competitive. As such, a quality letter of recommendation can set you apart from other applicants. Many of the best SUNY schools ask students to submit a letter of recommendation, however, requirements vary by campus. For example, SUNY Maritime, Purchase and New Paltz all require students to submit at least one letter of recommendation. At other schools and colleges, letters of recommendation are optional but encouraged, as they help admissions officers get to know students more personally. 

If you submit recommendation letters to SUNY colleges in New York, pick a teacher who knows you well. Ideally this will be a core academic subject teacher who taught you as a sophomore or junior, or multiple years if possible. If you’re not a senior yet, start early by cultivating good relationships with teachers who you think could be future recommenders.

When it comes time, ask the teacher early so they have time to write the letter. It also helps to give your recommender some suggestions for what to write about. You may even discuss the content of your recommendation with them, so it portrays you in the most favorable light.

SUNY application: Supplemental Applications

As previously mentioned, supplemental applications are an important part of some SUNY applications. While the SUNY community colleges tend not to require supplemental applications, a few of the more specialized art and science schools do. Binghamton requires prospective arts or music majors to submit a portfolio of work and or a live audition. Similarly, the Fashion Institute of Technology requires a portfolio for all of its majors in the College of Art and Design.

Other schools require supplemental applications for their Honors College or specific sciences programs. Take Stony Brook for example — one of the best colleges in New York according to U.S. News rankings. Stony Brook applicants must submit an additional essay and two letters of recommendation if they are applying to the honors college. ESF, one of the only campuses on the list of SUNY schools offering landscape architecture and natural resource management, also has a supplemental application. These questions help the admissions committee understand each student’s background and any goals they might have for their ESF education.

Applying for financial aid at SUNY

Tuition at the best public schools in New York can be expensive. However, most applicants will qualify for some form of need or merit based financial aid. In fact, two SUNY schools ranked in the top 100 for Best Value, according to U.S. News. Because SUNY schools are public universities in New York, tuition is lower for in-state residents. Therefore, the first step to getting financial assistance might be filling out proof of residency. The information for determining New York state residency can be found here.

The next step to receiving aid at the SUNY colleges in New York is filling out the FAFSA. The FAFSA becomes available for the next school year beginning on December 1st, and students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You and your parent or guardian must create an FSA ID, a secure login connected to your social security number. This will allow you to log into the FAFSA website and fill it out using your family’s financial and tax information. To qualify for need-based financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA.

SUNY offers a variety of resources and workshops to help families through the difficult financial aid process. These workshops are offered in various in-person locations, and some are even available online or in Spanish. SUNY also offers SMART Track webinars and guides to financial aid topics such as loan repayment, budgeting, and fraud prevention. These resources help students estimate how much to borrow for their education, and find ways to save or earn extra money during college. They also provide money saving tips to help students afford college. For example, you might consider starting at one of the SUNY community colleges before transferring to one of the best SUNY schools as a junior or senior.

Scholarships and Grants at SUNY schools

Even though SUNY schools are some of the best colleges in New York for your money, merit-based grants and scholarships are still well worth pursuing. For instance, Federal Pell grants, given to students with significant financial need, can help cover the cost of the best SUNY schools in New York. These are need-based grants that do not need to be repaid, unlike loans which accrue interest and must be paid back. 

All the SUNY Colleges in New York, even the SUNY community colleges, offer merit scholarships to students who meet eligibility requirements. Scholarships from schools all over the SUNY schools map can be found at the SUNY scholarships website. Simply click on the link for the SUNY schools you are interested in and you can get started finding eligible scholarships. Several SUNY schools ranked in the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North this past year. This was in large part due to affordability and ready availability of financial aid and scholarships.

Scholarships for New York Residents

Some scholarships are unique to individual schools, while others, like the Excelsior Scholarship, apply to any school on the SUNY schools map. The Excelsior scholarship covers the full cost of tuition at any of the SUNY colleges in New York for four years. However, it does not include room, board, or other college expenses. The SUNY acceptance rate for the Excelsior scholarship is very competitive. Applying early and completing the FAFSA early are both very important to receive this award.

SUNY schools also offer several other sources of aid for New York residents. Their Tuition Assistance Program provides between $1,000 and $5,665 toward tuition at all the best SUNY schools. This money is awarded based on need, so students should check this website to see if they meet eligibility requirements.

For those facing more severe barriers to accessing higher education, the Educational Opportunity Program may help. This program gives disadvantaged students a chance to earn a degree at one of the best colleges in New York. The EOP program provides both financial aid and mentoring to help students make the transition to college successfully.

Finally, the Carey Gabay Scholarship and the New York Aid for Part Time Study also provide need-based financial aid to SUNY students. The Carey Gabay Scholarship covers the full cost of attendance at any of the best SUNY schools for five students each year. Students must demonstrate both significant financial need as well as academic qualifications, including a personal essay and two letters of recommendation. As its name suggests, APTS is only for students taking less than 12 credit hours (part time) at a SUNY school. This grant provides up to $2,000 per year to help cover the costs of part time education.

How to check your SUNY application status

If you’ve submitted an application to some of the best SUNY schools in the state, you’ll need to know how to check your status. This is important not only for reviewing admissions decisions, but also for checking for delays or problems with processing your application. One important step in the application process is the creation of an account with each school you are applying to. After you apply, you will be able to review the status of your application through your personal mySUNY portal. 

Most of the SUNY schools have rolling admissions, meaning that you will likely receive an admissions decision a few weeks after submitting your application. This is why we recommend sending your SUNY application as soon as possible — spaces at the best SUNY schools fill up quickly. In particular, SUNY schools ranked highly in various categories by the Wall Street Journal, Princeton Review, and U.S. News may receive more applications and fill up sooner.

SUNY Application Guide: Maximizing Your Odds at the Best SUNY Schools- Takeaways

This article contains information about the process for applying to and getting into colleges in the State University of New York system. The State University of New York ranking among public colleges is extremely high. For New York residents especially, the SUNY network represents an affordable and well-regarded option for college.

We reviewed the SUNY application requirements, including essays, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. We also discussed the many ways SUNY schools ranked high in educational value, particularly through their commitment to financial accessibility. Since financial aid is a huge part of the college application process, we highlighted the many ways SUNY schools help students pay for college.

Wherever you are in your application process, you may have questions such as “What SUNY schools near me should I apply to?” or “How many SUNY schools are there?” The trained advisors at CollegeAdvisor can help you answer these questions and guide you through the SUNY application process. Whether you’re building a college list or seeking scholarships to a SUNY college, our advisors can set you up for success. Create an account to get started!

This article was written by Courtney Ng and Alex Baggott-Rowe. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.