Welcome New Undergraduate Students!

Arriving for New Student Orientation is just the beginning of your Sage journey.

Congratulations on attending Russell Sage College starting this fall! We can’t wait to welcome you to campus. Ready Day – New Student Orientation is required of all new students. You’ll explore campus, meet your campus support systems, review your schedule, and get everything you need to have a successful start to the semester. Incoming first-year students must attend an in person Ready Day. Incoming transfer students are welcome to attend a Transfer Express Orientation Day or Ready Day – New Student Orientation. All students only have to attend one date.

Fall 2025 Ready Day
New Student Orientation

Required of all new first-year students. Transfer students should attend either a Ready Day or a Transfer Express Day.

RSVP for Transfer Student Orientation Express Days

Russell Sage Next Steps Checklist

We are excited you are joining us this fall! Completing this checklist will set you up for a successful first semester at Sage.  

After you officially deposit, you’ll gain full access to your Passport account and Russell Sage email. This can take 24-48 hours after you complete your deposit.

Your Sage Passport account is your connection to the college. It includes your Self-Service account where you’ll find your financial aid information and the payment center. It links to your Sage google drive and email, as well as Moodle, where your coursework is located. You most likely already signed into your Passport account to view your financial aid at the accepted student stage. You’ll use the same password to access your account after you deposit.

If you have issues signing into your account, please call IT and leave a message, (518) 244-4777. They will get back to you as soon as possible with an account reset.

New Student Orientation is required for all new students starting at Russell Sage. You’ll get to meet other new students and the Sage NaviGators, chat with Student Success representatives, ask questions about your class schedule, and get information about the important stuff like your free parking pass and student ID.

Incoming First-Year Students are required to attend a Ready Day – New Student Orientation.

Incoming Transfer Students are required to attend either a Transfer Orientation Express Day or a Ready Day – New Student Orientation. Not sure what to attend? Connect with your admission counselor.

At the Set Days, you’ll connect with your new friends and get acclimated to campus before the rest of the students come back! You’ll find your classes, meet your classmates, review new processes, and so much more.

Incoming First-Year Students are required to attend Saturday, August 23 through Sunday, August 24.

Incoming Transfer Students are required to attend Sunday, August 24, but are welcome to attend both days!

Be sure to complete the housing application where you will tell us what kind of community you are comfortable living in, select your meal plan, and sign your housing contract. 

Complete New Student Housing Form

*It is important you sign in with your Sage credentials. 

Any questions on the housing process, reach out to Grace Giancola, director of residence life at [email protected]

Talk with financial aid to make sure forms are in, loans are processed, and questions are answered. Under Financial Aid in the Self-Service section of your Passport account you will find your full financial aid information and a checklist. Make sure that is complete as soon as possible so your financial aid is reflected in your bill.

Payments are due by semester. By July 1, 2025, your first semester bill will be available and due by August 1. You can set up a payment plan (your bill will be separated into 4 equal payments) or pay the bill in full by August 1. More information will be available to you as we get closer to July.

You’ll have the opportunity to chat with representatives from Solutions – your one-stop shop to get your questions answered at Ready Day. Any questions before then, reach out to us at [email protected].

  • Under the User Profile in your Self-Service account, please add personal and emergency contact information. *Resident students will not be able to move in without updated contact information.
  • Alert Media is Russell Sage’s Emergency Alert System. You’ll receive an email from them in the summer. Be sure to use your Sage credentials to log in.
  • First-year students should have the high school send transcripts after you graduate.
  • If you are transferring credits from other colleges, you should contact the Registrar’s Office at those institutions to send your official transcripts.

Transcripts can be submitted to [email protected], mailed to the Office of Admission at 65 1st Street, Troy, NY 12180, or uploaded via parchment.

All new students must complete the Alcohol Education and Sexual Assault Prevention parts 1 and 2 before starting in the fall 2025 semester. You’ll receive an email from Vector LMS with an invitation to the course over the summer. Stay tuned for more information!

Any questions, please reach out to Amanda M. Bastiani, Title IX Coordinator & EEO Specialist at [email protected].

Parking passes for the 25-26 academic year will be available later this summer. Stay tuned for more information!

Register for your parking pass and review parking regulations at sage.edu/parking. You’ll find helpful tips and tricks for parking on both campuses.

You will receive an email from ID123 to your Sage email this summer. Make sure to register with it for your digital ID card. Stay tuned for more information!

Orientation Resources

Financial Aid Checklist
Accessing Your Sage Email
How to Transfer Credits
Rave Guardian App Overview

Learn More about Russell Sage College

Why Sage?
The Gator Gateway
Financial Aid & Affordability
Meet the Admission Team
Accepted Students on Campus

Let’s Get Social

We want to see your accepted photos! Tag us on Instagram and Facebook:

@russellsagecollege

Join ZeeMee

If you haven’t already, join ZeeMee to connect with other accepted students and learn first-hand what it is like to be a Gator from current students!

Download the App

Parents and Families

We know the college search process can be overwhelming for you too! We want to help. Join our family group to get updates and chat with other families.

Join Our Family Group

Show Your School Spirit!

Download our Russell Sage Future Gator backgrounds for Zoom!

Download All Images

Important Dates to Remember

  • National College Decision Day – Thursday, May 1, 2025
    Wear your Russell Sage College t-shirt and tag us in your photos @russellsagecollege
  • Submit your FAFSA if you haven’t done so already 
Explore Financial Aid
  • Set Days – Part Two of New Student Orientation | Saturday, August 23 through Sunday, August 24, 2025
  • First Day of Classes | Monday, August 25, 2025

Are you a student with a question – any question?

Are you a student with a question – any question?

Solutions

[email protected]
518-244-2020
Explore Solutions