Rachel Silberstein is reporting for the Times Union State University of New York applicants from low-income backgrounds can automatically have their college application fees waived, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced February 22. Beginning March 1, students who financially qualify for free or reduced-price lunch programs, whose household income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, or are from foster families can apply to up to seven SUNY campuses for free. The regular application fee per school is $50. “Too many barriers from food insecurity to fees stand in the way of many qualified students — from low-income and communities of color — and a college education. We must do everything we can to break down barriers and empower students no matter their economic status or background, especially as a vast majority of all new jobs created requires some post-secondary education,” Malatras said. Only 50 percent of low-income SUNY applicants eligible for an application fee waiver take advantage of the existing program. An estimated 110,000 high school seniors would be eligible for the new application fee waiver. Read more in the Times Union.