First-time Freshman Guide

Here's a guide to help you with your next steps!
Take Your Next Steps

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.

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.

  • You can find your account balance on ULink.

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

Your financial aid will not be disbursed if it is not on file.

Please have your school send your transcript electronically through Parchment (preferred method) or mail to:

Office of Admissions
Department AO
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292

You may verify the receipt of your final transcript through your ULink account under "view my undergraduate application status." Look for "FINAL" and a recent date in the education information section of this page. Please allow five days for processing after your transcript is sent.

If you plan to have a car on campus you'll need to order a parking pass.

Visit the housing portal to select your move-in time starting on July 17 at 10 a.m. EST.

The New Cards Navigator, in tandem with your other first year experiences, will ease your college transition and help you to understand the academic policies, procedures, and opportunities that will make your time at the university as successful as possible. Complete the Know Before You Go Module between August 1 and August 16.

Students can purchase course materials in person at the Campus store or via the UofL Campus store website.

Store Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Meal plans are convenient, flexible, and loaded with options. Your meal plan includes dining locations all across campus with a range of menus and offerings. You’ll get guaranteed value, whether you eat on campus three times a week or three times a day! We’ve got you covered. See our Meal Plan options for more information.

Welcome Week is an exciting four days of events and activities that help first year, transfer, and returning students get the fall semester started off right. With over 50 events, Welcome Week will help you meet tons of new and upperclass students and make UofL your new home, all while enjoying an almost endless supply of free food and prizes.


IMPORTANT DATES

PAY YOUR ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT & REGISTER FOR ORIENTATION |  Enrollment Deadline is May 1, 2024

FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS DUE |  August 1, 2024 

MOVE-IN DAY FOR ALL FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS |  TBD

WELCOME WEEK |  August 15-18, 2024

CLASSES BEGIN |  August 19, 2024

TUITION PAYMENT DUE DATE & PAYMENT PLAN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE |  August 23, 2024

FAMILY WEEKEND |  October 4-6, 2024

CONTACTS

Orientation
tel 502.852.7276
email orient@louisville.edu