Choosing a Major

Sophomores will declare their majors by Friday, March 7. Colgate experts share insight about majors — and suggestions for supporting your student as they make decisions about their academic focus.

The Housing Selection Process: Tips for Supporting Your Student

The housing selection process for next academic year is gearing up. Colgate’s residential life staff shares insight and advice on the ins and outs of housing selection to help you in conversations with your student.

Shaw Wellness Institute Offers Health Promotion Programs

The Shaw Wellness Institute offers a variety of health promotion programs as well as alcohol and other drugs services. Being familiar with what’s available can help parents and family members guide their students to resources they may need.

Important To-Dos and Dates

Academic Calendar

• March 7
  • Declaration Of Major Deadline (sophomore class only)
• March 15–23
  • Mid-Term Recess
• April 7–11
  • Course registration for Fall 2025 term
• May 2
  • Last Day of Classes
• May 3–9
  • Review and Examination Periods
• May 10
  • Dining Halls Close
  • Residence Halls Close to All Students Except Seniors at noon

• May 18
  • Commencement Ceremony
  • Residence Halls Close to All Seniors and Guests at 5 p.m.

Returning Student Aid Application Instructions and Priority Deadline

Is your student applying for financial aid for the 2025–26 academic year? The priority deadline was January 31, but it is not too late to apply. Visit the Apply for Aid page for information on application requirements for current domestic students. Students may also log in to their Colgate financial aid portal to view their outstanding requirements.

Student Accounts: 2024 1098-T Tax Form

As required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Form 1098-T is prepared annually with Colgate’s partner Heartland ECSI for all students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with qualified tuition and other related educational expenses for the calendar year considered. The form is made available by January 31 each year for the prior calendar year and sent electronically (if consented to) or by hard copy to a student’s permanent address. Visit the Insurance Information and Tax Service section of the Student Accounts page for more details, including how to access a copy of your student's 1098-T form.

Now available: Students and eligible authorized users may access the 1098-T on the TouchNet portal, in addition to the ECSI portal.

The Office of Student Accounts is happy to help if you have any questions or concerns: stuaccounts@colgate.edu or 315-228-4817.

Transportation

2025 Spring Break Transportation

Point your students to the Break Travel page for transportation options to a variety of destinations, including Syracuse Hancock International Airport and the Syracuse Regional Transportation Center (which serves Greyhound, Megabus, and Trailways Bus Lines, and local Centro bus line) as well as Port Authority in New York City.

New Colgate Shuttle App

The new Colgate Shuttle fleet has been outfitted with Peak Transit technology, which provides real-time location information. Students can download the Colgate Shuttle App from the Google Play and Apple app stores to track shuttle locations in real time; view route schedules, maps, and estimated arrival times; and enable alert notifications to learn about shuttle and route changes. The app also tracks the Syracuse airport and Utica train station on-demand shuttles.

In addition, the Transportation Department has added a shopping route to the Utica area.

Salmagundi Yearbook

Colgate is proud of the Salmagundi’s strong tradition and the memories the yearbook will hold for your student, and the staff is working hard to create a fitting memento.

Purchase deadline is April 30. Click the order button below, or call 877-767-5217 to reserve your copy.

Family members of seniors can also place a congratulatory Yearbook Recognition Ad. All ad orders must be placed online by March 31, 2025.

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Spring 2025 Presidential Speaker Series

Family members are welcome to register for events in the speaker series The University and the Public Good: The Role of the American College in Our Time (each event will stream live).

Colgate Writers Conference

June 8–14, 2025

Parents and family members are welcome to apply for the Colgate Writers Conference — where emerging and established writers gather in the serenity of our campus to study with internationally renowned Xiaolu Guo, National Book Award finalist Jonathan Dee, LA Times Book Award finalist Maggie Millner, PEN/Faulkner finalist Maisy Card, Pulitzer Prize-winner Peter Balakian, and others. Intimate workshops in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting.

Join craft talks and consultations with agents from Aevitas, Gelfman Schneider, and The Fischer-Harbage Agency. Whether bringing a complete manuscript or starting something new, find your literary community here. Generous scholarships available.