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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

NetID & Email

Cornell NetIDs

A NetID is a unique electronic identifier that, when combined with a password, provides secure access to your Cornell email and other non-public Cornell resources and information. 

Activate Your NetID, Email, and Two-Step Login

1. Confirm your enrollment with Cornell and submit an enrollment deposit if required by your program.

2. After your deposit is processed, an email from netid-activation@cornell.edu will be sent to the email address used for your Cornell application with instructions to activate your NetID and email. (It can take up to two business days for your NetID to be created once your deposit is processed. Note that the email might land in your spam/junk folder.) 

Graduate Students

You will receive an email with instructions to set up your NetID via ApplyWeb. If you already have a Cornell NetID from a previous role with the university, you do not need to activate it as other students do.

Professional Students (Cornell Tech, Johnson, Law, and Vet)

You will receive an email with instructions to activate your NetID and Cornell email account online or via text message.

Cornell provides additional security protection for personal data by requiring Two-Step Login to access important online resources, including Student Center and Canvas. 

Two-Step Login is a two-factor authentication service that prevents the use of stolen Cornell passwords by requiring confirmation from something a third party does not have – such as your phone or another device. Because some tasks you need to complete before the start of the term will require Two-Step Login, enroll during the NetID activation process.

Your Email Options

All incoming Cornell students are set up by default with Gmail through a Cornell Google Workspace for Education account. You also have the option to instead use Outlook through Microsoft 365 for your Cornell email needs. 

Regardless of which email option you choose, you can still use the collaboration services offered through Cornell Google Workspace for Students.

If you choose to forward your Cornell email to an outside account, you can set that up in Google. Before you decide to forward your Cornell email to a non-Cornell account, please be aware of policy changes by the major email senders that may impact your email delivery. 

It is recommended that if you have a Cornell email address you use your @cornell.edu account to send and receive Cornell-related mail. This will ensure that you do not miss important university communications.

Regardless of which email option you choose, you can still use the collaboration services offered through Cornell Google Workspace for Students. 

FAQs

What if I forget my password?

Passwords are kept in an encrypted database and cannot be looked up by anyone. If you set up your password's security questions in advance, you can go to the Manage Your NetID page to set a new password yourself.

Consider setting up a Recovery Email Address, so that you can reset a forgotten password yourself.

If you forget your NetID password, and you have not set up your password’s recovery email address, you will need to request a new activation code so that you can reset your password. To make this request, contact the IT Service Desk to set up a video chat. During the chat, you will need to provide proof of identity: your Cornell ID card or your valid government-issued photo ID card, such as a driver's license or passport. 

 

Can I share my NetID and password with family or friends?

No. NetIDs are for students' exclusive personal use. It is a violation to share your NetID and password with anyone, including friends and family members. If someone has your NetID and password, he or she can look up and change personal and confidential information and violate federal privacy laws through your account. Keeping your NetID password safe is one way you can help protect both your personal information and Cornell's systems.