University of Georgia

To-Do List for New Students on Campus

The “to-do” list is divided into two categories: Pre-Arrival Checklist and Post-Arrival Checklist. Not all items may apply to your individual situation. If you have questions, contact the appropriate office, your home academic department, or Graduate Admissions. You can find contact information by locating your program.

Pre-Arrival Checklist

  • Provide Verification of Lawful Presence: The University of Georgia must verify that you are lawfully present in the United States before allowing you to enroll. Please see the instructions for providing proof of lawful presence for information on how to provide this information.
  • Make Contact with the Department: If you have not done so already, contact the graduate coordinator’s office in the department to which you have been accepted. Make sure that you have the information you need regarding your department’s registration policies, orientation meetings, class requirements, and building access information to obtain your UGACard
  • Complete Final Admissions Details: If you recently completed a degree and the GradStatus Portal indicated that you must provide a final transcript or proof of degree, request the official final documents be sent from your previous institution before you register.
  • Establish a UGA MyID: Your UGA MyID is a unique username assigned for you to access many University services, including applying for housing and registering for classes and orientation. When you applied to UGA, you should have received an important email titled “UGA Account Information – Please Keep,” which contains information about your UGA MyID. If you haven’t already done so, click on the link in that email to set up your MyID password and create your MyID profile. If the link in the email you received has expired, or you haven’t received this email, please check your spam folder or contact the EITS Help Desk or phone 706-542-3106.
  • Get Your UGAMail Account: Soon after your UGA acceptance, you should receive an email titled “UGAMail Account Information – Please Keep,” which contains information about your UGAMail account. This email will be sent to the email address you provided to submit your admissions application. UGAMail is the University’s email system and all official UGA correspondence will be sent to your UGAMail address going forward. You must complete your MyID profile before you can access your UGAMail. If you haven’t received this email within 24 hours of receiving your UGA admission notification, please check your spam folder or contact the EITS Help Desk or phone 706-542-3106.
  • Housing: Housing is available for graduate students, their spouses, domestic partners and children in one and two-bedroom apartments on campus. Fees include power, water, laundry, and high-speed internet. On-campus housing is very in-demand, and the opportunity to choose an apartment is based on the date you complete the registration for housing. All on-campus housing is located on the university bus line. Register on the Housing website.
  • Disability Resource Center: If you have a disability and need accommodations, contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) or phone 706-542-8719, upon acceptance to UGA. The DRC coordinates and provides a variety of academic and support services to students with disabilities.
  • Medical Forms: Medical forms (Immunizations/TB Form/history) are DUE prior to attending a UGA Orientation – instructions to complete and upload the information are online. Call the University Health Center (UHC) with questions: 706-542-1767. You will find information regarding UHC on the University Health Center website, as well as other health resources for graduate students.

COVID-19 Vaccinations: The University Health Center offers vaccine appointments to incoming and current students.  The University strongly encourages all faculty, staff, and students to be vaccinated, though will not require you to be vaccinated to be on campus.

  • Apply for a Parking Permit: If you plan to drive a car, motorcycle, or scooter to campus, you will need a UGA parking permit. Information and instructions for Athens-based students are on the Parking Services website. Parking spaces for cars are assigned based on a priority system. Students who are admitted and apply for parking before June 30 will be placed in the initial pool of campus students, faculty and staff for allocation of space. Students may also wait until they arrive to apply for a parking permit. Students of other campuses should check the respective webpages for those campuses: Gwinnett, Tifton, and Griffin.
  • International Students: Make plans to attend the online orientation activities provided by the International Student Life Office. Learn about the campus and community and make new friends. You will also learn about immigration issues, taxes for non-residents, cross-cultural adjustment, housing assistance, course registration procedures, Social Security Cards, UGA payroll, and more.

Post-Arrival Checklist

  • Check-in with Your Department: Make sure that you are aware of any departmental orientation meetings for new students and that you have obtained departmental clearance for registration.
  • Registration: Most departments require that you be advised for courses prior to registering for class. Check in with the department to obtain clearance for registration, then register online via the ATHENA system, which can be accessed through your MyUGA Portal using your MyID. Make sure you are aware of your department’s policies. Furthermore, it is important that you obtain information about your department’s core requirements (if any) and register for those classes that begin to satisfy those requirements.
  • International Students: Upon arrival in the United States, please complete immigration check-in and orientation online through compass.uga.edu. You will receive an instruction email from Immigration Services. This is required before you can register for classes. Also visit the International Student Life Office’s website to take part in the International Student Orientation activities.
  • Pay Fees: Depending upon when you register for classes, Phase I or Phase II of registration, there will be a deadline for payment of fees. Missing one of these deadlines may result in late fees and/or cancellation of classes. Billing information is sent to your UGA email account. Your student account is accessible at your MyUGA Portal. If you have a graduate assistantship, you may deduct your fees from your paycheck. Contact the Bursar’s Office for questions regarding your account.
  • Get a UGA OneCard: The UGA OneCard is the official University of Georgia identification card for students, faculty, staff, official campus visitors, and their dependents. The OneCard is your key to accessing many facilities and services throughout campus. You must be registered for the current semester in order to purchase and use the OneCard. The OneCard is non-transferrable and can only be used by the student to whom it is issued. Misuse of the OneCard may result in disciplinary action by University Judiciary. Please check with your department before going to get your OneCard. Some departments require a proximity card for access to buildings and labs. Proximity cards are issued only with a signed authorization form from your department. Refunds or adjustments will not be given if you purchase the wrong type of card. Visit the UGA OneCard Office website for more information about the OneCard and how to get one. After the UGA OneCard Office produces your card, an ID Technician will photograph your eyes to create a biometric iris image to be used contact-less access at the Dining halls and the Ramsey Student Center.
  • Health Insurance: The University System of Georgia provides eligible students with access to a comprehensive and competitively priced Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Health insurance coverage can assist you with your medical and prescription needs. Please visit the Student Health Insurance website for more information.

NOTE: The University System of Georgia requires certain groups of students to have acceptable health insurance coverage. These groups of students are automatically charged for the mandatory student health plan. For further information regarding these mandated groups of students, visit the Mandatory Student Health Insurance section of the above website.

  • Download the UGA App: Easily locate buildings on campus or find out when the next bus will arrive at your stop with the UGA App in your phone’s app store. Other features include the Food Services meal planner, Athletic Association scores and news, daily schedules for Recreational Sports, access to the GIL (Galileo Interconnected Libraries) catalog, Customizable maps, People search, and more!
  • Student Technology Guide: EITS, the central IT department at UGA, has a guide for key technology services for you and a checklist for getting connected
  • Get Involved: To get involved and feel a part of the UGA community, consider joining a student organization, academic student organization, or other group of students/peers.
 
 
 

Unlocking potential. Building futures.

Apply Today