Summer To-Do List
Get Ready for the Fall Semester
Below you’ll find a list of things to do before you join us on campus this fall. It is important that you check you Purchase email regularly for communications from offices.
Why It’s The First Step
You must activate your Purchase email account to:
- Receive official communications from SUNY Purchase
- View your financial aid package
- Allow parent proxy access
- Check your Degree Progress Report (DPR) for transfer credits
It is important that you check your Purchase email regularly.
Activate in MyHeliotrope
- Activate your account: Online Account Activation
Access Your Email Via Microsoft Outlook
Tuition Bills Due August 14
Students should have received eBills for the fall via Purchase email. Bills are not sent home by mail.
Payments are made in MyHeliotrope.
Visit Student Financial Services to view payment plan options.
Parent Proxy Access
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.
FAFSA and TAP
For domestic students only: If you haven’t already, complete the FAFSA to be considered for financial aid.
New York State residents must also fill out a TAP application for financial aid.
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).
View Your 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
If you haven’t already done so, register for classes.
- First-Year Students: Fill out an advising form
- Transfer Students: Set up an advising appointment
Find all links and registration instructions on the New Student Registration page, based on your student type and academic program.
Academic programs offer different registration and advising requirements.
Visit the Health Services website to learn more about the necessary forms you’ll need to submit before you can begin attending classes.
Prevention Program
You’ll receive links to complete the online EverFi AlcoholEdu and Sexual Assault Prevention courses in July. Learn more about these prevention programs.
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.
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- 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.
- Contact your college’s registrars office.
Test Scores
- 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.
Submit your ID card photo before you come to campus to be sure you have an ID photo you actually like!
Use the GET Mobile app or the GET website to submit your own photo.
Common Read Program (New First-Year Students Only)
As part of your first-year experience at Purchase, all incoming first-year students are required to participate in the Common Read program.
This year, the Common Read selection is The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle.
You will receive a copy of the book via mail by mid-July.
Students should read the selected book before arriving on campus, as the Common Read discussion will take place during Orientation.
International Students
Students with an international address may pick up a copy when they arrive on campus from the School of Humanities. Contact Odile Delgado in Humanities room 1015 to receive your copy.
International students may also choose to purchase the book from a local bookstore or borrow a copy from a library so they can complete the reading before arriving at Purchase.
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 out the Pre-Virtual Orientation Sessions, Orientation on the Road, and more on the Orientation homepage.
Students Living on Campus
Meal Plan Details
The More Card Office manages the meal plans. View Meal Plan options here.
Students in traditional residence halls who do not select a plan will be assigned to the 19 Plus Plan.
If you wish to change the plan, please e-mail pca.more.card@purchase.edu by Wednesday, September 2, 2026 by 4 pm.
Log into MyHeliotrope to complete the Residence License Agreement (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) for housing.
Housing assignments will be available mid-July.
Please contact Residential and Student Life if you are experiencing issues RSL@purchase.edu.
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
- Community Cohorts may have different move in times please check the cohort schedule.
Check out Res Life’s list of what to bring/what not to bring.
Parents and Families
Students AND Family members can register for the SUNY Purchase Families Connect Portal.
- Access to important campus news and deadlines
- Personalized newsletters on your schedule
- Announcements via email and text message
- Sharing of updates with friends and family
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.