Info FOr:

California Accepted Students Info

Welcome to the CIA family!

Information for Students Starting in September, January, or April

Know that CIA California 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	2024–25 FAFSA	2025–26 FAFSA
January 2025	Yes	—
April 2025	Yes	Yes
September 2025	—	Yes

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!

A courtyard of a single-story building features a central walkway surrounded by trees and flower beds with blooming purple flowers. The structure showcases stone and wood detailing, large windows, and a mix of paved and landscaped areas.

Tour a CIA California Campus Residence Hall

Check out what a typical California campus dorm room is equipped with before you pack to come to campus!

Watch Video

Aerial view of a large estate surrounded by dense forest and a vineyard. The main building, reminiscent of the covert CIA Greystone facility, features extensive grounds with multiple smaller structures and parked cars. The lush, green landscape is adorned with rolling hills and distant mountain peaks.

Guided Tour of Campus

Get a firsthand look at the CIA’s Napa Valley campus in St. Helena, CA.

Watch Video

Aerial view of a large, historic stone building with a tower, surrounded by lush greenery and landscaped gardens. The building has a red-tiled roof and several parking spaces. There are palm trees and well-maintained pathways in the vicinity, perfect for CIA Greystone Tours to explore.

Interactive Campus Map

Take a look at our kitchens and academic facilities.

Learn More

Connect with Us

Here’s what happening at CIA California…

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 California 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.

Visiting/Living On Campus

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

Check out our California and Texas visit pages to learn more about upcoming online and on-campus opportunities.
I’m going to be a resident student at the California campus. What are the residence halls like?

Learn more about our residence halls and check out this video of current student, Robbie, as she walks you through her residence hall.
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: California Campus
Texas Campus
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. Check your CIA email for your room assignment. 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 at Greystone C/O [Your Name] 2555 Main Street St Helena, CA 94574 Students can then pick up any shipments from the package room on the first floor.
When will I move in? What can I expect on Move-In Day?

Contact the CIA Enrollment Team to find out when your move-in day is.

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 Enrollment Manager