Admitted First-Year Student
Congrats! You're almost a Blugold
You've been accepted and are on the road to becoming a Blugold. There are a few things to do next to ensure you get everything taken care of before joining your fellow Blugolds on campus.
We'll walk you through the steps below, and if you want to track the progress of your completed next steps, log into MyBlugold CampS to see your Student Guide completion checklist. (Before you can do this, you must first activate your account — see step 1 below for details.)
1. Activate your account
Activate your account by visiting myusername.uwec.edu. You will need your username and campus ID, which are found in your admit letter or application acknowledgement email.
2. Submit your freshman enrollment deposit
After being admitted and activating your account (step 1 above), sign in to MyBlugold CampS. Once you've logged in, follow the steps below:
- Select Pay Enrollment Deposit from the menu on the left-hand side.
- Select Make a Payment or Deposit.
From here you will indicate the term you were admitted to, whether you are a freshman or transfer student, and how you wish to pay your deposit(s). Note that if you plan to stay in the residence halls, you can pay your $75 housing deposit at the same time you pay your enrollment deposit.
Submitting your enrollment deposit is important, as orientation information is only sent to deposited students beginning in mid-March. Deposits are refundable with a written notification postmarked or emailed by May 1 for Fall/Summer and by November 15 for Winter/Spring. To request a waiver for economic hardship or inability to pay, call 715-836-5415 or email admissions@uwec.edu.
3. Submit housing deposit + apply for housing
Wondering where you want to live? Check out the Housing and Residence Life page, which will provide you with your residence hall options and packing suggestions! Housing assignments are first-come, first-serve — so don't procrastinate! Students are guaranteed on-campus living if the application and deposit are submitted by May 1. Both steps are needed to secure your spot in the residence halls.
- Submit your $75 housing deposit. (See step 2 for deposit payment process.)
- Submit your housing application
If you submit your $75 deposit and housing application prior to February 1 you will likely get your requested roommate or one of your top 3 hall preferences. Housing will prioritize your roommate request over your hall preference when making assignments. Housing assignments are sent in June.
Questions? Contact Housing at housing@uwec.edu or call 715-836-3674.
4. Apply for scholarships
Dec. 1 priority; Feb. 1 deadline
Admitted new first-year students who meet minimum scholarship criteria at the point of admission and are accepted by the Feb. 1 application deadline must fill out the separate Admissions scholarship application to apply. Eligible new first-year students admitted by the Dec. 1 priority application deadline may be considered for early awards. Students receiving scholarships will be notified by the beginning of April of their senior year. For the scholarship application, descriptions, criteria and amounts, visit our scholarships page.
5. Apply for financial aid
March 15 priority
To be considered for financial assistance, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form found at fafsa.gov. You may begin completing the FAFSA on October 1 of your senior year. Submit your FAFSA by March 15 to receive a financial aid package prior to May 1 (our enrollment deposit refund date). For those who apply for financial aid earlier, we will begin sending out financial aid packages in December or January. Questions? Contact Blugold Central at blugoldcentral@uwec.edu or 715-836-3000.
Note: Your financial aid package may not reflect all incoming scholarships. If you haven't applied for scholarships, please refer to the scholarships page to learn more about eligibility, deadlines, and the application process. For questions about scholarships, call the Admissions Office at 715-836-5415.
6. Register for music auditions
Students intending to major or minor in music need to complete a placement and scholarship audition before enrolling. Visit the music website for information on audition schedules and how to register. Audition early, as the Music Department uses a rolling admissions system. Questions? Contact the Music Department at musicandtheatre@uwec.edu or call 715-836-4954.
7. Register for placement exams
Regional placement testing is required of all new incoming first-year students. Placement tests are offered on all UW System campuses and sites in Minneapolis and Chicago. Students must take placement tests before attending orientation. Information is mailed to students in January and registration begins on February 1.
8. Register for orientation
New student orientation one-day sessions and registration for new first-year students will take place in June. Students who have paid their $100 enrollment deposit will receive detailed information about orientation in late March and will be able to sign up for a date in early April. Before you attend orientation, be sure to send an official transcript for any college work in progress or completed so you can get the best advice on what courses to select. Sign up for one of the required 15 one-day programs from June 10-28!
9. Submit test credit
If you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, send the official scores to the Advising, Retention and Career Center for evaluation.
10. Apply for Minnesota Reciprocity
The current reciprocity agreement between Minnesota and Wisconsin enables a Minnesota resident to attend Wisconsin public institutions of higher education at rates approximating tuition prevailing in the Minnesota State University System. To receive this reduced tuition, apply using the Online Tuition Reciprocity Application. If you have questions about reciprocity, contact the Minnesota Office of Higher Education at (800) 657-3866.
11. Submit final transcript(s)
After graduation, submit an official high school transcript for a review of your senior grades and certification of graduation. In order to gain college credit for any college coursework taken in high school, send a final official transcript from the college/university you took the course(s) through. All transcripts should be sent to the Admissions Office prior to June orientation for best advising. Altering or failing high school or college coursework could result in cancellation of your admission. For a look at how credits will transfer, visit our Transfer Credit Wizard.
12. Prepare for move-in + first day of class
Move-in days | August 31 and September 1
It's the moment you have been waiting for! Welcome to campus! Our housing staff is ready and waiting to help you get everything in order to move in to your residence hall. (More information will be sent to you in June about how to select a move-in date.)
Fall semester begins | September 4
The best years of your life start today.
Not a traditional first-year student?
Select your student type below to see your next steps for after admittance:
We're here to help
If you have any questions about the steps after you've been admitted, feel free to contact us.
Technologically sound Blugold
Passionate, innovative, determined, inspiring. These are all words that people have used to describe UW-Eau Claire information systems alumna Beatris Mendez-Gandica, who is doing her part to inspire the next generation of women to enter the STEM fields.
Find out more
More than a job
Offering students on-campus jobs is a priority at UW-Eau Claire because studies show that students who work part-time in college often perform better academically and are more likely to stay in school than students who do not work at all.
Check it out