Getting Started: Degree-seeking Graduate Students

Welcome! This is a step-by-step guide for newly admitted online students at Oregon State University who are ready to start taking courses. This guide is for degree-seeking graduate students.

Not admitted yet? Please visit our "Ready to Apply?" information page for application procedures and requirements.

Step 1: Set up your ONID (OSU Network ID) and DUO

An ONID account is required to register for classes, access course sites, and receive a university email address. Please review these detailed ONID sign-up instructions. Please note: If you're a former student who is returning to Oregon State, you may need to reactivate your ONID account.

After you set up your ONID account, you will be required to sign up for DUO, a mandatory two-step authentication system.

Step 2: Check your oregonstate.edu email

Your ONID email is your official oregonstate.edu email and can be accessed through Microsoft 365/Outlook. Billing notifications and all other Oregon State communications will be sent there. You must check your ONID email regularly.

Step 3: Review your financial assistance

The Oregon State Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage has detailed information about financial aid. The Graduate School also has information about financing your education. In general, degree-seeking graduate students must register for at least 5 credits per term to be eligible for financial aid.

If you wish to be considered for financial aid, you must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and list Oregon State as your school choice. You will need to fill out a FAFSA every year.

Apply for financial aid as soon as possible - ideally, at the same time you apply for admission to Oregon State.

International students are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid. However, Oregon State administers several scholarship and tuition remission programs for international students. For more information, contact International Student Advising and Services.

Step 4: Grad school resources and Ecampus online orientation

Begin by completing the Ecampus online orientation for graduate students. It provides students with important information about online and hybrid learning at Oregon State, as well as systems and services you can use during your academic career.

You will also want to get in touch with the Graduate School. It is advised to review the Resources for Newly Admitted Students, and contact the graduate school directly with any questions about your program. For general questions, please call the Ecampus Student Services Center at 800-667-1465, option 1.

Consider registering for Grad Welcome Week. Grad Welcome Week is Oregon State's welcome and orientation event for new graduate students. Some of sessions will be available through streaming video.

Step 5: Talk with your academic advisor

Contact your academic program if you're not sure who your academic advisor is.

Your academic advisor will help you develop a plan for completing your degree. We want you to be successful at Oregon State, and talking with your advisor before you start your first class will help ensure your success.

Before talking with your advisor, it is a good idea to look at the Ecampus Schedule of Classes and make a note of any courses that especially interest you.

If you need help contacting your academic advisor, please call the Ecampus Student Services Center at 800-667-1465.

Step 6: Register for classes

Before you register, view the step-by-step registration guide.

Also, review information about steps to take if you need to change your registration after courses begin. Specific policies and procedures govern adding and dropping courses, refunds after the start of the term, late registration, and course withdraws. Changes to registration can affect financial aid awards and eligibility.

Ready to register now? Go to Beaver Hub to get started.

Step 7: Tuition, fees and billing

Review our tuition and fee information to ensure you understand the cost of courses.

All Oregon State bills are sent electronically. Detailed billing information is available from Business Affairs.

You can view and pay your bill online.

Step 8: Order an OSU ID card

Ecampus students taking only online courses are not required to have an OSU ID card. However, having a card could be useful for receiving student discounts or accessing some facilities if you visit an OSU campus. ID cards can also sometimes be used at other colleges and universities.

ID card rules are different for Portland hybrid students. To comply with building security policies at the OSU Portland Center, it is required for ALL students to obtain an OSU ID card. This ID is required to access the building outside of posted hours, to display as requested by security personnel, and will be used to access bike storage and lockers.

To get your OSU ID, please submit this online request form. Your student account will be charged $25 and your ID card will be mailed to you. For help or questions, please contact the OSU ID Center directly at 541-737-2493.

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