Parent Connect Newsletter

December 2023
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs  and Chief Health and Wellness Officer, Johann Fiore-Conte
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Health and Wellness Officer, Johann Fiore-Conte Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.

Dear parents and families,

This is an exciting and eventful time of the year as we prepare for the final stretch of the semester.

I hope you were able to enjoy time together over Thanksgiving break with your student and other family members — and I know you are looking forward to more quality time during winter break. They will be looking forward to that too!

With final exams beginning on Monday, Dec. 11, please know that this can be a stressful period for college students. Is there a big project or exam they’re dreading? An end-of-semester performance or presentation? How are they feeling about relationships with roommates and other friends? Check in periodically to see how they’re doing — words of encouragement and a vote of confidence that they can make their way through this can go a long way.  

Likewise, encourage your student to seek out supports they might need. The University provides many opportunities for students to de-stress, with events ranging from Pet Away Worry and Stress (PAWS) with registered therapy dogs to hot cocoa and snacks. A periodic study break can actually increase productivity. These events are posted on B-Engaged and the Stress-free Bing website.  

Binghamton University is here to help our students achieve their goals and learn how to maintain a holistic sense of well-being. I encourage you to remind your students to make use of these resources as they navigate the final few weeks of the fall semester. 

Wishing our students and families a happy and healthy holiday season!

Sincerely,
Johann Fiore-Conte
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
Chief Health and Wellness Officer



University Counseling Center (UCC) services the campus community

The University Counseling Center (UCC) is an on-campus resource for students in their pursuit of personal and academic growth. Our highly qualified staff is committed to promoting the psychological well-being of Binghamton University's undergraduate and graduate student community. Learn more about the UCC and how students can access care.

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:

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).

SAVE repayment plan offers lower monthly loan payments

The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan, like other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, calculates your monthly payment amount based on your income and family size. The SAVE Plan provides the lowest monthly payments of any IDR plan available to nearly all student borrowers. Learn more.

2024-25 FAFSA application opens in December 2023

The 2024-25 FAFSA will open in December 2023 (the exact date is still being determined). Keep an eye out for alerts on the financial aid website for updated information or the Deparment of Education webpage.

Student Records

For more information visit the Student Records website

Fall proof of enrollment

Fall 2023 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, your student should email the form to registrar@binghamton.edu and include their name and B-number. Forms will not be processed until the first day of classes (Tuesday, Aug. 22) or later.  

DegreeWorks audit

Once students register for the Spring 2024 semester, they should review
their DegreeWorks audit to ensure their Spring 2024 courses are meeting degree requirements.

Graduating seniors — Fall semester — applications for degree

The deadline for students to submit the Fall 2023 undergraduate application for degree is the last day of classes – Friday, Dec. 8.

Currently enrolled undergraduates intending to graduate in Fall 2023 must complete the online application for degree available on BU Brain in order to receive their degree.  Students completing coursework at another school in Fall 2023 must email degree@binghamton.edu to complete the application for degree.

New registration tutorial videos

Please visit our registration tutorials webpage to view helpful videos covering many common registration questions.

Semester withdrawal

Students seeking to withdraw completely from the University should complete the semester withdrawal form. The semester withdrawal form is required for a student who wishes to drop ALL fall semester courses and who wants his/her academic record to indicate good standing. 

Application for degree

Deadline for students to submit the Fall 2023 undergraduate Application for Degree is the last day of fall classes - Friday, Dec. 8.

Currently enrolled undergraduates (with at least 104 credit hours earned) can
complete their application for degree on BU Brain if they have not already done
so when they confirmed their enrollment for this semester. Those studying
elsewhere this semester can email degree@binghamton.edu for the application
form. Students must notify us of their intent to graduate by completing the
application for degree.

Clear holds

Be sure to clear all holds that may prevent registration. Holds can be viewed online
through BU Brain.

Winter 2024 session – Dec. 18 – Jan. 12, no classes Dec. 24 –Jan. 2

  • Registration for winter 2024 opened on Oct. 16 and runs through the
    winter add/drop period until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 20.

  • Confirmation of enrollment deadline is 4:00 p.m. on Dec. 11
  • Couse add/drop period ends at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 20.
  • Change of grade option deadline is 3:30 p.m., Jan. 5
  • Course withdrawal deadline is 11:59 p.m., Jan. 5
  • Students may take a maximum of four credits during the winter session.
  • No financial aid – loans, grants, scholarships – are available to use during the winter session.

Spring 2024 session – Jan. 16 - May 2

  • Advanced registration time tickets for the spring semester are issued based on earned credit hours and are viewable on BU Brain.
  • Advanced registration for Spring 2024 will begin Nov. 1 and will close at 11:59 p.m., Dec. 8
      • 9:00 a.m. for graduate students
      • 12:00 p.m. for undergraduate students
  • Course add/drop for the spring semester will reopen a few days before the spring semester begins in January.

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.


Parents: Follow us on social media, just for you!

Follow Binghamton University Bearcat Families Facebook page and @binghamtonfamily on Instagram to receive daily news and information from Binghamton University, as well as win fun prizes just for parents!

Visiting Binghamton?

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 parent information

Keep your contact information updated in our parent 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:

Calendar of events

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.