Information for New Students

Welcome to the Student Achievement Services website!

A quality education is an investment that will provide lifelong personal and professional rewards. At Clarkson University, Student Achievement Services (SAS) is committed to providing excellent communication, quality service, and informed guidance and direction. We are empowering partners, assisting you in the realization of your academic goals. 

We are looking forward to your arrival on campus. The SAS website is designed to provide information and answer any questions you may have about academics, financial aid, or student accounts.

Academics Financial Aid Student Accounts

Privacy

Your privacy is very important to us! In addition to following the standards of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Clarkson University has adopted the use of a passphrase for identity verification when discussing sensitive personal information over the phone. A passphrase is a unique sequence of words that each student will create, and should be protected in the same manner you protect your username and password.

If you need to contact the University regarding your academic or financial records we may ask you to verify your identity by either showing us a photo ID, or stating your established passphrase. If you have authorized your parents, or any other third party to have access to your academic or financial records by signing a Student Information Release Authorization form, you should also share your passphrase with them!

To create a passphrase, log into your PeopleSoft account (ps.clarkson.edu) and from your Student Center, select "Set/Change Passphrase" from the Clarkson Passphrase box on the right-hand side of the screen. Follow the on-screen instructions for setting your passphrase.

Student Records

The Office of the Registrar, located within Student Achievement Services, maintains the official academic record for all students. The Office of the Registrar collects and posts all Advanced Placement (AP) and transfer credit, and creates class schedules for first year students.

We also recommend that students review and submit the Student Information Release Authorization form, which will allow Clarkson University to communicate with a designated third party (such as your parents) regarding your student account. More information about the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) can be found here. 

Your fall class schedule

Your fall class schedule will be created for you based on your individual background - including your intended major of study, admission to special programs (such as Honors), your performance on the readiness surveys taken through Clarkson, and any advanced placement or transfer credit awarded. Your fall class schedule will be released in early August, and will be viewable in your PeopleSoft Student Center. All students are requested to complete the Class Scheduling and Advanced Standing Questionnaire by June 15 (available in your Application Center). This questionnaire should take you less than 5 minutes to complete and will be used to assist the Office of the Registrar in creating the most accurate class schedule based on your individual background.

Advanced Placement/Transfer Credit

Credit may be awarded for college-level courses taken at, or sponsored by an accredited college or university, for which you earn a grade of "C" or higher. Credit for examinations may be awarded for AP exams with scores of 4 or 5, CLEP exams with scores of 60 or higher, or HL International Baccalaureate courses with grades of 5, 6, or 7.  Credit is only awarded upon receipt of an official college/university transcript, or official test scores. (View our transfer credit page for new students for more information on advanced placement and transfer credit, including where to send your transcript and/or scores.)

Student Accounts

The Student Accounts office is Clarkson’s central billing service for tuition, fees, and other allowable charges incurred by students. Our goal is to provide excellent customer service when assisting families in managing their financial obligations to the University by offering a variety of financial services.

Account activity and daily updates can be obtained by logging onto your PeopleSoft Student Center and navigating through the finances section. Activity may be tentative pending course registration, final housing assignments, and required financial aid documentation.

View our main website for more detailed information about student financial services including:

  • Payment Options
  • The Student Financial Registration Terms and Conditions Agreement, and
  • The Clarkson Knight Card

Financial Aid

As a new student, you will have several different types of financial aid related forms to complete, and will usually have many questions. All required forms will be listed on your "To Do List" in PeopleSoft. Check your To Do List often, as additional forms may be added at various times prior to your arrival on campus. Check out our financial aid website for more details and contact information.