Frequently Asked Questions About eSIMS Registration

WHEN DO FALL 2008 COURSES BEGIN? Fall 2008 classes begin on Monday, September 8, 2008.

Important Change: Effective July 15, 2008, you MUST use the CUNY Portal to access eSIMS. Access through the College's home page or through http://esims.cuny.edu WILL BE DISCONTINUED.

If you have not already created a portal account, please click here to set up an account at http://portal.cuny.edu Login to the Portal. On your "MYPAGE" you should see an eSIMS link. Click it and your eSIMS menu will be brought up. If the college is not Kingsborough Community College, go to your Portal profile option on the bottom of the left side panel. Select Modify Profile and select Kingsborough Community College from your Primary Affiliation list. Modify the Profile and go back to the eSIMS link.

MUST EVERY STUDENT REGISTER FROM OFF-CAMPUS? Students will be expected to complete their own registration using eSIMS. Continuing and readmitted students are encouraged to register by the web (eSIMS) at home, at the public library, or at one of the College's open computer labs. New students will be invited to register on campus and will receive assistance in learning how to use eSIMS.

Currently enrolled students are encouraged to attend a workshop offered by the Advisement Center so that they are adequately prepared to use eSIMS. Extensive sets of directions are also available on the Registration link on the College's web page.

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER?
You can use one of the computers in the open computer labs. However, evening hours will be limited and labs may not be readily available especially during the summer and winter months.

HOW HAVE STUDENTS BEEN INFORMED OF REGISTRATION PROCEDURES? Registration instructions and appointment times for continuing students are mailed to your home. You can also check on your appointment time by logging on to eSIMS and accessing the appropriate semester. New and readmitted students will be contacted by mail on a rolling basis once their admission application has been processed.

HOW CAN STUDENTS GET ACCESS TO eSIMS? Students MUST log-on to the CUNY Portal to access eSIMS. Go to http://portal.cuny.edu If you do not already have a Portal account, on "MYPAGE" you will see an eSIMS link. Click it and your eSIMS menu will be brought up. It is important that you have a "Student" profile and that your profile shows Kingsborough Community College as your Primary Affiliation.  

I DO NOT REMEMBER DETAILS ABOUT MY PORTAL SIGNON; HOW DO I GET HELP? If you have had three unsuccessful attempts at logging on to the Portal, you will be locked out of the system for one hour. There may be a number of reasons for your failed attempt. Contact Kingsborough at 718-368-5154. Note that if you experience a problem with User Validation, it may be because the information you provided does not agree with the information on Kingsborough's student data base. In that situation, please come to the Registrar's office in A-101, with your valid photo identification, to determine the discrepancy. You may also be required to present original documents to verify your correct name, birth date and/or social security number.

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO IF THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THEIR REGISTRATION INFORMATION IN THE MAIL? You will need to come to the Registrar's Office to determine your eSIMS appointment date and time. This information cannot be provided over the telephone. You can also check eSIMS using the Registration option. Your registration date and time will be displayed under the appropriate semester.

WILL ADVISORS BE AVAILABLE IN THE REGISTRATION LAB? Continuing and readmitted students will be expected to register themselves with limited staff support. Students should review their DegreeAudit in preparation for registration. Academic advisors, faculty and registrar's staff will be available on campus to assist NEW students with the registration process.

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SEE AN ADVISOR? New students will receive academic advisement at registration. If you are a continuing student you can make an appointment with an advisor in the Advisement Center, 718-368-4911/5744, prior to your online registration appointment day and time. It is strongly suggested that continuing students see an advisor as early in the academic semester as possible to clarify any questions that you may have regarding required courses for graduation.

To find the name and location of your advisor, use eADVISOR. Log on to the College's home page to obtain this information.

IF STUDENTS HAVE NOT BEEN ADVISED, CAN THEY REGISTER FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER? Yes, you can register for courses beginning with your registration appointment date and time. However, all students are encouraged to seek academic planning and advisement.

IF STUDENTS USE eSIMS AT HOME AND HAVE A PROBLEM, TO WHOM SHOULD THEY BE REFERRED? If you are experiencing problems signing on to the CUNY portal, please call 718-368-5154. If you are experiencing a problem in eSIMS, please call the Help Center at 718-368-6551.

The eSIMS Help Center is managed by the Office of Academic Scheduling. All college offices and phones will be very busy during the registration period, so if you are experiencing difficulty in reaching an office, please be patient and try back later.

Students who are enrolled for the current semester can also access their DegreeAudit for helpful registration assistance. If you are uncertain about what course to take, refer to the on-line Catalog and review the requirements for each degree at the beginning of the Catalog.

If you have a stop or hold, contact the office that placed the hold on your record. They must remove the hold or temporarily clear it in SIMS in order for you tor register.

If a course is closed, you need to choose another section of the course, or another course; do NOT contact the academic department.

Students in the My Turn Program are encouraged to use eSIMS, if possible (contact the My Turn Office if you are experiencing any difficulty).

WILL THERE BE ANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ON WEEKENDS?
Students who need special permission can contact the eSIMS Help Center at 718-368-6551. If they are unavailable, leave a voice message and when the Center reopens someone will get back to you.

IF A SECTION IS NOTED AS OPEN ON CUNY'S WEBSITE, BUT ON eSIMS IS NOTED AS CLOSED, WHICH SITE IS PROVIDING THE MOST RELIABLE INFORMATION?
eSIMS reflects the most accurate information, whereas the CUNY website is refreshed no more than every 90 minutes.

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS DO IF THEY GET A MESSAGE ON eSIMS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PRE- OR CO-REQUISITE? One option might be to register for the pre- or co-requisite course and plan on taking the next course in the next semester. However, if you believe that you have met the pre- or co-requisite, contact the eSIMS Help Center at 718-368-6551.

HOW DO STUDENTS GET SPECIAL PERMISSION FOR AN OVERLOAD OF COURSES? Under certain situations, it is possible for students to register for more than 18 credits during the 12-week semester and more than 8 credits in a six-week module. However, you will need special permission from the Help Center at (718) 368-6551. In addition, you must call the Bursar's Office at (718) 368-5416 for information regarding additional charges for an overload of credits.

CAN I DROP A COURSE ONLINE? Yes. You have the option of either using the "replace" function to change a course or "drop" function if you want to drop the course entirely. During the first two days of classes, if you use the Drop and Add combination, instead of the Take and Replace option, you will accumulate unwanted fees.

AFTER STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED REGISTRATION, WHAT CAN THEY DO TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE DEFINITELY IN THE COURSE THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY REGISTERED FOR? It is advisable that you print out your schedule and tuition bill. You can also go back online a day or two before classes begin to ensure that none of your classes have been cancelled.

HOW CAN I CONFIRM THAT I DELETED A COURSE? After dropping the course on the registration screen, go to your schedule; the course should not appear on your schedule. If it does, you did not delete it properly; try again.

HOW CAN STUDENTS DETERMINE IF ONE OF THEIR COURSES HAS BEEN CANCELLED? You can check your schedule at any time. A deleted course will not appear on your schedule. You can then go into eSIMS to add another section or course.

WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO CHANGE THEIR PROGRAM AFTER THEIR INITIAL REGISTRATION? The change of program feature will be available throughout the eSIMS registration period and through the second day of fall and spring classes. During the summer and winter, change of program will be available on the first day of classes.When using eSIMS to process a change, be certain to use the Take and Replace option instead of the Drop and Add keys to prevent accumulating unnecessary change of program fees.

IS eSIMS AVAILABLE DURING THE DELETION PERIOD? During the semester's Deletion Period (check the College academic calendar for dates), students will be allowed to delete courses on line using eSIMS from 2 pm until approximately 8:30 am the following morning. You will not be allowed to change sections or to add courses on line during the Deletion period. Check the Bursar's information for tuition liabilities during the Deletion Period.

DO STUDENTS NEED THE BILL WITH THE ORANGE STRIPES?
The purpose of that document is to provide you with the current class schedule, in addition to any outstanding tuition charges for the semester. Those features are available on eSIMS.

MUST STUDENTS WHO REGISTER AT HOME OR AT A CAMPUS REGISTRATION LAB VALIDATE THEIR BILLS IN PERSON?
If you do not have a "Balance Due," there will be no need to have the bill validated. If there are any questions please call the Bursar's Office at 718-368-5416.

ARE THERE BOOK ADVANCES IN THE FALL SEMESTER?
Yes, eligible students will be sent a check in the mail or it will be direct deposited into their account if they signed up for Direct Deposit.

IF I HAVE ALL WU's AND/OR W's WHAT WILL HAPPEN?
You may have to repay a portion of your financial aid and you may lose TAP for the following semester.

IF STUDENTS BECOME FULL-TIME WITH THE WINTER MODULE, WILL THEIR FINANCIAL AID INCREASE?
Yes, it will increase in proportion to the number of credits that they are taking but keep in mind that tuition will increase as well.

IS IT TRUE THAT I MUST TAKE 12 CREDITS IN MY MAJOR TO RECEIVE TAP? Yes, it is. And, it is critical that the courses be in your major to receive TAP.

WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY MY TUITION BILL?
If you look at your online tuition bill, there is a date and time regarding when it is due.

CAN STUDENTS PAY THEIR TUITION AND FEES ON eSIMS?
MasterCard and Visa credit card payments for the full tuition liability are accepted. A credit card
payment can be made in person, via phone or over the web (eSIMS).

WHAT DOES A "B" STOP MEAN?
You have an outstanding balance. You must contact the Bursar's Office at 718-368-5416.

WHERE IS THE BURSAR'S OFFICE LOCATED?
The Bursar's Office is located in the Administration Building—Room A-205.
The telephone number is 718‑ 368-5416.

HOW MUCH IS TUITION?
There are varied amounts, which are generated by residency and degree status.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION OF THE eSIMS HELP CENTER? The hours of operation during eSIMS registration periods are: Monday - Thursday 8:30am- 8:00pm
Friday 8:3Oam-5:OOpm

WHEN AND WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY FINANCIAL AID CHECKS?
A mailer will be sent to eligible students prior to distribution, providing the time and place. For additional information, call Check Distribution at (718) 368-5994.

MAY I PAY BY CHECK OVER THE PHONE?
The College does not accept this method of payment.

WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP? WHOM DO I CALL?
Contact the eSIMS Help Center at (718) 368-6551. Questions, comments and requests may be faxed to the Help Center @ 718 368-6632 or e-mailed to eSIMShelp@kbcc.cuny.edu

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