Welcome Students, Parents, and Guardians!

Developmental (or remedial) classes help students strengthen foundational skills in subjects like math, reading, and writing. These courses are pre-requisites or co-requisites for most credit classes.  

At CUNY, placement into developmental classes is determined through an assessment of materials submitted during the admissions process, with emphasis on high school GPA and standardized test scores. 

CUNY uses specific benchmarks tied to student success to calculate a Proficiency Index. Students with a Proficiency Index below the required threshold must complete an English and/or math developmental requirement. For more details, please visit CUNY’s proficiency requirements here. 

The options to fulfill the English and/or math developmental requirements include:

1. CUNY Start: Low cost ($35 or $75) developmental classes to help students develop skills in reading, writing, and math in the fall, spring or summer semester before beginning credit-bearing courses.
2. University Skills Immersion Program (USIP): A free, 2–3-week workshop offered by the math and English departments during the winter and summer terms.
3. Accelerated Learning Program (ALP): A co-requisite option that allows you to complete developmental English or math alongside credit-bearing English or math courses. This program is available during the fall and spring terms. Tuition for the English ALP is $1470 plus fees and tuition for the math ALP is $1050 plus fees. 

Based on past student success in first-semester classes, CUNY Start is highly recommended for students who are entering college with an identified need in both English and math or who have a very low Proficiency Index in either English or Math.  

Students who meet both English and/or math proficiency during CUNY Start enroll in college credit courses in their degree program.  

The majority of students who complete CUNY Start join special programs focused on student success, such as ASAP and College Discovery.  

Only students in the Jump Start program are allowed to take an additional 3 credit course.  

Our other programs are structured so students can solely focus on working on their foundational skills before they tackle higher level coursework.  

CUNY Start is a low-cost program that allows you save your financial aid for credit-bearing coursework. Students will pay a $35 or $75 fee for their CUNY Start coursework. This fee is out of pocket and not covered by financial aid.

CUNY Start offers student-centered support in strengthening their English and math skills. Beyond academics, students become part of a close-knit community where they form meaningful connections with peers and instructors and advisors, who know students by name and are invested in their success. This personalized approach fosters a sense of belonging and ensures that every student has the resources and guidance needed to thrive in their college journey.

Here’s what some of our CUNY Start alumni have shared about the program:

"They really blew my mind because now I'm excited to come to class and I've never been excited to attend a math class so they really changed my view of math."

"Yes I love my classmates and professors. It's a very open and helping class. Everyone helps each other out."

'I felt welcomed and supported by a full team of instructors, tutors and advisers. It helped me complete my assignments on time, and showed the benefits of asking questions when I am confused."

The transition from high school to college is an important step for your student as they become more independent. Here are some things you can do to support their college student:

• While guidance is valuable, encourage your student to take ownership of their decisions regarding their major, class choices, and more!
• If your student needs to travel to campus, have them practice the route before classes start. This helps reduce stress on the first day. 
• Let your student know it's okay to ask professors, advisers, or campus resources for help when they need it. Encourage them to speak up or email the appropriate staff person if something isn't clear or if they're struggling. 
• Regular communication is important. Encourage them to share how things are going, both good and bad, but allow them the space to figure things out while being there for support when needed.  
• Help your student gather necessary documents like tax forms for financial aid applications, such as FAFSA, TAP, or the Dream Act.

Under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), we’re legally bound to protect students' privacy, which means we can't share information about a college student's academic records or personal details with parents or guardians without the student's consent. This protection supports students' rights and encourages their independence as they navigate college life 

To access information about your college student’s records, the student must freely sign a FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) release form. This form grants permission for the college to share specific details with parents or guardians, as chosen by the student. Without this signed consent, we’re legally obligated to keep all academic, financial, and personal information confidential to support the student’s privacy and independence. 

For more information on FERPA, please click here.