Many people confuse their CUNY Admissions Application Account with their CUNYfirst account.


Your CUNY Admissions Application Account:

You have an Admissions Application Account for which you chose and created your username and password. 

This account allowed you to create and submit your application.


The login screen for the CUNY Admissions Account looks like this:


Once you have completed and submitted the online application, however, this CUNY Admissions Application account only offers limited features. After submitting an application, your CUNY Admissions Application account will still allow to you to:

  • pay the application fee (if you previously selected pay later),
  • add or update a recommender, or
  • upload supporting materials such as personal statements, portfolios, resumes, or DD 214 military discharge documents.



CUNYFirst logo

Your CUNYfirst Account:

On the other hand, your CUNYfirst account is a different account which serves a different purpose. 


Your CUNYfirst account will remain relevant for the rest of your time at CUNY. Your CUNYfirst account will allow you to access your application status and eventually review admission decisions; accept any offers of admission; register for classes; and pay your bill.


The login page for CUNYfirst looks like this:


The CUNYfirst username follows a strict format (Firstname.LastnameXX - where XX is the last two numerals of your assigned CUNYfirst ID Number. 

Please note that you do not choose or create your CUNYfirst account username.)



Activating Your CUNYfirst Account for the First Time:

If you have not yet activated your CUNYfirst account then please activate your CUNYfirst account by following the steps below:

  1. Go to https://home.cunyfirst.cuny.edu
  2. On the Login Page, click on 'New User'
  3. On the Account Activation page, enter the following:
    • First Name, Last Name as they appear on your submitted application
    • Date of Birth (D.O.B) mm/dd/yyyy e.g. 11/30/1978
    • The last 4 digits of your social security number in the SS# field
    • Click the box next to the words "I'm not a robot" and follow the CAPTCHA text prompts.


Once your account has been created, you can log in to CUNYfirst, select Student Center in the CUNYfirst menu and scroll down to view the Admissions section.

You can click the View Details link to see information on your application status for each institution you selected when you applied. 


See example below:


Forgot Your CUNYfirst Password:

If you know your CUNYfirst ID Number (an 8-digit number assigned to you by CUNY) and you have forgotten your password, please visit:

https://impweb.cuny.edu/selfservice/forgotpwd/start.action