Admitted Online Programs Students
Welcome, Cardinals! Your UofL Online journey begins now.
Online Programs Student Guide
Please activate your account within 60 days of being admitted. After 60 days, students must reach out to the IT Help Desk for assistance in activating.
Activating your accounts gives you access to:
- ULink: Your ULink account gives you access to your grades, your financial aid package and your tuition bill.
- Blackboard: A web-based technology support for your classes.
- CardSmart: Connects you with your Academic Advisor and allows you to schedule an academic advising appointment.
- UofL Email: Your UofL email is your only source for official email communications from UofL.
All first-time freshmen are required 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 gain access to your Online Programs Orientation Module. You’ll accept your offer and pay your deposit via the form in your New Cards Gateway.
To log in to your Gateway, use the same personal email and password used to create your account to apply to UofL.
Accept Your Admission and Pay Your Freshman Enrollment Deposit
If you haven't completed your FAFSA, do so as soon as possible. UofL's school code is 001999.
Once you've submitted your FAFSA:
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool if you are eligible to do so.
- Review your Financial Aid To-Do List via your ULink account when notified by the Student Financial Aid Office and on a regular basis.
You can use our Cost Calculator to receive an estimated cost of attendance.
The Online Programs Orientation Module provides information to support your transition to UofL as an online student. The module will be available in your New Cards Gateway, and you will receive an email when access is granted.
All online students* should complete the module before meeting with an academic advisor.
Access Module via Your New Cards Gateway
*Note:
- First-time in college students must pay their enrollment deposit in the New Cards Gateway before gaining access to the module or course registration.
- Traditionally aged (typically under the age of 20), first-time in college students must complete the module in the New Cards Gateway before scheduling an academic advising appointment.
After you complete your Online Programs Orientation Module, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor by logging into CardSmart with your ULink username and password. Step-by-step instructions for accessing CardSmart are available in the Online Programs Module.
If you are bringing transfer credit to UofL, an electronic copy of your Student Transfer Evaluation (STE) will be available on your ULink account prior to your advising appointment. During your advising appointment, you will review your STE, address any course transfer issues and select courses for the upcoming semester.
Schedule an Advising Appointment
*Note:
- First-time in college students must pay their enrollment deposit in the New Cards Gateway before gaining access to the module or course registration.
- Traditionally aged (typically under the age of 20), first-time in college students must complete the module in the New Cards Gateway before scheduling an academic advising appointment.
After you have completed academic advising, you will be ready to register for classes when registration is available. Please note that you will be required to complete pre-registration questions before gaining access to enrollment. These questions can be found in the “Tasks” tile in ULink.
As part of the success team available to you throughout your time here at UofL, you have been assigned an Online Student Success Coach. You can reach out to your coach at any time to help you navigate the onboarding experience, prepare for the upcoming semester, receive one-on-one guidance, access to resources and personalized strategies to help you succeed.
An invitation to meet with your coach for a New Online Student Check-in appointment, along with scheduling instructions and details, will be sent to your UofL email.
If you need to connect with your coach prior to the appointment, you’ll find your coach’s contact information under the “Your Success Team” section on CardSmart.
Getting a student ID, called a Cardinal Card, is optional for online program students. For more information, please send an email request with your ID number to cardinalcard@louisville.edu or visit Get a Card)
If you are currently enrolled at another institution, once your final grades have been posted you will need to submit a final transcript. If you are attending a Kentucky public institution, please have them certify your General Education courses on your final transcript.
You can find your account balance on ULink.
In order to be issued a refund of any residual funds that may be in your student account after tuition and fees are paid, you must set up your refund method in ULink (serviced by Nelnet.)
- Log into your student portal via ULink
- Click on the Financial Account tile.
- In the Financial Account tile, click the Nelnet icon labeled "Student Refunding."
- More information can be found at the Bursar Office website.