The City University of New York announced the suspension of two policies that will free tens of thousands of students with debt to the University to pursue employment and educational opportunities and continue their education in CUNY schools for the Fall 2021 semester.
Effective immediately, Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez has suspended a long-held policy that bans CUNY schools from releasing the official transcripts of students and graduates who owe the University unpaid tuition and fees. Separately, he has directed CUNY colleges to lift financial holds on approximately 74,000 students who were enrolled during the semesters of the COVID-19 pandemic, clearing the way for them to register for the Fall 2021 semester even if they owe outstanding tuition and fee balances to CUNY.
“Together with the CUNY Comeback Program, these policy changes reaffirm our commitment to CUNY’s mission by making it significantly easier for tens of thousands of students to continue their educational goals or enter the workplace and assist in the City’s ongoing economic recovery,” said Chancellor Matos Rodríguez. “Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that CUNY adapt its policies to meet the evolving needs of post-pandemic New Yorkers. Releasing student transcripts and eliminating financial holds, regardless of a person’s financial status, is the most pragmatic and compassionate way forward in this challenging climate. These actions continue the push to keep all CUNY students moving ahead on a path toward success.”
The suspension of financial holds in time for students to register for the Fall 2021 semester is a one-time action to support students who were adversely impacted during the public health crisis. It applies to students who were enrolled in the University from March 13, 2020, the date the coronavirus was declared a national emergency, through the Spring 2021 semester, the same period of time as the CUNY Comeback Program.
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