Welcome, New Undergraduate Students!

New Student Orientation is your key to success at Russell Sage.

Orientation is where your college adventure officially begins. You’ll explore campus, meet your campus supporters, review your schedule, and get the important stuff like your Student ID and parking pass. You’ll also make friends, find your rhythm, and leave feeling ready (and excited!) to kick off your first semester. We can’t wait for you to join us!

  • First-Year Students:
    Launch Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new first-year students.
  • Transfer Students:
    Transfer Express Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new transfer students. Transfer students are encouraged to attend Launch Day if this is your first or second year of college.
  • ABSN and Nursing 200-Level Transfer Students:
    Transfer Express Day and a specific Nursing Orientation is required of all new ABSN and Nursing 200-level transfer students. Transfer Express Day details are below. Nursing Orientation will be Friday, August 21, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Details for First-Year Students

Launch Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new first-year students.

Part One: Russell Sage Launch Day

RSVP for a Launch Day in your Student Portal: 

Part Two: Fall New Student Orientation

Save the Date! More information to come June 1.

  • Friday, August 21: Move-In Day and Day One of New Student Orientation
  • Saturday, August 22: Day Two of New Student Orientation
  • Sunday, August 23: Day Three of New Student Orientation

Details for Transfer Students

Transfer Express Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new transfer students. Transfer students are encouraged to attend Launch Day if this is your first or second year of college.

Transfer Express Information Sessions

Part Two: Fall New Student Orientation

Save the Date! More information to come June 1.

  • Friday, August 21: Move-In Day and Day One of New Student Orientation
  • Saturday, August 22: Day Two of New Student Orientation
  • Sunday, August 23: Day Three of New Student Orientation

Details for ABSN and Nursing 200-Level Students

Transfer Express Day and Nursing Orientation are required of all Nursing students entering the ABSN program or Nursing 200-level courses. Students are welcome to attend the general New Student Orientation as well.

Transfer Express Information Sessions

Nursing Orientation

Save the Date! RSVP information to come after June 1.

  • Friday, August 21, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Troy Campus, Bush Memorial
  • Monday, August 24: First Day of Classes

Russell Sage Next Steps Checklist

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

After you submit your deposit, you’ll receive full access to your Passport account.

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 Canvas, 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, however, there are a few different options for you to choose from. You’ll get to meet other new students and the Sage NaviGators, chat with your Solutions Advocate, ask questions about your class schedule, and get information about the important stuff like your free parking pass and student ID.

First-Year Students:
Launch Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new first-year students.

Transfer Students:
Transfer Express Day and Fall Orientation are required of all new transfer students. Transfer students are encouraged to attend Launch Day if this is your first or second year of college.

ABSN or Nursing 200-level Transfer Students:
Transfer Express Day and a specialized Nursing Orientation is required of all new ABSN and Nursing 200-level transfer students.

At Fall Orientation, 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.

Move-In Day is Friday, August 21 with Fall Orientation beginning that evening. Save the date for Fall Orientation: Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23. All new first-year and transfer students are required to attend programming this weekend. The full schedule and registration will be available June 1, 2026.

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 it is complete as soon as possible so your financial aid is reflected in your bill.

Students entering for the fall of 2026 should file the 26-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our school code is 002810.

Payments are due by semester. By July 1, 2026, 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 Russell Sage – Launch Day. Any questions before then, reach out to us at solutions@sage.edu.

All things housing will be sent to your Sage email. More information will be available at the beginning of May.

Please reach out to Grace Giancola, director of residence life at residencelife@sage.edu, with any questions ahead of time.

  • 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.
  • Upload a photo for your digital ID.

  • 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 admission@sage.edu, 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 2026 semester. More information will be available soon!

Any questions, please reach out to Amanda M. Bastiani, Title IX Coordinator & EEO Specialist at titleix@sage.edu.

Parking passes for the 26-27 academic year will be available in the summer.

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.

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 for Fall 2026

  • RSVP for Launch Day – June 22, July 10, July 13 or August 7
  • National College Decision Day – May 1, 2026
    Wear your Russell Sage College t-shirt and tag us in your photos @russellsagecollege
  • RSVP for Accepted Student Day: April 18
  • Submit your 26-27 FAFSA if you haven’t done so already 
Explore Financial Aid

Are you a student with a question – any question?

Are you a student with a question – any question?

Solutions

solutions@sage.edu
518-244-2020
Explore Solutions