First-time Freshman Guide

If you haven't already done so, you must activate your student account before you register for New Cards Orientation. This will grant you access to ULink, Blackboard and UofL Email.

• Your ULink account gives you access to your grades, your financial aid package and your tuition bill.
• Blackboard is as web-based technology support for your classes.
• Your UofL Email is your only source for official email communications from UofL, including all details about your orientation session.

If you have problems activating your account, please reach out to your personal admissions counselor for next steps.

All first-time freshmen are encouraged to accept their offer of admission and pay a $100 enrollment deposit. This deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to your tuition. Once you pay your deposit, you'll be able to register for New Cards Orientation. You’ll accept your offer and pay your deposit via the form in your New Cards Gateway.

To log in to your Gateway, you'll use the same personal email and password you used when you created your account to apply to UofL.

For important financial aid announcements and tasks, please make sure you are checking your UofL e-mail and monitoring your financial aid to-do list on ULink.

Submit your FAFSA.

• You may use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you are eligible to do so.
• You can use UofL's Cost Calculator to receive an estimated cost of attendance.

All first-time, full-time students under the age of 21 are required to live on campus, unless living at home with a parent or guardian. View exemption process.

The 2024-2025 housing application opened November 1, and the priority deadline is May 1, 2024.

Please note: Students will not be able to register for orientation until their enrollment deposit is paid. Watch your email for all of the details about New Cards Orientation for Summer 2024! Registration will open Monday, February 20.

It's important to enroll in classes that are right for your skill level so you don't waste time or money taking classes you don't need. Placement testing (such as Math, Reading and Foreign Language) is required for some students and other testing (such as CLEP) is optional.

If you are required to take Math and/or Reading placement exams (based on your academic program and your application materials) checklist items will be added to your New Cards Gateway in February and you will receive an email notifying you of this requirement.

If you have completed any college credit work you must submit prior to orientation a transcript from the college/university where the course took place.

Office of Admissions
Department AO
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Email: adetran@louisville.edu

Once we have received these transcripts you will have the opportunity to request a pre-evaluation to see how your credits will transfer to the University of Louisville.

Once we have received these transcripts you will have the opportunity to request a pre-evaluation to see how your credits will transfer to the University of Louisville.

In order to receive course credit for any AP or IB test results, you must have your scores sent to the University of Louisville.

If you do not have results or transcripts submitted by the date of your academic advising appointment, you will be advised accordingly and provided options once we have the official results/transcripts.

Your Student ID is also known as your Cardinal Card and every student is required to have one. This card confirms that you are a University of Louisville student and indicates you are entitled to the rights, privileges and responsibilities of a student. The Cardinal Card functions as your ID card, meal card, and library card, among many other uses.

Review the Healthcare Readiness Checklist and contact Campus Health with any questions.

Immunization records are required by UofL for all incoming freshman students. At this time, the COVID-19 vaccine highly recommended, but is not required for university staff, faculty, or students.