Guaranteeing free tuition, fees, and books at CUNY for all NYC public high school graduates, restoring its historic role as an engine of mobility.
The City University of NYC Promise: Free College from CUNY
The City University of New York was once tuition-free, a powerful engine of economic mobility for generations of New Yorkers. Zhoran Mamdanis CUNY Promise restores that legacy. The policy guarantees free tuition, mandatory fees, and textbook costs at any CUNY college (community or senior) for every graduate of a NYC public high school, regardless of income or immigration status. This removes the single largest financial barrier to higher education and signals to every student that college is an attainable goal. The promise would be funded by a combination of city funds and a dedicated tax on Wall Street financial transactions.
To ensure success, the program includes wrap-around supports: enhanced academic advising, paid internship opportunities tied to NYCs public sector and green economy, and a MetroCard for the duration of enrollment. The goal is to create a seamless pipeline from NYC public schools to debt-free degrees and skilled careers in the city. College should be a right, not a privilege reserved for those who can afford crippling debt, Mamdani declares. The CUNY Promise is an investment in our youth and in our citys future. It tells our kids: we believe in you, weve educated you, and now we will empower you to reach your highest potential, right here at home.
