Tips to Ensure Financial Aid and Academic Success |
Students can purchase (new or used) or rent textbooks in the college bookstore. Students should budget approximately $500 per semester for books, though this figure can vary significantly based a student's course schedule. Students that have more financial aid than their charges can apply for a textbook deferment.
The textbook deferment program enables students that are expecting a refund from their financial aid to use up to $750 of the refund in the college bookstore. Therefore, to be eligible, a student must have more financial aid and/or payments on their account than they have charges. The $750 limit can be increased for students that show a copy of their course schedule and required textbooks to the Financial Aid or Student Accounts Office.
Your tuition and fees provide for many support services to help you be successful. Seek help as soon as you need it. Below is a list of resources to help you:
Office & Function | Location | Phone Number |
Academic Skills Center | South Wing 330 | (716) 878-4041 |
Academic Advisement Center | South Wing 100 | (716) 878-5223 |
Career Development Center | Grover Cleveland 306 | (716) 878-5811 |
Counseling Center | Weigel Health Center, 2nd Floor | (716) 878-4436 |
Medical Assistance | Weigel Health Center | (716) 878-6711 |
Services for Students with Disabilities | South Wing 120 | (716) 878-4500 |
Writing Help Center | Butler Library 214 | (716) 878-3655 |
About one-third of students have to submit documentation to finalize their aid package. Students need to review their requirements in Banner to ensure all requirements have been satisfied. Common reasons students have to submit documentation include:
All students must submit their final high school transcript to the Admissions Office. No federal aid (including loans) can disburse until your transcript is submitted.
Federal and state financial aid regulations have deadlines that cannot be appealed. Therefore, students need to complete tasks promptly when required. As a general rule of thumb, students still need to be enrolled during the semester to make any changes or to finalize their financial aid.
To graduate in four (4) years, it is recommended to take 15 credits per semester in order to earn 120 credits to graduate (some programs require more than 120 credits). However, students need to take into account their abilities and schedule to determine how many credits is the right balance for them. Below details the minimum credits needed for each type of aid program, as they vary.
Aid Type | Credits per Semester |
Federal Pell Grant | 1 to 12+ credits per semester |
Federal SEOG Grant | Must also be eligible for Pell |
Federal TEACH Grant | 1 to 12+ credits per semester |
NYS TAP Grant | 12+ credits (unless registered with the Office for Students with Disabilities) |
SUNY Tuition Credit | Must also be eligible for TAP |
Aid for Part-Time Study | 3 to 11 credits |
Federal Work-Study | 6+ credits |
All Federal Loans | 6+ credits |
Private Loans | Varies by lender |
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