Preparing for your Arrival: Orientation Registration, Counseling Center, and more!

Welcome to Your Next Adventure

Welcome to Academic Year 2026–27! We are excited to welcome you to our ESF community.

Before your adventure begins, please read below for action items, registration for orientation, deadlines, important dates, resources available to help you, and more.

We’re here for you every step of the way to support your successful transition to ESF! If you have questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to esfgrad@esf.edu or (315) 470-6599.

We look forward to seeing how you will help to Improve Our World.

Action Items

ORIENTATION DETAILS

Graduate Student Orientation | Aug. 17

All new graduate students are invited to attend the Graduate Student Orientation 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Gateway Center at ESF.

We will cover information about graduate school at ESF; diversity, equity, and inclusion; finding your place at ESF; and insights from current graduate students. We welcome your questions in advance of this gathering! You can submit them through the registration form.

You will also meet with the Department Chair and/or Graduate Coordinator of your respective departments and plan or finish planning your Fall schedule.

International Student Orientation | Aug. 19

All new international students are required to attend this mandatory orientation provided by SUNY ESF's Office of International Education. For any questions or concerns, please email the Office of International Education at oie@esf.edu.

Graduate Assistant Colloquium | Aug. 21

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GAs) are invicted to the Graduate Assistant Colloquium 9 a.m.–4 p.m. in Moon Library.

Graduate Assistants will have access to support resources via Blackboard starting Aug. 12 and continuing through the semester.

All Graduate Teaching Assistants (GAs) are required to participate in this program once during their time as GAs.

We also invite Research Project Assistants (RPAs) and Fellows, as some of the information is good to have regardless of your role. If you complete the requirement as an RA or Fellow, attendance this year would satisfy the requirement should you be appointed as a GA in the future.

Please email esfgrad@esf.edu with any questions.

ACTIVATE YOUR ACCOUNTS

You will need to set up your myESF Student Portal to complete your ESF Checklist and SU Tasks, which are due prior to the start of Fall semester classes.

Access your Applicant Portal online here >

Use the same credentials you used to apply to ESF. In your Applicant Portal, you will find an ESF PIN (F + 8 numbers) to use to set up your ESFiD and password credentials.

Set up your ESFiD online here >

In the yellow box on your Applicant Portal, go to step 4 and click on the link to set up your ESFiD. For additional information about accessing ESF and SU resources as you start your journey at ESF check out the Information Technology New to ESF page.

Bookmark this webpage >

This is your myESF portal, which you will continue to use to access a lot of student information in the future. You will need your ESFiD credentials. At the portal, please review Action Items and Personal Information and ESF Checklist and SU Tasks on the left sidebar to progress through time-sensitive tasks.

You will also need to monitor the status of your SU NetID — you will be notified in the SU Tasks portal when it is ready to be activated. Once ready, you will find your SU NetID (user name) and SUID Number (9-digit number) under the Registration and Other SU Tasks. You will need these to complete some SU tasks.

COURSE REGISTRATION

While course registration officially opens at orientation on Monday, Aug. 17, there are some steps you can take now:

Speak to your major professor (advisor) for advice about your schedule
Review MySlice instructions online here >

Don’t worry — new graduate students typically don’t have issues getting into classes that they need. The registrar will be at orientation to answer questions.

Important Course-Related Dates:

First day of classes | Aug. 24

Last day to add | Aug. 31

Last day to drop | Sept. 18

Last day to withdraw | Nov. 20

Tuition Billing: What you Need to Know

Tuition billing can be confusing. Here are answers to frequently asked questions.

How much do I owe and when is it due?

To calculate how much you owe, take your total charges and subtract your pending aid. This is the amount that is due on Aug. 15. Once you register, after Graduate Orientation, your bill will be due in 7 days.

If I’m late making a payment, will I be charged a fee?

Late fees will be assessed on any balance as of Oct 15. Any account with an outstanding balance after that date will receive a late-fee charge based on the amount due. If your bill is not paid by the 15th of the following month, another late fee will be charged. If you have questions about your bill, please ask the Bursar’s Office.

Does ESF offer a payment plan?

Yes. To avoid late charges, you can sign up for a payment plan. If you sign up before Aug. 15, you can pay your balance over four installments. If you sign up after Aug. 15, you will pay over three installments. Information about payment plans is found on the site where you pay your bill.

Where is my tuition scholarship?

If you received a tuition scholarship, it will not be posted to your account until the first day of classes.

How do I waive health insurance?

Only international students are charged for health insurance. Alternatively, if you sign up for the College plan as an employee (available to Graduate Assistants and Research Project Assistants only), ESF’s Office of Human Resources will give the Bursar’s Office a list of students on the College plan and the charge will be removed from the bill.

Resource Spotlight

We understand that grad school can be both exciting and challenging.

That's why we have a dedicated team of licensed professionals at the ESF Counseling Center to support your mental health and well-being by providing free short-term counseling services. Your participation with the Counseling Center is confidential and does not become part of your academic record.

By actively engaging with these services, students can enhance their mental health, develop essential life skills, and make the most of their college experience. The Counseling Center provides a safe and non-judgmental space where students can discuss their concerns, seek guidance, and develop coping strategies to overcome obstacles and maintain balance. They provide a holistic approach to students' wellbeing, addressing not only academic challenges but also personal, emotional, and social aspects of life. Here's what they offer:

Individual Counseling: Students can schedule one-on-one counseling sessions, which provide a safe and confidential space to discuss personal concerns, manage stress, navigate relationship issues, and explore personal growth and development.

Crisis Intervention: Our counselors have dedicated crisis appointments available Monday–Friday from 10–11 a.m. and 2–3 p.m. Whether it's dealing with an emotional crisis, trauma, or any other urgent situation, we are here to help.

Group Counseling: Group counseling offers a supportive environment for students who wish to connect with peers facing similar challenges. These sessions promote interpersonal growth, self-awareness, and a sense of community.

Referral Session: Our counselors can help students get connected to off campus resources for things such as: medication services, formal diagnosis or evaluations, specialized therapy or hormone therapy.

Workshops and Programs: Throughout the academic year, students can attend workshops and programs that address topics related to mental health and wellbeing. These educational initiatives include enhancing coping skills, stress management techniques, mindfulness, and more!

As you embark on this exciting chapter of your academic journey, we encourage you to embrace the support and resources available through the Counseling Center. Our warm and welcoming team is here to empower you, nurture your well-being, and help you thrive both academically and personally. Remember, you are not alone — we are dedicated to being a steadfast companion on your path to success and wellbeing.

Questions? Please call us at (315) 470-4716 or email counseling@esf.edu and we will be happy to assist you!

Health Information

Below is an overview of health-related obligations you have as an ESF student.

IMMUNIZATIONS

MMR and Meningitis

New York state law requires vaccination against MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), as well as certifying you have been informed about the risks related to meningitis. Using your ESF credentials, upload your documentation on the ESF Wellness Portal, linked here >

Exemption Information

New York State law, SUNY policy, and Syracuse University policy direct the MMR immunization and vaccination requirements for ESF students. Any student who believes they should be exempted from the MMR requirements must apply for and be granted an exemption. Using your ESF credentials, upload your exemption request on the ESF Wellness Portal, linked here >

Flu

The flu vaccination is not required as a condition for enrollment, but it is strongly encouraged.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 vaccination is not required as a condition for enrollment, but it is strongly encouraged.

HEALTH INSURANCE

All full-time in-person students are required to have health insurance — either through their family’s plan or one affiliated with ESF.

All full time domestic students are eligible to participate in the Student Health Insurance Plan through our insurance broker, Haylor, Freyer, and Coon. Policy details and enrollment deadlines are available here >

Graduate students with assistantships allocated by their department, can enroll in the Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) through NYS by completing an insurance enrollment form online here and return to Toyia Sims in the HR office at tlsims@esf.edu for processing. Enrollment is not automatic.

Graduate Students who are eligible for the Research Foundation (RF) Graduate Health Plan can complete the health insurance enrollment form GSEHP Enrollment Form and return it to the HR office, or you can enroll through Self-Service at www.rfsuny.org once your appointment has been entered into the payroll system. Enrollment is not automatic. You can reach out to Rochelle Bryant at robryant@esf.edu with any questions.

We strongly urge you to make certain it is usable in/around Syracuse, as we do not have a health service on campus.

International Students

All international students are required to have international student health insurance. This plan differs from the domestic ESF student health insurance plan, all international students must be enrolled in one of the following:

ESF International Health Insurance Plan: All international students are automatically enrolled in this plan.
GA/RA/TA Insurance and ESF Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance: If you are a Graduate Assistant, Research Assistant, or Teaching Assistant and are granted insurance through your placement, you may choose to opt out of the ESF International Health Insurance Plan. To do so, you must enroll in your appropriate assistantship insurance at the beginning of the semester. Please note that you will still be required and auto-enrolled in the supplemental ESF Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Division of Student Affairs at students@esf.edu or by calling 315-470-6660 during business hours.

Important Contacts

Tuition, Scholarships, or General Inquiries

Graduate School | (315) 470-6599 | esfgrad@esf.edu | 227 Bray Hall

Billing

Bursar | (315) 470-6652 | bursar@esf.edu | 103 Bray Hall

Course Scheduling

Registrar | (315) 470-6655 | registrar@esf.edu | 111 Bray Hall

Course Questions

Contact your Major Professor and/or the instructor of record for more information on courses.