SUNY Cortland’s official online access system is known as myRedDragon. This resource can be used to check email, view confidential academic or financial aid information and perform many other important tasks.

Detailed instructions on how to set up your myRedDragon account are included in your acceptance folder.

Accessing student email: Incoming students should gain access to their SUNY Cortland email the first Wednesday of April for students enrolling in fall or the first Wednesday of November for students enrolling in the spring.

Accepted students must submit an admission deposit to secure their spot in SUNY Cortland’s entering class as well as a residence hall room for the upcoming semester.

Students accepted for the fall semester should plan to submit their deposit by May 1. Requests for an extension of the deposit deadline can be made by email. Students accepted after April 1 or those who will start in the spring semester must submit their deposit within 30 days of the date on their acceptance letter. The deposit fee is waived for students who are accepted into the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) but students must confirm their attendance by logging in to myRedDragon. Questions can be directed to "mailto:admissions@cortland.edu".

Deposits are not refundable beyond the deposit due date and they can be paid by mail or online. 

To pay your deposit online, log in to your myRedDragon account and select the Admissions tab at the top of the page. You will see a link in the middle of the page to submit your deposit. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are accepted

Students can learn more or register online for current visit opportunities.

Save the date for Accepted Student Open House, which is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 5.

Several online resources also are available.

The FAFSA process considers students for need-based federal and college-based grants, Work-Study and loans. Students who file their FAFSA by Feb. 1 (or Dec. 1 for spring semester enrollees) receive priority for campus-based federal funding.

SUNY Cortland’s FAFSA code is 002843.

We encourage you to consult with our Financial Aid Office about opportunities for funding support and for assistance with the financial aid process.

SUNY Cortland awards merit-based scholarships to incoming first-year and transfer students. All merit scholarship recipients are notified of their awards their acceptance letters.

Accepted students also can apply for a wide range of endowed scholarships funded by the Cortland College Foundation, the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association and other groups. Many list class year, academic major or grade point average requirements.

The scholarship portal opens Dec. 15 and the deadline to apply is March 1.

More information can be found on the SUNY Cortland Scholarships page. 

Red Dragons appreciate many ways to stay busy on campus.

More than 90 student clubs and organizations welcome new members. These groups are rooted in culture, academic interests, performance, social causes, Greek life — almost anything you could imagine.

Our Undergraduate Research Council offers opportunities for students to do original, scholarly research under the guidance of respected professors from any discipline. Student researchers present at professional conferences and they author peer-reviewed research papers.

The International Programs Office oversees more than 40 credit-bearing study abroad programs that range in length from 10 days to an academic year. As a SUNY Cortland student, you also have access to more than 1,000 study abroad programs offered throughout the SUNY system.

And approximately 2,500 people per day pass through our state-of-the-art Student Life Center, which houses an active Campus Recreation program. Students can enjoy an array of fitness and recreation opportunities, more than 60 intramural and sport clubs and unlimited outdoor pursuits opportunities.

Housing assignments are based on the date a room deposit is received, the date the online housing preference form is submitted and any special-interest housing indicated on the online housing preference form.

For more information, refer to the New Students housing page.

Sample video tours

Alger Hall (high-rise residence hall with singles, doubles and suites; primarily for returning students and transfer students)

Fitzgerald Hall (corridor-style residence hall primarily for first-year students)

Glass Tower Hall (quad-style residence hall primarily for returning students)

Fall 2025 Timeline

April 1, 2025 Housing Preference Form instructions for myRedDragon sent

May 1, 2025 Admission deposit due

May 31, 2025 Housing Preference Form due 

Aug. 1, 2025 Hall assignment and roommate information available on myRedDragon

Starting approximately Aug. 21, 2025 Move-in starts for first-year students who have attended Orientation. Please consult the Residence Life and Housing page for the most current information.

Complete health forms online through the Student Health Portal, which is accessed by logging in to myRedDragon. Instructions and requirements can be found on Student Health Service’s new student page.

In addition to completing the online forms, students must also submit an official paper copy of their immunization records to Student Health Service. This may be a copy of a prior school’s records or those from a primary care provider’s office. Completed records are due as soon as possible. Please note that COVID-19 vaccination information also must be sent to Student Health Service.

Students starting in the fall semester must submit their health forms and immunization records by July 1. Spring semester attendees must complete them by Dec. 1.

For more information, visit the Student Health Service website or contact the office, located in Van Hoesen Hall, Room B-26, at 607-753-4811. The office fax number is 607-753-2486.

Advisement and Transition coordinates Orientation for all new students. These sessions are designed to introduce the services and programs that are vital to a smooth and successful transition to life at SUNY Cortland.

Orientation for students starting in the fall semester occurs in June and July, and all sessions will take place on weekdays. You must register in advance.

During Orientation, you will meet with a faculty advisor, complete the registration process and receive your course schedule. If you are a transfer student or a first-year student who has earned college credits, you also will receive information about your transfer credit evaluation. You must attend a scheduled program in order to register for classes.

Please consult the Orientation webpage for the latest updates.

All final high school and college transcripts should be sent to SUNY Cortland, Admissions Office, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, NY 13045.

Final transcripts should clearly identify your date of graduation, if applicable.

Credit from Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and outside college coursework is awarded following the receipt of an official AP or other proficiency transcript. AP scores must be sent directly from the College Board to SUNY Cortland.

To see how test scores or college coursework transfers to SUNY Cortland, consult our Transfer Equivalency Chart.

The Campus Store sells everything our students need, from Red Dragon merchandise to residence hall essentials. Learn more about purchasing textbooks and other course materials.

Learn more about technology considerations.

New student arrival for students starting in Fall 2024 is expected to begin Aug. 21. Detailed move-in instructions are finalized in early August. Please visit the Residence Life and Housing new student page for the most current information.

A SUNY Cortland ID card is used in many ways – to purchase meals, print or make copies, use laundry facilities and provide access to the residence hall in which a student lives.  Students can submit an ID photo online. Instructions on how to submit a photo will be emailed to your Cortland email in the first week of July.

SUNY Cortland ID cards may be picked up at Neubig Hall on move-in day. Students should remember to bring another form of ID when they pick it up.

Many special programs are offered during the first several weeks of school students to familiarize themselves with campus opportunities and meet new friends. Welcome Week activities are finalized in January for the spring semester and August for the fall semester.

New students should make note of the complete Academic Calendar, which includes important dates and events throughout the year. Fall 2025 classes begin Monday, Aug. 25.

SUNY Cortland offers many programs and resources to ensure academic success.

• Academic Convocation
• First Year Seminar (COR 101)
• Non-Traditional Student Services
• Multicultural Life and Diversity Office
• Residence Life and Housing
• Personal Safety Programs
• The Learning Center
• Student Conduct Office
• Campus Safety Report