Hochul Opens SUNY, CUNY Doors to Howard University Students Left Unenrolled

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York’s public university systems, the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY), will offer expedited admissions to New York residents who were recently unenrolled by Howard University, giving affected students a pathway to begin college this fall. 

The initiative follows Howard’s decision to unenroll more than 500 admitted first-year students ahead of the Fall 2026 semester after they failed to meet tuition payment, payment arrangement, or financial aid documentation deadlines.

Under Hochul’s plan, eligible students will receive expedited late-admissions reviews at participating SUNY and CUNY campuses with available space. 

The state will also provide an $800 credit to help offset non-refundable enrollment deposits paid to Howard University. 

Officials said the initiative will use existing campus capacity and will not reduce opportunities for other New York applicants.

Howard University said students and families received repeated notifications between March and July outlining enrollment requirements and payment deadlines. 

However, many affected students said they were waiting for scholarship or financial aid funds and were surprised by the decision, prompting widespread criticism and appeals for reconsideration. 

Howard has said it is reviewing cases where students believe their financial standing was assessed incorrectly.

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