Page "City University of New York" Paragraph 8

As the city's population — and public college enrollment — grew during the early 20th century and the city struggled for resources, the municipal colleges slowly began adopting selective tuition, also known as instructional fees, for a handful of courses and programs.

During the Great Depression, with funding for the public colleges severely constrained, limits were imposed on the size of the colleges ' free Day Session, and tuition was imposed upon students deemed " competent " but not academically qualified for the day program.

Most of these " limited matriculation " students enrolled in the Evening Session, and paid tuition.