Tuition and Fees Refund Appeal and Dispute Instructions

If a student thinks there is an error on their bill or if they have an extenuating circumstance, they must file an appeal in writing (see below for submission options) Students must submit their appeal within one year from the end of the semester in which the tuition liability occurred. Students with an outstanding debt who wish to make payment arrangements that would allow a return to school should not request an appeal. These students must contact the Student Accounts Office at 607-778- 5230 to discuss options.

Withdrawal procedures and the add/drop refund dates are publicized on the College website, posted in campus offices, and are included in the Financial Responsibility Agreement (pdf) which is required to be accepted by students upon registration. Appeals will be reviewed for extenuating circumstances which resulted in the student not being able to complete an official withdrawal or not being able to comply with the required time frame. Non-attendance in class is not a basis for appeal. A student’s lack of awareness of registration, withdrawal, add/drop and other related matters are not subject to appeal.

Room and Board charges are not subject to the tuition appeals process. For more information on room and board charges, contact the Director of Housing at 607-778-5307.

Examples of Circumstances under which a student can appeal:

  • Required documentation:
    • Dated letter on university letterhead from appropriate university official/department citing the error made or:
    • Emails from/to SUNY Broome staff.

  • Illness or injury of the student of such severity or duration that competent medical authority has certified that completion of the course is/was precluded
  • An unanticipated medical condition that occurred during or immediately before the eligible semester
  • Unanticipated: An illness to which the student had no prior knowledge, or a sudden increase in severity of a known condition
  • Required documentation: Medical documentation form filled out and signed by your provider of care. Download the form (pdf).

  • Unforeseen medical incapacitation of immediate family
  • Family circumstances of such severity that the student’s presence is/was required away from school and precluded completion of the course, such as death of immediate family member (parent, sibling, spouse) or illness
  • Required documentation:

Submission of an Appeal:

Please choose one of the following methods to submit your written appeal. Phone calls or appointments are not accepted for appeals under any circumstances. All information submitted is strictly confidential.

Please do not submit multiple appeals for the same issue.  If you have documentation to add after you have submitted your case or have questions, you can send them to the Committee at SFSAppeals@sunybroome.edu.

Submit electronically (preferred method):

Tuition and Fees Appeals Form

By fax: 607-778-5441  Appeals submitted by fax must include the Tuition and Fees Appeals Form (pdf).

By mail:

Appeals submitted by postal mail must include the Tuition and Fees Appeals Form (pdf).

SUNY Broome Community College
Appeals
c/o Student Accounts Office
PO Box 1017
Binghamton NY 13902

Appeal decisions are final.

Students considering an appeal for a semester in which they received Financial Aid:   Students are encouraged to discuss the implications of submitting a tuition and fee appeal with a Financial Aid advisor. In the event an appeal is approved, and courses are removed from a student’s schedule, any corresponding financial aid shall also be adjusted. Adjustments to financial aid may result in the student being billed for the difference in the amount of the revised financial aid and the amount of financial aid which had been disbursed to the student based on the student’s original submitted enrollment.

  • How long will my appeal take?
    The appeals process has multiple steps, may require research, and can take several weeks or longer to complete. Appeals are reviewed in the order that they are received.
  • Can I submit an appeal on behalf of my child or spouse?
    Appeals must be made by the student. Appeals made on behalf of a student will not be reviewed unless a FERPA release is on file with the Registrar’s Office and the code word provided.
  • What happens to my bill while I’m waiting for a decision? Do I still need to pay?
    While your appeal is in process, your account will not be referred to an outside collection agency. Amounts due and any holds on your account will remain during the appeal process. The college recommends you pay your bill in full by published deadlines even if you have filed an appeal. If your account has already been referred to an outside collection agency prior to your submitting an appeal, collection efforts will continue and collection fees will remain due while the appeal is in process. Submitting an appeal with documentation does not guarantee a refund.
  • How will I be informed of the decision?
    After the investigation is completed, you will be contacted with the result. At that point, if it has been found that you owe an amount and you do not pay, collection efforts will continue, which may include referral to an outside collection agency. If your appeal is approved, your account will be adjusted accordingly.