Governor announces launch of Top 10% Promise program
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) -- As current high school seniors begin to make one of the biggest choices of their lives, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that some students might be able to enroll at some SUNY schools -- including two local institutions -- automatically.
The Governor announced on Wednesday, October 24 the launch of the SUNY Top 10% Promise Program. Under the direct-admissions program, students in select schools whose GPAs are in the top ten percent of their class will automatically be accepted to nine participating campuses, including local colleges SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Poly in Marcy.
“Access to higher education has the potential to transform New Yorkers' lives and change the trajectory of a student’s life,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “Offering New York students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class direct admission to SUNY campuses will help reduce barriers to higher education while ensuring our students can continue their education and pursue their dreams right here in New York State.”
Along with SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Poly, the other seven participating schools are:
- University at Albany,
- University at Buffalo,
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, in Syracuse,
- SUNY Geneseo,
- SUNY New Paltz,
- Purchase College, and
- Stony Brook University.
In its first year, 68 school districts and charter schools from across the state will be invited to participate in the program, based on serving low-income backgrounds. Students from those districts -- who were not announced during the launch -- will be able to take advantage as they apply for the Fall 2025 semester.
Students in all districts across the state will be eligible to participate when the program is fully in place.
The program builds on a program announced last week that several SUNY, CUNY, and over 50 private colleges will offer free applications for high school seniors.
“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and The SUNY Top 10% Promise will make it even easier for our highest-achieving high school students – particularly those from low-income backgrounds – to discover SUNY’s extraordinary value and academic excellence," SUNY Chancellor John King said in a statement. "With thanks to Governor Hochul for her leadership, this new direct admission program will advance educational equity and open the doors to higher education even wider.”