Info FOr:

New York Spring & Summer Accepted Students Info

Welcome to the CIA family!

Information for Students Starting in January or April

Know that CIA New York Enrollment Office is here to help guide you all the way from acceptance to your first day of classes.

CIA Accepted Student with #idecidedcia Frame

Follow these steps to get started:

Step One

Let everyone know you’re CIA bound! Pay your deposit on the student portal.

Deposit Now

Step Two

Filed your FAFSA yet? Don’t delay, it’s easy. Don’t know which FAFSA to file? Read below.

File Your FAFSA

Step Three

CIA Main Menu—your student portal—is your one-stop shop for important information, deadlines, and forms.

Explore the Portal

File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

CIA’s federal code is 007304. Every year, students are able to file the newest FAFSA (for the following year) beginning on or before December 1.

Which FAFSA should I file?

Entry Date	2025–26 FAFSA	2026–27 FAFSA
January 2026	Yes	—
April 2026	Yes	Yes

TikTok Chef Demos: Meet CIA Faculty

A chef in a white coat and tall hat stands in a professional kitchen, smiling at the camera. In front of him on the counter is a plate with a dessert. Subtitles read, "Hi, my name is Jesse Jackson, the third.

A chef in a white chef's coat and hat stands in a kitchen behind a counter with three plates of food and a tray of eggs. The text overlay reads, "Hey, guys! I'm Chef Lance Nitahara.

A chef in a white uniform and hat holds a plate of shrimp and grits in a kitchen. The text on the image reads, "Chef Ro’s Shrimp and Grits." The chef says, "I am demo-ing my favorite dish, shrimp and grits." Cookware is visible in the background.

Everything You’d Expect from a Campus Visit—Online

Visit our YouTube playlist for on-demand videos to learn more about CIA’s academics, campus life, financial aid, and more!

Q&A with Current CIA New York Students

Watch Video

Take a Tour of CIA New York’s Top 10 Campus Spots

Guided Tour of Campus

Get a firsthand look at the CIA’s Hudson Valley campus in Hyde Park, NY.

Watch Video

An aerial illustration of a sprawling college campus featuring multiple buildings, parking lots, pathways, a pond, and a sports field. The campus is surrounded by greenery, with structured roads and well-maintained landscapes connecting the facilities.

Interactive Campus Map

Take a look at our kitchens and academic facilities.

Learn More

Quick Links for Students

Preparation

Know what to expect—these links will make your arrival to campus easy:

Support

Access important CIA information, fast! We’re here to help:

Quick Links for Parents

Chat with a Student

Are you curious about what it’s really like to attend CIA? We’ve got you covered. Our students are ready to answer the questions you haven’t asked anyone else, share their own personal experiences, and give you genuine advice—because they’ve gone through it, too.

FAQs—Got Questions?

Check our FAQs for New York Accepted Students. Remember you can always reach out to CIA’s Enrollment Team with any questions at [email protected] or 1-800-CULINARY.

Next Steps/Deposit

When is my deposit due?

Contact the CIA Enrollment Team to find out when your $400 deposit is due.
I’ve been accepted. What are my next steps?

Congratulations and welcome to the CIA family! The first place you should visit is your student portal. It’s a one-stop shop for all required enrollment paperwork and tasks. If you were accepted more than a week ago and have not yet received an email with your login information, please email [email protected].
I don’t have access to my portal yet. Can I see the next steps now?

Check out our accepted students page for details.
I’ve submitted my deposit, now what?
- Get excited! You’re about to start a new chapter in your life. Familiarize yourself with the accepted student portal and check your CIA email
- Get the inside scoop about CIA from current and former students!
- Make sure you’re following us on social media to stay up-to-date on all things CIA—from student takeovers, sneak peeks of student life, and hands-on classroom lessons.
What’s the best airport to use to get to campus?
There are several airports within two hours of CIA. While Stewart is the closest to campus, many students choose to use New York City area airports because they offer a larger array of flight options, often with fewer connections and at reduced costs. We’ve listed them here in order of proximity to campus:
- Stewart International Airport is the closest airport. It is approximately 45 minutes from campus. Students need to take an Uber or taxi to get to campus; public transportation is not available.
- Westchester County Airport is approximately one hour and 15 minutes from campus. Students would need to take an Uber or taxi to get to campus; public transportation is not available.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in the New York City area. Students can use the Jamaica AirTrain to get to New York Penn Station. From there, students can use Amtrak to get to the Poughkeepsie Train Station—only 3.5 miles from campus.
- LaGuardia Airport is located in the New York City area. There is bus service from the airport to Grand Central Station. From there, students can use Metro-North Railroad to get to the Poughkeepsie Train Station—only 3.5 miles from campus.
- Newark Liberty International Airport is located in New Jersey. There is train service to New York Penn Station. From there, students can use Amtrak to get to the Poughkeepsie Train Station—only 3.5 miles from campus.
- Albany International Airport is located north of campus. Students can use the bus or train to travel from the airport to Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station. From there, students can use Amtrak to get to the Poughkeepsie Train Station—only 3.5 miles from campus.
Unfortunately, CIA is unable to provide transport from airports to campus. If you’re interested in coordinating with other traveling students, we encourage you to engage with your peers in the Admitted Student Facebook Group.

Visiting/Living On Campus

I have never been to campus, what can I do?

CIA is open for weekday walking tours. Tours last 60 minutes. Check our calendar and reserve your spot.
How do I reserve on-campus housing?

Complete the housing form on the CIA Main Menu—your student portal. You’ll find the link on your checklist (while you’re there, make sure you’ve completed all your to-do items!).
I don’t plan to live on campus. What should I do?

First, have you considered all the benefits of living on campus? Off-campus housing costs are more than just rent. You will be financially responsible for many services provided as part of on-campus housing—including garbage service, wireless Internet connection, snow removal, and heat/electric. You’ll save travel time to and from campus—and can use that time to connect with classmates, attend club meetings, and more! If, after weighing your options, you still choose to live off campus—please complete the CIA’s housing form on the CIA Main Menu so we know your plans. (You’ll find the link on your checklist.)
I am going to be living on campus, what are the residence halls like?

Take a peek at all of the different housing options and styles of residence halls you will have to choose from! And explore how some current students have decorated their rooms in these Instagram posts: Room Decorating Contest and Current Student Rooms. Fun fact: famous vlogging channel Hellthy Junk Food came to campus and filmed one of their videos! It includes some fun snapshots of campus!
What will be available to me as a current CIA student? What is there to do on campus?
On top of getting the world’s best culinary education, you will have access to a multitude of services, amenities, and resources! There are ALWAYS activities and events for students to attend. Check them out:
Can I have a single room? Or a triple? What about a quad?

At CIA we have a variety of housing options for students. Most first-year students are assigned double rooms that measure 12 x 20 feet. A limited number of triple rooms will be available. All triple rooms include their own bathroom. While a small number of single rooms exist on campus, these are reserved for students with certain medical needs. CIA also has a very small number of quad rooms that may be used, upon request by roommate groups.
Can I ship my personal items to campus before I arrive?

Yes. Whether it’s something you ship from your own home, Amazon, or anywhere else—all you need is your room number. Our mail room has limited storage space, so we ask that you plan the arrival of your packages as close as possible to your move-in date. Ship your packages to: The Culinary Institute of America [Your Name] PO Box NSS21 – Room #[Your Room Number] 1946 Campus Drive Hyde Park, NY 12538-1499
I’m a bringing a car. What do I need to do?

You need to register your car with this online form. Additional information about policies and parking areas is available in our Student Parking Guide (PDF).

Orientation

When is orientation?

Your orientation will take place starting the weekend after Move-In Day!
How can I find a roommate and connect with my future classmates?

Check your email for additional opportunities to meet and chat with your future classmates.
What will be included during on-campus orientation?

Orientation is an exciting series of events designed to help you get to know your classmates, learn your way around campus, and feel more at home at CIA. We’re busy planning and will share more information as soon as we can!

Academics

I am excited to start classes! Where can I get a sense of what courses I will be taking at CIA?

Check out some cool featured courses. If you are looking to dive even deeper, feel free to explore the course catalog for curriculum details.
How do semesters and schedules work at CIA?

CIA will register you for classes and create your first-semester schedule for you! No need to worry about trying to squeeze into classes or schedule your first semester all by yourself. Once you begin classes, you will have an academic advisor that will help you plan your future semesters.

Finances

How can I pay for my CIA education?
Maximize your financial aid award package. Your enrollment manager and student financial planner will help you learn about your options and understand the process! Check your student portal and CIA email regularly for updates! Here is more information for each campus. There are lots of additional resources on your portal regarding:
- Private Loans and options for financing your education (PDF)
- Setting up a four-pay payment plan (PDF)
What other scholarship opportunities are there?

CIA provides numerous scholarship opportunities, including our Earn & Learn tuition offset program. You will need to complete a General Application at CIA $hef, our internal scholarship website ONLY for CIA students! New scholarships are added every few weeks and you’ll be notified at your CIA email address when they match your profile.
Who can I reach out to with questions?

We’re here to answer any questions you have about your balance or these options. Email us at [email protected] or call 845-905-4918.

Enrollment Team

1946 Campus Drive
Hyde Park, NY 12538

845-905-4918

[email protected]

Contact an Enrollment Manager