Rocky and Roxy

Transfer Student Checklist

Now that you’ve been accepted to Montclair State, your next step is to enroll as a full-fledged Red Hawk. Use the checklist below for guidance. Check out our webinars to help with the enrollment process for Spring 2025 transfers here.

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. The FAFSA is now open to apply here for the 2024-2025 academic year.

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
Tell us you're coming to Montclair

To reserve your place at Montclair, simply submit the non-refundable New Student Deposit* in your Accepted Student Portal by the posted deadline at montclair.edu/admissions/commit.

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 Transfer Student Deposit? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 973-655-4444 or email transfermsu@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.

Step 3
Set Up Your Montclair Email Account and NetID

Your NetID is your Montclair email account login ID and your ID for other web-based University systems. Your NetID and instructions for how to activate it will be emailed to you after you deposit, starting in October. Please note, your NetID cannot be activated until you submit your new student deposit.

  1. Please activate your NetID after receiving the NetID and instructions email from Undergraduate Admissions (which is sent 2-3 business days after you deposit). Please note: As a new student, you should only choose the “CWID” or “SSN” related challenge questions. Please wait a minimum of 24 hours before attempting to access other University systems outside of NEST.
  2. Once your NetID is claimed, please log into Gmail to activate your Montclair State University email. The username will be your netid@montclair.edu and your password will be the same you used to claim your Net ID above.
  3. After you activate your NetID, you MUST enroll and set up Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) before classes begin for access to University systems. Duo Mobile makes logging in easier by providing a verification code through your phone or device. An email will be sent to you with instructions. Learn More about DUO.
  4. Once your NetID has been activated, you will begin receiving communications to your Montclair email account from your academic advisors and other University staff.

Please note, after the NetID has been claimed, it replaces your CWID and PIN as your login credential to NEST.

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

Step 4
Review your Transfer Credit Evaluation

Reminder: Transfer credits are only posted from official college transcripts. Unofficial college transcripts will not post credits to your official academic record.

To learn how courses are transferred to Montclair State and to understand their course equivalencies, log into the NEST student services website. Enter your CWID and your PIN and click on “register for classes” at the top of the page. Please note: If you have already claimed your NetID, you will use those credentials to log into NEST to view your Transfer Credit Evaluation.

Once logged in, go to the “Transfer Credit Evaluation” and click on “DegreeWorks.”

Your audit will be available for your review online shortly after you receive your acceptance notification. You will receive an email when your credit evaluation is ready. For Fall 2025 Transfer students, you will be notified early Spring 2025.

Learn more about our Transfer Credit Appeals Process.

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

Step 5
Schedule a Meeting with Your Advisor

After you’ve claimed your NetID and about one week after you have deposited, you can make an appointment with your advisor to register for classes. Please allow at least two business days between claiming your NetID and trying to log into Navigate, the campus advising system

Make An Advising Appointment Now

Your advisor, a professional staff member from your chosen College/School, will help you select your courses for your first semester at Montclair and provide you the PIN you need to register. Make sure to review your transfer credit evaluation before your appointment. Spring students are able to register for Winter and Spring and fall students are able to register for Summer and Fall.

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

Step 6
Register for Orientation

Undergraduate Orientation takes place before the start of your first semester. It’s mandatory, but fun!

Register for Orientation

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

 

Step 7
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. Please follow these steps:

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. The deadline for Fall 2025 is May 22nd. If you pay your deposit after June 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 University Health Center at 973-655-4361 or by email to askanurse@montclair.edu. Office hours are on the weekdays from 8am-5:30pm.

Step 8
Assure adequate health insurance coverage

All full-time (registered for 12 or more credits) Montclair State 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 bill for your first full (fall or spring) semester is available

Questions about this process? Connect with a University Health Plans representative at 833-251-1705 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.

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

Step 9
Register for placement tests

Transfer students with fewer than 24 credit hours need to complete appropriate testing -or receive exemption -prior to registering for coursework.

Foreign Language Placement Testing:

All students at Montclair State University must complete the foreign language requirement to graduate. If your transfer coursework does not meet the foreign language requirement, you may need to complete the Foreign Language Placement Test. Learn more about the test.

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.

Once you have completed your placement test(s), you will be able to register for your math and/or chemistry course the following day.

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 10
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 11
Submit your final transcripts

Make sure your final official college and high school transcripts have been submitted prior to the start of the semester. An “official” final transcript comes to us directly from your originating institution (not from the student), either in the mail or electronically. Your originating institution can submit your transcript electronically to transfermsu@montclair.edu or they can mail it to us at:

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

The high school transcript requirement is waived for incoming transfer students who have earned an associate degree or 60+ credits from a four-year institution.

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

Step 12
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.