New Student Guide

Have you paid your deposit? If not, please head to the Admitted Students page and click “Pay Your Deposit.”

• 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.

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.
 

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. 

 

• Your BisonHub inbox will show you several tasks you need to complete to be “onboarded” into the New Bison experience.
  
   

• 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). 

• Use Canvas, our learning app, to complete the Bison Learn modules, which will provide critical information and guidance for beginning the registration process.
• Bison Learn modules will be available on or around May 1 for students who have paid deposits. Students who pay deposits on or after May 1 will be added to the Canvas platform approximately within 72 hours. 
• We encourage students to complete Bison Learn by May 15th (if possible), given that self-registration begins on May 18th. Self-registration is simply an attempt to create a draft schedule. Students will meet with advisors during Bison Prep to discuss requirements, ask questions, and update schedules.

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.

Mandatory (virtual) housing orientation dates:

• June 24, 25, 26 from 10 a.m.–noon
• July 21 and 22 from 5:30–7 p.m.

Register for virtual housing orientation via your admissions portal. 

• 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.
  
   

• Register for one virtual or in-person Bison Prep (orientation) date via your admissions portal. Please select one virtual or in-person date, but not both.

Orientation dates:

• Virtual orientation is June 9, June 10, and June 11
• In-Person orientation is June 17, June 18, and June 20

• ALEKS is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that quickly and accurately assesses your level of mathematic proficiency.
• Follow the Fall 2026 Aleks Instructions to create your account.

• You’ll use an online tool called ProctorU to take your proctored math placement exam.
• Use the Fall 2026 ProctorU Instructions to create your account.

• 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

1. Log in to your ProctorU account.
2. Click your name in the top-right corner to open the drop-down menu.
3. Select Account Settings.
4. Click Remove Enrollment, then click Update.
5. Click Add Enrollment.
6. Select Howard University from the list, then click Update.

How to Remove Math Placement Exam Enrollment and Add Accuplacer

1. Log in to your ProctorU account.
2. Click your name in the top-right corner to open the drop-down menu.
3. Select Account Settings.
4. Click Remove Enrollment, then click Update.
5. Click Add Enrollment.
6. Select College Board – Accuplacer from the list, then click Update.

• 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.
  
   

Steps needed before move-in:

• Complete Bison Learn modules  (See Step 3 above)
• Register and Attend Bison Prep  (See Step 3 above)
• Complete health and immunization requirements  (See Step 3 above)
• Register and attend Virtual Housing Orientation (See Step 3 above) 

• Register for classes (minimum of 12 credits to be full-time)

  Tips:

• Review your "How to Register for Classes" module in Bison Learn. This will serve as a refresher for getting started. We ask that you attempt to build a draft schedule.
• Be sure to write down any questions that you may have so that you may discuss these with your advisor during Bison Prep. We have found that coming to Bison Prep with a draft schedule makes the initial advising sessions much more productive. 
• Please bring a laptop to Bison Prep if possible. Registering from your phone is possible, but not ideal.