Governor Hochul announces new path for students disenrolled from Howard University to complete their degrees through SUNY and CUNY

Albany, New York – Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled a plan designed to help students whose college plans were unexpectedly disrupted after Howard University recently disenrolled more than 500 admitted students ahead of the Fall 2026 semester. The initiative aims to ensure that affected New York residents still have a pathway to begin their higher education on schedule by offering them opportunities to enroll at campuses within the State University of New York (SUNY) and the City University of New York (CUNY).

The announcement comes only weeks before the start of the academic year, a period when many students have already finalized housing, financial aid, and academic plans. For hundreds of families, the sudden change created uncertainty about whether students would be able to attend college this fall. New York officials say they are moving quickly to reduce that uncertainty by opening doors across the state’s public higher education systems.

Under Governor Hochul’s direction, SUNY and CUNY have been instructed to work together to provide impacted New York students with the opportunity to seek admission to participating campuses for the Fall 2026 semester. In addition, students affected by the Howard University decision will be eligible for expedited late admissions reviews at participating institutions that still have available space in their incoming classes.

State leaders emphasized that the effort is intended to provide an immediate solution without affecting admission opportunities for other students already planning to attend New York’s public colleges. Campuses participating in the initiative will rely on existing enrollment capacity rather than creating competition for seats already promised to incoming applicants.

“Hundreds of students, including New Yorkers, are scrambling and scared since they’ve been disenrolled from their intended college just a few weeks before classes are set to begin,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is home to the nation’s finest systems of public higher education, and we are ready to welcome these talented students with the opportunity they deserve. To every student who is worried that their educational future has been disrupted: New York is ready to support and empower you.”

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The governor’s plan identifies several SUNY campuses expected to participate in the accelerated admissions process. Among those preparing to review applications are the University at Albany, Binghamton University, the University at Buffalo, Stony Brook University, SUNY Buffalo State University, SUNY New Paltz, and SUNY Oneonta. Officials noted that additional campuses are also reviewing their enrollment capacity and may join the initiative as space permits.

The accelerated review process is intended to help students receive decisions quickly enough to begin classes this fall rather than delaying their education by an entire academic year. By moving swiftly, state officials hope to minimize interruptions to students’ educational goals while helping families navigate an unexpected situation.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said the state’s public university system is prepared to provide students with affordable educational opportunities despite the late timing of the enrollment changes.

“There is a place at SUNY for every New Yorker, and we want to empower all students with access to the affordable, excellent public higher education they deserve. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and vision to support students who recently were disenrolled elsewhere and ensure they are able to pursue their academic goals at SUNY campuses.”

Leaders of the SUNY Board of Trustees also expressed support for the governor’s response, describing student success as central to the university system’s mission.

“Uplifting students and empowering them to reach their full potential with an affordable, excellent public higher education is foundational to the SUNY System. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, SUNY will be able to support students who were disenrolled from the school they planned to attend, and will ensure they are able to continue their academic journeys without interruption.”

CUNY is also participating in the statewide effort by offering expedited admissions consideration to eligible students. Officials there said the university’s longstanding commitment to educational access makes it well-positioned to respond when students face unexpected barriers to earning a college degree.

City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez highlighted the institution’s role in expanding educational opportunities, particularly for students whose plans have changed through no fault of their own.

“CUNY’s mission is to expand access to higher education for all students, not restrict it based on financial means. To these students currently facing uncertainty and left in academic limbo: our doors are open, our admissions are expedited, and your dream of a college degree remains well within reach. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her vision and swift action to help these displaced students find a home in our public university system.”

CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. also praised the rapid response coordinated by state leadership, saying the university system is prepared to provide stability for students facing unexpected setbacks.

“The Board of Trustees is dedicated to ensuring CUNY is responsive whenever New Yorkers face unexpected hurdles. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s decisive leadership, we have moved quickly to work with these students to provide the stability, academic excellence, and the immediate support they need.”

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Support for the initiative also came from the New York State Legislature. Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman said the state has a responsibility to assist students whose educational plans have been disrupted at the last minute.

“It is unfortunate that several students planning to attend Howard University were disenrolled last week. To help impacted New York residents, the State is guaranteeing admission to participating SUNY or CUNY campuses. The state is also willing to help other scholars nationwide who are eligible for expedited late admission review for the fall semester at campuses with available capacity. With soaring financial costs, pursuing higher education is already hard. Let’s help make it easier for those who want to better themselves and pursue their dreams.”

According to the governor’s office, the admissions initiative is structured to ensure that current applicants to SUNY and CUNY are not displaced. Instead, participating campuses will fill available openings that remain in their Fall 2026 entering classes. This approach allows institutions to provide assistance while maintaining fairness for students who have already completed the standard admissions process.

Officials believe the coordinated response reflects the flexibility of New York’s public higher education network, which includes dozens of campuses offering a wide range of academic programs. By working across both university systems, the state hopes to maximize opportunities for eligible students seeking to continue their education without interruption.

Students and families affected by Howard University’s disenrollment decision are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and participating campuses through dedicated admissions resources provided by SUNY and CUNY. The information includes guidance on expedited application reviews, available campuses, and the steps necessary to complete the admissions process before the fall semester begins.

The announcement also highlights the significant role SUNY continues to play in higher education across New York and the nation. As the largest comprehensive public higher education system in the United States, SUNY consists of 64 colleges and universities serving communities throughout the state. More than 95 percent of New Yorkers live within 30 miles of a SUNY campus, making the system broadly accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.

Beyond traditional undergraduate education, SUNY operates four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the nation’s oldest maritime school, New York’s only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, more than 30 ATTAIN digital literacy laboratories, and manages a U.S. Department of Energy National Laboratory. Altogether, the system serves approximately 1.7 million students through credit-bearing programs, continuing education, workforce development, and community outreach initiatives.

SUNY also remains a major contributor to research and innovation across the state. During fiscal year 2025, research expenditures throughout the system totaled nearly $1.5 billion, supported by faculty, students, and research partnerships. With more than three million alumni around the world and one in every three New Yorkers earning a college degree through SUNY, state officials say the university system is well positioned to provide displaced students with an opportunity to continue pursuing their academic and professional ambitions despite an unexpected disruption to their original college plans.