New Domestic Student:
Pre-Arrival Checklist

1. Complete Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) Online
When you are admitted by the Graduate Division, you will receive a link to complete the SIR online. You must complete this process to indicate you are accepting your offer of admission to UCIrvine.

Degree Programs and Contacts

Complete the SIR as soon as possible after receiving your offer letter, and no later than April 15 when applicable. 

2. Complete Statement of Legal Residence (SLR)
You should complete the Statement of Legal Residence after completing the SIR (see above). It is used to determine residency status in order to calculate your tuition and fees.

Complete the SLR after completing Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). You cannot register for classes until this is done.

3. Activate UCInetID and Check Your Email
Activate your UCInetID for class registration, payment of bills, and much more! Many online services, including UCI Google (Gmail), EEE, WebReg, ZotPortal and numerous others, require you to use your UCInetID and password in order to log in.

Your UCInetID will be available after admission, once you have filed the SIR. You will need to enter your student ID number, date of birth, and social security number. Please note that you also need an activated UCINetID to establish your email account; however, your email cannot be established until after the first week in June. Review the Office of Information Technology's Getting Started with Email for Students.

Activate your UCInetID as soon as possible.

4. Apply for On-Campus Housing

If you wish to live on campus, apply for on-campus housing no later than 4:00pm (Pacific Time) on May 2.

MAY

5. Apply for Financial Support

Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure that any fellowship, grant or loan monies will be awarded on time.

JUNE

6. Activate Your Email Account in Mid-June, After You Have Been Assessed
Review the Office of Information Technology's Getting Started with Email for Students.  

Also, enroll in DUO multi-factor authentication to protect your UCI accounts. Sign-up and learn more here: https://duo.oit.uci.edu/.

7. Request Official Transcript with Bachelor's Degree Posted to Clear Provisional Admission
You will need to request an official transcript with your undergraduate degree posted on it from your school to clear your provisional admission as soon as it is available. The transcript should be sent to:

University of California, Irvine
Graduate Division - Transcripts
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3180

Electronic transcripts may also be sent directly by the Registrar of your school to Gradtranscripts@uci.edu.
NOTE: Do not send your official transcript to UCI until it is requested.
Your department may require a second official transcript be sent to them directly. Please check with your department.

Send transcript as soon as your degree is awarded and posted on your transcript.

All records submitted to our office become the property of the University and will not be returned to the student.  If your academic records cannot be replaced, please bring them directly to our office and we will photocopy and return them to you.

8. UC TB Screening and Immunization Requirements

It is the policy of the University of California that all new, incoming undergraduate and graduate students must obtain four required vaccines (or provide evidence of compliance) and complete a TB Risk Screening Questionnaire. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these health requirements prior to arrival on campus for the Fall term. The final dead-line date for incoming Freshman, Transfer and Graduate students to comply with these requirements is September 22. For further information go to https://shc.uci.edu/new-student-information.

9. Register for Classes
Use WebReg to enroll in classes. Graduate students are required to be enrolled full-time in at least 12 units. Incoming students may begin enrolling in classes in mid-June.  Please note that you must activate your UCInetID and file an SLR prior to enrolling in classes.

Register for classes no later than September 15.

JULY

10. Campuswide Graduate Student Welcome and Orientation

• All new graduate students are invited to the Campuswide Graduate Welcome and Orientation Canvas course, which will open in July. More information to come soon.
• The course will provide you with an introduction to campus leadership, the campus and surrounding area, graduate student policies and campus resources.
• Students will be notified about the course by means of their admissions letter from Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Gillian Hayes, and a series of communications from the Graduate Division will follow.
• Student will be notified in the summer with the date the Canvas course will open. 

AUGUST

Apply for the Graduate Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Waiver (if applicable)

• Having health insurance is mandatory as a student of UCI. Review the GSHIP benefits for yourself and voluntary and dependent enrollment. 
• If you already have health insurance that is comparable to UCI's health insurance, you may apply for a waiver. 
• Please visit the Student Health Center for detailed information regarding medical services, psychiatry & mental health services, health insurance, and health and wellness resources.

12. Accept Your Financial Aid Award Using MyAid
Use My Aid to accept and approve your new financial aid award. After you enroll for classes, fees will be deducted from your award and you will simply need to pay the remaining balance (via ZotAccount).

Complete as soon as possible.  Please note that if you are provided with graduate support in the form of a fellowship or an assistantship, the graduate support will affect your eligibility for Financial Aid.  In the event of such a situation, please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

SEPTEMBER

13. Pay Your Tuition & Fees
There are many ways to pay your fees.

• Online: Use ZotPay, a feature within ZotAccount. This debits your bank account.
• In person: Central Cashier’s Office 228 Aldrich Hall (UCI map #111)
• Mail: Make check payable to UC Regents and include your student ID number. Mail to:
  • Cashiers Office
    228 Aldrich Hall
    Irvine, CA 92697-1975

Please note that UC Irvine only accepts credit payment online.

Pay tuition and fees before September 15. Fees MUST BE PAID on or before the established fee payment deadline.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your fees are paid on time, even when fees are being paid by the department. If your fees are not paid by the deadline, you will be dropped from all of your classes.

14. Obtain a UCI Parking Permit (off-campus residents)
Parking permits can be purchased from the Parking and Transportation Office. If you drive to campus, you must have a valid permit to park on campus. If you live on-campus, your housing community will provide you with a resident parking permit, valid in resident lots only.

15. Obtain Your UCI Student ID Card
Get your picture student ID made at The Hill, UCI's bookstore. ID cards are used to check out library books, and to receive other UCI services.

16. Take the Campuswide Graduate Student Welcome and Orientation Canvas Course
Course modules open in July. This course will allow you to learn about expectations, policies, and campus resources.

17. Attend Your School or Department New Graduate Student Orientation
Departments or Schools conduct new student orientation for students within their own programs. Use Degree Programs to find the website for your program and relevant orientation information.

18. Apply for a California Drivers License
If you are from out of state and you plan on driving while you are at UC Irvine, you must get a California drivers license within 10 days of your arrival in California, and no later than the campus deadline. (Nondrivers must obtain a California identification card.).  To start the application and make an appointment visit the DMV website. The closest DMV offices to Irvine are located in Laguna Hills and Costa Mesa.

19. Establishing California Residency
If you are relocating to California from another state, you will be asked to establish California residency after your first year. Keep all receipts from your move to validate when you began residency. For more information, refer to the post-arrival checklist.