Hello, future Panther families.
An education at UNI is a family experience, and it all starts with the admission process.
Families can support their prospective Panther in many ways, and we're here to help you help them. Below is information tailored specifically to you, so whether you are a first-time college parent, or a seasoned one, we hope you'll find helpful information here as you navigate the college admission process.
Applying: What to Expect
- Application for Admission
- Our application for admission contains 20-25 questions, no essays or hard questions – and takes 15 or so minutes to complete.
- Freshmen students can apply with an ACT or SAT score and be admitted based on their high school course requirements and Regent Admission Index (RAI) or apply as test-optional and be assessed through committee review of student's GPA and course selections.
- Transfer students applying are evaluated primarily on their cumulative grade point average (GPA) from their previous institution(s).
- Students can upload their unofficial transcripts directly into their application. Official transcripts will need to be sent to the Office of Admissions prior to enrollment.
- Submitting the application requires a $40 application fee with fee waivers available for those who qualify.
- Students can expect a response within 48 or so hours.
- Students are required to create a CatID which they'll need for many of their next steps so be sure to make note (our office is happy to help if locked out of the account).
- Scholarships
- The Office of Admissions offers eligible students automatic, merit-based scholarships upon admission. What does this exactly mean? It means your student does not need to submit an additional application be considered for these specific scholarships. There are scholarships for both freshmen (first-year) and transfer students.
- Students can apply for additional scholarships through the UNI Scholarship Application. A student must be admitted to the university to gain access to the application. Through this online application, students can apply for hundreds of scholarships available across the university.
- Financial Aid
- Students do not need to be admitted to UNI to submit their FAFSA. However, only admitted students who complete a FAFSA and include UNI's school code of 001890 will receive a financial aid offer from UNI in February. The financial aid offer gives you a summary of the aid your family will receive and the expected cost of attending UNI.
Steps to becoming a Panther!
1. Apply for Admission
2. Submit the UNI Scholarship Application.
3. Accept your offer of admission.
4. Start your housing contract
5. File your FAFSA
6. Register for orientation
7. Select your housing
8. Send final transcripts
9. Take Alexs math exam
10. Orientation, Move in, Panther Welcome
Important Dates and Deadlines
Application Opens
July 1
Housing Contract Opens
October 1
FAFSA Opens
Tentatively December 1
FAFSA Priority Deadline
February 7
UNI Scholarship App Deadline
February 7
Orientation Registration Opens
February 12
Receive Your Financial Aid Offer
Spring
Housing Self-Selection Begins
April
Accept Your Offer
When ready!
Acceptance Fee Info
Orientation Sessions Held
June-July
Panther Welcome Held
August 20-22
Fall Semester Begins
August 25
Admitted: What to expect
- Accepting Offer
- If a student intends to attend UNI, they'll need to accept their offer of admission. Doing so requires completion of a simple form and payment of a $320 acceptance fee. Fee deferral is available (fee will be on your student's first electronic university bill (U-Bill). A partial fee refund is available until May 1 for students who cancel their previously-accepted admission offer.
- Housing Contract
- Upon accepting their offer of admission, students can complete their housing contract and be eligible for room selection, starting in April. The sooner your student completes their contract, the earlier their room selection date will be. We recommend students start on their contract shortly after admission.
- Orientation
- Orientation is a required, one-day event designed to prepare students for the start of their UNI experience. Families are encouraged to attend with their student. Students must accept their offer of admission to be eligible for orientation registration. Registration opens in February.
- Financial Aid
- Upon getting their financial aid offer, students and their families are able to accept and/or decline the aid that's been offered to them through the Student Center in MyUniverse. Families will also need to complete the two online requirements (Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note) at studentaid.gov. The available aid will be applied to the student's U-Bill account prior to the start of classes.
Quick links
Here's a list of links to webpages students and their families will likely visit on their journey to becoming a Panther.