The Summer Aid Application will be available May 1st. Students that are only interested in Pell do not need to complete the application. All students that are registered for Summer and are eligible for Summer Pell will receive an award. Summer eligibility requirements can be found here.
The Spring 2024 Excelsior Scholarship application is now closed. You can sign up here to be notified when the next application is available.
Normally, book deferments are available online two weeks prior to the semester and run through the end of the drop/add period to register.
Only if a student is expecting a refund, can they request a book deferment. A book deferment will reduce the amount of a students refund by the amount requested. If a student is not expecting a refund, they are not eligible to request a book deferment.
Path via Banner to apply: Banner -> Student -> Online Textbook Deferment Request
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a May 12 start date for its Emergency Broadband Benefit Program that aims to provide subsidies for students struggling to pay for internet amid the pandemic.
2023-2024 FAFSA - Use 2021 tax information (Fall 2023/Spring 2024)
2024-2025 FAFSA - Use 2022 tax information (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)
Processing Time: The federal processor will forward your information to our office in about 5-10 business days after you submit your financial aid application online. Please allow time for the application to be submitted to the office to be reviewed. Students should monitor Banner and their BSC email regularly for updates.
THINKING OF WITHDRAWING:
Financial Aid Office Business Hours:
Monday – Friday (except holidays)
8:30am – 5:00pm
You can reach a financial aid specialist:
Phone: 716-878-4902
Email: finaid@buffalostate.edu
In person in Moot Hall
Please stay safe and well
Recommended Resources
General Help
Costs, Refunds, Calculators
Videos and Banner Help
Apply for Aid (Links) - DEADLINES TO APPY
Loan and TEACH Grant Help
Note: Award letters are generated for students after they have been admitted and applied for financial aid (filed the FAFSA). For detailed help with applying for aid, please review the Apply for Aid site.
A limited number of graduate students must submit additional documents to the financial aid office before we can finalize their aid. Students can view what documents and tasks must be completed in Banner and are strongly encouraged to complete all requirements promptly. Finally, students should monitor their Banner account to ensure the documents they submitted have been accepted and nothing else is needed. It is not uncommon for additional documents to be requested.
Using your award letter, estimate your out-of-pocket costs using the following tools:
If you will owe a balance each semester, develop a plan as to how it will be paid. Below are some options to cover the remaining amount due. Additionally, develop a plan to purchase textbooks.
Students expecting a refund from their financial aid can request a book deferment to purchase their textbooks in the college bookstore. Students that owe a balance will need to purchase their textbooks out-of-pocket or apply for additional loans. Students should budget about $500 per semester for a full-time course load (12+ credits).
Students expecting a refund are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Review the fall and spring disbursement schedules to understand the timing of when aid is disbursed and when refunds are generated. As a general rule, any aid that is received is first applied to the student's charges. Once all charges are paid in full, the student is eligible for a refund (as applicable).
If a balance is still owed to the college after your financial aid, create a plan to cover the remaining balance due. Options include:
| ALERT: Students with a balance of $1500 or more will not be able to register for the upcoming semester(s). Late fees will be applied each month if the bill is not paid in full. Each late fee is $30 and the maximum per semester is $90 in late fees. |
Students must meet certain minimum standards to maintain eligibility for financial aid, including federal loans. Students that are struggling academically should consult with the financial aid office to review their options, in addition to seeking free tutoring and help on campus.
