New Student Checklist
Incoming students should complete the items in this checklist
Before you sit in your first class, you’ll need to complete several tasks critical to your enrollment here at Howard and your ability to live and learn on our campus. After payment of your enrollment deposit, many of the essential tasks you must complete are listed below, along with instructions on how to complete them. As a new student, we highly suggest the following tasks be completed before your arrival on campus for move-in.
Although tasks are not required to be completed in a particular order, we highly suggest early completion of tasks with required deadlines.
Let’s get started.
Important information will be shared with you through official Howard communication, so be sure that you have set up your accounts below.
Get your Howard email address
- Check your personal email account for a welcome message from Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not see the message in your inbox.
- If you do not see the welcome email or the temporary password you were issued has expired, please call the ETS helpdesk at (202) 806-2020 during their normal business hours (Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.) so they can reset your password.
- You’ll need to set up a “multifactor authentication,” which provides security as you access your Howard accounts.
Access your BisonHub portal
Use your Bison email address and complete the multifactor authentication step to access BisonHub, where you can check your Howard email inbox, notifications, and access other important apps and accounts.
Get your student identification number
In BisonHub, you will find your student identification number as part of your student profile. You will need this number to complete several tasks associated with your enrollment.
Complete New Bison Onboarding
- Your BisonHub inbox will show you several tasks you need to complete to be “onboarded” into the New Bison experience.
- Watch the video to learn more.
Access your financial aid package
- Once your financial aid package is available, you can access it through BisonHub.
- You may also need to complete additional documentation including: Federal Student Loan Entrance Counseling; and Federal Student Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN).
Once you are connected with your Howard family, you can begin the process of submitting important items which must be completed before your arrival on campus.
Submit your housing application
One of the most exciting parts of the Howard experience is living on campus in a residence hall. We suggest early submission of your housing application as soon as the application opens.
Attend “Bison Prep”
- Bison Prep is our summer orientation where students and their families will have the opportunity to learn more about Howard’s academic and student support services and tools for academic success.
- Students who were unable to attend one of the Bison Prep virtual or in-person sessions should watch the recording of the virtual session.
Complete “Bison Learn”
- Use Canvas, our learning app, to complete the Bison Learn module, which will walk you through how to select and register for classes.
- Afterwards, submit the Course Completion Form on your HU Admissions Portal.
Submit immunization forms
- You have to be medically cleared in order to move into your residence hall.
- Both you and your doctor must complete and upload important required forms.
We want to assure you register for the right courses. You’ll need to take a few quick placement assessments to best personalize your course curriculum.
Pay careful attention to the following instructions below. Additional accounts may be required to set up that are separate from your official Howard University account.
- Schedule your proctored exam (must be scheduled three days in advance).
- Complete Pre-Assessment (Practice Exam).
- Students must complete 3 hours in pre-assessment before taking the proctored exam.
Create your ALEKS account
- ALEKS is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that quickly and accurately assesses your level of mathematic proficiency.
- Follow the Spring 2026 Aleks Instructions to create your account.
Create ProctorU account
- You’ll use an online tool called ProctorU to take your proctored math placement exam.
- Use the Spring 2026 ProctorU Instructions to create your account.
Check your Bison email for instructions from Accuplacer
- Check your bison email for instructions on how to access the exam. Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not see the message in your inbox.
- Check your bison email for instructions from Accuplacer on how to access the exam. Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not see the message in your inbox.
- When taking both proctored Math and English placement exams, follow the steps below to adjust ProctorU settings.
ProctorU Enrollment Adjustments
How to Remove Accuplacer Enrollment and Add Howard University
- Log in to your ProctorU account.
- Click your name in the top-right corner to open the drop-down menu.
- Select Account Settings.
- Click Remove Enrollment, then click Update.
- Click Add Enrollment.
- Select Howard University from the list, then click Update.
How to Remove Math Placement Exam Enrollment and Add Accuplacer
- Log in to your ProctorU account.
- Click your name in the top-right corner to open the drop-down menu.
- Select Account Settings.
- Click Remove Enrollment, then click Update.
- Click Add Enrollment.
- Select College Board – Accuplacer from the list, then click Update.
Take your world languages exam
- If you are planning to take world language courses as an incoming freshman, you’ll need to complete the World Language Placement exam.
- You’ll use your Howard email address to schedule your test through Avant.
Congratulations! You’re ready to register for the courses which will change your life as you grow within your profession and commitment to Truth and Service.
Log In to Howard University OneCampus page
- Search for CANVAS to access BisonLearn for step-by-step registration instructions.
- Search BisonHub to follow steps for registration.
- Partner with your academic advisor to register for classes.
Register before move-in
- You must register for courses before you can move-in.
- Access Bison Learn in CANVAS for step-by-step instructions on how to register.
- You’ll need to access BisonHub to begin the process.
- You can also Access your Academic Advisor.