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Freshman Student Checklist

Now that you’ve been accepted to Montclair State University, complete the steps below to enroll as a full-fledged Red Hawk! If you have any questions about our enrollment process, please email msuadm@montclair.edu or call 973-655-4444.

Step 1
File your FAFSA and Review Financial Aid Communications

Ensure you receive any financial aid you may be eligible for by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. Be sure to list Montclair when you submit your application.

If Financial Aid reaches out to you with any document requests, make sure to reply so we can get your package to you as soon as possible.

Questions about this step? Sign up for a Financial Aid Webinar, watch a recording of our Financial Aid Webinar. You may also contact Red Hawk Central at 973-655-7600 or email redhawkcentral@montclair.edu

 

Step 2
Let Us Know You're Committing to Montclair

To reserve your place at Montclair, simply submit your new student deposit payment* online by the preferred May 1, 2024 deadline. The final deadline to submit your new student deposit is June 1, 2024.

To pay your deposit, use your Campus Wide ID (CWID) provided in your acceptance letter. Log in using your CWID (the eight-digit number) in the “Name” field and your PIN, which is your six-digit date of birth (MMDDYY), in the “Password” field.

If you are planning to live on campus, you may also submit your housing deposit* at this time. Once your new student deposit and housing deposit are processed, you may complete the online Housing Application. Detailed information about the housing selection process will be sent to the student’s Montclair email in May. The online housing application will be available in early June. Learn more about Housing Selection process!

*The new student deposit and housing deposit are non-refundable. On-campus housing is guaranteed for students who have paid their housing deposit by May 1. Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who pay their housing deposit after May 1.

Questions about your New Student Deposit? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 973-655-4444 or email msuadm@montclair.edu for assistance.

Questions about your Housing Deposit and Application? Contact the Office of Residence Life at 973-655-5188 or email reslife@montclair.edu for assistance.

Please allow 24-36 hours for your payment(s) to be processed before moving on to Step 3.

Step 3
Set Up Your Montclair Email Account and NetID

One to two days after you pay your new student deposit, you will receive a confirmation email from Undergraduate Admissions with the subject line, “Your New Student Deposit and Montclair NetID.” Your NetID is your login for many web-based University systems, including your Google account. The email we send you will give you your NetID and instructions for setting it up. As part of activating your NetID, you’ll have to confirm your identity through a challenge question. As a new student, you must choose the “CWID” challenge question. Your NetID cannot be activated until after you submit your new student deposit.

After you activate your NetID you MUST enroll and set up your MFA (Multi Factor Authentication), for access to University systems. For more information on how to do this, review the MFA Quick Reference Guide. For your reference, here’s a full list of SSO-enabled applications that will require MFA to protect your privacy.

When completed, you will use your NetID, newly established password, and the code retrieved from Google Authenticator for MFA, each time you log in to nest.montclair.edu, Gmail, and other University systems. Do NOT delete the Google Authenticator app.

It may take 24 hours until you’re able to successfully log in to other campus systems after setting up your NetID. T To access your Montclair Google account, sign into Google.com with your NetID@montclair.edu Gmail and password. Don’t forget to add your new Montclair email to your phone and check it regularly! This where you’ll receive official messages from your advisor and the University, and about exciting topics like new student orientation and move in.

Questions about this step? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 973-655-4444 or email msuadm@montclair.edu for assistance.

Step 4
Sign Up for Orientation

Fall Semester Students: More information about Orientation will be available in the spring. EOF Scholars will participate in a mandatory Summer Academy from June 30, 2024 – July 31, 2024 and are required to sign up for orientation but will be contacted by Dr. Rahjaun Gordon gordonra@montclair.edu regarding specific requirements for EOF Summer Academy. Any questions, please contact Dr. Rahjaun Gordon at 973-655-7016 or Dr. Daniel Jean at 201-364-3382.

Questions about this step? Contact the Office of Student Belonging at 973-655-4162 or email orientation@montclair.edu for assistance.

Step 5
Complete Mandatory Health Requirements

Within 48 hours of activating your NetID (step 3 of the checklist), you will be able to access the MyHealthPortal to upload your vaccination records. Immunization Requirements for Montclair students are viewable here. To see exemption forms, please click here.

Submit all immunization documentation through MyHealthPortal. (Please note, requests for medical exemption must be uploaded to MyHealthPortal as well.) Learn more about how to submit your immunization forms.

  • Spring Students: The deadline to submit immunization records is December 1st or three weeks from the date you pay your deposit.
  • Fall Students: If you submit your deposit by May 1st, the deadline for submitting immunization records for Fall 2024 is May 22nd. If you pay your deposit after May 1st, you have three weeks from the date of deposit payment to submit the form.

Don’t delay! You may be de-registered from your courses if your vaccination records aren’t received by posted deadlines.

If you need help, contact the Student Health Center at 973-655-3459  or by email to askanurse@montclair.edu. Office hours are on the weekdays from 8am-5:30pm.

Step 6
Complete Health Insurance Requirements

All full-time (registered for 12 or more credits) Montclair students are required to have health insurance coverage. Montclair will automatically enroll you in the Student Health Insurance Plan provided through the University. If you have private health insurance coverage, you must waive this enrollment by showing proof of other insurance. You can waive the enrollment and health insurance premium fee by going to University Health Plans and completing the waiver process. Deadlines will be posted once the fall semester begins. Please check your email at that time for updates.

For details about the Montclair State University Health Insurance Plan, visit our website.

Questions about waiving your plan, enrollment, or benefits? Connect with a University Health Plans representative at 883-251-1705 or email info@univhealthplans.com.

Questions about health insurance billing? Contact Red Hawk Central at 973-655-7600 or email redhawkcentral@montclair.edu for assistance.

Step 7
Complete Your Placement Testing

Foreign Language Placement Testing:

All students at Montclair State University must complete or transfer in 6 credits of world language coursework to meet graduation requirements. If you plan to continue studying a world language you have studied previously, you must complete the Foreign Language Placement Test Survey in your portal

Questions about Foreign Language Placement? Contact us for assistance.

Mathematics and Chemistry Placement Testing:

Placement tests are required for those interested in taking certain chemistry and mathematics courses. Placement tests are taken remotely at no cost to the student.

The following are required to take the Chemistry Readiness Test (CRT):

  • Students interested in taking Chemistry 120: General Chemistry I
  • Students majoring in:
    • Biochemistry
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Earth and Environmental Science
    • Exercise Science (Clinical and Pre-Professional Studies Concentration)
    • Marine Biology
    • Molecular Biology
    • Physics
    • Sustainability Science
  • Participants in the Pre-Medical Program

The following are required to take the Math Placement Test:

  • Students interested in taking Calculus I (MATH 122) or Calculus A (AMAT 120)
  • All undergraduate majors in the College of Science and Mathematics
  • Students majoring in Exercise Science (Clinical and Pre-Professional Studies Concentration)
  • Participants in the Pre-Medical Program

After claiming your NetID, you should take your placement test(s) as soon as possible in Canvas. The Chemistry Readiness Test is 35 questions long, and has a 60 minute maximum time limit. The Math Placement Test is 25 questions long, and has a 75 minute maximum time limit.

Your academic advisor will use your placement test scores, and your First Year Schedule Questionnaire (Step 8) to create your fall schedule.

Exemptions:

Exemptions for placement tests may be considered for students with AP or transfer credit. Students that have taken Calculus in high school may also be exempt from the Math Placement Test. Questions about exemptions can be directed to your advisor or the CSAM Student Success Center. If you do not have access to these test(s) in Canvas or have questions about the Chemistry and Math Placement tests, please contact the CSAM Student Success Center at csamssc@montclair.edu.

Step 8
Help Us Build Your Class Schedule

To assist in making a smooth transition to life as a Red Hawk, all newly admitted first-year students are pre-enrolled in courses for their first semester. All schedules are created by an academic advisor in consultation with your academic department.

Please complete your First-Year Schedule Questionnaire in your student portal. Your class schedule will not be finalized until you complete the First-Year Questionnaire. Deadlines are listed below:

Fall Student Deadline Spring Student Deadline
June 15th or one week after depositing December 1st or 3 days after depositing

After your schedule is built, your academic advisor will invite you to a welcome meeting to talk about what to expect before the fall semester begins. We strongly encourage you to prepare for your first advising meeting by viewing our Academic Advising 101 Videos beforehand.

Step 9
Save Time! Submit your own photo for your University ID card

Upload your photo to obtain your University ID card. Just go to the ID Card Office website to learn how.

Questions about this step? Contact the ID Card Office at 973-655-4147 or email cardservices@montclair.edu for assistance.

Step 10
Submit Your Final Transcripts

Your final official high school transcripts (including graduation date), official AP and CLEP score reports from College Board, dual-enrollment and other early college program transcripts, must be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Official transcripts and scores come to us directly from the originating institution (not from the student) either through the mail or electronically.

Your degree progress and fall schedule may be impacted if all final and official transcripts are not received by Montclair before the start of your first semester of enrollment.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR HARD-COPY TRANSCRIPTS TO:

Montclair State University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1 Normal Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07043

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ELECTRONIC TRANSCRIPTS TO:

counselor@montclair.edu

Questions about this step? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 973-655-4444 or email msuadm@montclair.edu for assistance.

Step 11
Prepare To Pay Your Bill

Montclair State University offers a variety of tuition payment options to suit your needs, including a payment plan. Don’t forget to formally accept any loans through Financial Aid that you have been offered if you wish to take them.

Questions about this step? Contact Red Hawk Central at 973-655-7600 or email redhawkcentral@montclair.edu for assistance.