Whether this is your first time stepping foot on your campus or you are just wondering what there is to do, we hope you use this page to find life hacks, resources, college-specific advice and other tools to help you thrive. Continue to check back here for the latest, most important news you need to know.
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ePermit
Take classes at other CUNY schools.
If your school doesn’t have a specific class you’d like to take, apply for an ePermit so that you can take that class at a different college.
CUNY Weekly
Read our CUNY-wide newsletter and blog!
Every week, over 400,000 students and faculty receive the CUNY Weekly newsletter in their inbox with critical info, job listings, resources, and other news. Make sure you鈥檙e actually opening and reading each email, as well as our student-run blog .
CUNY Corps
Enter your intern era.
Students can get paid work experience by applying for programs like CUNY Career Launch, Spring Forward, and CUNY Cultural Corps. No experience required!
DegreeWorks
Keep track of your degree.
Found in CUNYfirst, DegreeWorks will help you stay on top of your credits and major to make sure you’re on track to graduate.
Libraries
Explore the CUNYVerse.
With a CUNY student ID, you can access any other CUNY college鈥檚 library to study or see friends.
Contact Info
Make sure your CUNYfirst contact information is updated.
Change your contact information by going to “Student Center” and then “Personal Information,” and subscribe to CUNY Alerts through the “CUNY Alert Subscription” section.
Blackboard
Download the Blackboard app on your preferred device.
Download Blackboard and allow notifications to remind you of assignments, readings, announcements from professors, and more.
Pantries
Access fresh, free and healthy food.
If you are facing food insecurity, any CUNY student can pick food up at any pantry across 20+ CUNY campuses. Check pantry hours on the CUNY website before heading to one.
CUNY Starter Pack
With 260,000+ students across 25 colleges, it is an understatement to say the CUNY community is huge. So our students put together these starter packs, with advice and survival tips just for YOUR school. We’ve also compiled some of the most important resources to help you navigate your campus.
Disagree with the recs/info below? so we can continue to build this resource out for future generations of CUNY students.
best college tips
favorite campus spots
bucket list
cheap eats
popular clubs
key resources
Other Tools & Tips
| College | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Borough of Manhattan Community College | Monday 鈥� Thursday, 8:00 a.m. 鈥� 6:00 p.m. until August 11th, regular schedule (Monday 鈥� Friday, 8:00 a.m. 鈥� 6:00 p.m.) resumes the week of August 14th | |
| City College | Monday 鈥� Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Appointment required on CUNY summer Fridays |
| John Jay College | Tuesday 鈥� Thursday, 10:00 a.m. 鈥� 3:00 p.m | |
| Guttman Community College | Monday 鈥� Thursday, 9:30 a.m. 鈥� 4:30 p.m., through the week of August 14th | |
| LaGuardia Community College | Monday 鈥� Thursday 9:00 a.m. 鈥� 5:00 p.m. until August 11th | |
| Lehman College | Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. 鈥� 4:00 p.m. | |
| Medgar Evers College | Mondays 10:00 a.m. 鈥� 12:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 3:00 p.m. 鈥� 5:00 p.m. (inside pantry); Mobile Pantry every first Friday of the month from 11:00 a.m. 鈥� 1:00 p.m. (outside pantry for anyone) and Community Pantry is every last Tuesday of the month from 3:00 p.m. 鈥� 5:00 p.m. (outside pantry for anyone) | |
| Queens College | Mondays and Thursdays, 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. | |
| Queensborough Community College | Tuesdays: 2:00 鈥� 5:00 p.m. | Please note: The pantry is open limited days and hours during the summer. If the pantry is closed when students visit, theycan pick up a prepackaged bag behind the reference desk in the library during the library鈥檚 open hours. In case of a food emergency, please refer to the following link for a list of local food pantries: Foodbanknyc or reach out to arc@qcc.cuny.edu |
| School of Professional Studies | CUNY SPS has a Virtual Food Access Initiative Program and the summer schedule is Monday 鈥� Thursday, 9:00 a.m. 鈥� 5:00 p.m. |
- On April 6, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education extended the student loan payment pause through Aug. 31, 2022. The pause includes the following relief measures for eligible federal student loans:
- a suspension of loan payments
- a 0% interest rate
- stopped collections on defaulted loans
For more information, visit .
- In Spring 2021, more than half of CUNY degree-seeking students received federal stimulus grants on average between $600 to $1,000, depending on financial need and other factors. For Fall 2021, CUNY will be identifying new and returning students who may be eligible for additional federal stimulus grants.
- In accordance with the US Department of Education鈥檚 Dear Colleague Letter dated July 13th听2021, CUNY will waive most of the previous federal verification requests for income information, confirmation of household size and the number of family members in college for the听2021-2022 Academic Year.听 Students selected for the Verification tracking Groups V4 and V5 are still required to provide proof of identity, complete a听Statement of Educational Purpose,听and submit proof of High School Completion status, as necessary.听Note: requests to resolve FAFSA听comment codes in reference to student eligibility, conflicting information and verification for the purposes of professional judgement reviews are still valid and must also be resolved before federal听Title IV aid can be administered.
- CUNY has finalized the methodology and distribution methodology for the CRRSAA HEERF II Student Emergency Grant. For additional information, please visit听CRRSAA FAQs.
- The FCC announced the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit, providing eligible students with up to $50 per month towards broadband service for an eligible household as well as a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10-$50 toward the purchase price. If you received a Pell Grant for 2020-2021, you are eligible. Applications open May 12, 2021. Visit听听for other qualifications and to apply.
- On December 22, 2021, the office of Federal Student Aid extended the emergency relief measures on ED-owned federal student loans through May 1, 2022. The temporary emergency relief covered suspension of loan payments, stopped collections on defaulted loans, and a 0% interest rate. The original deadline was due to expire on January 31st, 2021.
- Students with private student loans should contact their servicer directly for new financing options that may now be available.
- Students who experience a loss in income based on the COVID-19 pandemic, may qualify for additional federal student assistance.听 When completing the FAFSA, a student reports income information from two years prior.听 If you have had a loss in income and previously did not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant, you may be eligible for additional funds based on an income adjustment. 听Possible circumstances may include unemployment, death of a wage-earner (parent, if dependent; spouse, if independent), divorce, loss of untaxed income (such as child support). A review of your circumstance will require income and substantiating support documentation for the circumstance. Visit your college鈥檚 financial aid website for more information.
- As part of the federal government鈥檚 CARES Act legislation, eligible CUNY students will automatically receive emergency grants to help cover education-related expenses caused by COVID-19. Eligibility is based on a student鈥檚 FAFA on file. If you have not completed your FAFSA, please do so at the听听today. No other action is required to apply for or receive these grants 鈥� they will be automatically deposited into the bank accounts of students enrolled in direct deposit and mailed to students who have not enrolled.听Please visit here for additional information.
- Nelnet payment plans will see adjustments to their payment schedule. Please听check here听for more details.
- There are options available if you have experienced a change in your family or financial situation in the current 2019-2020 academic year as well as for 2020-2021. Special circumstances such as income loss, or death of a parent may qualify you for additional Financial Aid. After completing the FAFSA form and/or NYS Aid application listing your school code, contact your college鈥檚 financial aid office to discuss available options. A review process and supporting documentation will be required, at the determination of the college financial aid office. All documents can be submitted securely to your college by using听the CUNYfirst Student Document Upload tool.
- New York State鈥檚 High Education Services Corporation (HESC) has ensured that no HESC state financial aid programs will be disrupted by coronavirus. See NYS HESC鈥檚听听& FAQs for Students and Parents.
- Students are advised to check their CUNYfirst To Do list in Student Center to see if they have outstanding documents required for their financial aid process. In response to COVID-19, students can upload documents听using the CUNYfirst Student Document Upload feature.
The Ultimate Guide to Virtual Museum Resources, E-Learning, and Online Collections provides the of free, virtual resources at museums and cultural institutions.
The Frick Collection’s was on view in the in 2013. Click on any painting in the to learn more about the work of art.
The National Women鈥檚 History Museum has and to educate, inspire, empower, and shape the future by integrating women鈥檚 distinctive history and culture in the United States.
helps its users discover and view important artworks online in high resolution and detail, including through Google鈥檚 partnerships with from around the world.
The Guggenheim features over 1,700 artworks by more than 625 artists, including a that presents a searchable database of selected artworks from the Guggenheim鈥檚 permanent collection of approximately 8,000 artworks.
allows you to browse the Met鈥檚 entire collection of some 200,770 objects covering 5,000 years of art history.
NASA offers free virtual tours of the , the , and a that provides virtual tours, augmented reality experiences, and videos and audio stories about space exploration.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force offers of its entire grounds, and its wide array of military weapons and aircraft.
The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum.
The Vatican Museums feature an extensive collection of important art and classical sculptures curated by the Popes over many centuries. You can take a of the museum grounds and iconic exhibits, including Michelangelo鈥檚 ceiling in the .
Stay connected with MoMA online through access to the Museum’s free online courses on , and our website populated with resources for teaching online or self-guided learning.
Force yourself to sign up for a club
Joining a club through your campus鈥� club fair is an easy way to find your squad and make campus feel smaller. Plus, if you don鈥檛 find a club you like, start your own!
Say hi to the people from your classes in past semesters
We know it鈥檚 hard to initiate a conversation, but in almost every case, you will be glad you did.
Make your schedule your wallpaper
Don鈥檛 risk being late to class because you鈥檙e trying to load CUNYfirst. Take a screenshot and make it your wallpaper until you memorize your schedule.
Raise Issues & Concerns
Browse through fellowships & scholarships
Fellowships and scholarships can make a huge difference for your resume, work exposure, or even wallet. Find some that interest you and make an appointment with your college鈥檚 advisor ASAP.
Keep in touch with old professors
Maintain your relationship with some past professors by going to their office hours or sending them an email just to say hi and to ask for their input on your academic path.
Over-organize to Focus
Planning and organizing is key to maintaining some semblance of normalcy as frequent changes arise due to the coronavirus crisis. Using check-lists, calendars, and mobile apps may help you create structure in your life, even if you are working from home. Recruit a friend to serve as your accountability buddy to help you stay on top of things.
Visit your professor鈥檚 office hours early in the semester
All professors appreciate a stop to their office hours but many especially appreciate it early on. Even if the bulk of the coursework has not yet begun, you can bring a set of questions about your professor鈥檚 work.
Sign up to be the first to present in class
Yes, it may seem scary but chances are you鈥檒l be graded a little more leniently if you do. Plus, you鈥檒l get it out of the way and be thankful you did!
Research apps that will help make life a little easier
There鈥檚 an app for that. Use apps that transcribe your voice for long writing assignments, anti-procrastination apps to help you focus, and scanner apps so you never have to scan in the library again!
Key CUNY Resources
Our university-wide resources and guides can help you get ahead at any CUNY college.