Frequently Asked Questions

The program is completely free of charge. Students do not pay any tuition, textbook fees, registration fees, or material costs.

Taking College Now courses allow students to accumulate transferable college credits at zero cost, bypassing undergraduate fees, application fees, textbook expenses, and commute costs. Tuition Rates & Refund Schedule

Note: These savings are calculated using standard CUNY community college non-matriculated student rates. Actual savings are significantly higher if students eventually transfer these credits into private universities or out-of-state colleges with higher tuition structures.

No. Enrolling in College Now does not impact, deplete, or count against a student’s lifetime financial aid eligibility.

We offer a rotating selection of standard freshman-level CUNY credit courses (such as, behavioral sciences, history, communications, and mathematics) alongside specialized college preparatory, non-credit workshops designed to boost reading, writing, and math placement levels. College Now

Yes, absolutely. College Now classes adhere to standard university attendance policies. Because college courses meet less frequently than regular high school classes, missing even a single session can severely impact a student's academic standing and ability to keep up with the material.

College Now courses utilize the official Kingsborough Community College grading scale (A through F). The grade earned is permanent and acts as the official start of the student’s undergraduate college transcript and Grade Point Average (GPA).

They are authentic college courses. While challenging because they demand high critical thinking, self-discipline, and strong time management, they are deliberately paced to help high school students successfully bridge the gap between secondary school and higher education.

Yes. Students are evaluated exactly like matriculated college freshmen. Courses require midterm and final examinations, analytical research papers, oral presentations, and consistent reading assignments.

Students work closely with their designated high school College Now Representative or Guidance Counselor to select eligible courses based on their grade level, academic interests, and CUNY eligibility benchmarks

Schedule offerings vary by high school cohort. Classes are typically scheduled immediately before or after the regular high school day, or during dedicated weekend blocks on the Kingsborough Community College campus

Classes are taught by fully credentialed Kingsborough Community College faculty members or high school instructors who have been officially vetted and approved as adjunct professors by KCC’s academic departments

Upon finishing a course, an official academic record is generated at Kingsborough. To transfer these credits, students must request an official transcript from the KCC Registrar’s Office:

• To a CUNY College: Transcripts can be ordered online through CUNYfirst/Parchment for a minimal $2.00 processing fee.
• To a Non-CUNY College: Transcripts can be ordered online for $9.00 or by submitting a paper Request for Transcript Form to the KCC Bursar with a $7.00 money order.

The vast majority of city, state, public, and private institutions nationwide accept College Now credits as equivalent coursework or general electives. In rare instances, highly specialized programs (like highly prescriptive clinical nursing or pharmacy tracks) may reject transfer credits due to rigid internal curricular requirements.

Pro-Tip: If an institution initially denies a transfer credit, students are advised to contact the department chairperson at their new college to ask about sitting for a competency waiver exam, or contact the KCC College Now office for advocacy assistance.

This is determined on a school-by-school basis. Students must consult directly with their individual high school's College Now Representative or guidance counselor to verify if a course fulfills specific high school graduation distribution requirements.

• College Now: Students take an actual college-level curriculum. Passing the course guarantees an official college transcript issued by CUNY showing direct credits and a GPA that transfers directly to most institutions.
• Advanced Placement (AP): Students take a high school class aligned with College Board guidelines. College credit is not guaranteed by passing the class itself; instead, students must pay for and sit for a national standardized exam, and individual colleges decide if a score (usually a 4 or 5) warrants credit or an exemption.

No. Participation is determined on a term-by-term basis. Students can choose to take a single class or continue enrolling across multiple terms throughout their sophomore, junior, and senior years up to a maximum credit limit.

Typically, College Now credits fulfill general education requirements or foundational electives. Whether they count toward a specific major depends entirely on the degree requirements of the college the student chooses to attend after high school graduation.

This depends entirely on individual high school policies. Some high schools display the course and grade on the high school transcript for dual-credit tracking, but regardless of high school policy, the grade always appears permanently on the student's official Kingsborough Community College transcript.

Yes. To ensure balanced academic progress, CUNY policies limit students to a lifetime maximum of 12 College Now / CUNY undergraduate credits. This typically equates to roughly 3 or 4 fully completed courses over their high school career

The program is open to motivated New York City public high school students (typically juniors and seniors) who attend one of our designated partner high schools. To enroll in credit-bearing courses, students must meet specific CUNY academic readiness benchmarks demonstrated through NYS Regents scores, SAT/PSAT scores, or a strong cumulative high school Grade Point Average (GPA).

To ensure students are prepared for the rigor of university coursework, CUNY establishes minimum proficiency benchmarks. Students can satisfy eligibility through any of the following pathways:

Applications are processed electronically in coordination with partner schools. The standard application workflow follows these steps:

1. Consultation: The student meets with their high school’s designated College Now Liaison or Guidance Counselor to verify eligibility and select a course.
2. Online Application: The student completes the official CUNY College Now digital application form.
3. Documentation: The high school counselor submits the student’s current academic transcript and standardized test scores directly to our administrative office.
4. There are absolutely no application fees, processing fees, or registration costs at any point during the admissions process. How to Apply – The City University of New York

College Now students are recognized as official members of the Kingsborough community. They receive a KCC student ID card, granting them full access to campus resources, including the Kingsborough Library, academic tutoring labs, campus events, computer labs, and specialized transition conferences.

The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership committee composed of active College Now students. The board serves as a vital bridge between the high school cohorts and the college administration, providing feedback to improve the program, developing peer outreach strategies, and assisting in the planning of student events and conferences.

No. Under a federal law known as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), when a student steps into a college course—regardless of their age or minor status—their privacy rights automatically transfer from the parent to the student.