Close
Close 
Search this website

First-Year Orientation

Orientation is a fun and educational program critical to your success as a new first-year student. You can expect to:

  • Learn about academic policies and requirements.
  • Get familiar with campus buildings/landmarks.
  • Hear about resources and involvement opportunities.
  • Make connections with other new students.
  • Receive information on academics and get prepared for your advising and registration day
  • Register for your first semester of classes. 

Orientation is mandatory for all undergraduate students, so be sure to take the steps below as soon as you can!

Congratulations on your acceptance! Attend First-Year Orientation!

Note: Registration for Orientation is first-come, first-served, and sessions will close once they've reached their maximum capacity.

Completing Orientation

24 hours after you've paid your $200 tuition deposit or have had it waived, log into your my.fiu.edu account, and click the Orientation tile. Here you will see more information and be connected to the portal to begin your Virtual Orientation. Upon completion, you will be charged $35.

Follow these suggestions to complete your Virtual Orientation:

  • Disable any pop-up blockers temporarily on your internet browser to access the Virtual Orientation
  • Let all of the videos play through on their own. Skipping ahead will prevent you from progressing forward in the module.
  • You may stop if necessary and continue where you left off by going back to the link in your MyFIU account
  • Stay active within the Virtual Orientation to ensure that you do not time out of the system and lose your progress
  • If you followed these instructions and still have technical difficulties, then send an email with your name, Panther ID, a detailed description of the problem, and any relevant screenshot's to orient@fiu.edu for assistance.

First Year Orientation Information

We can’t wait to see you at your First-Year Orientation! As a friendly reminder, please make sure you review the information below to help you prepare for your Orientation Day.

First-Year Orientation is a one-day program. It will begin from 8:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m.

Failure to complete the one-day program in its entirety will require you to register for another date. If another date is unavailable during your admit term, you will need to contact Admissions to defer your admit term. 

Guests: Parent and family members are an essential part in your academic success! If you would like to bring up to two parent/family members with you, please read the information on PantherSoft carefully as you enter your guest name information during your registration process. 

There are times during our program where parent and family members will have the opportunity to attend separate educational sessions, so it may not be appropriate for friends or other non-family members to attend. This is an opportunity for guests to learn important information about FIU tailored to their role in your college experience. 

Please remember that once a parent/family member is registered, you are responsible for making any outstanding payments for both your charges and theirs. 

If a family member is unable to attend, encourage them to complete the free self-paced Parent and Family Orientation online course at go.fiu.edu/pforientation. 

 Orientation Check-In

  • Students, Parents/Family Members: Your check-in location and time begins at 8:00 a.m. in the Student Academic Success Center (SASC).

Parking

  • Enter campus from the main entrance off SW 107th Avenue via SW 16th Street. 
  • Parking is provided free of charge at any garage on campus; however, we encourage you to park in Blue or Gold Garage to be within close walking distance, in any blue or unmarked parking spot.
  • The parking link will be available 24 hours prior to your Orientation date and it will be located here. 
  • Once you exit the garage, follow the PAW prints and signs to the Student Academic Success Center. 
  • Please see/print our campus map or use the FIU Mobile app, which has interactive maps to help you locate the Blue Garage (PG2) and Graham Center. 

Items to Bring

  • Computer, Charger, and Headphones – Bring a charged tablet or laptop if you have one for note taking/class registration. If you don’t have one, we will have a computer lab available for use for advising and class registration. 
  • Panther ID Number – The sooner you memorize it, the better! 
  • FIU.EDU Password – You cannot register for classes without it. 
  • Documentation to resolve registration holds – If you still have holds on your Orientation Day, such as health (immunization, proof of insurance, etc.) or residency (proof of Florida residency, etc.), make sure you have these items available and readily accessible electronically or physically with you. 
  • Driver’s License or other government-issued photo ID – to get your FIU One Card. 
  • A light sweater or jacket – the rooms inside can be chilly. 
  • A water bottle to stay hydrated - we have water fountains on campus!
  • Cash/credit card – for anything you may want to purchase while on campus. 
  • Positive attitude – always a must-have! 
  • Special Initiative – you are invited to support your fellow Panthers in need by donating items to our on-campus Student Food Pantry. We collect these during check-in. Please see below for suggested donations: 
    • Grains (pasta, rice, etc.)
    • Jarred pasta sauces 
    • Boxed pasta (i.e., macaroni & cheese) 
    • Non-perishable fruit 
    • Non-perishable protein 
    • All types of cereal 

Pre-Orientation Checklist

Get prepared before attending Orientation. Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth transition to FIU!

  • Resolve holds

    Check your “Tasks” tile in MyFIU for any of the holds. Holds must be resolved before attending orientation.

    • The Orientation Hold will be removed once you fully attend and complete our program.
    • Your academic advisor will remove the University Core Curriculum (UUC) registration hold at your subsequent Zoom advising appointment where you can then register for your first semester of classes.
    • Immunizations Hold for health compliance records.
      • Review FIU’s immunization requirements, and submit all necessary documents/waivers to immune@fiu.edu. Processing time is 24-48 business hours.
      • Did you grow up or attend school in the state of Florida? You have records on file with the Florida Department of Health Immunization Registry, also known as Florida SHOTS. If you would like FIU to search for your records in the registry, please complete this consent form.
      • If you need assistance with Immunization holds, contact Health Compliance via email at immune@fiu.edu.
      • Previous schools may not transfer this information.
    • Admissions Hold for undetermined residency.
      • If you have an Admissions/Residency hold, additional details about requirements can be found on the OneStop Enrollment Services website.
      • Using Web Upload through your MyFIU is the preferred method to submit your initial residency documents. To do so:
        1. Follow instructions to Submit Forms Online
        2. Choose a department: Admissions
        3. Choose form name: Residency Docs Florida (Initial)
        4. Upload your documents and save
      • For questions or additional assistance with residency, please email admresidency@fiu.edu.
  • Mandatory – Upload photo for FIU OneCard

    You are required to upload your photo and government-issued ID to the FIU One Card Office prior to your Orientation date. You will be allowed to upload your photo closer to your orientation date and will receive a communication directly from One Card. Make sure you follow all directions, and that your photo meets all required criteria. Your FIU One Card will be distributed at Orientation. Visit our website onecard.fiu.edu or email onecard@fiu.edu with any questions.

  • Access your FIU Student E-Mail
    • All fully-admitted students at FIU have access to their own personal FIU email account through Microsoft 365.
    • To log in to your email, visit mail.fiu.edu and type in your FIU username (the first part of your FIU email account, ex. rpant065) and password, which is the same as your MyFIU password.
  • Financial Aid
    1. Complete your 22/23 FAFSA (Early Fall/Summer 2023) and your 23/24 FASFA (Fall 2023) at FAFSA.gov and include FIU School Code 009635.
    2. Visit my.fiu.edu and check your Tasks tile for any pending Financial Aid items.
    3. If you were selected for verification, click on the Federal Verification Link; all verification documents must be submitted via ProVerify.
    4. Your financial aid will not be processed until verification is completed.
    5. For questions or additional assistance with Financial Aid, Contact OneStop.
  • International students (on F1/J1 Visas)
    1. You are required to have health insurance. An Insurance Hold is placed on your account until proof of insurance is shown.
      • More information about health insurance requirements can be found on the Health Compliance website.
      • If you need assistance with an Insurance Hold, contact Health Compliance via email at insure@fiu.edu, phone (305) 348-2688 or fax (305) 348-3336 from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET), Monday through Friday.
      • Processing time to 24-48 business hours.
    2. Complete the Declaration Certification of Finances Form to register for your classes. For assistance, email iadmiss@fiu.edu or contact them via WhatsApp at +1-786-702-0031.
    3. You are required to attend an International Student Services Session conducted by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services(ISSS).
      • This is separate from First-Year Orientation.
      • You can find more details on the ISSS website.
      • If you have questions, email isss@fiu.edu or access the ISSS Virtual Office Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ET).
  • Apply for Housing

    On-campus housing fills up quickly, so apply early! Visit the Housing & Residential Life website and sign a housing agreement today!

  • Sign Up for Panther Camp!
    Panther Camp provides incoming FIU students with the opportunity to transition to FIU in an exciting and engaging way! Meet new students, create lasting memories, and get ready to embark on a new journey at FIU. Sign up today!
  • Orientation payment

    All outstanding orientation charges must be paid in full before attending your scheduled session.

Orientation Resource Guide

Download the Orientation Resource Guide, which contains information about university resources, services, and support systems.

Note: The 2023-2024 Orientation Resource Guide will be available April 2023. 

2022-2023 Resource Guide