College Discovery Program

What is the College Discovery Program (CD)?

The College Discovery (CD) program at Queensborough Community College was established in 1964. It is an opportunity program that provides you with financial assistance, academic advising, counseling, and free one-to-one academic support services to help reduce challenges to your academic and personal success. In addition, students receive a stipend/allowance each semester. Through its support services, personalized academic assistance and individual college counseling, the CD program provides you with a clear path to a college degree and a meaningful higher education experience.

Benefits and opportunities provided by College Discovery

Financial Benefits:

  • For students who are academically eligible, the CD program offers additional funding beyond a student's financial aid package – up to $600 per academic year.

  • The program pays tuition (for eligible students), as well as all required student fees.

Counseling Services:

  • Students are assigned to a counselor who becomes their personal guide through their college experience. In addition, CD students enjoy the benefit of seeing their counselor on a walk-in basis.

Academic Support Services:

  • The Academic Support Center will be operating hybrid/partially remote for the Fall 2023 semester.

  • The College Discovery Program is offering Online Tutoring Support through Blackboard.

  • As we are working online, CD students have access to their own Academic Support Center (tutoring center) available by phone at (718) 631-6618 or at CDtutorialservices@qcc.cuny.edu, which offers free one-to-one and group tutoring in most courses offered at the college.

  • CD students may also utilize the center's computers for research projects, printing, and completing class assignments.

 

Success Menu

How do Students Apply to College Discovery?

CD accepts students who are interested in any major offered at the college.

Prospective students should indicate their interest in the College Discovery program on the CUNY application for admission. Interested students may also contact the College Discovery office directly at 718-631-6210 to inquire about their eligibility.

Fill our the Intent to Enroll in the College Discovery Program

Complete the College Discovery Application Form 2023-2024

Is your application status listed as incomplete? For assistance, please contact us by email at CollegeDiscovery@qcc.cuny.edu

Summer Program

As a first-year CD student, you must attend and successfully complete a mandatory summer program where you take non-credit-bearing introductory courses in English/Mathematics and ST-100. In ST-100, a small group forum where you will learn about college life, you will attend weekly skill-building workshops, daily tutorials and team-building exercises to prepare for the rigorous academic work required of college students.


ST-100 Course Outline

Who is Eligible for College Discovery?

To be eligible for the College Discovery program at Queensborough, you must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be a high school graduate or have a New York State approved General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent.

  • Have no previous college experience, except in the case of students transferring from another educational opportunity program such as EOP, SEEK, another CD Program, or HEOP.

  • Be able to document residency in New York City for at least one year prior to applying to CUNY.

  • Have a college admissions average from your high school that is less than 80%.

  • Have a family income and other available financial resources which fall within guidelines established by New York State (see website).

  • All CD applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), for both PELL (federal aid), and TAP (New York state aid), as early as possible.

Visit Financial Aid

College Discovery New Student Checklist

Welcome New College Discovery Admitted Student!

The checklist below contains the steps you will need to complete before you can register for classes! You will also have a chance to review this list with your College Discovery Counselor.

Enrollment Confirmation Process before Registering for Summer/ Fall Classes:

Complete and Submit: 2023-2024 College Discovery Supplemental Form within the next 2 weeks. In addition, you must submit:

  • A signed copy of parent(s) income taxes-2021
  • A federal IRS tax transcript from the IRS office-2021
  • Other supporting proof of income documents-2021 (see To Do List below)

Attend a College Discovery Information Session

Financial Aid: Everyone is required to apply for financial aid. Apply for financial aid here.

Health History Forms: Complete and submit your Health History Forms and proof of immunizations to Health Services, Medical Arts Building, Room MC-02 or Fax to (718) 631-6330.

Advisement & Registration: Schedule an appointment for advisement and registration for Summer/Fall classes by contacting the College Discovery Office at 718-631-6210 or collegediscovery@qcc.cuny.edu.

Register for mandatory Summer/Fall class(es).

If attending summer school to complete high school graduation requirements, please provide a letter in a sealed envelope from your high school. The letter must include dates of summer school attendance.

Check the College Discovery / Financial Aid To-Do List below for any required documents.


College Discovery / Financial Aid To-Do List

  • College Discovery Supplemental Form
  • Proof of Citizenship
  • 2021 Student's Federal Income Tax Form (only if independent)
  • 2021 Parent's Federal Income Tax Form
  • 2021 Parent's IRS Transcript
  • 2021 PA Budget Letter
  • 2021 SNAP
  • 2021 IRS Non-Tax Filer Statement
  • 2021 Child Support Report
  • 2021 Unemployment Benefits
  • 2021 Social Security Benefits
  • Other Document(s); if required

Mission and Goals

Mission:

The College Discovery Program (CD) is committed to increasing the access, sense of belonging, academic excellence and retention of New York City’s historically underserved students. Students are provided with academic advisement, supportive counseling, pre-freshman summer orientation, tutoring support and transfer-out assistance to enable them to successfully complete all requirements for graduation.

Goals:

  1. Provide academically and economically disadvantaged eligible students academic advisement in their chosen program of study.

  2. Provide students through a pre-freshmen seminar to prepare them for their first semester in college.

  3. Continue to provide necessary supportive tutoring services that assist students to succeed academically and ultimately graduate.

  4. Promote transfer opportunities for students and assist them with the next step beyond graduation in alignment with their future goals.

Hours and Location

Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Regular Weekly)

College Discovery Evening Zoom (Regular Weekly):

Tuesdays: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81971768928?pwd=N0RSVGdNb1VyNm9mdjh4d1ZZWjF2QT09)

Meeting ID:  819 7176 8928

Academic Support Center Virtual office hour (By Appointment Only):
Wednesday 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Email: CDTutorialServices@qcc.cuny.edu

Office locations:
Main office: S-124
College Discovery Academic Support Center: L-102

Office Phone: Call: 718-631-6210 or
Email: CollegeDiscovery@qcc.cuny.edu

 

College Discovery Staff

 

Dr. Robert E. Cortes, LCSW – Director
RCortes@qcc.cuny.edu

Mrs. Katwicia Desruisseaux – Counselor
Kdesruisseaux@qcc.cuny.edu

Ms. Kathryn Wong – Counselor
KWong@qcc.cuny.edu

Mr. Sean Persaud- Counselor

SPersaud@qcc.cuny.edu

Mr. Jeffrey Collins – Academic Support Specialist
JECollins@qcc.cuny.edu

Campus Cultural Centers

Kupferberg Holocaust Center exterior lit up at nightOpens in a new window
Kupferberg Holocaust Center Opens in a new window

The KHC uses the lessons of the Holocaust to educate current and future generations about the ramifications of unbridled prejudice, racism and stereotyping.

Russian Ballet performing at the Queensborough Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window
QPAC: Performing Arts CenterOpens in a new window

QPAC is an invaluable entertainment company in this region with a growing national reputation. The arts at QPAC continues to play a vital role in transforming lives and building stronger communities.

Queensborough Art Gallery exterior in the afternoonOpens in a new window
QCC Art Gallery

The QCC Art Gallery of the City University of New York is a vital educational and cultural resource for Queensborough Community College, the Borough of Queens and the surrounding communities.