Affordable Computer Engineering Colleges in New York?

I'm on a budget but want to pursue computer engineering in New York. Are there any colleges that provide a strong program without breaking the bank? Any tips on scholarships or grants would be appreciated, too!

Sure, you've got some solid options for affordable computer engineering programs in New York. One would be the State University of New York (SUNY) system, which offers high-quality engineering programs at a number of its campuses, such as Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook, among others. As public schools, they are often more affordable, especially for in-state students.

Or, have you considered City College of NYC, part of the CUNY system? They have a well-regarded Grove School of Engineering with a computer engineering major. As a public institution, it could be a more affordable choice especially for in-state students.

In terms of financial aid, be sure to file your FAFSA for federal aid. The Student Aid Index (SAI) derived from the FAFSA can make you eligible for a variety of grants, including the Pell Grant for lower-income students. Beyond that, New York also offers its own state aid through programs like the Excelsior Scholarship, which can make SUNY schools tuition-free for families earning less than $125,000 per year. This could be an excellent resource to further minimize your college costs.

There are also plenty of scholarships specific to engineering students that you could consider. For example, the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) offers a host of scholarships. You might look at the SMART scholarship, too, which is awarded by the US Department of Defense and pays full tuition and education-related fees (excluding taxes). Note, however, that it comes with an obligation for you to work in a DoD facility after graduation.

Remember to seek out scholarship opportunities within the schools you apply to as well. Many schools offer scholarships for students in their engineering programs. Keep up your grades and test scores (if required), as these will be important for merit-based scholarships.

Finally, private institutions can have intimidating sticker prices, but these schools are also generally some of the most generous with need-based financial aid, so what you end up paying out of pocket can actually end up being less than you would at a school that looks cheaper up front. Columbia University, New York University, and Cornell University would all be examples of such institutions. If you have questions about the aid you might qualify for at one of these schools, I'd contact their financial aid office directly - they're there to help, after all!

Good luck with your college search!