Free Tuition, Housing, Meal Plan, and Health Insurance for Undergraduates Whose Studies in Puerto Rico Were Disrupted by Hurricanes

photo: Washington Square Park Arch

NYU President Andrew Hamilton today announced that NYU would admit a special cohort of undergraduate students currently enrolled in Puerto Rican colleges whose education was disrupted by the hurricanes that hit the island in September. NYU will cover their tuition for the spring 2018 semester, as well as housing in a student residence hall, a meal plan, and enrollment in NYU’s Student Health Insurance plan.

Applications open today for the NYU Hurricane Maria Assistance Program, and will remain open through December 15, 2017.

“New York City has a deep relationship with Puerto Rico, and so does NYU,” said NYU President Andrew Hamilton. “Through our Faculty Resource Network, we have worked closely with Puerto Rican universities for many years, and feel a strong sense of connection to the higher education community there. We are pleased to make it possible for at least some of Puerto Rico’s college students to be able to carry on their studies here while their home institutions recover. We look forward to welcoming them to our campus in the spring.”

The students will be able to take credit-bearing classes in any NYU undergraduate school, college, or program, provided the class has seats available and the student meets course prerequisites. The University is planning for a cohort of 50 students, though stands prepared to expand the program as capacity allows.

Students will be responsible for the cost of transportation to and from New York, book and other course materials, and any other living expenses. To ensure that the program does not negatively affect schools in Puerto Rico, students will be expected to pay their regular spring tuition to their home campus—although they will attend NYU at no cost.

In 2005, NYU undertook a similar effort to help students displaced from universities in Gulf states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 

Press Contact

John Beckman
John Beckman
(212) 998-6848