Congrats New Students: Start Here!
Before you can register for Orientation, you must:
- Know your CWID: Your CWID can be found at the top of your Accepted Student Portal. Your NetID cannot be activated until after you submit your new student deposit.
- Claim your NetID: This is your login for many web-based University systems.
- Enroll and set up Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to access to University systems.
- Set up your Montclair email: To access your Montclair Google account, sign into Google.com with your NetID@montclair.edu Gmail and password.
After claiming your NetID, allow 24–48 hours for access to NEST and the Orientation Portal.
The Orientation Portal will be open:
- May through August for new students who start Fall 2026.
- October through January for new students who start Spring 2027.
Instructions will be sent to your Montclair email.
Register for Orientation
All registration and required tasks are completed inside the Orientation Portal, located in NEST.
- Check your Montclair email regularly for instructions
- Complete all items on your personalized Task List
- Registration is required to secure your Orientation date
Fall 2026 Orientation Dates
Montclair Campus
- First-Time Freshmen: August 19-21 & 24-25, 2026
- Transfer Students: July 16 & August 26, 2026
- Families: July 14 & July 23, 2026
- Orientación Familiar: July 21, 2026
Bloomfield College of Montclair State University
- Bloomfield College Freshmen & Transfers: August 26, 2026
Each student is assigned an Orientation date in the Orientation Portal based on housing and incoming student statuses.
Online program students and international students will follow different orientation dates, check those web pages for details!
Required Steps Before Orientation
Available June 2026
Registration will be available in the Orientation Portal.
Topics include:
- Financial aid
- Billing and student accounts
- Payment responsibilities
Complete this online Canvas course before attending Orientation. You can log into Canvas with your NetID and password. This is also where your fall classes will be loaded!
You’ll learn about:
- Academic expectations
- Campus resources
- Community standards
- Student support services
If the course does not appear:
- Wait 24–48 hours after claiming your NetID
- If still missing, contact us.
Students in fully online undergraduate programs are exempt from this course.
Depending on your student type, you may need to:
- Submit your student ID photo
- Complete mandatory health requirements
- Review academic next steps
- Be sure all checklist items are completed in your Orientation Portal.
What to Expect at Orientation
Your one-day, on-campus Orientation experience includes:
- Meeting Orientation Leaders and new classmates
- Connecting with faculty and academic advisors
- Learning how to navigate campus life
- Preparing for your first semester
Additional details will be sent to your Montclair email after registration!
Family Orientation – Montclair Campus
First-Year Families of students attending Montclair are invited to attend a specialized on-campus Family Orientation session in July. The following dates are available:
- Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- Thursday, July 23, 2026
Important details:
- Your student must register you in their Orientation Portal
- Family Orientation fee of $40.00 paid online
- A special Family Orientation in Spanish, Orientación Familiar, will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Families are encouraged to join the Red Hawk Family Portal, CampusESP, to stay connected.