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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 class registration day.
  • Learn about how to register for your first semester of classes! 

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

Parents and Family Members – please click HERE to learn more about the Parent and Family Orientation experience.

Congratulations on your acceptance! Attend First-Year Orientation!


First-Year Orientation Dates

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

Spring 2024 Admitted Students (Classes start January 8)

Orientation dates for your term are now open for registration on your my.fiu.edu portal. You will see the available dates after you complete the Virtual Orientation. There will be dates for first-year students starting in November until the week before classes begin. 

Early Fall 2024 Admitted Students (Summer B - Classes start June 17)

The available dates for your Orientation are still pending. Details and dates for your term will be available for sign up in February 2024 on your my.fiu.edu portal. 

Fall 2024 Admitted Students (Classes start August 26)

The available dates for your Orientation are still pending. Details and dates for your term will be available for sign up in February 2024 on your my.fiu.edu portal. 

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 Details

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 8:30 a.m. and end at 5:00 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 one parent/family member 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 member 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. Any changes and/or updates to your guest name must be done 3 business days prior to your Orientation date. There are no refunds within 3 business days or less, or for non attendance.

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, Parent and Family Members: Your check-in location and time begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Academic Success Center (SASC).
  • There will be times where students will be together with parents/family members. There will also be times where both programs are separate.

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 unmarked parking spot.
  • If you are parking on our campus for Orientation, you must register your car for the program. The parking link is available here.
    • Note: This is not a student parking permit. It is only a registration link to register your car for the day of orientation should you choose to park on campus for the day.
  • 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. 

Lodging for Orientation Program

If students and/or guests intend to arrive before their Orientation date or require lodging after Orientation, all attendees are responsible in arranging their own lodging/travel accommodations. There are many hotels and/or Air BnB's around the Modesto Maidique Campus. The Modesto Maidique Campus address is: 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33199. 

Items to Bring

  • Panther ID Number – The sooner you memorize it, the better! 
  • FIU.EDU Password – You cannot check-in and check-out of your orientation day 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 cellphone charger - You will be using your phone throughout the day for schedule review and interactive portions, and will be using it for the check in/check out system! 
  • A light sweater or jacket – the rooms inside can be chilly. 
  • Comfortable shoes - we will be walking around campus to highlight different buildings!
  • 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 First Time Student Hold at your Zoom Advising and Registration appointment. After your advising session and once all holds are resolved, you will be able to enroll 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.

  • Mandatory - Sign up for your Advising and Class Registration Day!

    As a new first year student, you must receive academic advising. Your Advising and Registration session will take place via Zoom and may occur before or after your First-Year Orientation day. Visit advisingday.fiu.edu to register for your Advising and Registration Day session by clicking the "Register Now" button at the top of the page. Registration and attendance is mandatory. Your academic advisor will remove the First Time Student registration hold. You will then be able to enroll for your first year of classes.

    Should you need to reschedule your Advising and Class Registration day, please e-mail fiuadvising@fiu.edu. 

  • Mandatory - Complete your College Credit Earned (CCE) Form

    Your Advising and Registration Day will be a condensed virtual advising session, during which you will meet with an advisor from your department and, together, you will plan classes for your first semesters as an FIU Panther. The College Credit Earned (CCE) Form is now available for you to submit in the Academic Advising tile in your my.fiu.edu portal. This form is crucial in this process, as we want to make sure that you only register for courses you need - and those you haven't taken already. Please complete your CCE form as accurately as possible. All students are required to complete this form prior to their advising and registration day, even if you do not have credits to report. If you have pending test scores, make sure you share that with your academic advisor during your Advising and Registration Day. For any issues on the CCE form, email fiuadvising@fiu.edu.

  • 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.
    • Please log into your e-mail prior to attending Orientation to ensure you have access! If you cannot access your FIU student e-mail or are having issues logging in, contact our Division of IT at (305) 348-2284.
  • Financial Aid
    1. Complete your 23/24 FAFSA (Spring, Early Fall [Summer] 2024) and your 24/25 FASFA (Fall 2024) 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.
    3. You are required to attend an International Student Services Session conducted by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services(ISSS).
  • 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.

2023-2024 Resource Guide