Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Arizona icon
Questions?

We have answers! If your question about the Virtual Orientation Experience is not listed below, please contact our office:

orientation@arizona.edu

If you have questions about the Family Essentials Orientation, please contact UAFamily@email.arizona.edu.

General

After you've completed the "Path to Enrollment" tile in Next Steps Center, go to Orientation > Confirm Your Major. Once there, scroll down and follow the instructions under the "Want to change your major?" header.

IMPORTANT: You have until 14 days before your Academic Connection Date to make any "Change of Major" requests. If it's too late to change your major, don't worry – you’ll still be able to change your major after your Academic Connection Date!

Please contact intl-new@arizona.edu. Check out the ISS website to learn more immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, and the international student experience.

Go to Next Steps Center > Path to Enrollment > Secure Your Spot. Scroll down and click the red “Cancel admission” button.

IMPORTANT: Please check the Enrollment Fee refund/reversal deadlines in Next Steps Center!

If you cannot access Next Steps Center, you can also use this cancellation form.

You need to be signed up for an Academic Connection Date in order to access Arizona Arrival. Also, you must use the "Incoming Student" option to log in. If you're still experiencing an error, please contact orientation@arizona.edu.

IMPORTANT: Arizona Arrival will be available to Summer/Fall 2025 students on April 1, 2025.

Enrollment Fee

  • Domestic First-Year students - $450
  • Domestic Transfer Students - $175
  • International First-Year and Transfer Students - $450

  • Pay online via credit card (2.4% service fee) or electronic check (no service fee)
  • Pay by mail. Payment address and instructions will be provided once you've selected this option.
  • Request a deferral. Students will need to submit a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to be considered for the deferral process.

No. All new incoming first-year and transfer students are required to pay the Enrollment Fee.

No. Scholarships are specifically for tuition. We are unable to verify Vocational Rehab, GI Bill, or other military benefits ahead of time to verify that you’d be receiving enough funds to cover the cost of the Enrollment Fee.

  • First-Year: The $450 Enrollment Fee covers the cost of the Virtual Orientation Experience, placements, and other programming costs.
  • Transfer: The $175 Enrollment fee only covers the cost of the Virtual Orientation Experience. Placements are paid out of pocket.

Yes, but ONLY for domestic students if they officially cancel admission (via Next Steps Center > Path to Enrollment > Secure Your Spot) by the deadlines below:

SUMMER / FALL 2025 STUDENTS:

  • Domestic First Year: May 15, 2025
  • Domestic Transfer: June 16, 2025

IMPORTANT: The Enrollment Fee is non-refundable for international students.

Academic Connection Date:

Registration / Rescheduling

No. Your Academic Connection Date is entirely virtual and conducted on Zoom.

However, after you've completed your Academic Connection Date, the final part of your orientation will be Destination Arizona -- an on-campus celebration that takes place right before classes begin!

IMPORTANT: In Next Steps Center, you must complete the "Path to Enrollment" tile to unlock the "Orientation" tile.

  • Go to Next Steps Center > Orientation > Academic Connection Date
  • This section will have instructions on how to register and you'll be redirected to a series of screens where you can select the Academic Connection Date that works best for you.
  • Choose carefully, and make sure your date doesn’t conflict with work, family events, or vacation.

Since your Academic Connection will be hosted on Zoom, you don’t need to be in Arizona or on campus to access your meetings for the day.

The dates shown as available are those with open seats at the moment. However, once you select a date, you can always check back later to see if any other dates have opened up.

Available seats will fluctuate!

Please contact orientation@arizona.edu. This usually means that we need to refresh open seat availability based on specific majors.

Go to Next Steps Center > Orientation > Academic Connection Date. Also, reminder emails sent to your CatMail will display your scheduled date in the header.

UP UNTIL 15 DAYS BEFORE: Go to Next Steps Center > Orientation > Academic Connection Date. Scroll down to click the red "Make Changes" button and you’ll be redirected to a series of screens where you can select a new date that works for you!

IF IT'S WITHIN 15 DAYS: Please email orientation@arizona.edu and we will work with you to find a new date.

$35. After you have rescheduled your Academic Connection Date, you can pay the fee by going to Student Center > Bursar Account > Bursar Summary.

Academic Connection Date:

General

No. You’ll just need to submit those items as soon as they're available!

YES. You must complete the "Placements" module in Next Steps Center at least 5 business days before your Academic Connection Date. Next Steps Center will guide you through the entire placement process and let you know what placements you may - or may not - need to take.

If you do not complete your required placements in time, you will be rescheduled to a new date and required to pay a $35 rescheduling fee.

IMPORTANT: Even if you have dual enrollment / transfer credit or past test scores, you must still complete the "Placements" module in Next Steps Center. 

YES. Arizona Arrival is an interactive online tool that will guide you through what you need to know as an incoming Wildcat. This portal is completely self-paced to ensure that you absorb as much information as possible.

You must complete Arizona Arrival at least 5 days before your Academic Connection Date. If it is not completed in time, you will be rescheduled to a new date and required to pay a $35 rescheduling fee.

You will have 3-4 meetings on your Academic Connection Date - with varied times - so you should plan to be available online until late afternoon.

Here is a basic rundown of what to expect. All times will be in Arizona time!

  • 8:15 AM - W.A. Franke Honors (only for Honors students!)
  • 9:00 AM - Academic Unit Meeting
  • Time will vary - Schedule Review / Advising appt
  • After your Schedule Review - Departure with an Orientation Leader

If you're NOT in the Eller College of Management: Starting 14 days before your Academic Connection Date, you'll be able to view your Academic Connection Date meetings in CatCloud Calendar. This is also how you'll access those required meetings for the day.

If you ARE in the Eller College of Management: You'll check CatMail for an email with special instructions.

Double-check the start time of the meeting you're trying to access, and make sure you're following Arizona time. If the meeting still hasn’t started after 5 minutes, please visit us in the Orientation Hub for assistance! Our staff will be able to check on the meeting’s status.

If you need help on your Academic Connection Date, please hop into the Orientation Hub Zoom room. It will be open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Arizona time), and our staff will be available to assist you!

Student checks CatMail

BOOKMARK YOUR CATMAIL

Check CatMail every day for important orientation-related updates, announcements, and communication from the university.

Go to CatMail