More Than 16,500 New Yorkers Apply for Gov. Hochul’s Free Community College Program

More than 16,500 New Yorkers have applied to Governor Kathy Hochul’s groundbreaking free community college program for adult learners in high-demand fields, state officials announced Tuesday.

Attendees of the CUNY and SUNY Reconnect event at LaGuardia Community College - Photo courtesy

The program, launched under the CUNY and SUNY Reconnect initiative, will begin this fall at campuses across the state. It covers full tuition, books, fees and supplies for residents aged 25 to 55 after applicable financial aid.

Hochul made the announcement during an event at LaGuardia Community College, underscoring her administration’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and strengthening New York’s workforce.

“The cost of pursuing a degree should never be a barrier for New Yorkers — we are proud to provide an opportunity for millions of CUNY and SUNY students to achieve their dreams,” Hochul said. “I am committed to making education more affordable and accessible, and the Reconnect program continues to pave the way forward for students as they enter our State’s future workforce.”

Conceived as part of Hochul’s 2025 State of the State agenda, the program targets approximately four million working-age New Yorkers without a college degree or credential.

Applications are still being accepted through the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect portals.