Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, all new first-year students are required to participate in New Student Orientation. Orientation is designed to assist you in completing the necessary steps prior to starting your first semester at the University of Arizona. You will learn about academic and support services from the campus and your academic college. This is also when you will register for your first semester classes.

You will register for your New Student Orientation through the Next Steps Center. When you enter the orientation registration portal, there is a provided list of program dates available to you. Please know that the dates you see may be different from your friends who are attending in the same semester. The dates filter based on your unique academic criteria and program availability. Factors such as college, major, or SALT Center participation will affect the orientation sessions you are eligible to attend. Orientation dates are also limited based on total capacity. Program registration closes seven business days in advance of the orientation session date or when a particular program reaches overall capacity.

You are able to make changes to your orientation reservation up to seven business days in advance of the program in which you are currently registered. In order to make a change, log into the Next Steps Center and open the Orientation module. In the left-hand menu, select the “Virtual Orientation” tab. In this section, scroll down and click the red button that says "Make Changes." You will be able to switch program dates and/or remove guest(s). 

Please note the following fees associated with making changes to your orientation reservation:

• Add guests ($40 fee)
• Reschedule orientation ($35 fee)
• Accessibility Accommodations (no fee)

If you need to make a change to your session within seven business days, please contact Orientation & New Student Services at orientation@arizona.edu

We designed orientation with you in mind, so each person’s experience will be a little different. Our virtual orientation sessions will range from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Arizona time). More information will be provided via email communications sent in advance of your session to the addresses provided during the registration process. All programs have scheduled activities for guests and students until 5 pm.

Changes to an orientation session that would result in a refund of orientation fees will be processed for a full refund if made at least seven business days in advance of the student’s scheduled orientation. Changes requested after a student has missed their scheduled Orientation session will not receive a refund.

This policy is valid for orientation fees only and does not cover the Enrollment Fee. In order to receive a refund of the Enrollment Fee, students must cancel their admission to the University of Arizona on or before May 15 through the Next Steps Center. If a student cancels admission to the University of Arizona after May 15, but at least seven business days prior to their orientation session, orientation fees (listed above) will be refunded. Please email orientation@arizona.edu if you have any questions.

Cancellation of orientation takes place only when a student cancels their admission to the University of Arizona. Since orientation is a required program for all new students, you cannot cancel program attendance unless you have decided not to attend Arizona. Please see the question "Can I make changes to my Orientation registration?" for instructions on how to make changes to the date of your orientation program.

You are able to change your major up to seven business days prior to your Orientation program via the Next Steps Center. Under the ‘My Academics’ area of Next Steps Center, you will see a link labeled ‘Request Change of Major’. Click that link to select the program you would like to change into and confirm your decision. You will see the major change reflected in the ‘My Academics’ area on Next Steps Center. Please note, the Colleges of Architecture, Engineering, Fine Arts and Nursing have additional admissions criteria, and you will need to submit the change of major request form provided. When you select the ‘Change of Major’ link on the Next Steps Center this will direct you to the form. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Orientation & New Student Services at orientation@arizona.edu.

The student will want to select the earliest session possible in order to have time to submit their documents to the government for funding. For additional information regarding your benefits, visit our Military-Connected Benefits and Certification office or email veterans@email.arizona.edu.

Some military benefits do not cover the cost of the Enrollment Fee. It is highly recommended that students using their military benefits to cover tuition costs submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Submitting a FAFSA will not affect your benefits and the student may be eligible for additional monetary help to cover the Enrollment fee. Based on FAFSA information, the student may be eligible to defer their enrollment fee.

Family and supporter participation is optional but is encouraged. The Family Essentials virtual orientation provides Wildcat family members with information, resources and contacts that will aid in student success at Arizona. Family members and guests can be added via the student registration process in the Next Steps Center. There is a $40.00 guest orientation fee, which helps to cover programming costs of Family Essentials.

There is no benefit of signing up for an early New Student Orientation session other than your opportunity to complete the process early. Students often cite course availability as a concern for students attending later orientation programs. The University of Arizona controls course availability so that all incoming students will have an opportunity to enroll in courses needed in the first semester. Specifically, seats in General Education and Foundation coursework are distributed throughout the orientation season, allowing students in the last session the same opportunity to add courses as students in the first session. Course availability in areas other than General Education and Foundation coursework will vary by college, but most departments work to assess course needs throughout the summer to be sure that course availability meets student demand.

Yes, you must submit your proof of vaccination to be eligible for course registration. For more information on immunizations, please visit your Next Steps Center.

Orientation is required for all incoming students at the University of Arizona. By signing-up for orientation, you are acknowledging that failing to attend your orientation session may result in a $35 no-show fee added to your student account. If you are unable to attend your scheduled session, you must contact Orientation & New Student Services or your individual Academic Unit as soon as possible.

Yes, all Transfer Students must attend a Transfer Student Orientation. We design the program to assist you in completing the necessary steps prior to starting your first semester at the University of Arizona. You will learn about academic and support services from the campus and your academic college. This is also when you will register for your first semester classes. The program spans from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Arizona time).

The Transfer Enrollment Fee covers the cost of providing the Transfer Student Orientation, Next Steps Center, and support services provided by the Transfer Student Center and Enrollment Services.

You will register for your Transfer Student Orientation through the Next Steps Center. When you enter the orientation registration portal, there is a provided list of program dates available to you. Please know that the dates you see may be different from your friends who are attending Arizona in the same semester. The dates filter based on your unique academic criteria and program availability. Factors such as college and major affect the orientation programs you are eligible to attend. Orientation dates are also limited based on total capacity. Program registration closes two weeks in advance of the orientation session date or when a particular program reaches overall capacity.

You are able to make changes to your orientation reservation up to seven business days in advance of the program in which you are currently registered. In order to make a change, log back into the Next Steps Center and select the Orientation module. In the left-hand menu, click the “Virtual Orientation” tab. In this section, scroll down and click the red "Make changes" button. If you need to make a change to your session within two weeks of your session, please contact Orientation & New Student Services at orientation@arizona.edu.

In order to receive a refund of the Enrollment Fee, students must cancel their admission to the University of Arizona on or before June 15 through the Next Steps Center. Please contact Orientation & New Student Services at orientation@arizona.edu with questions.

The student will want to select the earliest session possible in order to have time to submit their documents to the government for funding. For additional information regarding your benefits, visit our Military-Connected Benefits and Certification office or email veterans@email.arizona.edu

Some military benefits do not cover the cost of the Enrollment Fee.  It is highly recommended that students using their military benefits to cover tuition costs submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Submitting a FAFSA will not affect your benefits and the student may be eligible for additional monetary help to cover the Enrollment fee.  Based on FAFSA information, the student may be eligible to defer their enrollment fee.

Orientation is required for all incoming students at the University of Arizona. By signing-up for orientation, you are acknowledging that failing to attend your orientation session may result in a $35 no-show fee added to your student account. If you are unable to attend your scheduled session, you must contact Orientation & New Student Services or your individual Academic Unit as soon as possible.

Students are expected to be available from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Arizona time) for Global orientation and 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (Arizona time) for their New (or Transfer) Student Orientation.

The Family Essentials orientation program will be held on the same day as the student’s orientation session. Registered family supporters will be sent an email communication with more information regarding their orientation program.

Once the student completes their orientation process, they will see the CatCard item via their Next Steps Center. Distribution of the CatCard ID will happen once the student is on campus.  We will notify students via their UA CatMail account regarding the location and time of distribution.

Orientation is required for all incoming students at the University of Arizona. By signing-up for orientation, you are acknowledging that failing to attend your orientation session may result in a $35 no-show fee added to your student account. If you are unable to attend your scheduled session, you must contact Orientation & New Student Services or your individual Academic Unit as soon as possible.