There are lots of additional tasks to review before you start classes! Use our enrollment checklist to prepare for your first semester as a member of Retriever Nation.
Use Checklist for Home Campus for the Catonsville campus, and Checklist for Shady Grove for the Rockville campus.
Checklist for Home Campus
Finalizing Your Enrollment
- Accept your admission offer and pay your nonrefundable enrollment fee in your myUMBC account.
- Complete your online Orientation modules for important transition topics and resources to understand before coming to your campus orientation.
- Complete your math placement test. Unsure if you are exempt? Check out the FAQs on the Placement Testing page to know for sure!
- Register for your campus orientation and virtual advising session.
- Submit your photo for your Campus Card so that you can “retrieve” it at your campus Orientation day!
- Submit your final high school or college transcript indicating your most recent completion of courses and degree, along with any official test scores (AP, IB, etc.) directly from the testing service that could award you college credit.
Finances
- If applying for need-based financial aid, submit your FAFSA to UMBC by including our school code of 002105 on your FAFSA and submit.
- Explore scholarships that may still be available on Scholarship Retriever
- Accept financial aid and scholarships
- If taking out federal student loans, complete MPN and entrance counseling
- Start your financial literacy journey by enrolling in UMBC’s Financial Smarts Cash Course
- Set up your refund choice for credit balances with BankMobile.
- You can estimate your cost of attendance by using our Cost Calculator and break down your payments by signing up for a payment plan.
Office of Equity and Civil Rights
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights has developed and implemented a comprehensive training plan for all UMBC community members to ensure we are living up to our value of Inclusive Excellence. Our training program includes sexual violence prevention as well as information on how to report instances of sexual violence and hate/bias to ECR. This mandatory training is assigned to all students and faculty/staff each year.
- Click here to use your UMBC single sign-on to access and complete the annual the training.
Health Requirements
Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) brings together Health Services and the Counseling Center offices to work in a collaborative, holistic approach to support your well-being and success. Please take care of these important steps to be sure your first semester on campus is a successful one.
- Complete your UMBC Health/Immunization form
- Complete the tuberculosis screening questionnaire on your patient portal
- Complete your proof of health insurance by following these steps
- Complete the prevention course Alcohol Wise, which is designed to educate students about the dangers of misusing alcohol.
- Complete the prevention course Cannabis Wise, which is designed to educate students about the risks related to the use of cannabis.
- Complete the prevention course Other Drugs, which is designed to use evidence-based strategies to educate students about the dangers of misusing drugs, including opioids.
Parking
UMBC requires all parked vehicles to have a valid UMBC virtual permit, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, excluding visitor pay to park spaces. All vehicles must be registered before being driven to campus.
- Go to the Parking Account Portal to request a permit. To log in, please use your myUMBC credentials. Please Do Not Create A Visitor Account. Contact parking@umbc.edu with questions or inquiries.
Register for the Emergency Alert System
UMBC has partnered with Omnilert to create an emergency alert system using your text messaging or email. Emergency alerts also will show in myUMBC.
NOTE: This service will only be used for alerts deemed as urgent or critical to the UMBC community. UMBC will not “spam” users via text messaging.
- Review and register for Omnilert Alerts and Alertus Software via myUMBC
Housing
On Campus Housing: If you are choosing to live on campus, be sure to visit Residential Life for New Student Information on securing your housing. Here is a timeline and steps to be sure you are on track!
- June 1 – Newly admitted Fall undergraduate student Application Priority Deadline. Students who missed the June 1 deadline but are still interested in living on campus are encouraged to review information about the waitlist process.
- June 15 – Deadline for new students to request a roommate
- July 15 – Fall Room & Roommate Information available on the Housing Portal (umbc.edu/go/housing).
- August 24 – New Student Move-In. Prior to move-in, we encourage our Residential Retrievers to:
- Submit medical documentation, immunization, and meningitis documents by August 15 to Retriever Integrated Health
- Request and/or pick-up your UMBC ID
- Review and pay your E-bill statement online
- Consult the Residential Life Packing List
- Print your Move-In Day Unloading Zone Pass (emailed to your UMBC account in August)
Off-campus Housing: If you are choosing to live off campus, UMBC has provided both our students and local landlords an online database of student rentals to better serve students needing quality, safe off-campus housing in the Baltimore area.
- To access this database, go to https://umbc.och101.com/
- To find a roommate to share an apartment with, there are a few options for you at UMBC:
- Go to our Off-Campus Housing website and click on Search for a Roommate
- Go to the “Classifieds” group on myUMBC. Students routinely look for roommates, furniture, and other items in this group.
Dining
Whether you are living on campus or commuting, it is important to understand your campus dining options and which meal plan may be best for you.
- Explore Meal Plans available
- Select and purchase a meal plan
- Explore Retriever Dollars and Food Fund options
- If interested, add money to your Campus Card
Student Disability Services
Students who wish to use disability-based access accommodations in classes or housing at UMBC must be registered with the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS). Students are encouraged to begin the SDS registration process early after admission to UMBC, before their placement testing date.
- Understand how to register for accommodations
- Register with SDS by accessing the Student Disability Services Registration Form online, which uses our secure Accommodate software student portal and your myUMBC log-in.
- Keep an eye on your UMBC email for next steps to provide documentation and meet with a staff member from SDS
Technology
Be sure to review the technology resources available to you as UMBC students. Below you can see guidance on technology recommendations and requirements, essential software and applications, and valuable links to campus resources.
- View the New Student Technology Checklist
Bookstore
The UMBC bookstore is your place for all your Retriever Gear and course material needs.
- Curious of what course materials are suggested for a successful academic experience? Explore our Course Materials Catalog for you classes!
- Our Course Materials Initiative (CMI) provides access to digital course materials (eTextbooks and/or courseware) through Blackboard. CMI billing is through the student account. Participation is automatic.
- Renting textbooks means paying a lower ‘rental fee’ upfront and returning the materials at the end of the semester.
- The Course Material Deferred Partial Payment Agreement allows students the opportunity to partially pay for their Course Materials during the first two weeks of the semester and pay the balance owed via UMBC student account in October (Fall)/April (Spring). Course Materials are any materials needed for a course; examples are textbooks, ancillaries, clickers, art supplies, and lab supplies.
Plan your Welcome Week Activities
Welcome Week is one of UMBC’s favorite traditions and the continuation of your Orientation experience. At the beginning of each semester departments and offices from across campus come together to welcome new and returning students to UMBC!
- Explore the Welcome Week website
- Join the Welcome Week myUMBC group for updates and new events
- Schedule your activities by referencing the Welcome Week calendar
Checklist for Shady Grove Campus
Enrollment
- Accept your admission offer and pay your nonrefundable enrollment fee in your myUMBC account.
- Submit your final high school or college transcript(s) indicating your most recently completed courses and degree, along with any official test scores (AP, IB, etc.) directly from the testing service that could award you college credit.
- Submit your photo for your UMBC Retriever Card.
Orientation
- Complete your online Orientation modules before your in-person orientation and virtual advising and registration session.
- Register for your in-person orientation at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and your virtual advising and registration session which will take place in December or January.
Finances
- Visit UMBC’s financial aid and scholarships website to learn more about your options, eligibility, and accepting awards.
- If applying for need-based financial aid, submit your FAFSA to UMBC by including our school code: 002105.
- Explore UMBC scholarships on Scholarship Retriever.
- Submit USG’s scholarship application.
- Accept financial aid and scholarships.
- If taking out federal student loans, complete MPN and entrance counseling.
- Start your financial literacy journey by enrolling in UMBC’s Financial Smarts Cash Course.
- Set up your refund choice for credit balances with BankMobile.
- Estimate your cost of attendance by using our Cost Calculator and break down your payments by signing up for a payment plan.
Office of Equity and Civil Rights
The Office of Equity and Civil Rights has implemented a comprehensive training plan for all UMBC community members to ensure we are living up to our value of inclusive excellence.
The training program includes information on sexual violence prevention and on how to report instances of sexual violence and hate/bias to ECR. This mandatory training is assigned to all students and faculty/staff each year.
- Use your UMBC login to access and complete the mandatory training.
Health Requirements
Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) brings together Health Services and the Counseling Center to work in a collaborative, holistic approach to support your well-being and success. Take care of these mandatory health-related requirements before joining us on campus.
- Complete your UMBC Health/Immunization form.
- Complete the tuberculosis screening questionnaire on your patient portal.
- Complete your proof of health insurance by following these steps.
- Complete the prevention course Alcohol Wise, which is designed to educate students about the dangers of misusing alcohol.
- Complete the prevention course Cannabis Wise, which is designed to educate students about risks related to the use of cannabis.
- Complete the prevention course Other Drugs, which is designed to use evidence-based strategies to educate students about the dangers of misusing drugs, including opioids.
Parking
- Purchase a USG parking permit and learn more about parking restrictions. Students park in the Shady Grove Garage located off of Shady Grove Road.
- Check out USG’s public transportation options.
- USG permits only apply to the USG campus and not to UMBC in Catonsville.
Emergency Alerts
- Create an account and sign up for USG Campus Alerts.
- Review and register for the UMBC emergency alert system if you plan to spend time on the Catonsville campus.
Housing
The Universities at Shady Grove is a commuter campus.
- Explore your local housing options using our off-campus housing and roommate search tool.
Student Disability Services
Students who wish to access disability-based accommodations must be registered with the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS). Students are encouraged to begin the SDS registration process as soon as possible after admission to UMBC.
- Understand how to register for accommodations.
- Register with SDS by accessing the Student Disability Services Registration Form online, which uses our secure Accommodate software student portal and your UMBC login.
- Keep an eye on your UMBC email for next steps to provide documentation and meet with a staff member from SDS.
Technology
- View the New Student Technology Checklist for guidance on recommendations and requirements, essential software and applications, and valuable links to resources.
Bookstore
- Explore our Course Materials Catalog for your classes.
- Be aware that our Course Materials Initiative (CMI) provides access to digital course materials (eTextbooks and/or courseware) through Blackboard. CMI billing is through the student account. Participation is automatic.
- Consider renting textbooks to pay a lower ‘rental fee’ upfront and return materials at the end of the semester.
- Consider the Course Material Deferred Partial Payment Agreement, which allows you to partially pay for course materials during the first two weeks of the semester and pay the balance owed via your UMBC student account in October (Fall)/April (Spring).