Financial Aid Process at Binghamton
Students wishing to apply for federal and state financial aid should follow the steps below:
- Complete the FAFSA for federal aid (studentaid.gov) using Binghamton University's federal school code of 002836. For anticipated enrollment in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025, you must complete a 2024-25 FAFSA. Note: for Summer 2024 enrollment, the 2024-25 FAFSA is required, and is available January 1.
- New York State residents can complete the New York State Student Aid Payment Application and/or other state aid applications (hesc.ny.gov), and choose SUNY Binghamton so we can receive your information/awards.
- Check to see if the FAFSA was received by going to the BU BRAIN, Financial Aid tab, Awards section. It will take 3-5 business days for us to receive your FAFSA once submitted.
If admitted to an online, and a FAFSA has been received, a financial aid package will be provided to you. An official notification will be sent to your BU email account that instructs you to view the SUNY Financial Aid Plan online via BU BRAIN, Financial Aid tab, Awards section.
- You must accept any loan offers if you wish the funds to credit your bill.
- You must complete all unsatisfied requirements for your aid to disburse. You can view all requirements via BU BRAIN, Financial Aid tab, Award Offer section.
- You must be enrolled in 6 or more credits for your federal loan(s) to disburse. Note: the 6 credits can be a combination of enrollment in both session 1 or 2.
Disbursement and Refund Timeline
Disbursement of federal loan funds, if eligible, will occur during the first week of the session you are enrolled in at least 6 credits. Example, if you are enrolled in 6 credits for session 1, your Fall loan will be disbursed in full.
Important: Depending on when you register for Sessions 1 and 2, your billing scenario may vary. The most likely scenarios are outlined below.
Scenario 1:
Student registers for Session 1 and Session 2 at the same time. In this scenario, the student will receive a bill with charges for both sessions at the same time.
| Session 1 | |
| Credits | 6 |
| Charges* | $1,000 |
| Session 2 | |
| Credits | 6 |
| Charges* | $1,000 |
| Balance Due | $2,000 |
| Loan Amount Awarded | $3,000 |
| Refund (issued during Session 1) | $1,000 |
Scenario 2:
Student registers for Session 2 after the intial bill from Session 1 is received. In this scenario, the full loan amount is disbursed during Session 1. We recommend that the student save the refund from Session 1 to use for the subsequent bill with Session 2 charges.
| Session 1 | |
| Credits | 6 |
| Charges* | $1,000 |
| Balance Due | $1,000 |
| Loan Amount Awarded | $3,000 |
| Refund (issued during Session 1) | $2,000 |
| Session 2 | |
| Credits | 6 |
| Charges* | $1,000 |
| Balance Due | $1,000 |
*Please be aware that the figures used in these scenarios are for example only. These numbers do not reflect actual charge or refund amounts.
Refunds are created if a student receives aid that exceeds the bill.
Students can expect a refund, if eligible, during the first week of the applicable session in which they are enrolled and eligible.
Office Hours and Contact Information
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Phone: 607-777-2428
Email: finaid@binghamton.edu
Schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor*
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The appointment link is available on our Contact Us webpage.
*Appointments can be scheduled via phone or Zoom and are reserved for more private, confidential discussions that include but are not limited to financial hardships, special circumstance appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals, financial literacy, etc.
*NEW* Documents may be uploaded securely by visiting my.binghamton.edu and clicking on Financial Aid and Student Records Document Submission (available links section on the left). Select "Financial Aid Documents" to identify the type of document you are submitting. Scanned or attached documents will no longer be accepted via email.
The following links are provided as resources should you have additional questions:
Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) information and tips: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/fafsa/
Pell Grant: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/grants/pell-grant.html
New York State Aid: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/nysaid/
Loans: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/loans/
Special Circumstance Appeals: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/appeals.html
Academic Progress (SAP): https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/academic-progress/
Forms: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/resources/forms.html
Selected for Verification: https://www.binghamton.edu/financial-aid/fafsa/verification.html
