Summer beauty is in full swing at Colgate, and we look forward to welcoming your student back to campus soon. Here are 13 quick updates, reminders, and seasonal highlights to guide you through the beginning of the semester.
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1. Campus Snapshots: A Few Highlights from May, June, and July |
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Clockwise from left to right: Commencement 2026; Reunion 2026; Colgate Writers Conference; Summer Fireworks.
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2. Dining Promotions for Juniors and Seniors |
If your student will be a junior or senior this fall and they purchase a new dining plan on or before Sept. 7, they will automatically receive a membership bonus.
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The Premier Plan Bonus: Sign up for the Premier Plan and get $75 in bonus dollars to use at select village locations or for grab-and-go items (like sushi and sandwiches) on campus.
- The Maroon Plan Bonus: Sign up for the Maroon Plan (8 meals/week) and get an automatic free upgrade to the ’Gate Plan (10 meals/week) for the fall semester.
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Every meal plan membership now comes with added benefits, including:
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- Recess Meals: Up to three free swipes per day during fall, Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks (for students approved to stay on campus).
- Discounts and Exclusives: Deals on retail items (including Starbucks drinks at Café 13 in Frank Dining Hall) and access to member-only special menu items.
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3. A New Way to Celebrate Your Student |
Dining Services is launching a brand-new gift basket and birthday treat ordering service this fall. Keep an eye out for full details and ordering options in our fall newsletter.
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Colgate’s Dean of the College Division is always considering how best to support students’ overall health through the rigors of college life. Dawn LaFrance, assistant vice president of health and well-being, has shared this message about student mental health in the AI era.
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Make reservations for Colgate shuttles to and from regional transportation hubs in Syracuse and Utica (e.g., Syracuse International Airport, Utica Amtrak Station)
- Purchase Megabus tickets
- Reserve fall break travel tickets for regional bus routes throughout the Northeast, including New Jersey, Manhattan, and the Boston area
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Please note that the Transportation Department needs a 48-hour notice for all requests.
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Colgate’s Four-Year Career Development Plan is designed to evolve with students as they explore and experiment, helping them reach important milestones throughout their undergraduate experience. As your student clarifies their goals, their advisers — dedicated practitioners and industry specialists — will be there to guide, support, and help them test out their interests.
Engaging early in their journey towards post-graduate preparation is key. Whether your student is a rising sophomore, junior, or senior, encourage them to check out the Career Development webpage and begin connecting with Career Services early in the fall semester.
Family members and supporters are welcome to sign up to receive the weekly What’s Going On email for updates.
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Colgate uses a secure billing platform called TouchNet. To protect your student's financial privacy, the Office of Student Accounts can only discuss account details or share billing information with individuals who have been set up as authorized users. Once your student adds you as an Authorized User directly through their TouchNet account, you’ll be able to:
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- Receive email billing notifications directly
- View real-time account balances and IRS 1098-T tax forms
- Safely make payments on your student’s behalf
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You can find out more about the billing schedule on the Student Accounts webpage.
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Because the Colgate Financial Aid Portal is accessible only to your student, they will be your primary resource for tracking financial aid updates. If your student completes the optional Consent to Release form, the Office of Financial Aid will be permitted to discuss their aid with the individuals they authorize.
Your student currently has access to any applicable financial aid forms and should complete and submit all required documents as soon as possible to ensure that financial aid will be applied as a credit toward their fall semester charges.
Your student will also use their portal to review and accept aid, report outside scholarships, and request federal student loans.
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Colgate offers financing options and customized payment plans to help your student manage their account balance. Students and/or parents must initiate the process to apply for any of the options listed below.
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Colgate’s Monthly Payment Plan: This interest-free option splits the semester’s bill into monthly installments. There is a $20 enrollment fee.
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Federal Direct Loans: Available to eligible FAFSA filers, this option offers fixed interest rates and can be borrowed by students or parents.
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Private Educational Loans: Available through non-federal lenders, these loans can be borrowed by students (usually with a credit-worthy cosigner) or parents. Because interest rates and terms vary by lender, we recommend carefully comparing them against federal programs to find the most cost-effective option.
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We look forward to welcoming families to campus Sept. 18–19 for Family Weekend. Details and registration will be available in late August. Ideas for places to stay can be found on the Hotels and Accommodations page.
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Living Writers returns in 2026 with a lineup of 10 award-winning essayists and novelists. Since 1980, Living Writers has been an on-campus course for Colgate undergraduates, and since 2010, a self-paced program for alumni, parents, and friends of Colgate.
Interested in learning more about Living Writers authors, events, and other updates?
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12. Approaching Due Dates for Your Student
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- Financial aid forms and documents, if applicable, as soon as possible
- Deadline to enroll or waive Student Health Insurance, due Aug. 1
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Fall term Student Account payment, due Aug. 1
- Financial Responsibility form, due Aug. 1
- Accept or decline pending financial aid offers, if applicable, due Aug. 1
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13. Key Dates for the Upcoming Semester |
- Aug. 17: Financial aid disbursements begin
- Aug. 25: Upper-class student residences and dining halls open*
- Aug. 27: First day of classes
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Sept. 7: Last day to complete drop/add for full- and first-half-of-term courses
- Sept. 18–19: Family Weekend
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- Nov. 9–13: Course registration for spring 2027
- Nov. 21–29: Thanksgiving recess
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- Dec. 11: Last day of classes
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Dec. 12–18: Review and examination periods
- Dec. 19: Residence and dining halls close to all students, noon*
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- Jan. 16: Residence and dining halls open*
- Jan. 18: First day of classes
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*Except for students with prior approval from Residential Life
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