Current Princeton University students, faculty, staff and sponsored individuals are provided a University account. A University account has a unique netID and, depending on the individual's authorized affiliation and account entitlements, may be used to:
To access University IT services and resources, individuals must log in using their University account credentials, which include a netID and password. This initial authentication is followed by a second verification step—commonly known as multi-factor authentication (MFA)—to ensure secure access. Once authenticated, access to specific systems is governed by authorization policies maintained by each system, which determine whether a user is permitted to utilize that system based on their role and entitlements.
Every University account follows a consistent lifecycle which begins with activation and ends with account closure. An individual’s affiliation(s) determines activation timing, account transition and closure. The provisioning and de-provisioning polices are set by the University business unit that is responsible for the person.
Following the creation of a University account and netID, an email is sent to the individual's external home email address on record. This message includes the assigned netID and provides important instructions for establishing a secure account password.
Account closures are processed based on an individual’s affiliation status and follow a specified time period. Notification of the closure is sent to the individual’s external (home) email address, as well as to the appropriate University staff member responsible for the account. Additionally, the individual's information will be removed from the University’s People Search directory in accordance with the policies established by the relevant business office.
For employees, all files and email communications are considered institutional data and are subject to University data governance policies.
Prior to the closure of a student account, the individual is responsible for saving copies of any personal files or email messages they wish to retain.
Before utilizing Princeton's online resources, review the University's Information Technology Policy on the acceptable use of Princeton's information technology and digital resources.
Your netID is the login name you will use to access online resources such as email and the campus wireless network at Princeton. Your netID is assigned automatically when you first join Princeton University.
Finding a netID On the Princeton Home page, perform a search … name in the Online Directory Advanced People Search (note that not all account types are displayed in the Online Directory).
If your affiliation entitles you to have email delivery your account will be assigned an email address. By default, this is made up of your netID (for example, md3245) and @princeton.edu. Forexample, md3245@princeton.edu is a valid Princeton email address.
Once your account has been created you may choose a more user-friendly or readable email address. This address is called an alias address.
For example, Mary Doe’s given Princeton email address is md3245@princeton.edu. Mary Doe might prefer a more personal, user friendly email alias of mary.doe@princeton.edu. Mail sent to either md3245@princeton.edu or mary.doe@princeton.edu will be delivered to Mary Doe’s email box.
For more information, please see: Article 1177: How can I get a personalized Princeton email address?
Undergraduate accounts are fully activated when the student matriculates. Some foreign national students are able to authenticate earlier so they can process the necessary forms to study at Princeton (they however will not have an email account until matriculation). Undergraduates will receive an email at their home email address providing their netID and instructions for activation.
Your account (including your Princeton Gmail, Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365 and web pages) remains active for a 65 day transition period immediately following graduation. Students are sent email notification prior to closure of their accounts.
Your @princeton.edu email address will automatically forward to your @alumni.princeton.edu address for 430 days after graduation. Once forwarding ends you may continue to use @alumni.princeton.edu address via TigerNet services indefinitely.
Download files and email for backup and archival purposes. You are responsible for making copies of any of your files on OIT-administered systems (including email). These files will not be available to you after access to your undergraduate netID closes. For more information please see Moving On
Upon commencement, your status changes to alumni.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Graduation (alumni) |
*65 days |
430 days |
Beginning with the class of 2014 alumni will be able to access "TigerHub" self-service for 8 years following graduation using their alumni account credentials. |
|
Expulsion |
30 days |
1 year |
|
|
On Leave |
500 days |
1 year |
|
|
Other Withdrawal |
500 days |
1 year |
|
|
No Show |
0 days |
0 days |
|
|
Deferral |
0 days |
0 days |
|
|
Death |
30 days |
1 year |
|
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Inactivation |
150 days |
1 year |
|
Parent Accounts are comprised of a netID and password which only allows you to access Princeton Tiger Family Hub.
Parent Accounts are created automatically once the newly matriculated student completes the online matriculation process.
Parent Accounts are normally closed automatically 6 months after student graduation.
Accounts are activated in stages. Upon being admitted to the University an account is created allowing the admitted student access to review their offer. If the offer is accepted an email account is created for the student; after which an email alias may be selected. Upon matriculation the account is fully provisioned including displaying in the online directory.
If the newly admitted student declined the offer of admission the account is immediately revoked.
Graduate students accounts close in stages Google Apps, Microsoft Office 365 and web pages will be revoked after a 65-day transition period after receiving your degree. Graduate students retain access to their email account for 1 year after receiving their degree and email forwarding for 2 years. They will be notified of the email account closure at 28 days and at 14 days in advance of losing the account.
Graduate students that terminate or withdraw will have 30 days before account closure, while expelled or suspended students will lose account access immediately.
Students on a leave of absence are expected to return, so computer account privileges will remain in place for 730 days (2 years) from the start of that status.
A student entering ETDCC status will retain access to their account including email for 1 year. After 1 year, account access to TigerHub will continue for additional 4 years.
The time frames mentioned remain in place unless the student is moved into another status at which point the corresponding rules for the latter status will take precedence.
For Ph.D. students who have not defended a dissertation and are more than one year in ETDCC status, the Graduate School must approve any extensions of account privileges beyond those listed above. An FPO date must be provided for an extension of privileges.
Students who have successfully completed the FPO or are more than one year in ETDCC status and have not yet had their degree conferred but have a need to retain their computer privileges should contact their academic department head or adviser to request and approve an extension.
If you have concerns regarding account closures, please contact your department head or adviser for assistance who will need to get written approval from the Dean of your school. Once your request is approved, they will need to submit the Sponsored Affiliates Request form to request a new sponsored affiliate account of the type "Graduate ETDCC Student DCU" for you and include the written approval from the Dean in the "Additional Comments" section of that form.
Please use the transition periods outlined above to download files and email for backup and archival purposes. You are responsible for making copies of any of your files on OIT-administered systems (including email). These files will not be available to you after your account closes. For more information please see Moving On
The Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni (APGA) encourages all degree recipients to register for complimentary email accounts through Princeton's TigerNet service. Information is available on the TigerNet website. Maintaining a mailbox at Princeton ensures that you will always have a permanent address throughout changes in your career. Contact apga@princeton.edu for information.
Your @princeton.edu email address will automatically forward to your @alumni.princeton.edu address for 730 days after receiving your degree. Once forwarding ends you may continue to use @alumni.princeton.edu address via TigerNet services indefinitely.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Graduation (alumni) |
65 days |
730 days |
Beginning in June 2020 graduates will be able to access "TigerHub" self-service for 5 years after receiving their degree using their alumni account credentials. They will also retain access to their email account for 1 year after they receive their degree with an additional year of email forwarding. |
|
In Absentia |
NA |
Ongoing |
Stays fully active and continues to display in the online directory. |
|
On Leave |
1460 days |
5 years |
|
|
ETDCC Students |
365 days |
1 year |
Remains active for TigerHub access for 4 additional years |
|
Expulsion or Suspension |
30 days |
30 days |
|
|
Non-expulsion, non-suspension, non- ETDCC Termination |
30 days |
1 year |
|
|
No Show |
0 days |
0 days |
|
|
Deferral |
30 days |
1 year |
|
|
Death |
0 days |
0 days |
|
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Application Withdrawal |
0 days |
0 days |
|
| Application Deferral |
0 days |
0 days |
|
Accounts are activated up to 92 days prior to start date.
DOF staff members preserve all their access when they go on approved leave of absence. While will they continue to have access on Long Term Disability (LTD), they will no longer appear on the People Search page on the Princeton online directory.
Once a DOF staff member terminates employment from the University there is a 28 day transition period before the account is closed. The department manager and the departing staff member will be notified of the impending closure of the account.
For faculty terminating employment at the University under other circumstances, the department contact and the departing faculty member will be notified of the impending closure of the account.
OIT offers a service of forwarding messages sent to the former DOF staff member's home email address on record in PeopleSoft for a period of up to one year.
Before the 28 day transition period has expired, the staff member may secure copies of any personal files (including personal email) on OIT-administered systems.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
28 days |
1 year |
|
|
Death |
60 days |
1 year |
|
|
Non-emeritus Retirement |
92 days |
Ongoing |
|
Staff and Short Term Professional accounts are activated up to 14 days prior to start date
Casual Hourly accounts are provisioned on their hire date.
Staff members preserve all their access when they go on approved leave of absence. While will they continue to have access on Long Term Disability (LTD), they will no longer appear on the People Search page on the Princeton online directory.
When a staff member leaves the University, their account remains active for one additional day before it is closed. During this transition period, no email forwarding is provided, and the individual is removed from the online directory.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
1 day |
NA |
|
|
Non-emeritus Retirement |
1 day |
NA |
|
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
1 day |
1 day |
|
|
Death |
28 days |
393 days |
|
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
1 day |
1 day |
|
|
Death |
28 days |
393 days |
|
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Retirement |
NA |
Ongoing |
Account stays fully active and remains in the directory. |
|
Death |
60 days |
425 days |
|
Starting July 14, 2025, NetIDs and email forwarding services for non-emeritus retirees will be deactivated one day after their official retirement date. This change is aimed at reducing key cybersecurity threats such as hacking, impersonation, and phishing attacks. Retirees are encouraged to verify that their external (home) email address is accurate in the PeopleSoft self-service portal prior to account closure.
Faculty accounts are activated up to 92 days prior to start date. If a department requires an account for the faculty member earlier they should request a DCU account. Please note that the DCU account can only be created if the person has been added to PeopleSoft. The end date for the DCU should be the faculty members start date.
Faculty preserve all their access when they go on approved leave of absence. While will they continue to have access on Long Term Disability (LTD), they will no longer appear on the People Search page on the Princeton online directory.
There is a transition period before the account is closed.
For faculty terminating employment at the University under other circumstances, the department contact and the departing faculty member will be notified of the impending closure of the account.
OIT offers a service of forwarding messages sent to the former DOF staff member's home email address on record in PeopleSoft for a period of 905 days.
Please use the transition period to download files and email for backup and archival purposes. You are responsible for making copies of any of your files on OIT-administered systems (including email). These files will not be available to you after your account closes.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
185 days |
905 days |
|
|
Non-emeritus Retirement |
92 days |
Ongoing |
NetID remains active. Displayed in online directory for 92 days. |
|
Death |
60 days |
1 year |
|
Faculty accounts are activated up to 92 days prior to start date. If a department requires an account for the faculty member earlier, they should request a DCU.
Faculty members preserve all their access when they go on approved leave of absence. While will they continue to have access on Long Term Disability (LTD), they will no longer appear on the People Search page on the Princeton online directory.
There is a 240-day transition period before the account is closed.
OIT offers a service of forwarding messages sent to the former DOF staff member's home email address on record in PeopleSoft for a period of 970 days.
Before the transition period has expired, the faculty member may make copies of any personal files (including personal email files) on OIT-administered systems.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Departure |
240 days |
970 days |
|
|
Non-emeritus Retirement |
92 days |
Ongoing |
NetID remains active. |
|
Death |
60 days |
1 year |
|
Faculty granted emeritus status will automatically retain their University computing privileges. There will be no change to their existing netID@princeton.edu email address upon reaching emeritus status.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding |
Exceptions/Notes |
|
Retirement |
None |
Ongoing |
Stays fully active and continues to display in the online directory. |
|
Death |
60 days |
1 year |
|
In the case of deceased faculty, staff, or student the account closure will depend on the person's affiliation to the University. Departments should work directly with the ISO Access Security Team access.security@princeton.edu.
See https://kb.princeton.edu/KB0012033
Miscellaneous Affiliate accounts are created on the effective date that is assigned in PeopleSoft. A notification is sent to the persons home email address and to their sponsor
There is a 1-day transition period before the account is closed. Notifications are sent to the affiliate and the sponsor on the end date of the account.
|
Event |
Transition period |
Email Forwarding | Exceptions/Notes
|
|
Departure |
1 day |
NA |
|