SEEK (Search for Education Elevation and Knowledge) is one of two educational opportunity programs at The City University of New York (CUNY), established by the New York State Legislature, to help promising students who meet specific income and academic guidelines to obtain a college education.
SEEK provides access, academic support and financial aid to students who show promise for succeeding in college but who may not have otherwise met the criteria for admissions. Program participants receive a variety of academic support services (personal and academic counseling, tutoring, peer mentorship, special courses, workshops) and needs-based financial support to alleviate non-tuition costs (e.g. books, supplies, transportation etc.) throughout their undergraduate college careers.
Students who have resided in NY State for at least one full year prior to enrollment in college. Primarily full-time, matriculated first-time applicants meeting SEEK eligibility guidelines or transferring students from SEEK, CD, EOP, or HEOP programs at other colleges. Citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented students may qualify for state aid and SEEK benefits. SEEK also offers support for verified students who are in or were in foster care, orphans, or wards of the state. You can send questions to our SEEK Enrollment Team at seek@mec.cuny.edu
A student is considered economically disadvantaged if he or she is a member of a household whose total annual income falls within the limits indicated in the economic guidelines chart below. Eligibility for the 2026-2027 academic year is generally based on the prior-prior tax year’s income (2024 income).
ECONOMIC ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
| Household Size (including head of household) | Total Annual Income (Not to Exceed) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 |
| 2 | $39,128 |
| 3 | $49,303 |
| 4 | $59,478 |
| 5 | $69,653 |
| 6 | $79,828 |
| 7 | $90,003 |
| 8 | $100,178 |
*Plus $10,175 for family members in excess of eight (8)
Income guidelines do not apply if:
- The student’s family is the recipient of Family Assistance or Safety Net payments through the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, or through a county Department of Social Services, or Family Day Care payments through the New York State Office of Children and Family Assistance.
- The student is in foster care as established by the court.
- The student is a ward of the state or country.
Potential SEEK students are informed of conditional acceptance into the program. Students become certified SEEK students at Medgar Evers College based on the following: 1) completion of the necessary financial aid applications with any required documentation, 2) completion of the program’s income eligibility screening, 3) completion of the program’s intake application and info session, and 4) successful completion of the summer experience. Once all steps are completed, students will receive official notification of acceptance.
Financial aid information can be accessed by visiting https://www.mec.cuny.edu/admissions/financial-aid/. You will learn how to upload the SEEK eligibility application and supporting documents, and you can submit documents using that page. You can also email the SEEK Financial Aid Liaison, Frantz Lespinasse, at flespinasse@mec.cuny.edu if you have further questions.
If you haven’t applied for financial aid for the Academic Year 2024 – 2025, please use the links below as a guide to apply for financial aid. FAFSA Guide – The City University of New York (cuny.edu) <https://www.cuny.edu/financial-aid/fafsa/> You must also file for NY State Aid (TAP) using the HESC website: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nys-tap.htmlCUNY Financial Aid Estimator will provide you and your family with an early estimate of the financial aid for which you might qualify. https://npc.cuny.edu/npc/public/fin_aid/financial_aid_estimator/FinAidEstimator.jsp
You can visit the Student Health Services webpage at https://www.mec.cuny.edu/student-success/health-services/ for contact information and forms. You may email your immunization requirement documents to the office of Health Services at healthservices@mec.cuny.edu. Please include your FIRST, LAST NAME, CUNY EMPLID, College name, and Document name (i.e., John Doe – 12345678) in the subject line. Additionally, include your number in the body of the email so that the staff can contact you for any clarification.
Freshmen and transfer students will meet with an academic advisor to register for fall 2024 classes. Freshmen ONLY will participate in an exciting 4-week summer experience (July – August 2024) *Additional Boot Camp TBD. The SEEK Summer Experience is an important bridge in the transition to college. Interactive workshops allow students to not only to gain a strong academic foundation, but also to build a strong community of peers and gain important insights and skills necessary for college success. Students will also provide a copy of their HS Diploma or GED Certificate to the Admissions Office before the start of the Fall 2024 semester. Students who earned their HS diploma outside of the US, are required to take the ATB Test in order to receive NYS TAP benefits. This test is offered through the Medgar Evers College Testing Center.
We may be able to assist you with exploring other options at the college. Please email our SEEK Enrollment Team at seek@mec.cuny.edu