New Students

Newly Admitted Students

Congratulations on your admission.

Congratulations on being admitted to the University of Colorado Boulder! We’re thrilled to welcome you to our learning community.

The new student checklist below is for students enrolled in non-Coursera programs. Students enrolled in Coursera programs will receive an email with information on how to get started with their CU Boulder program.

New Student Checklist

   Confirm your intent to enroll.

Depending on your program, you may need to confirm your intent to enroll. Please refer to your admission communications for specific requirements.

   Activate your Identikey and CU Boulder email.

Your IdentiKey is a unique credential that provides you with access to a majority of our campus systems and services.

Activate Your Identikey

All official University communication will be through your Colorado.edu email account, so it is important that you log in regularly.

Access Your CU Email

   Submit official transcripts.

Depending on your program, you may need to submit official transcripts. Each official transcript must be submitted by the issuing institution directly to cerecords@colorado.edu or to:
 
CE Records/Program Name
Division of Continuing Education
University of Colorado Boulder
178 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0178

   Get to know the CU Buff Portal.

The Buff Portal is also known as the student portal and is where you’ll manage your student transactions while you’re at CU Boulder.

Access Buff Portal

   Check your equipment.

All students will need to have a stable internet connection and a computer that includes a camera and microphone.

Minimum Computer Requirements  

   Connect with your program advisor.

Program advisors are here to help you identify academic and professional goals, access any university resources you might need to achieve those goals and help you focus on life and learning. Watch for important communication from your program advisor.

  Orientation

Orientation provides critical information about your program, courses, faculty, staff and learning management system (the space where you’ll be taking your courses). Please see information from your program on accessing your orientation.

   Enroll in classes.

You will need to complete preregistration items before you can enroll. 

Once registration opens, you may register by logging into your Buff Portal.

Learn How to Register for Classes

   Complete the online Community Accountability course.

The course should appear on your Canvas dashboard after logging in. If you don’t see it listed, select “Courses” on the left, then “All Courses.”

Learn More About Community Accountability 

   Review tuition.

Bills become available in Buff Portal (CUBill&Pay for authorized payers) by the second Thursday of each month after you register for classes. Payment is due on the 5th of the following month.  

See the Bursar's Office for Important Dates  

   Manage your finances.

Connect with the Office of Financial Aid. If you’re a veteran or veteran dependent, contact the Veteran and Military Affairs office. For qualified CU employees & dependents, information about tuition assistance can be found here. For students using employer-assistance, please learn more about third party payments.

   Set up VA Education Benefits.

In addition to the other check-list items, military-connected students are encouraged to start setting up their educational benefits early. Information on setting up VA Education Benefits at CU Boulder can be found on the VMA New Student Checklist.