You can officially say you’re part of the Ram Family, but there are still a few more steps to take before you’re ready for the first day of class. Below you’ll find detailed information that will guide you through the enrollment process, and we’re here for you if you have any questions.
Click on each step to jump to detailed information about why each step is important and the actions you need to take to check it off the list.
Want to print a checklist to hang on the refrigerator? We have you covered.
Accept your offer of admission by paying or deferring your $300 enrollment deposit. By deferring you’ll officially be confirmed and will pay the deposit as part of your first bill. Once you submit your deposit, you will gain access to the housing application and Ram Orientation registration.
Freshmen are required to live on campus and are guaranteed housing. The housing guide included in your admit packet has details about all of our residence halls and dining centers. The housing application includes a $350 deposit.
All new students attend Ram Orientation to register for classes, learn about CSU traditions, and get introduced to various campus services.
Submit your FAFSA and scholarship applications before the deadlines. While Colorado State offers many opportunities for financial aid and scholarships, be sure to research funding from other sources as well.
These online assessments should be taken before attending Ram Orientation unless you already have equivalent credit.
Admission is provisional until we receive your final, official transcript reflecting graduation.
Find out what records and actions are required by looking at the CSU Health Network’s New Student Checklist.
Reserve your spot in our incoming class by paying your $300 enrollment deposit, which covers new student charges and a portion of your first semester tuition. You’ll be able to access the Housing Application and Ram Orientation sign-up after you deposit.
Once you have accessed the “Tell Us Your Plans” module, you’ll be prompted to take one of the following actions.
By confirming and paying your $300 deposit you will reserve your spot in the incoming class and gain access to the housing application and orientation registration.
If the deposit presents a financial hardship or your cost of attendance will be paid by a third party, you may defer your $300 enrollment deposit. This will reserve your spot in the incoming class and you will gain access to the housing application and orientation registration. The $300 deposit will be applied to your first semester bill and you may apply financial aid or third-party funds to help pay the deposit.
You can request a change to your entry term for up to one year. We’ll keep your application active and work with you if your admission decision and enrollment deposit can be retained.
If you decide not to enroll at CSU, you can decline your offer of admission. After you decline, we know that you no longer are considering CSU, and we will discontinue our communications. You can change your mind and confirm at a later date, but declining your admission might impact your enrollment options. If you’ve already deposited and your plans have changed, refer to our refund policy.
Depositing on time helps us plan for your arrival and ensure your spot in the incoming class. If your plans change, contact us to update your application to a future term or to cancel your confirmation (refund policy).
We recommend confirming by May 1; after this date, deposits are accepted on a space-available basis.
Deposit by December 15 or within two weeks of your admission to ensure your space in the incoming spring class.
Summer course registration opens in March, so early confirmation is encouraged. Deposits are accepted until June 1.
CSU offers a wide selection of housing and dining options to ensure all students feel at home on campus. With a few exceptions, freshmen are required to live on campus, and all freshmen required to live on are guaranteed housing.
Learn more about Residence Halls and University Apartments now or check your Find Your Place housing guide in your admit packet. Questions about living on campus, the housing application, or the $350 housing deposit can be directed to Housing & Dining Services.
All new students attend Ram Orientation to learn about our traditions, to get introduced to campus services and to register for classes. It’s an important time to connect with others in your class and to meet the current students, faculty and staff who will help you be successful at CSU.
Many of the other steps for admitted students on this list are important to complete before attending Ram Orientation so that your advisors are able to help you plan for the upcoming year.
In addition to the traditional freshman track, an Adult Learner and Veteran Student Track is available to non-traditional, first-time students who qualify based on characteristics such as family status, work situations, time away from college, or military background. This track is offered through the Transfer Ram Orientation program.
Finding your financial fit is an important part of choosing the right university, and one of the most important aspects of your financial fit is aid. We recommend pursuing as many types of funding as possible including grants, scholarships, loans, work study, and student employment to help offset the investment of college.
Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for the full range of financial aid at Colorado State. All families are encouraged to apply because some merit-based aid requires FAFSA information.
Be sure to check RAMweb and check your @RAMS email regularly once you submit the FAFSA in case additional information or verification is required to complete your financial aid award.
With the exception of Western Undergraduate Exchange, freshman scholarships are available only to students beginning in the fall semester. You automatically will be considered for admissions-based scholarships if you submitted a Complete Application by February 1, and award notification is generally sent out within one month. To be considered for awards offered through CSU academic departments and the Office of Financial Aid, submit the Colorado State University Scholarship Application (CSUSA), available in RAMweb between December 1 and March 1.
You are also encouraged to research available state and federal need-based grants.
There are several types of loans that you can apply to your cost of education. These are provided by the government, University, and private lenders. Many loans require you to complete the FAFSA.
Work study and student employment may provide you with valuable work experience through the University while helping offset the cost of education. Learn more about work study and student employment opportunities and requirements.
Most students are required to complete the online Mathematics Placement Exam (MPE) and the Composition Self-Directed Placement process before attending Ram Orientation.
You may be exempt from these placement requirements if you meet the following criteria:
To receive advanced standing credit for transfer or test out work, be sure to submit your official college transcript and/or official test results, and bring a copy of your results to orientation for your advisor’s reference. If you haven’t yet received your grade/test score, mention the pending result to your advisor at orientation.
When you review the placement procedures, you’ll see information about two additional placements:
Admission to CSU is provisional until a final, official high school transcript reflecting graduation has been submitted and reviewed. To avoid possible delays in the financial aid or course registration process, submit final transcripts by July 1 for the Fall Semester and January 2 for the Spring Semester.
If you completed college-level work prior to high school graduation, be sure to submit all official transcripts to be reviewed for advanced-standing credit.
Complete the steps on CSU Health Network’s New Student Checklist to support our commitment to a safe and healthy campus. Steps include submitting required health and immunization records, completing the online Alcohol EDU and Haven Sexual Assault Prevention programs, and documenting insurance coverage.
You can take care of this step any time before you enroll; many students bring health records with them to Orientation.