Hochul guarantees NY students unenrolled from Howard SUNY or CUNY admission

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on Jul 27, 2026

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NEW YORK — New York students who were abruptly unenrolled from Howard University just weeks before the first day of school will be guaranteed admission to the State University of New York or the City University of New York this fall, Gov. Kathy Hochul was set to announce Monday.

Each student will also receive an $800 credit to help offset their nonrefundable deposits at Howard, according to the governor’s office.

“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,” Hochul said in a statement.

“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.”

Howard, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., confirmed last week that it removed more than 500 incoming freshmen from its rosters after “multiple detailed communications” since March to students and their families who missed key enrollment and financial deadlines.

The episode launched a social media frenzy, with students taking to TikTok and other platforms to share their experiences of being admitted to their dream school, only to have the rug pulled out from under them on the cusp of their first semester. Some incoming freshmen said they had been waiting on private scholarships and other financial aid.

In recent days, Howard has re-enrolled dozens of students as school officials continue to review appeals, according to reports. During a CNN interview Sunday, Howard interim President Wayne Frederick said it’s not unusual for colleges and universities to unregister students who miss key deadlines, but that Howard had not been as strict about enforcing the cutoff until this year.

It’s not clear how many of the unenrolled students live in New York, though school enrollment data showed the Empire State was one of the top states sending students to Howard last year, second only to Maryland.

While guaranteed admission only applies to New York residents, Hochul said out-of-state unenrolled Howard students interested in SUNY and CUNY can receive expedited late admissions review at campuses with open space.

“We understand that the enrollment update ... is difficult and disappointing for students and their families,” read the July 23 statement from Howard. “As Howard finalizes enrollment for the Fall 2026 semester, which begins August 17, confirming enrollment is essential to planning academic programs, housing, financial aid, and student support services.”

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