2007-2008 Transcript Fee Report
University at Buffalo Comprehensive Fee
Background
Prior to June 2003, SUNY policy directed each University to charge up to $5 per official academic transcript and to forward one-half of the transcript fees to SUNY Administration. The University at Buffalo was in compliance with this policy through December 2003.
In June 2003, SUNY Administration announced that it would give campuses the choice of continuing to charge up to $5 per official academic transcript or to charge up to $5 per semester transcript fee to all enrolled students. There is a $60 per student, per institution cap for these fees. (After 12 semesters of paying the $5 fee at the University of Buffalo, regardless of division, students will no longer be charged.) The $5 per semester Transcript Fee allows students to request and receive as many official transcripts as they would like without additional charges. The University at Buffalo is still required to send SUNY Administration one-half of this per semester Transcript Fee.
In December 2003, the $5 per semester Transcript Fee was approved as an addition to the Comprehensive fee. This approval was granted after full consultation with students. All University at Buffalo students have been charged this Transcript Fee since the Spring 2004 semester.
Student Benefits/Impact
The $5 per semester Transcript Fee is added to the current student comprehensive fees and billed once each semester. Students do not have to make subsequent cash, check, or credit card payments for each transcript request. This streamlines the transcript request process for current students, former students, and alumni.
Staff in SRC-Capen, Student Academic Processing Services, the Law School, and the School of Dental Medicine no longer need to process payments for transcripts. This streamlined the transcript request process for staff, allowing for faster and more efficient service to students.
The average undergraduate student currently requests 4-5 official transcripts during his/her undergraduate career, but students in certain academic disciplines (both undergraduate and graduate) request over 30 transcripts during their academic careers. For these students, the $5 per semester cost is a significant savings. The $60 Transcript Fee cap also provides a savings for students who continue at UB for more than 1 degree program.
Student Access
Current students, former students and alumni can request an official transcript by completing the Transcript Request form located at src.buffalo.edu/record/transcripts 
and following the instructions. Forms can be faxed to this office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff process transcript requests during regular business hours.
Current students, former students and alumni can also request an official transcript at 232 Capen Hall during regular business hours.
Contact Information
Student Response Center
- Capen
Monday - Friday; 8:30 am - 5 pm
232 Capen Hall
645-2450
645-3694
src@buffalo.edu
src.buffalo.edu
Expenditure Plan
Transcript Services: $132,500
Provides unlimited official transcripts to students, alumni, and those who left UB without obtaining a degree.
Fast Facts- Improve timeliness of transcript processing
- Simplifies the transcript process
- More economical for those who request multiple transcripts
FAQs
Q. Will I be charged for 6 years worth of the Transcript Fee if I will be enrolled for only one more year?
A. Students will only be charged the Transcript Fee for the semesters they attend, up to 12 semesters.
Q. How was the $5 rate determined?
A. This rate allows for a revenue neutral proposal that covers only our processing and service costs as determined by a cost analysis. This was the maximum allowable charge as determined by SUNY Administration.
Q. Will current alumni get transcripts for free?
A. Effective January 2004, alumni will not be charged for transcripts.
Q. Who is the most frequent transcript requester? Is it very different based on major or job? Is there any way for you to charge frequent requesters more?
A. Some students do request more transcripts than others. On average students request about 2 transcripts per year. Under the new proposal students would be entitled to official transcripts free of charge as both a student and alumni. Differential charging would complicate the process and make service to students less efficient and less timely.
