Free OMNY Cards Coming To CUNY Students: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY— 700 City University of New York students will receive free, unlimited OMNY cards under a new pilot program aimed at helping students cover the cost of getting to class.

The New York City Council and CUNY announced the program at City College of New York, with the Council providing $700,000 in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

The selected students will receive physical OMNY cards, which they can use for unlimited subway and bus rides during the program.

Their fall cards will be active from Oct. 5 through Dec. 25.

Students who remain eligible will receive a 120-day unlimited pass covering the spring semester, beginning Jan. 28.

The program targets full-time CUNY students who meet financial and enrollment requirements.

Who Qualifies For The Free OMNY Card?

Students must qualify for federal Pell Grants, enroll full time with at least 12 credits in both the fall and spring semesters and take at least two in-person classes.

Students who already receive transportation assistance through another program, including CUNY's Accelerate, Complete and Engage, or ASAP, program, cannot participate.

CUNY will review students' eligibility before the spring benefit.

The first group of 700 students came from a much larger pool.

About 54,000 CUNY students met the initial eligibility requirements, and more than 28,500 submitted an interest form.

Another 300 students were placed on a waitlist in case participants lose eligibility.

How Much Can Students Save?

A regular 30-day unlimited OMNY pass costs $132, meaning participating students will receive a benefit worth up to $132 per month during the eligible period.

CUNY already provides unlimited OMNY cards through its ASAP program, which offers transportation assistance alongside other academic and financial support.

The new pilot extends free transit benefits to eligible students outside ASAP.

The pilot comes as the Council expands other transit assistance programs.

The fiscal year 2027 budget also expanded Fair Fares, which provides half-price subway, bus and paratransit fares to eligible low-income New Yorkers.

The Council raised the Fair Fares income eligibility limit from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, potentially making about 340,000 additional New Yorkers eligible.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to introduce a feature allowing students to add the cards to a digital wallet, with the feature expected by the end of 2026.

The pilot also comes with additional funding for CUNY programs. The Council secured about $20 million for CUNY in the fiscal year 2027 budget, including $14.6 million in additional funding for ASAP's associate and bachelor's degree programs.