Now that you're officially accepted to ONU, here are your next steps to becoming a Polar Bear. We’re not going to sugarcoat it: Enrolling in a university may seem overwhelming, but there’s fun to be had, too. Once you make your way through the administrative stuff, it will all be worth it. We promise.
Steps for an Accepted Student:
(Students who have received an acceptance notification from the University, but have not submitted their deposit.)
1) Make plans to attend Orange and Black Accepted Student Day
- Dates offered: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 and Saturday, March 22, 2025
- These special visit days are reserved for accepted students and their parents. The schedule and events are specifically designed to help students and parents finalize their next steps in attending ONU and becoming a Polar Bear.
- Register today for your preferred date.
- If you are unable to attend either date, we encourage you to schedule a personal visit.
2) File the FAFSA
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is scheduled to open in December. Check the FAFSA website for possible opening delays. When completing the FAFSA, add our school code--003089--to designate ONU as a recipient of your FAFSA. If you don't plan to file, please notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing as soon as possible.
3) Submit your Enrollment Deposit and make your decision official
- Reserve your spot in the entering class by submitting your deposit.
- Submitting your deposit provides student access to set up your ONU email, to register for Summer Orientation and select your housing.
Steps for a Deposited Student:
Some steps below require you to access my.onu.edu using your ONU network account.
1) Set up your ONU Network and Email Account
- Directions on how to set up your ONU network account are sent by email after you submit your deposit.
- Add your ONU email account to your phone, or download the Gmail app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2) Sign up for a Summer Orientation Session
- Registration for 2025 Summer Orientation will open January 1, 2025.
- Summer Orientation dates are: 3, 4, 12, 13
- We encourage you to register early. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly.
3) Connect with other New Polar Bears
- Join our Facebook group for first-year students. This will be available on October 1, 2024. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
4) Sign up for Campus Housing
- Access the housing registration form on my.onu.edu using your ONU network account. The housing registration form will open on October 1, 2024 and the deadline for submission is June 20, 2025.
- Planning to commute? All incoming freshmen and new transfer students who wish to commute must turn in a form by June 20. All forms received after this deadline will incur a $50 late-processing fee and could result in the student not being approved for off-campus commuting. Visit Self-Service Banner to complete the Off-Campus Housing Form by clicking the "Student" tab, "My Housing", and then select the off-campus housing application within the housing self-service site.
5) Let your School Counselor know you are coming to ONU
- Your counselor will need to send us a final, official transcript, which includes your graduation date, before you begin classes at ONU. Transcripts submitted by email can be sent to transcripts@onu.edu.
6) Be on the look-out for emails regarding placements assessments for freshmen
- Directed Self-Placement for Writing (all students), ALEKS mathematics placement (select Arts & Sciences, Engineering and Pharmacy students).
OPTIONAL: Consider taking a Summer Refresher Course (Biology, Chemistry, or Math).
- Offered on campus
- Not required for entering students
- More info here