To-Do List
Congratulations! You are well on your way to your first class at the University of Idaho. There are just a few things to do before you can start. To help make your time here more productive and successful we've set up a to-do list to help you with those few things. Check back often to stay on track.
Get Started
Setting up your Vandal accounts as soon as possible ensures that you will receive crucial information on important updates about financial aid, billing, housing, registration, deadlines and more.
Check your VandalWeb and VandalMail accounts frequently to make sure you don't miss important information.
VandalWeb allows you access to your transcripts, student account, add/drop class forms, registration and many other important items that are vital to your success at the University of Idaho.
VandalMail is the official email used by your professors, academic advisor and the different university departments to communicate important dates and information with you.
Duo Multifactor Authentication (MFA) provides extra protection for your account. You will be directed to enroll in Duo MFA when you set up your account.
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As a new Vandal, you’ve got a whole world of fascinating ideas available to you, and we recognize you’ll need some guidance on what courses to choose – especially as you’re getting started. Over the course of your Vandal career, your academic advisor will help you understand the general core requirements, balance your course-load, and make personal and professional connections within the Vandal community.
As you're thinking about your first semester, please consult the How to Register page for detailed instructions on how to prepare for your initial advising conversation. Once you’ve got all your documents ready (e.g. ACT/SAT scores, core classes to take and the appropriate math and English courses), please use the advisor finder tool to connect with the advising contact in your department. If you’ve decided to change your major or are unsure what major you indicated on your application for admission, please call the Admissions Office at 208-885-6326.
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Get acquainted with campus, meet new friends and learn vital information about campus life and student activities.
Going Greek?
Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority can participate in Formal Recruitment. Recruitment takes place in August. It's expected that all new students, including those participating in Greek Recruitment, sign up for and take part in New Student Orientation.
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Be aware of these important dates and deadlines:
- December – Review your financial aid awards on VandalWeb. If you have a student loan, complete the master promissory note and entrance counseling online.
- Early January – You will receive your university bill that includes charges for tuition and fees, residence hall and meal plan charges for on-campus housing and health insurance. Note: A Health Insurance Form may be submitted in VandalWeb if you are covered under another policy. Financial aid and scholarship awards that have been accepted on VandalWeb will be included if you are enrolled half-time (6 credits undergraduate/5 credits graduate) for Stafford loans and full-time (12 credits undergraduate/9 credits graduate) for scholarships and grants. In order for loans to be included on your billing statement, you must complete entrance counseling, the master promissory note, and (for certain PLUS borrowers) credit counseling at www.studentloans.gov.
- Jan. 3 – Be sure to authorize direct deposit on VandalWeb by this date so that the earliest disbursement of financial aid residual funds can be deposited into your checking or savings account. Financial aid awards are first applied to university charges. Residual funds are then released to students for books, living expenses, etc.
- Jan. 7 – Residual funds will be deposited into your bank on or near this estimated date. Watch your VandalMail for a notice from Student Accounts to let you know the funds have been sent for direct deposit.
- Jan. 9 – (first day of classes) – All semester tuition and fees, residence hall and meal plan charges for on-campus housing, and health insurance must be paid at the Student Accounts Office, on VandalWeb, or through the mail. Monthly payment plans are available through Student Accounts.
- Jan. 23 – Financial aid will be locked at 5 p.m. to reflect the number of credits in which you are currently enrolled. Loans require half-time enrollment (6 credits). Most scholarships, work study, Perkins and SEOG require full-time enrollment (12 credits).
Be aware of these important dates and deadlines:
- June – Review your financial aid awards on VandalWeb. Accept scholarships you have been offered. If you are borrowing student loans, complete the master promissory note and entrance counseling online. IMPORTANT NOTE: Parents who wish to borrow a parent PLUS loan must submit an application and complete the online process for parent borrowers.
Explore payment options and finalize your plan on how you will pay for college before school starts in August. Contact Student Financial Aid Services with any questions about your financial aid options. - Mid-July – You will receive your university bill that includes charges for tuition and fees, residence hall and meal plan charges for on-campus housing and health insurance. Note: health insurance may be waived if you are covered under another policy and submit the health insurance waiver form on VandalWeb before the first day of classes. Financial aid and scholarship awards that have been accepted on VandalWeb will be included if you are enrolled half-time (6 credits undergraduate/5 credits graduate) for Stafford loans and full-time (12 credits undergraduate/9 credits graduate) for scholarships and grants. You can get a head start on making payments towards your student account balance by setting up a payment plan.
- Aug. 21 – Be sure to authorize direct deposit on VandalWeb by this date so that the earliest disbursement of financial aid residual funds can be deposited into your checking or savings account. Financial aid awards are first applied to university charges. Residual funds are then released to students for books, living expenses, etc.
- Aug. 26 – Residual funds will be deposited into your bank on or near this estimated date. Watch your VandalMail for a notice from Student Accounts to let you know the funds have been sent for direct deposit.
- Aug. 26 – (first day of classes) – Pay your bill. All semester tuition, fees, residence hall and meal plan charges for on-campus housing, and health insurance must be paid at the Student Accounts Office, on VandalWeb or through the mail. Monthly payment plans are available through Student Accounts. Health insurance charges must be waived on VandalWeb by submitting the health insurance waiver. If you are unable to pay your balance in full, you are encouraged to set up a monthly payment plan through VandalWeb. Full payment or payment plan enrollment is required by the first day of the semester to avoid late fees.
- Sept. 9 – Financial aid will be adjusted at 5 p.m. to reflect the number of credits for which you are enrolled. Loans require half-time enrollment (6 credits). Most scholarships, work study, Perkins and SEOG require full-time enrollment (12 credits). Check your account.
All first-year students are required to live on campus, as on-campus living is proven to help you succeed while going to college. When you confirm your living plan, you'll also confirm your dining plan option.
Our beautiful residential campus offers many great living options to choose from including the residence halls, Greek houses and Steel House women's cooperative.
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First-Year Students: Place an early request with your high school to mail us a transcript after graduation. We will need a final transcript showing your graduation date.
Transfer Students: If you have finished all of your classes at a college or university, be sure we have an official transcript from that school showing all of your classes and final grades. If you are still enrolled in college classes, place an early request with the Registrar’s Office to have a transcript mailed to us once you have completed all of your classes and final grades have been posted.
Send transcripts to:
Office of Admissions
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr
MS 4264
Moscow, ID 83844-4264
U of I requires all full-time students to have active and continuous health insurance. If you have your own health insurance, great! That means you can request a waiver of this requirement. If not, Student Health Services can help you get covered with SHIP to protect you if you become ill or injured.
Quick Action Links:
- Find out if your existing plan meets the minimum requirements
- Learn more about SHIP
Skip the lines! Pre-order your books online from the VandalStore and have them waiting for you when you arrive on campus. You will receive an email when your order is ready to pick up.
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Once you are registered for classes, you can get your VandalCard. Your VandalCard serves as your student ID, meal card, Student Rec Center and athletic event pass, library card, residence hall building key, and more. The VandalCard Office is located on the first floor of the Bruce Pitman Center and is open from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. during the academic year. If you are close to campus or just visiting, get your card early to avoid lines at the beginning of the semester.
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All students bringing a car to campus must purchase a parking permit. Permits are purchased online unless additional assistance is needed.
- Students living in the Tower, Wallace Complex, McConnell Hall or the Living Learning Community should purchase a Silver permit or Economy.
- Students living in Steel House or a Greek house should purchase a Purple permit with House President approval or Economy permit.
- Students living in the University Apartments should purchase a University Apartments Permit.
- Students living in Elmwood Apartments should purchase an Elmwood Permit.
- Students living off-campus should purchase a Orange, Red or Blue permit.
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The first semester on any college campus presents risks for new students.
Knowing how to navigate challenging situations is key to student success and safety. The University of Idaho requires that all new, full-time, undergraduate students under age 24 on the Moscow campus complete the Think About It program.
Students receive an email in their VandalMail accounts with a personalized link to complete the Think About It program. Students who do not complete the online program by the designated deadline will receive an enrollment hold and will not be able to register for the next semester.
Quick Action Items:
- Check Your VandalMail for a Think About It email with your personalized link.
Other
Planning on bringing your own computer to campus? Have a smartphone? Information Technology Services (ITS) has recommendations to help you prepare for technology use on campus. These items can be accomplished even before you arrive at U of I.
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Its tough being in a new place. Get connected with student groups, university organizations and events going on in Moscow and at the university thru social media.
Share your experiences and learn about #UIdaho through pictures on Instagram.
Stay up to date on the experiences you've had at #UIdaho through Facebook.
Get the latest information about #UIdaho on Twitter.
Experience the action at the University of Idaho, follow the UIdaho YouTube channel.
Interested in following a certain group on campus? Find their Facebook or other social media options on the University of Idaho Social Media Directory.
The U of I campus and Moscow are both easy to navigate and welcoming to students. Figure out where you need to go for classes and for fun!
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- Find your way around with the Campus Map.
- See what's happening in town by checking out the Moscow Chamber of Commerce website.
Travel
Visit the Moscow campus and see all that the University of Idaho has to offer!
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The beautiful campus is located in Moscow, Idaho, near the Idaho/Washington border. Getting here is easy:
- By car – The University of Idaho is located on the Washington and Idaho border: University of Idaho Main Campus 709 S. Deakin St. Moscow, ID 83844
- By air – Area airports include Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport, Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport and Spokane International Airport. Cars can be rented at each of these airports.
- By bus – Greyhound Lines provides bus service to Moscow.
Make hotel reservations for your family for the start of school. Accommodations fill up fast!
In addition to your personal and room items, be sure to bring your own office and school supplies. If you don’t have a computer, remember all students have free access to the 15+ computer labs on campus.
Pets (except fish) are not allowed in the residence halls. Halogen lamps and cooking equipment, other than microwaves (limited to 800 watts), also are not allowed in the residence halls. Microwave/refrigerator combination units are provided in all residence hall rooms.