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 Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year

Here is a summary of the deadlines in the New Student Checklist lower on the page.

Check your personal email

Look for a welcome email with guidance on how to activate your Multi Factor Authentication and set up Office 365 set-up to receive and send Bison emails.

Submit your immunization documentation

After you have set-up your email and MFA, submit your immunization documentation to the Student Health Portal by July 1.

Complete the housing application

Complete the housing application on StarRez beginning May 15.

Register for Bison Prep

Register for Bison Prep beginning the week of May 19.

Complete Bison Learn

Log into Canvas (Via AccessHU) beginning the week of May 19 to complete Bison Learn.

Complete the ALEKS Math Placement Exam

Complete the ALEKS Math Placement Exam beginning the week of May 19.

Complete the English placement exam

Complete the English placement exam beginning the week of May 19.

Complete the language placement exam

Complete the language placement exam beginning the week of May 19 if you intend to take a language in the fall.

Register for fall 2025 courses in BisonHub

Beginning the week of June 8, register for fall 2025 courses in BisonHub.

Submit your high school transcript

Submit your official final high school transcript with graduation date by August 1.

Submit a recent photo

Submit a recent photo (no more than 30 days old) for your BisonOne Card by August 1 at noon.

Submit financial aid documents

Submit any required financial aid documents once available by August 15.

Bison Week

Participate in Bison Week activities (August 11–15).

Register for Mandatory Housing Orientation

Orientation is July 22–25 from 10 a.m.–noon and July 30 from 6–8 p.m.

Step 1: Get Connected

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.

     
Step 2: Check Your Financial Aid

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). 
Step 3: Your Bison Preparation

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

Step 4: Take Your Place(ment) Assessment

Just when you thought you were finished with tests for the summer! Have no fear, we just 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. 

Take your math pre-assessment

  • ALEKS is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that quickly and accurately assesses your level of mathematic proficiency.
  • You’ll use your credentials to log into AccessHU to take the exam.

Take your math placement exam

  • You’ll use an online tool called Proctor U to take your math placement exam.
  • Start by setting up your account. This is different from your other Howard accounts.

Take your english placement exam

  • 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.

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.

     
Step 5: Register for Classes

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

Register before move-in

Step 6: Find Your New Home

One of the most enjoyable and enriching parts of being a Bison is your time living on campus in a residence hall. Be sure you’re all set to live, learn, and build community on campus.

Make your housing deposit

After receiving your housing assignment in early July, submit the $500 housing deposit to secure your housing. You will use the StarRez system to pay this deposit.

 

Register and attend the Housing Orientation

See the events section in your HU Admissions Portal to register.

Purchase your meal plan

  • Many residence halls on campus require that you purchase a meal plan to ensure that you have access to dining facilities, convenience stores, and more.
  • Meal plans should be selected through the Starrez portal after receiving a housing assignment.
Step 7: Prepare to Move In

It’s just about time to move in to your new residence hall! 

Before you move in

Before you move in, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the important dates and the general process. 

Step 8: Submit Important Documentation

Great job! You’re well on your way to officially becoming an enrolled Bison. Be sure to tie up loose ends to make it to your first day of class as smooth as possible.

Deadline August 1: Have your final transcripts submitted

  • Coordinate with your high school counselor to submit your official final high school transcript before your graduation date.
  • If you’ve completed college courses, submit a request for your official college transcript(s) from the attended college.
  • Official electronic submissions are strongly preferred. Emailed transcripts are not accepted.

Deadline August 1: Set up your BisonOne I.D. card

Finish setting up your electronic identification for your BisonOne card by uploading a recent photo and providing additional required information.

Deadline August 15: Submit remaining financial aid documents

Paying for college is serious business, so be sure that your studies continue uninterrupted because of financial obligations. Log into the Financial Aid Portal to check your status. 

 

(International Students Only) Submit a Statement of Financial Resources (SOFR).

  • Non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit a Statement of Financial Resources (SOFR) to be issued an I-20/DS-2019 for visa eligibility.
  • Students should visit the Office of International Services website for the steps to complete the SOFR, be issued an I-20/DS-2019, and receive their visa.

     
Step 9: Attend Bison Week

The time has come! During Bison Week, you’ll meet your new classmates, learn about Howard’s history and traditions, and get acquainted with campus as you get ready for the first day of classes.

Bison Week and First Day of Class

  • Bison Week is August 11–August 17.
  • The first day of class is August 18.

Upcoming Deadlines

Icon of a calendar

Submit a recent photo (no more than 30 days old) for your BisonOne Card by August 1 at noon.

Submit your official final high school transcript with graduation date by August 1.

Participate in Bison Week activities, August 11–15.

Submit any required financial aid documents once available by August 15.

 

Additional Resources