SUNY ESF
Student Consumer Information
Introduction
Regulations promulgated by the United States Department of Education to implement changes made to the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 require the disclosure of financial assistance and institutional information to students under the student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (Title IV). Under the regulations the College annually must distribute to all enrolled students a notice of the availability of financial assistance and institutional information required to be disclosed pursuant to the Higher Education Act amendments and pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which governs access to student educational records maintained by educational institutions and the release of information from those records.
Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
Student consumer information is available to all enrolled and prospective students. You can obtain the information listed below by accessing the SUNY ESF website at www.esf.edu/consumer or by contacting the Executive Director of Administration to request printed materials providing this information:
- A description of all Federal, State, local, private and institutional student financial assistance programs available.
- How to apply for student financial assistance
- Student eligibility requirements, including standards for satisfactory academic progress
- The method of award and distribution of student financial assistance
- The rights and responsibilities of students receiving financial assistance, including the terms of any loans received, the terms and conditions of employment provided as part of a student’s financial assistance, and the terms and conditions under which students receiving FFEL and Direct loans may obtain deferrals
- The cost of attendance at the institution, including tuition and fees, room and board and estimates of the costs of books and supplies and transportation
- The requirements for refunds of tuition, fees, and costs, for the return of federal funds, and for officially withdrawing from the institution
- Academic program information, including instructional, laboratory and physical facilities and faculty and other instructional personnel.
- The designated College personnel available to assist enrolled or prospective students in obtaining the required financial assistance and institutional information
- Information pertaining to the College’s accreditation, approval or licensure
- Special facilities and services available to disabled students
- Notice that study abroad is considered at the College for purposes of federal student financial assistance
- The College’s completion or graduation rates
- Drug and alcohol abuse prevention information
- Equity in athletics disclosure information
- Placement and types of employment obtained by graduates, including types of graduate and professional education in which graduates enroll
- Clery (campus security) Act and Fire Safety Report
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Student Complaint Procedures
General Institutional Information
The following links provide general institutional information about SUNY ESF to student consumers, parents, and other audiences through the College’s website.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Requirements for Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid and Return of Veterans Tuition Assistance
Bursar (Policies and Other Information)
Undergraduate and graduate degree programs, instructional facilities, and faculty are described in the most recent College Catalog.
A list of academic programs including HEGIS and CIP codes are also provided in the College Catalog.
Instructional and research facilities are described in the academic department links describing each academic department.
Student Affairs Policies and Services
Institutional Information from the National Center for Education Statistics
Student Financial Assistance
SUNY ESF’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provides comprehensive information about student financial assistance on the office website located at Financial Aid and through the current edition of the College Catalog. Information available from these web sources includes (but is not limited to):
Assistance available from federal, state, local and institutional programs.
Health and Safety
Student Outcomes
Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support
Voter Registration
Professional Licensure Disclosures
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license or certification has specific requirements that individuals must meet in order to become licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs that lead to professional licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet or exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, professional licensure for land surveying is regulated individually by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams.
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Associate of Applied Science in Land Surveying Technology through the Department Sustainable Resources Management and the Ranger School would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State. Successful completion of SUNY ESF's Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Land Surveying Technology satisfies the educational requirement and a portion of the experience requirement for professional land surveying licensure in New York State. Additional qualifying experience and completion of licensing requirements and exams are required to obtain licensure.
Detailed information about professional land surveying licensure in New York State, including the various requirements and pathways to licensure, is available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions:
- https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions/land-surveying/license-requirements
- https://www.op.nysed.gov/sites/op/files/2026-01/lsadmissionroutes.pdf
ESF's AAS in Land Surveying Technology is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET. New York State and many other jurisdictions recognize ABET-accredited programs as meeting or exceeding the minimum educational requirements for admission to the licensing exam for land surveying. Because ESF's AAS program is ABET-accredited, successful completion of the program may fully or partially satisfy the educational requirements for professional land surveying licensure in other U.S. states and territories.
SUNY ESF is not the land surveying licensure authority for any U.S. state or territory and cannot determine whether an individual applicant will be granted a professional land surveying license. Applicants are responsible for contacting the appropriate state or territorial licensing authority for information regarding specific licensure requirements, application procedures, and any additional qualifications that may be required.
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the engineering profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, engineering licensing boards require Professional Engineering (P.E.) candidates to have:
- Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET
- Four years of acceptable, progressive, and verifiable work experience
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Paper Engineering offered through the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering offered through the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Graduates from ABET-accredited bachelor level engineering degree programs are eligible to become registered professional engineers (P.E.) in all U.S states and territories by a process determined by each states' licensing authority. Because the Bachelor of Science in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering degree programs are ABET-accredited, successful completion of the program may fully or partially satisfy the educational requirements for professional engineering licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Details regarding professional engineering licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
SUNY ESF is not the engineering licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a professional engineering license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the engineering licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for engineering licensure and the application processes.
Update: 9/2/2026
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the engineering profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, engineering licensing boards require Professional Engineering (P.E.) candidates to have:
- Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET
- Four years of acceptable, progressive, and verifiable work experience
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Paper Engineering offered through the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering offered through the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Graduates from ABET-accredited bachelor level engineering degree programs are eligible to become registered professional engineers (P.E.) in all U.S states and territories by a process determined by each states' licensing authority. Because the Bachelor of Science in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering degree programs are ABET-accredited, successful completion of the program may fully or partially satisfy the educational requirements for professional engineering licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Details regarding professional engineering licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
SUNY ESF is not the engineering licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a professional engineering license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the engineering licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for engineering licensure and the application processes.
Update: 9/2/2026
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the engineering profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, engineering licensing boards require Professional Engineering (P.E.) candidates to have:
- Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET
- Four years of acceptable, progressive, and verifiable work experience
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Paper Engineering offered through the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering offered through the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Graduates from ABET-accredited bachelor level engineering degree programs are eligible to become registered professional engineers (P.E.) in all U.S states and territories by a process determined by each states' licensing authority. Because the Bachelor of Science in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering degree programs are ABET-accredited, successful completion of the program may fully or partially satisfy the educational requirements for professional engineering licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Details regarding professional engineering licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
SUNY ESF is not the engineering licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a professional engineering license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the engineering licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for engineering licensure and the application processes.
Update: 9/2/2026
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the engineering profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, engineering licensing boards require Professional Engineering (P.E.) candidates to have:
- Bachelor’s degree accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET
- Four years of acceptable, progressive, and verifiable work experience
- Passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Paper Engineering offered through the Department of Chemical Engineering, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Resources Engineering offered through the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Bachelor of Science programs in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Graduates from ABET-accredited bachelor level engineering degree programs are eligible to become registered professional engineers (P.E.) in all U.S states and territories by a process determined by each states' licensing authority. Because the Bachelor of Science in Bioprocess Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Paper Engineering, and Environmental Resources Engineering degree programs are ABET-accredited, successful completion of the program may fully or partially satisfy the educational requirements for professional engineering licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Details regarding professional engineering licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
SUNY ESF is not the engineering licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a professional engineering license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the engineering licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for engineering licensure and the application processes.
Update: 9/2/2026
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the landscape architecture profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, landscape architecture licensing boards typically require candidates to have:
- A degree from a program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)
- Two to four years work experience under a licensed landscape architect
- Passed the four-part Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE)
- In some states, one or more jurisdiction-specific exams are also required for licensure.
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture programs would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Master of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). If successfully completed, this program is sufficient to meet the education requirements toward becoming a licensed landscape architect in New York State. Details regarding landscape architecture licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
Graduates from LAAB-accredited bachelor level Landscape Architecture degree programs are eligible to become licensed in all U.S states and territories. Because the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree program at SUNY ESF is LAAB-accredited, successful completion of the program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. states and territories that require a degree from a program with such accreditation.
SUNY ESF is not the licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a landscape architecture license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure and application processes.
Updated 9/2/2026
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.14 and §668.43, and in compliance with the SARA Policy Manual version 26.1, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. Further, effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified. The administrative departments that offer the programs have made the following determination regarding their curriculum.
This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made.
In the United States, licensure for the landscape architecture profession is regulated by each state. Professional licensure protects the public by enforcing standards that restrict practice to qualified individuals who have met specific qualifications in education, work experience, and exams. Generally, landscape architecture licensing boards typically require candidates to have:
- A degree from a program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB)
- Two to four years work experience under a licensed landscape architect
- Passed the four-part Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE)
- In some states, one or more jurisdiction-specific exams are also required for licensure.
This Disclosure is strictly limited to ESF’s determination of whether the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and the Master of Landscape Architecture programs would be sufficient to meet the licensure or certification requirements in a State.
ESF’s Master of Landscape Architecture program is accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). If successfully completed, this program is sufficient to meet the education requirements toward becoming a licensed landscape architect in New York State. Details regarding landscape architecture licensure in New York State are available through the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
Graduates from LAAB-accredited bachelor level Landscape Architecture degree programs are eligible to become licensed in all U.S states and territories. Because the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree program at SUNY ESF is LAAB-accredited, successful completion of the program satisfies the educational requirements for licensure in all U.S. states and territories that require a degree from a program with such accreditation.
SUNY ESF is not the licensure authority in any U.S. state or territory and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a landscape architecture license in any U.S. state or territory. Instead, it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure authority in the applicable U.S. state or territory for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure and application processes.
Updated 9/2/2026
Student Location Policy
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF, "the College") determines student location for purposes of state authorization, participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), and the administration of distance education and related out-of-state educational activities.
This policy exists to comply with federal regulations on state authorization (34 CFR 600.9) and professional licensure disclosures (34 CFR 668.43 and 668.14(b)(32)).
This policy applies only to student location determinations made for state authorization, NC-SARA compliance, and professional licensure disclosure purposes. It does not apply to any other determination of student location, including but not limited to residency for tuition purposes, IPEDS reporting, or any other institutional purpose.
Federal regulations require institutions offering distance education to determine, and in some cases disclose, the state in which a student is located — both to confirm the institution holds appropriate authorization to offer instruction in that state and to disclose whether a program leading to professional licensure or certification meets that state's licensure requirements.
Under 34 CFR 668.43(c)(3)(ii), the College’s determination of a student’s location becomes operative at the time of the student’s initial enrollment in an educational program, using the address most recently on file for the student, ordinarily the permanent address reported at the time of application. Location is reassessed if the student later declares, or is admitted into, a program leading to eligibility for professional licensure or certification, or upon formal receipt of information from the student that their location has changed.
This policy applies to all matriculated and enrolled SUNY ESF students — including students in on-campus, online, and hybrid programs, visiting and exchange students, and students participating in out-of-state internships, field experiences, or other supervised educational activities that may occur outside New York State — for whom state authorization, NC-SARA compliance, or professional licensure disclosure requirements apply.
Applicants are not students of the College and are not otherwise governed by this policy. However, because a student’s initial location is established using information collected at the time of application (see Determining Initial Location, below), this policy describes how that information is collected and used so that a location determination is already in place when an applicant matriculates and becomes a student.
Determining Initial Location
For purposes of state authorization and disclosure of information about licensed programs, the College’s determination of a student’s location takes effect at the student’s initial enrollment in an educational program, using the permanent address the applicant reported on the admission application, as that will likely be the only address on file. This determination remains in effect upon matriculation, subject to the ongoing determination rules below.
Determining Location Following Registration
Upon matriculation and registration in courses, the College determines a student's location based on the address information maintained in the College's student information system, applied as follows:
- A student living in on-campus housing is determined to be located in New York.
- For all other students, location is determined based on the student's reported local address; where no local address is on file, the student's permanent address is used.
Ongoing Determination
A student is determined to be located in New York if any of the following apply:
- The student's permanent residence is in New York State.
- The student's local address is in New York State.
- The student resides in on-campus housing.
Professional Licensure Attestation
Under 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32), a program offered through distance education must meet the licensure or certification requirements of the state in which the student is located. This requirement does not apply to a student attending a program face-to-face; that student is instead governed by the licensure requirements of the state in which the College is located.
Where the College has determined that a distance-education or correspondence program does not meet the requirements of the state in which the student is located — or has not yet made a determination for that state — 34 CFR 668.14(b)(32)(ii) permits the College to still enroll the student if the student provides a written attestation confirming their intent to seek licensure or certification in one specific state in which the College has determined the program does meet requirements.
Because the attestation exists to permit enrollment that would not otherwise be allowed, it must be obtained before the student enrolls in the program. The attestation will be built into application and change of major processes.
Student Location — A student's physical presence in a state, as determined by SUNY ESF based on institutional records, solely for the purposes of compliance with federal state authorization and professional licensure disclosure regulations.
Applicant — An individual who has submitted an application for admission to SUNY ESF but has not yet matriculated. Applicants are not students and are covered by this policy only with respect to the collection of initial location information under Determining Initial Location.
Matriculated Student — A student who has been formally admitted to, and is pursuing, a degree, certificate, or other credit-bearing program of study at SUNY ESF.
Enrolled Student — Any student registered for one or more courses at SUNY ESF in a given term, whether matriculated in an ESF program, visiting, or otherwise non-degree-seeking. All matriculated students are enrolled students during terms in which they are registered, but not all enrolled students are matriculated.
Visiting Student — A student who is registered for one or more courses at SUNY ESF for a limited period while matriculated in a degree program at another institution, including students participating in a formal exchange agreement.
Permanent Residence — The address provided by the student at the time of application and maintained in the College's student information system, as updated by the student when changes occur.
Local Address — A temporary or current address, reported by the student and maintained in the College's student information system, that differs from the student's permanent residence.
On-Campus Housing — Residential facilities designated by the College as on-campus student housing, regardless of which entity holds legal ownership of the facility or is contracted to manage its day-to-day operations.
Students are responsible for maintaining accurate and current address information in MyESF. The College may rely on the address on file when making determinations under this policy.
A student's determined location remains in effect until a change of address is officially
submitted by the student and recorded by the College in MyESF. The effective date
of a revised location determination is the date the change is recorded in College
systems. The College reserves the right to reassess a student's location if institutional
records indicate a change in physical presence.