Question 1

What is the State University of New York’s Year 1 Bachelor Program?

Accepted Answer

The SUNY Year 1 Bachelor’s Program allows students to complete their first year of undergraduate studies by taking 10 General Education (Gen-Ed) courses. This program provides 30 credits, equivalent to the first year of a 4-year undergraduate degree at SUNY.

Question 2

What is Gen-Ed?

Accepted Answer

General Education (Gen-Ed) courses are required for all U.S. undergraduate degrees. They provide essential skills and knowledge across various disciplines, ensuring students develop critical thinking, effective communication, and foundational capabilities needed for their chosen field.

Question 3

Is SUNY’s Year 1 Bachelor Program recognized by other SUNY campuses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upon successful completion of the Year 1 credit and meeting the GPA requirements and other prerequisites, students can transfer to one of the 64 SUNY Campuses. Here are some of the SUNY campuses you could aim for:

Cornel University (SUNY)
Stony Brook University (SUNY)
University at Buffalo (SUNY)
University at Albany (SUNY)
Binghamton University (SUNY)
SUNY Delhi
SUNY Morrisville

Question 4

Can I choose my major after completing the Year 1 program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upon completion of the Year 1 program with a minimum GPA of 2.7 for SUNY Delhi or a minimum of 3.25 for SUNY Albany, Buffalo, or Stony Brook, and meeting any additional prerequisites, you can choose your major and pursue the remainder of your degree at your preferred SUNY campus. (this shouldn’t be limited to 4 campuses) Please consult your course advisor for the exact criteria of your preferred SUNY Campus.

Question 5

Can I join this program without an English proficiency test score?

Accepted Answer

No, you must have a minimum Duolingo score of 105 to apply. However, you can apply for the program while working on your English Proficiency Test (EPT). You must submit your EPT score within 30 days of your application.

Question 6

Can I apply if I haven’t received my Grade 12 marks yet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can apply and reserve your place with a deposit of INR 25,000 if you have completed your Grade 12 exams but have not yet received the marksheet. The remaining fee shall be due upon receiving your marksheet and results. You must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA (75%) to qualify. If you do not meet this requirement, you may request a refund according to the refund policy.

Question 7

Am I still eligible if I haven’t scored a 3.0 GPA (75%) in Grade 12?

Accepted Answer

If you do not score 75% in Class XII or an alternate high school examination, we encourage you to apply with your resume highlighting academic background, extracurriculars and/or internships, and a Statement of Purpose expanding upon the following 3 sections:

Academic and Research (300-350 words)

Highlight major academic achievements, projects, research activities or open courses you have completed. Include any scholarly activities beyond your academic coursework.
Describe the research projects you’ve worked on, including the project title, your role, and key outcomes. Mention if you are looking to fulfill any research interest through the course.

Extracurriculars (300-350 words)

Detail any internships, part-time jobs, social work, entrepreneurial stints or other work experience and how it is related to your program of interest.
If you’ve been working or involved in activities post 12th Grade / high-school, summarize your roles and responsibilities.
Explain how these experiences have further focused or refined your academic interests.

Vision (300-350 words)

Explain why you are particularly drawn to this program and how it aligns with your academic goals. How will the program help you embark into your intended career?
Talk about your areas of Interest and how they relate to the Program of Choice.
What are the skills and expertise that you hope to acquire through that program? What are the top 3 outcomes that you envisage post completing this course?

Question 8

I have not yet received Class 12th marks, am I eligible to apply for this program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can apply and block your seat for the program in case you have given exams in the 2024 academic year for class 12th and have not yet received a marksheet. You can block your seat by paying INR 25,000. The rest of the fees will be payable once you receive the mark sheet. You need to score a minimum of 75% marks or above to be eligible for the course. In case you do not score 75% and above, you can request for a refund of your block payment as per the refund policy.

Question 9

What is a conditional offer letter and how is it different from a confirmed offer letter?

Accepted Answer

Conditional offer letters will be issued to you by your preferred campus at the State University of New York based on documents submitted by upGrad. These documents will be class 10th & 12th marksheets, and passports. The conditional offer letter will be converted into a confirmed offer once students meet the conditions mentioned in the conditional offer letter. These conditions will include but are not limited to your English proficiency scores, GPA, successful completion of the Bachelor’s Year 1 Program and any other condition that the university may deem fit.

Question 10

Will my initial EPT score be valid for the campus of my choice in Year 2?

Accepted Answer

EPT score requirements vary by SUNY campus. While the table below provides criteria for some campuses, please check the specific campus website for detailed eligibility information:

Campus	EPT
University at Albany	TOEFL internet exam: 79 \| TOEFL paper exam: 550 \| IELTS: 6.5 \|Duolingo English exam: 110
University at Buffalo	TOEFL Essentials : 7 \| TOEFL paper exam: 523 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo English exam: 105
Stony Brook University	TOEFL Essentials: 9 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo : 105
Binghamton University
SUNY Oneanta	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| PTE : 53
SUNY Oswego	TOEFL internet exam: 71 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo : 100
SUNY Plattsburgh	TOEFL internet exam: 76 \| TOEFL paper exam: 540 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 110
SUNY Geneseo	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 105

Question 11

What are the documents required for the application?

Accepted Answer

Scanned copy of Class Xth & XIIth Marksheet and Certificate
Scanned copy of Class Xth and XIIth Passing Certificate
School Leaving Certificate
Statement of Purpose
Two Letters of Recommendation (Academic)
English Proficiency Qualification (IELTS/ TOFEL/ Duolingo/ PTE)
Scanned Copy of Passport (Name & Address Page)
Digital Photograph
Resume
SUNY Year 1 Transcript required

Question 12

How can I apply for the program?

Accepted Answer

Applications are submitted online via upgrad.com. Upon confirming eligibility, you will receive a provisional offer letter. After paying the required fees and verifying documents, you will receive a confirmation of enrollment.

Question 13

What does the selection process involve?

Accepted Answer

The selection process shall have profile selection and two rounds of interviews. Upon clearing all three, you will receive an offer letter admitting you to the State University of New York Bachelor’s Year 1 Program.

Question 14

Will I receive an offer letter from my chosen SUNY campus at the beginning of the program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you will receive a conditional offer letter. This unconditional offer letter shall be released once you meet the required GPA in Year 1 and other prerequisites for your chosen campus and program.

Question 15

What if I don’t receive a conditional offer letter for my preferred campus?

Accepted Answer

If a conditional offer letter for your preferred campus is not issued based on your Grade XII result, you will be guided on alternative campus options based on your eligibility, major and program of interest.

Question 16

Are fees the same for all SUNY campuses?

Accepted Answer

No, fees vary by campus. While the table below is indicative of the s fees of certain campuses, you can refer to the specific campus website for detailed fee information.

Campus	EPT
University at Albany	TOEFL internet exam: 79 \| TOEFL paper exam: 550 \| IELTS: 6.5 \|Duolingo English exam: 110
University at Buffalo	TOEFL Essentials : 7 \| TOEFL paper exam: 523 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo English exam: 105
Stony Brook University	TOEFL Essentials: 9 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo : 105
Binghamton University
SUNY Oneanta	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| PTE : 53
SUNY Oswego	TOEFL internet exam: 71 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo : 100
SUNY Plattsburgh	TOEFL internet exam: 76 \| TOEFL paper exam: 540 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 110
SUNY Geneseo	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 105

Question 17

What scholarships are available at SUNY schools?

Accepted Answer

SUNY offers various merit-based scholarships to all students. While the table below reflects scholarships available with certain SUNY campuses, for a list of all available scholarships, check each campus website.

Campus	EPT
University at Albany	TOEFL internet exam: 79 \| TOEFL paper exam: 550 \| IELTS: 6.5 \|Duolingo English exam: 110
University at Buffalo	TOEFL Essentials : 7 \| TOEFL paper exam: 523 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo English exam: 105
Stony Brook University	TOEFL Essentials: 9 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo : 105
Binghamton University
SUNY Oneanta	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| PTE : 53
SUNY Oswego	TOEFL internet exam: 71 \| IELTS: 6.0 \| Duolingo : 100
SUNY Plattsburgh	TOEFL internet exam: 76 \| TOEFL paper exam: 540 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 110
SUNY Geneseo	TOEFL internet exam: 75 \| IELTS: 6.5 \| Duolingo English exam: 105

Question 18

What are the course options available for a State University of New York Bachelor's Program - STEM at the State University of New York?

Accepted Answer

You can pursue any program offered by the universities within the State University of New York provided you meet the prerequisites of the program. Below you will find popular programs that students aim for among many others:

BS Computer Science
BS Mechatronics
BS Aerospace Engineering
BS Electrical Engineering
BS Industrial Engineering
BS Cyber Security
BS Neuroscience
BS Biotechnology
BS Nutrition Science
BS Biology
BS Psychology
BS Public Health
BS Nursing

Question 19

Will I be supported for TOEFL/IELTS or other English language exams during the 1st year of the State University of New York Bachelor's Program - STEM?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upGrad will help you prepare for the English proficiency test to establish your current English proficiency to be eligible for the State University of New York Bachelor's Program - STEM in the U.S.A.

Question 20

How do I pick the right university?

Accepted Answer

While selecting the right university for yourself, it is important to consider what matters the most to you. Here are some suggestive ideas to help you choose the right SUNY for you.

1. Rankings and Overall Reputation: Most SUNY schools are ranked among the Top 100 National Universities by US News & World Report 2024. For a comprehensive list of these rankings, please refer to our detailed brochure.

2. Course and Subject-Specific Rankings: If you are interested in specific courses or subjects, our brochure entails information on preferred campuses for each discipline - engineering, business, sciences, liberal arts, etc. You may alternatively explore rankings by subject area on USNWR 2024.

3. Research Opportunities: If you are looking for research opportunities, we recommend you to consider R1 designated universities within the SUNY system, which are SUNY Stony Brook, Buffalo, Albany, and/or SUNY Binghamton.

4. Experiential Learning: If hands-on experience, internships, and industry projects are your priority, SUNY Delhi is known for offering robust opportunities in these areas. Additionally, there are SUNY technical colleges which offer industry-relevant curriculum.

5. Specialized Programs: Certain SUNY campuses are renowned for their academic excellence and state-of-the-art infrastructure in specific disciplines. Here are some prominent disciplines and their preferred campuses: Stony Brook and University at Buffalo lead in engineering, Stony Brook and the University at Albany are acclaimed for their business and science programs, while SUNY Delhi is acclaimed for mechatronics, Additionally, SUNY Oneonta is exceptionally renowned for Fashion Management with a dual degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

Question 21

How will State University of New York help in finding internships and job opportunities after I complete a course ?

Accepted Answer

Most SUNY campuses have a career hub that assists students in all aspects that come with applying for a new job and works to prepare students for an upcoming interview. They will help students in building a resume, & cover letter; exploring their transferable skills; developing accomplishment statements and conducting mock interviews.

Question 22

Do we get a conditional offer letter at the initial stage or after the completion of the 1 year with State University of New York?

Accepted Answer

Once you enroll in the State University of New York Bachelor's Program - STEM with upGrad and provide all the required documents, upGrad will submit applications to university partners on your behalf as per the scheduled intake application timelines. University partners will release a conditional offer letter within three months of application submission.

Question 23

What would be the alternate option if I could not get a conditional offer letter from one of upGrad’s partner universities?

Accepted Answer

This is a highly unlikely scenario. In case you do not get a conditional offer letter from the State University of New York, you may apply to our other partner schools or continue studying online from the State University of New York.

Question 24

What additional extracurricular activities or experiences can I gather during the online academic year with SUNY and upGrad?

Accepted Answer

In your first year of the bachelor program, you will have the chance to engage in a variety of activities including unique opportunities to pursue an internship, participate in job shadowing, launch an economic or social venture, and build a community focused on a shared mission. Alternatively, you can build a portfolio in your area of interest or participate in international workshops.

Question 25

How many intakes are available at State University of New York?

Accepted Answer

The State University of New York offers two intakes for students. The first intake of the year will be January (Spring) intake & the next will be September (Fall) intake.

Question 26

Can international students work to pay for their educational expenses?

Accepted Answer

Although there are a limited number of part-time, on-campus jobs for international students, subject to availability, the income from these jobs is only sufficient to provide “pocket money”; you will not earn enough income to pay for a significant portion of your educational expenses. The U.S. government prohibits international students from working outside the University.

Question 27

Will upGrad help me in writing Academic and Visa SOP?

Accepted Answer

Yes, upGrad will help with your Academic and Visa SOP and will also organize training on how to write a good SOP.

Question 28

Can we get a PSWV/ OPT visa if we study for this program in India and then for 3 years in the U.S.A.?

Accepted Answer

You may be eligible to apply for either a 1-year Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) or an extended STEM OPT for up to 36 months, depending on the bachelor's degree program you choose and successfully complete.

Question 29

What is the estimated yearly living cost at SUNY?

Accepted Answer

The average yearly living cost is around USD 18,000, though it may vary by campus.

Question 30

What if I can't obtain a U.S. visa after completing the program?

Accepted Answer

In case you do not secure a U.S. visa, you may continue studying for your Bachelor's degree online with the State University of New York

Question 31

Can I work part-time while studying?

Accepted Answer

Yes, under U.S. visa regulations, you can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during academic terms and up to 40 hours per week during break.

Question 32

What is the time commitment expected for the Program?

Accepted Answer

At least 12-15 hours per week of time commitment is expected to be able to graduate from the online program. On-campus program in USA is full-time and will have an appropriate workload.

Question 33

How will my doubts/questions be addressed in an online Program?

Accepted Answer

Peer-to-peer discussion forum where you can post your queries and your peers/faculty/teaching assistants answer your queries within a day. Regular Q&A sessions with faculty to get clarification on conceptual doubts.

Question 34

What is the process of payment for this program?

Accepted Answer

Initially, you need to deposit INR 25,000 as a block amount for seat booking. 15 days before the start of course and once you have Class 12th marksheet available, you need to make a complete payment of the remaining amount. You can opt for no-cost EMI with credit facility providers if you want to pay in installments.

Question 35

Can I pay the fee semester-wise?

Accepted Answer

The total fee has two components -1. University fees 2. Articulation fees.

The articulation fee needs to be paid together at once. You can avail of a 0% EMI option with a monthly installment and a down payment of INR 25,000 to block your seat. If you are availing of 0% credit card EMI, upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions.

Question 36

No cost CC EMI FAQ's

Accepted Answer

0% EMI with 3rd Party Loan Facilitators /Credit card option availability will vary program wise.

1. Which banks allow using 0% Credit card EMI or Credit card EMI?
No cost EMI is available on credit cards from all major banks (American Express, Bank of Baroda, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, Standard Chartered, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, State Bank of India, CITIBANK and HSBC)
2. Is there any minimum transaction limit ?
Yes. 50000 is the minimum.

3. Standard Chartered Bank offers 18 or 24 months No Cost EMI ?
No. ONLY 12 months is available irrespective of the Program enrolled.

4. Will I have to pay any extra amount for the EMI transaction?
If you are availing 0% credit card EMI, upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions. Your bank may levy GST or other taxes on the interest component of the EMI.

5. Are there any fees or down payment?
Certain banks charge nominal processing fees between INR 99 - 500 on 0% Credit Card EMI transaction. If charged, will be billed in the first repayment installment.

6. Can I use my International credit card for 0% credit EMI or Credit Card EMI?
Only the Indian bank credit cards can be used. But you can pay the amount using the Credit card option in one shot / part payments, and later you can convert into EMI from your respective bank. The tenures and interest charged will depend on your bank. upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions, this will be purely between you and your bank.

7. Are there any charges in case I opt for cancellation/refund from the course after paying balance with no cost EMI ?
Yes, there will be additional charges to the extent of interest paid by the upGrad to the bank, you will be refunded only Principal amount, i.e. the amount actually deducted/blocked from your card. This deduction will be in addition to the amount mentioned in the refund policy shared with your offer letter.

8. Can I Pay Using Multiple Credit Cards ?
Multiple cards can be used to complete the payments using Part payment option make sure to inform the learner, minimum transaction is INR 50000 to opt for 0% CC EMI E.g. Amount to be paid: 150000. I can pay using 2 Credit cards. Yes, Example :
HDFC Card – Part payment – INR 100000
ICICI Card – Part payment – INR 50000

9. How can I opt for Credit card EMI if my bank is not listed in the 0% Credit card EMI or Credit card EMI?
You can pay the amount using the Credit card option in one shot / part payments, and later you can convert into EMI from your respective bank. The tenures and interest charged will depend on your bank. upGrad will not charge any processing fees or down payment for these transactions.

10. Why is the entire amount blocked on my credit card?
Initially your bank will block the entire amount from your available purchase limit and from your next billing cycle, you will be charged the EMI amount. As you start paying your EMI, your credit limit will be released accordingly. For example, if you have made a payment of ₹100000 on 6-months EMI and your credit limit is ₹200,000 then initially your bank will block your credit limit by ₹100000. After payment of your first month EMI of Rs.15000, the blocked amount will come down to ₹85000.

11. Why is interest getting charged on No Cost EMI?
Your bank will charge you interest. However, this interest charge has been provided to you as an upfront discount at the time of your payment, effectively giving you the benefit of a No cost EMI. The total amount paid during the entire EMI tenure to the bank will be equal to the amount to be paid to upGrad.

Eg. Amount payable to upGrad: INR 405000
Let's say Amount deducted at the time of transaction: INR 379850 (Principal amount) Bank charges interest of 12-15% per annum on INR 379850
[Note: Interest factor is reducing rate and not Flat rate]
EMI AMOUNT = INR 33750 x 12 = INR 405000
Effectively, you have taken loan on 379,850 instead of 405,000

Question 37

Is there any deferral or refund policy for this program?

Accepted Answer

Refund Policy:
1. Students must pay an applicable Caution Amount for the enrollment to the Program. This Caution Amount will be adjustable against the total Program fee payable by the student.
2. Once the student has made a partial or full payment of Program fee, such student can claim a refund for this amount at any time before the cohort commencement date by raising a refund request through ‘My applications’ page on our website (www.upgrad.com), stating the specific reason for the refund. The refund shall be subject to a deduction of INR. 20,000/- towards processing fee. If less than INR. 20,000/- have been paid in total, students shall not be eligible for any refund in such a case.
3. Students shall not be eligible for a refund (under any circumstances) if the refund request is raised post-program/Batch Start Date. In such a case, the student will continue to pay the EMI of his loan (if applicable) as the loan cannot be canceled. This is also applicable to students who could not complete their payment and could not get enrolled in their opted cohort. However, the student can request a pre-program deferral as per the policy defined below for the same.
4. Student shall not be eligible for refund of any amount paid towards the Program in case any discrepancy is identified between your application and self-attested documents including but not limited to wrong details about your grades or any other incorrect information provided in your application.
5. In case of a valid refund request post obtaining the loan from a third party loan facility provider, we would like to clarify that the responsibility of canceling the loan will lie with the student as upGrad is not privy to such arrangements between the student and the third party loan facility provider.
6. If students do not provide documents as per the timeline mentioned in the offer letter, they will be deferred to the next batch and they will not be eligible for any refund.

Deferral Policy: (Pre- Program Commencement)
1. If a learner, due to unavoidable circumstances is unable to commence with the cohort and requests for a deferral before the Cohort Commencement Date, learner will have an option to defer to another batch.
2. However, the learner is required to pay 50% of the Total Program Fee amount (inclusive of taxes) before the deferral can be approved. Till this condition is complied with, the learner will be assumed to be continuing in the same cohort.
3. A learner can request for deferral only once and to either of the scheduled cohorts to start in the next 1 year from the batch start date of the initial batch the Learner enrolled for.
4. The learner has time till the current Cohort Commencement Date to make the payment of the 50% of the Total Program Fee, post which the deferral request will expire. Once the deferral window expires and the learner asks for a refund after the Cohort Commencement Date, the above-mentioned applicable refund policy will apply.
5. The fee applicable to the deferred learner will be as per prevailing Total Program Fee for the batch learner as opted to defer to (No additional deferral fee is required to be paid).

Deferral Policy: (Post Program Commencement)
1. If a learner is facing severe issues in dedicating time to the course, learner will have an option to defer to another batch.A learner can request for deferral only once and to either of the scheduled cohorts to start in the next 1 year from the Cohort Commencement Date of the initial batch the Learner enrolled for.
2. The learner will be required to pay a deferral fee of 5% of the Total Program Fee (inclusive of taxes) if any along with the differential program fees between the two cohorts.
3. The deferral request will be approved once the deferral fee is paid.
4. Till this condition is complied, the learner will be assumed to be continuing in the same cohort.
5. The learner has 7 days (including holidays and weekends) from the date of deferral request to make the payment of the deferral fee, post which the deferral request will expire, and the learner will continue as part of the current cohort.
6. If the learner completes the deferral payment, the learner’s login will be disabled. The learner will leave the deferred cohort and the learner will start learning on the new cohort from the point of the last assignment that was graded in the deferred cohort. All grades and progress till that point will be carried forward as it is to the new cohort.
7. The deferral can only be requested during the batch for which the learner has enrolled is ongoing. Once the batch has been completed, deferral requests shall not be entertained. For clarification, the batch completion here shall mean the “last grace deadline” as communicated by upGrad. Case Deferral fee Before Program Commencement 50% program fee (including taxes) to be paid upfront- no additional deferral fee to be paid Post Program Commencement (0-7 days after program start date) 5% of the program fee (including taxes) to be paid within 7 days as deferral fee Post Program Commencement (8 days after program start date) Will have to continue as a part of the current cohort.

Case	Deferral fee
Before Program Commencement	50% program fee (including taxes) to be paid upfront- no additional deferral fee to be paid
Post Program Commencement (0-7 days after program start date)	5% of the program fee (including taxes) to be paid within 7 days as deferral fee
Post Program Commencement (8 days after program start date)	Will have to continue as a part of the current cohort

State University of New York Bachelor's Year 1 - STEM

Introduction to SUNY Bachelor's Year 1 STEM Course

Highlights of SUNY Bachelor's Year 1 STEM Course

Key Highlights

Top Subjects You Will Learn

Job Opportunities

Minimum Eligibility

upGrad Learner Support

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