Freshman Application Information for Immigrant Students

General Application Information

Many prospective students think they cannot attend Queens College or the City University of New York (CUNY) because of their immigration status. However, this is not the case. Students may apply, attend, and graduate from Queens College regardless of their immigration status! Notably, when applying to Queens College, no immigration-related documents are required. Additionally, the CUNY undergraduate application will ask questions regarding a student’s citizenship or immigration status, but students can select “other/prefer not to answer.” Furthermore, students can opt out of providing a social security number (SSN) if they do not have one.

All information given to CUNY and Queens College during the application process is confidential and not shared with outside organizations. Queens College welcomes all students to apply, no matter their immigration status. For more information on the application process from the perspective of undocumented and immigrant students, please review the following sections and the video below beginning at the 12:55 timestamp.

Freshman Students Application Process

Entering first-year students should start by clicking the buttons below and visiting the information pages on the application process from the Queens College Undergraduate Admissions Office and the CUNY Undergraduate Admissions Office. Students can also refer to the steps below for more information. Currently, there is no deadline to apply, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. However, interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Step 1: Complete the CUNY Application

Once students decide to apply to Queens College, the first step is to complete the CUNY freshman application. Please remember the CUNY freshman application requires an essay and at least one academic reference. Interested students can apply to Queens College by clicking the button below! For a visual guide on how to fill out an application, please watch the video below.

Step 2: Supporting Documents

After applying, students will need to provide supporting documents. Freshman applicants must provide Queens College with their official high school transcript(s), which include all the student’s course grades.

Official domestic transcripts can be sent via email to Transcripts@qc.cuny.edu. Meanwhile, all foreign transcripts from international institutions should be sent to Transcripts@cuny.edu. Students requesting international transcripts from their institutions should utilize the International Transcript Request Form. For more information on how to submit your transcripts, please click here.

For a visual guide on how to upload any other supporting documentation, please refer to the video below.

Step 3: Check Your Application Status

After uploading supporting documents, students should routinely check the status of their application by claiming and activating their CUNY First Account. For a guide on how to activate your CUNY First account, please click here.

Please know students will need to either use the last four digits of their social security number (SSN) or your assigned four-digit placeholder number if you are an undocumented or immigrant student who does not have an SSN. If you do not know your assigned four-digit placeholder number, please contact the Queens College Immigrant Student Support Initiative at ImmigrantSupport@qc.cuny.edu or 718-997-3990 for assistance. 

For a visual guide on activating your CUNY First account, checking your application status, and accepting your admission to Queens College (if applicable), please watch the videos in the carousel below. Accepted students should also visit this website outlining the next steps for accepted students.

Important Factors to Consider

When planning for or already attending college, it is essential to consider the cost of tuition and fees and your financial aid eligibility. For more information on the New York resident tuition rate and financial aid relating to undocumented and immigrant students, please click the buttons below and visit our web pages on these topics.