Scholarship and Benefits

Macaulay offers all of its students a merit scholarship package that includes tuition, Cultural Passport and access to the Opportunities Fund. Click a link to jump down:


Macaulay Tuition Scholarship 

Students who meet CUNY New York State residency requirements for in-state tuition have the opportunity to graduate free from tuition debt thanks to the tuition scholarship. It covers four years of undergraduate study not including fees and expenses.

Important facts about your scholarship

The following information is true of all tuition scholarships. But everyone’s financial situation is slightly different. Contact scholarships@macaulay.cuny.edu for Macaulay’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you have concerns.

  • You must resubmit the FAFSA and TAP applications every academic year to receive this scholarship. This is the case even if you don’t qualify for federal (Pell) or NY State (TAP) financial aid. 
  • Your tuition scholarship covers:
    • Full time tuition in Fall and Spring semesters: 12 credits or more
    • Up to 8 credits in Summer
    • One course up to 4 credits in Winter (Exemptions allowed for study abroad programs that require more credits.)
  • The scholarship covers CUNY tuition, but not fees. See below about how to pay fees for each semester you enroll in.
  • Your tuition scholarship might not be posted on CUNYfirst before payment is due. Don’t worry. If you have completed FAFSA and TAP and payed fees (see below) or other charges, this should not be a problem.
  • Macaulay is a last-dollar or gap scholarship. This means that if you qualify for Pell or TAP financial aid grants, this money is applied to cover you tuition first, and the Macaulay tuition scholarship covers the difference.
    • You won’t receive Macaulay plus a Pell or TAP grant
    • If your Pell and/or TAP grant is greater than the cost of tuition and fees, you may receive additional money each semester.
  • You must have New York State residency to qualify to receive the scholarship. Students with a home address outside NY State are eligible to be Macaulay students, but must pay out-of-state tuition, and will not receive the scholarship.
    More info residency, and how to prove it, here.
  • Macaulay Honors College at Queens welcomes immigrants, regardless of citizenship status. If you cannot complete the FAFSA due to immigration status, complete the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act application, as well as the TAP application. You may also be able to receive TAP funding.


Paying Fees on CUNYfirst

We frequently get asked how to pay fees (and not tuition) on CUNYfirst. Here’s a quick guide.

  • To view your bill, go to CUNYfirst > Student Center > Financial Info > View My Bill.
  • Select Charges Due from the left side menu.
  • Select Detail of Charges Due on the top right.

Screenshot of CUNYfirst bill details.

  • Calculate your fees:
    • You are responsible for all fees such as: Student Activity Fee, CUNY Technology Fee, CUNY Consolidated Fee, Student Senate Fee, and Material/Trans Fee
    • There may be other fees associated with your bill. If you are unsure, contact the Bursar’s Office.
    • The total of fees for a full semester is usually $303.85 but can change depending on your major and the courses you are taking.
    • All charges labeled as “fees” are the student’s responsibility to pay.
  • Select Make a Payment from the left menu and follow the steps to pay only the total of fees.

Additional Benefits


The Opportunities Fund

You have access to a $1500 grant to help fund your Experiential Education, including research, internships, and study abroad. Competitive Enhanced Grants for up to $5000 are also available, based on a Statement of Justification essay.

Accessing the Opportunities Fund

When you’re ready to apply for the fund, it’s crucial to read all of the policies found on the Macaulay Accessing the Opportunities Fund page, and in the Guidelines. The following info is a basic summary of what you need to know to gain access.

WHEN TO APPLY

Application periods are at the start of each Fall and Spring semester.

FALL APPLICATIONS

Seniors: All activities
Juniors: All activities

SPRING APPLICATIONS

Juniors and Sophomores: All activities
Seniors: Internships and Research only and 30 hours of Community Service must be complete

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • It is your first time accessing the Opportunities Fund
  • You are enrolled during the semester applying
  • You are within four years of study
  • You have completed FAFSA & TAP (or Dream Act & TAP) applications
  • You have achieved 80% or higher on the Opportunities Fund Online Quiz (found within the application portal)
  • Your activity occurs before the end date of the final semester
  • Study abroad requests must be in advance
  • Internship/research reimbursements may be requested up to the end of the semester after the activity

HOW TO APPLY


Book Stipend

Macaulay students at Queens College only will receive an additional $375 stipend per semester. Please note, the stipend may arrive after books are needed to be purchased.​


Priority Registration​

After the start of their first semester, Macaulay students are among the very first groups of undergraduates able to register for the following semester. This is exceptionally useful for getting a spot in popular courses and key degree requirements.

Access to Technology


Laptop Computers

While it isn’t possible to provide every student with a laptop computer, we hope to make access to technology possible for as many scholars as we can. If and when funding becomes available, we may be able to provide laptops to students, starting with the Class of 2027. Please contact macaulay@qc.cuny.edu to let us know if you are interested. 

Students from the Class of 2026 and earlier (or Class of 2027 with deferred admission from the previous year) may address questions about laptop policy and service to laptop@mhc.cuny.edu. 

You may also be able to borrow a laptop from Rosenthal Library at QC. Find out more. 


Macaulay Email Accounts

All Macaulay students have a separate @macaulay.cuny.edu email account powered by Google for Education. This account can be retained after you graduate! You may also need it to sign up for Macaulay-based accounts such as Handshake (for internships).

Learn how to activate your Macaulay email.

You are still required to use your QMail account for communications related to advising and academics with Queens College faculty and staff.


Cultural Passport

The Cultural Passport is a unique identification card that may be presented at any of the participating cultural institutions for free admission or significantly discounted tickets.

More info about obtaining your Macaulay ID / Cultural Passport here.