Benny's Tools For Student Success - First Year Students

Math Placement

Many, but not all, new First Year students are required to take the Math Placement Exam. If you do not already have a Math Placement posted on your MyCity page and you have not yet taken the Math Placement Test, you should schedule a testing date through your MyCity page as soon as possible. Advisors will use your results to help you build your schedule.

Technology @ CCNY

We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to become familiar with the tech tools you will be using as a City College student.  You must take the time to learn about some of the tech tools that you will need as a student at City College BEFORE your advising appointment.  You will need to utilize them to register for the classes you discuss with your advisor.

• CityMail: This is your CCNY email account. It is your business address for the college. You should start checking this account daily and start doing so now.
  • if you have not activated your CityMail account here are the INSTRUCTIONS.
• CUNYFirst: CUNY First is CUNY's Student Information System. It is the repository for your personal information, your financial account and your academic records.
  • Website | Video (Student Center) | PDF
• Schedule Builder: Students use this tool to search for classes, plan their schedule and register for classes.
  • Website | Video (Adding, Dropping and Swapping Courses) | Video (Using DegreeWorks Audit)
• DegreeWorks: CUNY's online degree audit tool, which allows you to track your progress towards your various degree requirements.
  • Video (Introduction) | Website 
• CCNY Navigate Student: Navigate Student is City College's Advising platform. You will use this platform to make advising appointments and many other tasks.
  • Website 

CREDENTIALS: All students will have two sets of credentials to access the various systems.  It is important to know which credentials to use in which situation:

• Your Login Credentials

• For information about scheduling an advisement appointment, CLICK HERE. 
  • Some students have one or more advisors assigned to them in Navigate Student. You can find your Success Team members by logging into Navigate then clicking ‘Appointments’, then clicking on ‘My Team’. If you have more than one advisor listed, you can meet with any of the listed advisors. (CAVEAT: SEEK and Honors students MUST see their advisor/counselor in that program.)
  • Academic advising at City College is done differently than at some other colleges. The advising office you will utilize depends on your intended major. CLICK HERE to discover the location and contact information for your advising office.
• What does academic advising involve?
  • Your Academic Record: Advising will start with a review of your pre-college academic record, including transfer and exam credits. For information about transferring credits, CLICK HERE.
  • Your Academic and Career Plans: Be ready to discuss your academic interests and career plans.  If you are unsure about this, don't worry.  That is a great place to start the discussion. 
  • Academic Planning and Course Selection: Your advisor will help you make decisions about your academic plan and courses for your first semester.  However, you must review the information on this page to be prepared for this conversation.

Understanding the requirements for your degree is an important first step in knowing which classes you need to take and how to build an academic plan. Review this information carefully before you meet with your advisor.

• CCNY Degree Requirement Basics: A brief review of general degree requirements.  
• CCNY Course Bulletin: Consult the Course Bulletin for more detailed information about college policies and degree requirements, including requirements for each major.

SYSTEMS: The documents in this section will give you basic information about the software platforms that you will use as a student at City College to track your progress toward your degree, register for classes, view your Financial Aid awards, and much more.  The documents include links to detailed information and how-to guides for each platform.  Take the time to learn how to use these systems BEFORE your meet with your advisor.

• Blackboard
• MS Office 365
• ZOOM

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT: The CCNY IT Office supports all of the above platforms

• IT Service Desk: The Service Desk webpage has a wealth of information including guides for several software platforms. The Service Desk can be reached by:
  • EMAIL: servicedesk@ccny.cuny.edu (for best service, email from your CityMail account)
  • PHONE: 212-650-7878
• Services for Students: 
• City Tech Center: Located on the first floor of the Cohen Library in the North Academic Center (NAC). The Tech Center has over 300 workstations and printers available for all students

Registration Exercise: all students register for classes through Schedule Builder. This exercise is designed to help you learn to use Schedule Builder prior to your first advising appointment. Doing so will allow you to enroll in classes right after that appointment.

1. View the Schedule Builder video and review the Schedule Builder Guide
2. Visit The General Education Website and review the Pathways Requirements.
   • Download the checklist that matches your degree. Note that SEEK and Honors students may require specific courses to fulfill requirements.
3. Download the Fall 2025 list of Pathways courses and review the courses listed
   • Pick two courses that interest you
   • Note which Pathways requirements they satisfy on the checklist
4. Use Schedule Builder to build sample schedules using these two classes

NOTE: You will not be able to register for these or any classes right now.  All new students have a registration hold (Advising Needed).  This hold will be released by your advisor at your advising appointment.

1. Bookmark Benny's Resources: This website contains important information that you will need quick access to throughout your time at City College.
2. Visit the CCNY Navigate website to learn how to use Navigate Student to do more than schedule an appointment. The mobile app is a versatile tool.
3. Orientation: Fall 2025 Orientation will be held in the second half of August. The details are currently being finalized. More information will be emailed to you and posted here as it becomes available.
4. View and accept your Financial Aid Award: (If you haven't applied yet, CLICK HERE.)
   1. Log in to CUNYfirst
   2. Click on "Student Center"
   3. Click on "Financial Aid"
   4. Select the aid year to review your award
5. Paying Your Tuition and Fees Bill:
   1. Know What You Owe: Check your balance on CUNYFirst
   2. Bill Due Dates: your due date is based on when you started enrolling for classes
   3. Payment Options:
      • In-person
      • By Mail
      • One-time Online Payment 
6. CCNY ID Card: New students may email a photo to the ID Office so that they can create your ID card.  ID cards will be distributed before the start of classes. Click here for instructions to submit your photo.
7. Review the CCNY Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar contains important information for all students:
   • Deadlines
   • Changes to the class schedule
   • Dates when classes are canceled
   • Dates that the College is closed

• When do classes begin?
  • Fall 2025 classes begin on Monday, August 25th.
• How can I pay my tuition bill and when is it due?
  • Tuition due dates are available in CUNY First.  CLICK HERE for Instructions on how to view your due dates.
  • You can pay your bill through CUNYFirst or in person at the Bursar's Office.
• I have an "Advisement Needed" hold on my account.  Will this prevent me from being advised?
  • No, this hold does not prevent you from being advised. This hold does, however, prevent you from registering for classes. Your advisor will release this hold during your first advising appointment.
• I know what classes I need to take, do I really need to meet with an advisor?
  • Yes, all new students need to meet with an academic advisor before they will be allowed to register for classes.
• I haven't applied for Financial Aid yet.  Is it too late?
  • No, you can still apply, but the sooner the better. Information about applying for financial aid is available on the CCNY Financial Aid website.
• My Financial Aid award is more than my tuition and fees for the semester. What happens with that extra money?
  • You are eligible for a refund of any amount above the amount of tuition and fees.  If you expect a refund we recommend you sign up for Direct Deposit.

Still have questions?  Come have them answered by current CCNY students in a live Q&A session on ZOOM!  These sessions will be held on most Mondays and Thursdays.  Please see below for the times for each day. No need to sign up, just click on the link below.

Mondays: 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Thursdays: 6:00 - 7:00 PM

https://ccny.zoom.us/j/89462442671?pwd=WGFLUVdQcytydHNSYUFmajdTZStVdz09

Zoom ID: 89462442671

Password: 286360