First Year

Why It’s The First Step

You must activate your Purchase email account to:

• Pay your deposits
• Check your Degree Progress Report (DPR) for transfer credits
• View your financial aid package
• Receive official communications from SUNY Purchase

How to Activate

Activate your account here: Online Account Activation

1. Select “Activate your account for the first time”
2. Agree to the terms
3. Enter the email address you used on your application and your date of birth and click “Submit” 
4. Then “Create Your Password” to activate your account

Costs

View our Tuition and Aid page to see in-state and out-of-state costs and find links to financial resources.

F1 Students

Review the cost of attendance information for issuing a form I-20 from our Office of Global Education and disregard the Financial Aid, FAFSA and TAP sections that follow.

Financial Aid

Review your financial aid package by logging in to your MyHeliotrope account with your new Purchase email.

FAFSA and TAP

For domestic students only: If you haven’t already done so, fill out out a FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.

• Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

New York State residents must also fill out a TAP application for financial aid.

• Complete your TAP application (New York State Residents)

Student Financial Services staff are available to answer any financial aid questions you may have via phone or Zoom (schedule and links available on the SFS landing page).

Financial aid package

After your FAFSA is submitted and packaged, please log into MyHeliotrope to view your award.

• Once logged in, select the ‘Financial Aid’ tab
• Select the ‘Award’ tab and then choose the current school year when prompted

Make It Official!

Using your newly activated email account, secure your spot by submitting your deposit.

Deposit Due Dates

• January 12 for spring enrollment or the date indicated on your acceptance letter.
• May 1 for fall enrollment or the date indicated on your acceptance letter.

Deposit Amounts

• Enrollment only: $150

• Enrollment and Housing: $400

Pay Your Deposit

1. Go to our deposit page MyHeliotrope

SUNY Purchase does not ask or consider a response to the criminal history question in the admissions decision process.

However, please be aware that if you seek access to student housing, study abroad or internship opportunities, or professional licensure, you will be asked to provide this information. Also be aware that a prior felony conviction may impede your ability to complete your chosen degree program or receive professional licensure in your chosen field.

Once you’ve paid your housing deposit, you’ll be prompted to complete the Residence License Agreement (RLA) and room preference questionnaire.

You can log into MyHeliotrope to complete the RLA. Application is on the top left-hand side. 

Students must be registered for a full-time schedule (12 credits) by August 1 (fall semester) or January 15 (spring semester) for housing.

Please contact Residential and Student Life if you are experiencing issues RSL@purchase.edu.

Once you’ve paid your Enrollment Deposit and set up your email/myHeliotrope account, you should proceed to the New Student Registration page and follow the instructions for your student type and academic program.

Forms

In order to move into your housing assignment and attend classes, you must submit the following forms, which can be found on the Health Services website.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Immunization Record
• Online Meningitis Information Survey
• College Entrance Health History and Physical Examination

Prevention Program

You’ll receive links to complete the online EverFi AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention courses in July.

Medical Insurance Requirement

You must have adequate health insurance. If you don’t have coverage through a parent/guardian’s insurance plan, you can enroll in a plan via the New York State Marketplace.

• Visit Health Services to learn more about what’s required and how to find a plan if you don’t have one currently.

• Final official high school transcript with your graduation date. All undergraduate students (including transfers) must submit a final high school transcript.  Complete our request form and submit it to your high school.
• Final official college transcript(s) from all colleges you’ve attended after your last term ends. 
• AP, IB, and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores should be submitted as soon as they are available.  Our CEEB code is 2878.  Review our credit equivalencies tool to determine what credits you may receive.

Move In

Move in will take place at the beginning of Orientation:

• International student move-in: August 18
• First-year move-in: August 19
• Transfer move-in: August 20

Check out Res Life’s list of what to bring/what not to bring.

Orientation

Attendance is mandatory. Orientation will take place August 19-23. It’s where we really get things rolling at Purchase, and is a big part of starting your life here.

Check your Purchase email for more information or visit the Orientation pages for details.

First Year Orientation

Transfer Orientation

International Orientation

Plan Ahead

eBills for the fall are issued July 15 and due August 14.

You will receive notification via your Purchase email when your eBill is available. Bills are not sent home by mail.

Payment Plans

You may choose to set up a payment plan. Purchase offers two options:

1. Time Payment Plan: Splits the bill into two equal installments
2. Monthly Payment Plan: spreads the bill over ten payments.

Payment plans incur an enrollment fee of $50/semester.

View our events tailored espcially for accepted students.

Accepted Student Events

Get In Touch

If you need accommodations because of a disability, be sure to contact the Office of Disability Resources to make a registration appointment and discuss your needs: odr@purchase.edu or (914) 251-6035.

Request academic accommodations

Resources

Find out more information about types of academic accommodations and documentation guidelines to learn what information is helpful to share.

Get more information about accessible campus housing

Extra Support

Students may grant their parents proxy access to elements of their student record. Without proxy access, parents will be unable to view or pay bills.

Learn more about  granting proxy access.

Review our Financial Literacy resources on the different types of financial aid, personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.