College Discovery Program
What is College Discovery (CD)?
The College Discovery (CD) program at Queensborough Community College is an enrichment program that provides you with financial assistance, academic support, counseling, and free one-to-one tutoring services. In addition, students receive a stipend/allowance each semester. Through its support services, personalized academic assistance and individual college counseling, the CD program provides you with a clear path to a college degree and a meaningful higher education experience.
The office is providing services to students via e-mail, telephone, and online zoom sessions, with limited in-person services available. We recommend that you continue to work with us remotely - it's convenient and easy!
All visitors to campus are required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test no more than seven days prior to coming to campus. Masks are required for in-person services.
Benefits and opportunities provided by College Discovery
Financial Benefits:
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For students who are academically eligible, the CD program offers additional funding beyond a student's financial aid package – up to $600 per academic year.
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The program pays tuition (for eligible students), as well as all required student fees.
Counseling Services:
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Students are assigned to a counselor who becomes their personal guide through their college experience. In addition, CD students enjoy the benefit of seeing their counselor on a walk-in basis.
Academic Support Services:
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The Tutoring Center will be operating hybrid/partially remote for the Spring 2022 semester.
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The College Discovery Program is offering Online Tutoring Support through Blackboard.
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As we are working online, CD students have access to their own Academic Support Center (tutoring center) available by phone at (718) 631-6618 or at CDtutorialservices@qcc.cuny.edu, which offers free one-to-one and group tutoring in most courses offered at the college.
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CD students may also utilize the center's computers for research projects, printing, and completing class assignments.
How do Students Apply to College Discovery?
CD accepts students who are interested in any major offered at the college.
Prospective students should indicate their interest in the College Discovery program on the CUNY application for admission. Interested students may also contact the College Discovery office directly at 718-631-6210 to inquire about their eligibility.
Fill our the Intent to Enroll in the College Discovery Program
Complete the College Discovery Supplemental Form 2022-2023
Is your application status listed as incomplete? For assistance, please contact us by email at CollegeDiscovery@qcc.cuny.edu

Summer Program
As a first-year CD student, you must attend and successfully complete a mandatory summer program where you take non-credit-bearing introductory courses in English/Mathematics and ST-100. In ST-100, a small group forum where you will learn about college life, you will attend weekly skill-building workshops, daily tutorials and team-building exercises to prepare for the rigorous academic work required of college students.
Who is Eligible for College Discovery?
To be eligible for the College Discovery program at Queensborough, you must meet all of the following requirements:
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Be a high school graduate or have a New York State approved General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent.
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Have no previous college experience, except in the case of students transferring from another educational opportunity program such as EOP, SEEK, another CD Program, or HEOP.
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Be able to document residency in New York City for at least one year prior to applying to CUNY.
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Have a college admissions average from your high school that is less than 80%.
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Have a family income and other available financial resources which fall within guidelines established by New York State (see website).
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All CD applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), for both PELL (federal aid), and TAP (New York state aid), as early as possible.
College Discovery New Student Checklist
Welcome New College Discovery Admitted Student!
The checklist below contains the steps you will need to complete before you can register for classes! You will also have a chance to review this list with your College Discovery Counselor.
Enrollment Confirmation Process before Registering for Summer/ Fall Classes:
Complete and Submit: 2022-2023 College Discovery Supplemental Form within the next 2 weeks. In addition, you must submit:
- A signed copy of parent(s) income taxes-2020
- A federal IRS tax transcript from the IRS office-2020
- Other supporting proof of income documents-2020 (see To Do List below)
Attend a College Discovery Information Session
Financial Aid: Complete your 2022-23 FAFSA application online.
Health History Forms: Complete and submit your Health History Forms and proof of immunizations to Health Services, Medical Arts Building, Room MC-02 or Fax to (718) 631-6330.
Advisement & Registration: Schedule an appointment for advisement and registration for Summer/Fall classes by contacting the College Discovery Office at 718-631-6210 or collegediscovery@qcc.cuny.edu.
Register for mandatory Summer/Fall class(es).
If attending summer school to complete high school graduation requirements, please provide a letter in a sealed envelope from your high school. The letter must include dates of summer school attendance.
Check the College Discovery / Financial Aid To-Do List below for any required documents.
College Discover / Financial Aid To-Do List
- College Discovery Supplemental Form
- Proof of Citizenship
- 2020 Student's Federal Income Tax Form (only if independent)
- 2020 Parent's Federal Income Tax Form
- 2020 Parent's IRS Transcript
- 2020 PA Budget Letter
- 2020 SNAP
- 2020 IRS Non-Tax Filer Statement
- 2020 Child Support Report
- 2020 Unemployment Benefits
- 2020 Social Security Benefits
- Other Document(s); if required
Mission and Goals
Mission:
The College Discovery Program (CD) is committed to increasing the access, academic excellence and retention of New York City’s historically underserved students. Students are provided with academic advisement, pre-freshman summer orientation, tutoring support and transfer-out assistance to enable them to successfully complete all requirements for graduation.
Goals:
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Provide academically and economically disadvantaged eligible students academic advisement in their chosen program of study.
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Provide students through a pre-freshmen seminar to prepare them for their first semester in college.
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Continue to provide necessary supportive tutoring services that assist students to succeed academically and ultimately graduate.
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Promote transfer opportunities for students and assist them with the next step beyond graduation in alignment with their future goals.
Hours and Location
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Science Building, Room S-124
Contact information
Office #: (718) 631-6210
Google Voice: (347) 395-4478
Fax #: (718) 631-6653
CollegeDiscovery@qcc.cuny.edu
College Discovery Staff
Sandra Sacrestano – Director
Katwicia Desruisseaux – Counselor
Cynthia Puca – Counselor
Kathryn Wong – Counselor
Jeffrey Collins – Tutoring Coordinator