It’s exciting to see and feel the energy that has returned to campus in the past few weeks! As we embark on the fall semester, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the significant milestone your family is experiencing. Sending a child off to college is a momentous occasion, filled with a mix of excitement, pride and perhaps a little anxiety. This transition, both for your student and your family, marks the beginning of a new chapter. I’d like to offer some insights to help make this journey smoother, healthier and growth promoting.
Encourage your student to take advantage of campus resources designed to assist them, such as academic advising, support services and peer mentoring programs. The shift to college life is a major adjustment. Your student will encounter academic challenges, new social dynamics and increased independence. While this is a time for growth and exploration, it can also be overwhelming. These resources are invaluable in helping students navigate the complexities of college life.
Health and well-being are foundational to academic success and personal growth. Encourage your student to establish a routine that includes regular exercise, healthy eating and sufficient sleep. Remind them that it’s okay to take breaks and that self-care is not just important, but necessary.
Mental wellbeing is equally crucial. The pressures of college can sometimes lead to stress, anxiety or feelings of loneliness. It's important to have open conversations with your student on how they are navigating their transition to campus and to remind your student that seeking help is a sign of strength. Our campus offers a multitude of resources to support students (https://www.binghamton.edu/dean-of-students/help/index.html) and various student organizations that can provide a sense of community and belonging.
While your student is now embracing their independence, your support remains vital. Regular check-ins, whether through phone calls, texts or video chats, can provide comfort and a sense of continuity. However, it’s also important to give them space to grow and navigate challenges on their own. Mistakes will happen; we have all made them and grown from them. Striking the right balance between support and independence will help your student thrive
This transition is a shared journey. While your student is learning to manage their new found independence, you are also adapting to a new role in their life. Trust in the foundation you’ve built and the support systems in place here at the University. We are committed to being a partner in your student’s success and well-being. Together we can make the Binghamton experience a positive and fulfilling one for all.
Sincerely, Johann Fiore-Conte Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Chief Health and Wellness Officer
Financial Aid and Student Records are here to help!
For all servicing options, hours of operation, document submission upload instructions, and much more, visit the following websites:
Financial Aid
Student Records and Registrar Services
Document submission: All documents can be uploaded securely through the myBinghamton portal. Click on Financial Aid and Student Records Document Submission (available links section on the left side of the page).
Ensuring financial aid credit on the fall 2024 bill
The second fall 2024 semester bill was generated on September 6. If there are still any unsatisfied requirements for financial aid, this can prevent your student’s aid from crediting their bill. Your student can check if they have any unsatisfied requirements by logging into their BU Brain account and following the steps below:
Login to the My Binghamton Portal and click on the BU Brain self service icon at the top of the page
Go to the Financial Aid tab
View Student Requirements
Information about other common reasons for aid to not appear on the bill is available at this link.
Refunds
Is your student still expecting a refund from financial aid? Students are encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit to avoid waiting in the long lines. Direct Deposit allows the Student Accounts office to deposit any excess financial aid directly into a student’s bank account. Students sign up for Direct Deposit via the Binghamton portal at my.binghamton.edu. For more information, visit the Student Accounts webpage.
Haven't completed the 2024–25 FAFSA application yet?
Students/parents will report 2022 tax information on the 2024-25 FAFSA. This information will be automatically transferred from the IRS to the FAFSA using the new FAFSA Contributor and Consent functionality.
Note:students will receive an email from the Department of Education (ED) once their FAFSA is processed.
The Financial Aid office understands that applying for financial aid can be complex. Watch the videos below and if you still have questions, we're always happy to provide assistance.
2024–25 Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) changes – provides more access to this funding!
To help expand access to higher education, the FY 2025 Enacted Budget increases the minimum Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award from $500 to $1,000. Additionally, the Budget increases the dependent student net taxable income (NTI) limit for TAP eligibility from $80,000 to $125,000, the independent married student NTI limit from $40,000 to $60,000, and the independent single student NTI limit from $10,000 to $30,000. These changes are estimated to cost $66 million and benefit roughly 93,000 students in public and private colleges and universities, including 48,000 students newly eligible for TAP.
To apply for New York state aid, students must complete a TAP Application. This application provides a single conduit for applying for payment of all state grants, scholarships and awards, which includes TAP, Excelsior (requires initial application), and NYS STEM (requires initial separate application). For more information, visit this webpage.
Note: All aspects of the TAP application and applications for their respective awards must be completed with NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) in order for the awards to be sent to Binghamton University from NYS HESC. For more information, visit the NYS HESC webpage.
Federal work study
Students eligible for Federal Work Study, can apply for jobs via hireBING. Go to the Student Employment webpage for more information and the link to hireBING. Students that have secured a federal work study job that begin working during the first week of classes will not receive their first paycheck until late-September. The Federal Work Study pay period schedule can be found on the Human Resources website.
Proxy access available for financial aid information
"Proxy access" is the ability students have to grant others access to view their financial aid information in BU Brain. For more information about Proxy Access, and instructions for students, visit the Proxy Access webpage.
2024-25 Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) changes coming – providing more access to this funding
To help expand access to higher education, the FY 2025 Enacted Budget increases the minimum Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award from $500 to $1,000. Additionally, the Budget increases the dependent student net taxable income (NTI) limit for TAP eligibility from $80,000 to $125,000, the independent married student NTI limit from $40,000 to $60,000, and the independent single student NTI limit from $10,000 to $30,000. These changes are estimated to cost $66 million and benefit roughly 93,000 students in public and private colleges and universities, including 48,000 students newly eligible for TAP.
To apply for New York state aid, students must complete a New York state Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application. This application provides a single conduit for applying for payment of all state grants, scholarships and awards, which includes TAP, Excelsior (requires initial separate application as well), and STEM (requires initial separate application as well).
Students and parents have the option to link directly to the application from the FAFSA submission confirmation page or complete the application by going to the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) application webpage. Note that students must be full-time for most NYS grants and scholarships.
All aspects of the TAP application and applications for their respective awards must be completed with NYS HESC in order for the awards to be sent to Binghamton University from NYS HESC. For more information, please go to NYS HESC website.
2024-25 Parent PLUS loan application timeline
For more general information about Parent PLUS loans, visit thefinancial aid PLUS loan webpage.
Proxy access available for financial aid information
"Proxy access" is the ability students have to grant others access to view their financial aid information in BU Brain. For more information about Proxy Access, and instructions for students, visit the Proxy Access webpage.
Fall 2024 Excelsior Scholarship application
The Fall 2024 Excelsior Scholarship application opened on May 23, 2024. The application will close on August 31, 2024. Current recipients do not need to file a new Excelsior application, but must file a TAP application every year. To review eligibility requirements and complete your application, visit the Excelsior Scholarship program webpage.
New York State Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program
The New York State Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program provides up to 24 months of federal student loan debt relief to recent New York State college graduates who are participating in a federal income-driven repayment plan whose payments are generally capped at 10 percent of their discretionary income. Visit the NYS Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program website for more information and instructions on how to apply.
Student Records
For more information visit the Student Records website.
Summer degrees
Degree candidates for the summer can expect to have their degree awarded by the beginning of September. Conferral date was Aug. 18. Diplomas are expected to go out in the mail from our vendor in mid-September.
Graduating seniors – Fall semester – applications for degree
Currently enrolled undergraduates intending to graduate in Fall 2024 must complete the online Application for Degree (AFD) available on BU Brain in order to receive their degree.
Students completing coursework at another school in Fall 2024 must email degree@binghamton.edu to complete their Application for Degree.
If you have difficulty locating or completing the Application for Degree on BU Brain, please email degree@binghamton.edu.
Fall 2024 registration
After the add/drop deadline at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 3, students may petition to late add individual courses. A $20 fee per course will be charged to your student’s account. To do this, students go to BU BRAIN, Student Tab, Registration, Late Course Add/Drop/Withdrawal Petition to complete the petition process online.
After the drop deadline, students may withdraw from a course themselves on BU BRAIN, Student Tab, Registration, Add or Drop courses then follow instructions for a web withdrawal. This will create a ‘W’ on the student’s record.
After the withdrawal deadline at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 28, students may petition to withdraw from a course using the Late Course Withdrawal Petition process outlined above.
Check online for more information.
Fall proof of enrollment
Fall 2024 proof of enrollment will be available online through the National Student Clearinghouse in September after the add/drop deadline once fall enrollment records have been uploaded to the National Student Clearinghouse. Students can access this through BU BRAIN. Click Student tab, then Student Services Tools to print an enrollment certificate.
If you have an enrollment verification form that needs to be completed by the Student Records office, please email the form to registrar@binghamton.edu and include your student’s name and B number.
DegreeWorks audit
Students should review their DegreeWorks audit to ensure their fall 2024 courses are meeting degree requirements.
Lost IDs
Students can request a replacement ID card through my.binghamton.edu or send an email (using their official Binghamton University email account — emails from other accounts cannot be processed) with their name and B-number to idcard@binghamton.edu.
There is a $20 fee for all replacement ID cards, which will be assessed to the student’s bill in Student Accounts.
Students will need a photo ID to pick up their card. Acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license, passport, high school or other university photo ID.
Official expedited electronic transcripts now available
In addition to free official paper transcripts, we also offer official expedited electronic transcripts. Transcripts are sent in PDF format via email. Official electronic transcripts are typically sent within 10 minutes of authorization. Attachments can also be uploaded and sent with your expedited electronic transcript.
There is a $5 charge per recipient for the expedited service.
More information about electronic transcript service is available online.
Families: Follow us on social media, just for you!
If you're planning a trip to Binghamton, visit the Visiting Binghamton section on our website or the Greater Binghamton Convention and Visitors Bureau for information on what to see, where to stay and where to eat while you're here.
Update contact information
Keep your contact information updated in our family database. If your address, phone or email has changed, send a note to families@binghamton.edu to let us know. And if you're looking for more from us, check out some of our pages targeted directly to parents and guardians:
Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development's parent page
Resources for parents and families
Residential Life on campus housing
Calendar of events
University's Academic Calendar
How to unsubscribe
If you no longer have a need to receive this newsletter, you can unsubscribe by sending a message to families@binghamton.edu.
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