FAQ

How does NYC x Freshman Year for Free work?

NYC x Freshman Year for Free offers free, high-quality online courses taught by college professors that prepare you for CLEP exams offered by the College Board. CLEP is accepted for credit at over 2,900 colleges and universities – including SUNY and some CUNY schools. A passing score on the exams (each participating college decides what scores you need for credit) can earn you real college credit and enable you to save tuition dollars. You can take one course or many.
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How do I participate in NYC x Freshman Year for Free?

First, check your eligibility and then register for an account. From there, enroll in the course or courses you wish to take. All materials are free and NYC high school teachers and counselors will serve as tutors and mentors. They are available to address your questions and concerns. After you complete all the coursework, including the videos, textbook, and practice questions, request a voucher and register to take your CLEP exam(s) at an authorized testing center.
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How do I know if I am eligible for NYC x Freshman Year for Free?

All current high school students, as well as recent graduates (class of 2020 through 2027) at participating NYC-area schools are eligible to participate in the NYC x Freshman Year for Free program. TheDream.US Scholars may also enroll. Learners who enroll in the program but do not meet the eligibility requirements, will be informed that they are ineligible to receive tutoring services or stipends. They may, however, register directly ModernStates.org.
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What high schools are participating in NYC x Freshman Year for Free?

Bronx
  • Alfred E. Smith CTE High School
  • Archimedes Academy for Math, Science and Technology Applications
  • Bronx Academy of Health Careers
  • Bronx Academy of Letters
  • Bronx Collegiate Academy
  • Bronx High School for Medical Science
  • Bronx High School of Business
  • Bronx School for Law, Government & Justice
  • Claremont International HS
  • East Bronx Academy for the Future
  • Equality Charter School
  • Herbert H. Lehman High School
  • High School for Health, Education and Research Opportunities High School (HERO)
  • KIPP New York City College Prep High School
  • Laboratory School of Finance and Technology
  • Marble Hill School for International Studies
  • Morris Academy for Collaborative Studies
  • Mott Hall Bronx High School
  • New Directions Secondary School
  • Nuasin Next Generation Charter School
  • Passages Academy
  • Renaissance High School for Musical Theater and The Arts
  • South Bronx Preparatory School
  • The Bronx Latin School
  • The Bronx School for Continuous Learners
  • The Collegiate Institute for Math and Science
  • The Dreamyard Preparatory School
  • The Urban Assembly School for Applied Math and Science
  • TYWLS Bronx
  • World View High School
Brooklyn
  • Academy For College Preparation and Career Exploration
  • Academy of Innovative Technology
  • Brooklyn High School for Law and Technology
  • Brooklyn High School of the Arts
  • Brooklyn Lab School
  • Brooklyn Studio Secondary School
  • College Now
  • Ember Charter School
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt High School
  • George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School
  • Mesa Charter High School
  • Play Rugby Academy, NYC
  • TYWLS Brooklyn
  • World Academy for Total Community Health High School
Long Island
  • Uniondale High School
Manhattan
  • Broome Street Academy Charter High School
  • Central Park East High School
  • Frederick Douglass Academy I
  • Frederick Douglass Academy II
  • Gramercy Arts High School
  • High School for Health Professions and Human Services
  • I Have A Dream Foundation
  • LaGuardia High School
  • Lower Manhattan Arts Academy (LOMA)
  • Manhattan Business Academy
  • Manhattan Village Academy
  • Park East High School
  • The Door
  • The Global Learning Collaborative
  • The Heritage School
  • The High School for Environmental Studies
  • TYWLS East Harlem
  • Union Square Academy for Health Sciences
  • Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts
  • Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts
New Jersey
  • Hackensack High School
Queens
  • Academy for Careers in Television & Film (TvF)
  • Bayside High School
  • East-West School of International Studies
  • Epic North High School
  • Forest Hills High School
  • High School for Community Leadership
  • Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences
  • Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School
  • Rockaway Collegiate High School
The Bronx
  • The Bronx Community Foundation

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Can I earn college credit if I take a course but not the related exam?

No.
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Which Modern States courses are included in NYC x Freshman Year for Free?

Modern States recommends the following coures:

For a listing of our full course catalog, click here.


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Is there a test fee for CLEP exams?

Yes. The College Board charges a fee to take each of the CLEP exams. NYC x Freshman Year for Free will pay the test fee for you via a voucher.
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I read the program will pay for my CLEP exam(s). How does this work?

Once you have completed the course(s), you must submit a voucher request form. Upon successful verification, learners will be provided with a voucher code to register for a CLEP exam.
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How do I collect my stipend?

You will need to request your stipend here. This form will accept your score information and require you to upload your test results. For learners who score less than a 50 on an approved exam, a $50 stipend will be included with the test center reimbursement check. For learners who score a 50 or greater on an approved exam, a stipend of $150 will be included with the test center reimbursement check.

If you retake an exam (and already received a $50 stipend), an additional stipend of $100 will be paid if you achieve a score of 50 or greater. Eligible exams are those which directly correlate with the courses offered through NYC x Freshman Year for Free.
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What type of support is offered to program participants?

Shortly after enrolling in the program, learners will be assigned a mentor, who will be a counselor or teacher from their high school. This mentor will encourage them to stay on track with the courses, and highlight available resources, and advise them throughout the length of the program.
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Do all colleges offer credit for successful performance on CLEP exams?

Thousands of colleges offer credit for CLEP, but not all. Every college sets its own scoring and credit standards regarding granting college credit based on CLEP exam results. Some colleges, for example, only allow students to opt out of introductory level courses based on successful test results.
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How can I find out if the colleges I am considering accept CLEPs for credit?

Click here to find out how individual colleges and universities treat CLEP exams.
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Who can I contact to ask questions about CLEP exams?

For CLEP, call 1-800-257-9558 or email [email protected] (please include your name, address and telephone number).
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How do I receive a test center reimbursement?

To receive a reimbursement you will need to provide the name of the exam taken, the test center fee, a copy of the receipt, your score, and the CLEP voucher code used as payment. The voucher code (three letters followed by a string of numbers) is required to receive a reimbursement.
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