Committment/Enrollement

• Ensure you have received an admissions decision from all of the schools you applied to

  • 1. Places to check for decisions: email, mail, applicant portals

    2. Setting up CUNY First Portal Tutorial

• Ensure you have a received a financial aid award from all of the schools you were accepted to

  • 1. Places to check: email, mail, applicant portals

• Still no financial aid award?  Make sure the college is listed in your FAFSA & your TAP is complete (NY State School only) 

• Read financial aid awards from your postsecondary options

Resource: Reading a financial Aid Package 

• Use the Financial Aid Comparison Tool to analyze your awards to determine affordability (make a copy for yourself before using)

• Selected for verification?  Use this tutorial to help you complete verification forms

• If you and your family determine the school/program is unaffordable, talk with your counselor about the potential to appeal your financial aid package. Learn More

• Learn more about the school/program

• Take a virtual tour; YouVisit.com

• Take an in-person your.  Many colleges are welcoming visitors back on campus

• Participate in accepted student events 

• Use campus websites to learn more about your potential major and the program requirements

  • • CUNY Academic Programs

    • SUNY Academic Programs; Complete Campus List

• Learn about the activities available on campus. 

  • Are there clubs and teams that interest you?

• 
  

• Learn about the support services available on campus.  

  • What are the academic services, eg. Tutoring, services for students with disabilities?

• 
  

• Learn from Alumni.

  • What are alum doing after they graduate from this school/program?

• Schedule an appointment to talk with your counselor about your decision

• Students and parents can email jbenzvi@metropolitanels.com to request an appointment with Ms. Benzvi during her office hours

• Check your college’s website to confirm the commitment date. This is your deadline for accepting your offer of admission.  Typically, most schools follow national decision day, May 1, 2024.

• Commitment deposit: 

  1. 1. This represents a portion of your tuition to hold your spot

     2. It is often waived for households with an EFC of less than $3,000 as listed on your student aid report

     3. If your school requires a deposit, and that presents a financial hardship, work with your counselor to ask the school to waive their enrollment deposit.  

• Housing deposit: If you plan to live on campus, be sure to pay this to secure your housing/dorm and submit any related forms.

• Financial aid:  Accept your financial aid award.  Make sure that all documents that need to be signed by you and your guardian are signed and submitted. Retain copies for your own records.

• Inform MELS.  Update your Naviance account with admissions decisions for the colleges you apply to and set your attending college so Ms. Benzvi can send your final transcript to the correct college in July.

While some steps are universal, each college has its own guide to enrollment.  Check with your college directly for their matriculation guide.  Some can be found here: Resource: College Matriculation Guides

Academic

• • When possible, set up your college (school) email address

  • Review if you have to take any assessment or placement tests; schedule your appointment and make sure to follow through. 

  • Set up an appointment with your academic advisor, especially if this is required to register for classes.

  • Monitor school communications so that you can select classes when registration for the first term is available.  Note that some classes fill up quickly.  Some classes also have prerequisites so read carefully and consult an advisory.

  • Calendar any summer programs you are expected to attend.

Special Programs

• • At CUNY community colleges, the ASAP program offers great support. If you have received an email informing you that you are eligible for ASAP  and your campus has a program, look into joining!

Financial Aid

• If you are attending college in NY State, make sure your TAP is set to the school you plan to attend

• If you are taking out student loans, complete loan entrance counseling (use your FSA ID to log in) and sign the Master Promissory Note so your loan can be disbursed to the college you are attending

Orientating yourself

• • Submit any required physical or immunization records

  • Fill out housing forms if you will be living on campus

  • Read all your emails so you are aware when freshman/first year orientations are taking place and mark those dates in your calendar.

  • ASAP, SEEK, EOP and HEOP have often hold special and additional orientations.

  • If you are going away for college, make sure you have a plan for who will help you move into your dorm and take you to campus for orientation or other commitments.