New Student Journey Overview
Step 1: Complete Orientation
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Schedule your Orientation Appointment - During this 1-1.5 hour appointment students will meet with student Orientation Leaders to enroll in their first semester classes. Choose from a variety of appointment types including: On-campus, virtual, and veteran & military affiliated. Earlier dates offer the best selection of classes.
If you have prior or in-progress college coursework that you plan to transfer, please submit your official transcripts. Official transcripts from both high school and other colleges should be sent to:
- Office of Admissions
Main Hall Room 108
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918 - Transcripts can also be emailed to ugapp@uccs.edu.
New Transfer Students can also schedule an intake appointment their advisor before your orientation. During this meeting, your academic advisor will help you understand your transfer credit, degree requirements and help you get ready for orientation. For help scheduling an intake appointment, please contact us.
Log into UCCS Canvas to complete the required pre-orientation and checklist. The pre-orientation will take about 1 hour to complete. This can be done in multiple sittings and will prepare you for your appointment.
Meet our student Orientation Leaders, enroll in your first semester classes, and learn to navigate campus tools.
Register to attend a New Student Welcome Bash - Come tour campus, connect with faculty, meet student clubs, and engage with campus resources.
Step 2: Complete Financial Aid
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- Complete your FAFSA. (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every year at studentaid.gov. UCCS school code - 004509
- Review your Student Aid Report. Once you complete your FAFSA, you will be emailed a Student Aid Report (SAR) to review for accuracy. If you need to make corrections, our Office of Financial Aid can assist or you can visit studentaid.gov.
- Complete your paperwork. Submit your documents through the student portal or via office secure upload system (finaid.uccs.edu).
- Receive your notification of eligibility. Students will be a sent a letter or email outlining their aid eligibility as well as directions on how to receive those monies.
- Students must be enrolled in classes to receive financial aid.
- Students are initially awarded as a full-time student although some awards may be reduced if the student is not enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours).
- For federal loans, a student must be enrolled at least half-time, which is a minimum of six credit hours.
- Waitlisted classes are not considered "enrolled" classes.
- Verification of enrollment will happen each semester, ten days before the start of classes, and again at census date.
- Log in to myUCCS portal and click on the Financial Aid tab to view, accept, reduce and/or decline awards and/or loans.
- Complete and sign any applicable promissory note(s) for any loan(s) you are accepting.
- First-time Federal Direct Loan borrowers and Federal GradPLUS borrowers must complete loan entrance counseling at studentaid.gov.
Step 3: Apply for On-Campus Housing
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Living on campus is mandatory for all first-year students - some exceptions apply.
- Apply Today! Complete a housing application as soon as possible at residence.uccs.edu. All room types are first-come, first serves. The applications opens December 1st and will note your preferred room type and any roommate requests.
- What's included: Parking, laundry, WI-FI, and utilities.
- Meal Plans: Meal plans are included in the housing rate for students living in Summit Village and Village at Alpine Valley. For commuter students and students living in the Alpine Village Apartments, meal plans are not required but can be purchased. Clyde's Cash offers bonus dollars and can be used at any UCCS dining facility. For more information please visit the Dining Services website.
Room assignments are made based on application complete date. During the summer, students are notified of their roommate(s) and room placement via UCCS email. Disability Services reviews requests for housing and residential accommodations.
- The move-in date for students living in first-year housing and/or enrolled in GPS 1010 or GPS 1020 will be announced at the end of July.
- Specific move-in times and details vary depending on what village you are assigned.
- Check your UCCS email for specific move-in information, which will be released the first week of August.
Summit Village residents (Students living in Aspen, Breckenridge, Copper, Eldora, Keystone, Monarch, Steamboat, Telluride, or Vail)
Student Full Name, Box # (if known)
1010 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Village at Alpine Valley/Alpine Village Apartments residents (Students living in Antero, Crestone, Cucharas, La Plata, San Juan, or Shavano)
Student Full Name, Box # (if known)
4725 Clyde Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- Review the Resident Handbook
- Purchase renters insurance
- Register for a parking permit (included in the cost of housing)
- Submit proof or required immunizations via the Wellness Center portal
- Sign up to receive emergency text alerts and download the UCCS Safe App
- Download the UCCS Mobile App. From the Mobile ID tab, connect your mobile ID (via the Transact eAccounts app) and add your ID photo.
- Connect with your roommate(s) to decide on what shared items each will bring (Microwave, TV, mini fridge, etc.)
- Create a packing list; residence hall rooms are functional but cozy.
- Bedding (XL twin sheets - 2 sets, blanket, comforter, pillows, pillowcases, mattress pad, foam topper)
- Laundry supplies (detergent, dryer balls, stain stick, laundry bag, clothes hangers, etc.)
- Fan (air conditioning is not provided in student housing)
- Clothing (don't forget a warm coat, gloves, and hat)
- Bathroom supplies (toilet paper, shower shoes, towels, toiletries, shower caddy, etc.)
- Decorations (Wall art, rugs, poster putty, etc.)
- School supplies (pens, notebooks, highlighters, planner, etc.)
- Electronics/appliances (surge protector, computer, TV, mini fridge, microwave, ethernet cable, etc.)
- First aid kit and medications
- Kitchen supplies (microwave safe bowls/plates/cups, storage containers and bags, can opener. silverware, dish soap, dish cloth, dish towel, paper towels, travel mug, pot holders, water bottle, etc.)
- Food (oatmeal, granola bars, peanut butter, jelly popcorn, tea, soup, ramen noodles, etc.)
- Other (cleaning supplies [disinfecting wipes, etc.], games, playing cards, sunscreen, umbrella, lamp, etc.)
For a list of policies regarding things you are not allowed to bring, review the Resident Handbook
Step 4: Complete Action Items
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Log in to your myUCCS portal to view your actions items:
- To-do items will note any important university related paperwork that still needs to be submitted including items that may impact enrollment or financial aid. Any incomplete to-do items may result in a hold.
- Holds are items that may impact your ability to register for classes in the future and require immediate attention.
- Colorado requires that students provide proof of two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccinations when attending classes at UCCS.
- Also, students living in housing must provide proof of receiving the Meningococcal ACWY vaccination within the past five years or sign a waiver prior to move-in.
- Submit proof or required immunizations via the Wellness Center portal.
Step 5: Reserve a Parking Permit
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A limited number of parking permits are sold for fall and spring semesters (no limits during the summer) on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must purchase a permit in advance online. For types of permits sold, permit prices, and availability visit the Parking & Transportation Services website.
Students residing on-campus must register for a resident parking permit online prior to the first day of classes. Residents brining a vehicle later in the semester may register for a resident permit online at that time. Parking permits are included in the housing fees and can be reserved by visiting the Parking & Transportation Services website.
Step 6: Prepare for Classes
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- Check your UCCS email (Office 365 email) - It is important to check your UCCS email daily as this is the primary means of communication for the university. Your UCCS email is where you will receive emails from your professors, find out about important events on campus, and keep up with upcoming deadlines. If you cannot remember your email or password, please contact the Office of Information Technology Services.
- Log in to Canvas - Canvas is a tool many professors use to post class information including course syllabi, assignments, quizzes and more. Before classes begin, you can log into Canvas and set up your notifications and other settings under "account."
- Log in to your myUCCS Portal and the homepage will feature a "class schedule" tile which can be expanded for additional viewing features. If you have any questions about your class schedule, meet with your academic advisor by scheduling an appointment.
With UCCS TAAP (Textbook Affordability and Access Program), your required course materials are available for you based upon the course you are enrolled in. On or before the first day of class, you can collect your physical materials from the Campus Store, or the location specified in your portal. Digital materials will be available through Canvas. Check out your personalized value sheet to see if TAAP is advantageous for you. For more information, please check out the TAAP website.
Your Mobile Lion OneCard (Student ID) gives you access to your residence hall (if living on campus), dining, Gallogly Recreation and Wellness Center, coming soon Campus Store, and various events and more. Once you receive an email stating you have been provisioned into ID, you can move forward and set up your mobile ID by visiting the Lion OneCard website for instructions and/or contact the University Center ID/Info Desk at 719-255-3450 or lionone@uccs.edu with any questions.
- UCCS Mobile App - Whether you need to access your email, use the portal, save your place in line, tour campus virtual, or find out about upcoming events, the UCCS App can help you manage it all. Download in the app store by searching "UCCS Mobile".
- UCCS Safe App - The official UCCS safety app that allows users to communicate directly with UCCS PD dispatchers, make police reports, and receive safety alerts and provide access to campus safety and wellness resources.
UCCS provides Chromebooks to all incoming full-time freshmen and transfer students.* To learn more and complete your application,
visit laptop.uccs.edu
*Full-time enrolled status is defined as 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and for 6 credit hours for graduate students.
Step 7: Connect With Campus Resources
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View the new student campus resource website for an in-depth look of the campus resources designed to support student success.
Step 8: Pay Your Bill
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Everything you need to know about your bill can be found in your myUCCS portal. Once logged in, you can access a bill estimate, view your balance, pay your bill, authorize others to view and pay your bill, authorize direct deposit, authorize COF (Colorado Opportunity Fund), enroll in a payment plan and view 1098-T tax forms. Parents, family and friends do not have access to their student’s myUCCS portal.
Only the student, and anyone that the student sets up as an authorized payer, may view and pay the bill. Students may add an authorized payer
through their myUCCS portal. Authorized payers may view/pay bills through QuikPay. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for more information.
Students receive an email to their UCCS email about when eBills are posted. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for more information.
Payment plans are available, but students must sign up for a payment plan prior to census date (the tuition due date). There is a $45 service fee
to enroll in a payment plan. Please visit the Student Financial Services website for more information.
Spring 2025:
- Tuition & fees available: January 2, 2025
- Financial Aid disbursed: January 13, 2025
- First eBill statement sent: January 16, 2025
- Bill due date/census date: February 5, 2025