How to Apply?

Eligibility Requirements

You may be eligible for SEEK if you answer yes to the following questions:

• Have you applied and been accepted to City Tech?
• Are you a New York City resident and/or eligible for in-state tuition (as per the CUNY tuition and fees manual)?
• Have you completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the Federal Student Aid website and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program application on the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation website?
• You will be required to accept all federal and state grants you are deemed eligible for (i.e. Pell, TAP, SEOG). (Students not in receipt of financial aid due to immigration status may join SEEK but may not receive a financial stipend).
• Do you meet the Income Guideline? (Economic Eligibility Guidelines)

Students may choose either SEEK or Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP), but not both. If you are eligible for both programs, please explore your options carefully before making a final decision on which one is best for you.

NYS Education Department Income Eligibility Criteria

Academic Year 2026 - 2027

Household Size (including head of household)	Total Annual Income for 2024
1	$28,953
2	$39,128
3	$49,303
4	$59,478
5	$69,653
6	$79,828
7	$90,003
8*	$100,178
* For family units with more than eight members, add $10,175 for each additional person.

Exceptions to the Economic Eligibility Guidelines

Exceptions to using the Economic Guidelines chart can be made if the student falls into one of the following categories and documentation is available:

1. The student's household is the recipient of:
   1. Family Assistance Program Aid or;
   2. Safety Net Assistance through the NYS Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance, or a county department of social services; or
   3. Family day-care payments through the NYS Office of Children & Family Services or a county department of social services; or
2. The student is living with foster parents who do not provide support for college, and no monies are provided from the natural parents; or
3. The student is a ward of the State or a County.

Documentation Required for Non-Income Tax Filers

• All 2024 Household Income
• 2024 W-2 Forms
• 2024 Social Security Benefits, if applicable
• 2024 Supplemental Security Income, if applicable
• 2024 Child Support Benefits, if applicable
• 2024 Public Assistance Budget Report, if applicable
• Verification of Non-Filing Letter from the IRS for Year 2024
• If you are a dependent student and your parents filed a 2024 tax return and on the FAFSA you used the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX) to transfer Federal Tax (FTI) from the IRS, then you don't need Document Upload
• If you are an independent student who did not file a tax return for the year of 2024 and on the FAFSA you used the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FADDX), you will not need to provide income documents.

* Other documents may be required

To submit the SEEK Freshman Documentation for Financial Aid evaluation:

• Log into your CUNYfirst account at on the CUNYFirst website
• Select Student Center >> Tasks and Holds >> To Do List >> click the To Do List link to navigate to the task titled "SEEK Program Docs"
• Click the link to access the form and provide the name/email address for your parent (as they will be the co-signer of the form).
• Electronically sign the form, attach supporting documents and click submit

Once all documents have been received, you will be contacted if additional information is needed and/or provide the status of your application