For many students at NYU, the stress that comes with paying for tuition comes almost immediately after they receive their acceptance letter.

However, for the class of 2020, their journey might begin a little differently. With a new president and a new affordability initiative, newly admitted students say that NYU’s cost could be less of a deterrent to attending the university.

Rachel Wu, an admitted member of the class of 2020 from California, said she hasn’t yet committed to NYU, but she appreciated the efforts from Hamilton’s administration to address affordability.

“I think an attempt to lower/stop the increase in tuition shows two things,” Wu said. “1. NYU recognizes that the majority of the student body finds the tuition to be difficult to afford, and some prospective students turn down the offer because it’s too expensive, and 2. [NYU] plans on at least attempting to do something about it, which tells me that NYU is more open minded than most people give it credit for,”

Obviously nothing is decided yet, but I just wanted to post a picture with this purple acceptance package ? #NYU2020

A photo posted by Haneul Oh (@haneuloh) on Apr 4, 2016 at 6:40pm PDT

Wu added that Hamilton’s efforts to make NYU more affordable could persuade talented students to come to NYU, instead of another school that promises more aid.

“You’ll see in the [Facebook] group that lots of kids actually talk about how the financial aid office was not kind and that finance is the largest issue for everyone, no matter their true financial background,” Wu said. “I personally am even more inclined to go to NYU now. It also makes me excited that this initiative will keep some talented students from going to a more affordable university instead.”

For a university that prides itself on diversity, many have said that the university’s current tuition excludes potential students who cannot afford tuition. Class of 2020 member Shreya Durbha said that the affordability initiatives are the crucial first step in correcting that issue.

“This initiative is exactly what NYU needs to draw in a larger, more diverse applicant pool,” Durbha said. “Unfortunately, there are so many students filled with potential that can’t afford to even apply because of the financial burden they would consequently incur.”

what a wild day #nyu2020 (also: yale!!)

A photo posted by anna hope ? (@citifying) on Mar 31, 2016 at 10:30pm PDT

Class of 2020 member Sydney Kim said the affordability initiative additionally makes her hopes of attending graduate school with a limited amount of debt feasible.

“One of my only hesitations with going to NYU is the cost,” Kim said. “Even though the rising cost is being lowered, it’s also really expensive to begin with. Especially because I may attend medical school, I’d like to graduate undergrad with as little debt as possible.”

Admitted member of the class of 2020 Minahil Salam said this initiative not only alleviates the concerns of the admitted class of 2020, but also stands as a pillar of recruiting for the university’s future applicants

“The affordability initiative seems to be something that would incline more people to apply and consider NYU more strongly on their list,” Salam said. “For so many NYU is a dream school, and making it more affordable would make that seem one step closer to being possible.”

Email Suhana Jagadesan at [email protected].