• A great general guideline when applying for Financial Aid is to file your FAFSA by Valentine's Day, February 14. FAFSA forms are available online - click here to download a FAFSA.

• It's past Valentine's Day and you haven't filed a FAFSA? Click here to view the Financial Aid Timeline for First-Year Students.

• If you are interested in applying for scholarships, the priority deadline for UA scholarships is November 15. In order to be considered, a student must be fully admitted by this date. Scholarship applications are available by clicking here.

• Questions regarding Financial Aid or your Financial Aid status should be directed towards the Office of Student Financial Aid located in Simmons Hall. Click here to view the department website.

Attending New Student Orientation

• Once fully admitted to The University of Akron, all students must attend New Student Orientation. At orientation, you will meet with your academic adviser, schedule for classes, and learn about various resources available on campus.

• Click here to register for New Student Orientation.

Purchasing Textbooks & Supplies

• UA has two on-campus Barnes & Nobles affiliated bookstores. One is located on the 1st floor of the Student Union, and the other on the 3rd floor of the Polsky Building. UA bookstores will match the price of any retailer in the surrounding campus community.

• The cost of college textbooks for one semester usually ranges between $250-$500 depending upon your chosen major.

• Budget ahead for books. Financial aid dispursement checks normally do not arrive until 30 days after the beginning of the semester - too late to purchase textbooks. Plan ahead and budget accordingly.

• For the best selection of used books (AKA cheaper books!), buy early. Books can usually be purchased a few months in advance. The University of Akron bookstores will provide full refunds for books through the first week of classes with a valid receipt.

• Curious about the exact amount of your textbooks for the semester? View your books on ZipLine! Click the "Students" tab, then "Academics", then "View My Class Schedule." The "View Books" link is at the bottom of your schedule once you are registered for courses.

• Sell your books back to the UA bookstores at the end of each semester for up to 50% of the purchase price or get to know someone who needs the book, and negotiate the price.

• Other than textbooks, additional supplies may be necessary for some of your courses. The supply list will be provided to you within the course syllabus. Normally all additional supplies, such as calculators, etc. can be purchased in the University bookstores.

Finding Your Classes On Campus

• The University of Akron main campus has 81 buildings. Although this sounds daunting, the campus becomes very small once you learn to navigate it.

• Note on your class schedule the building abbreviations. For example, courses held in Carroll Hall, room 323 will read CH 323. Click here to view a listing of building abbreviations.

• Click here to view an interactive campus map. In addition to locating buildings on the campus map, it is also highly recommended that students walk the campus prior to the first day of classes to discover where their classrooms are located.

• Tip: Building room numbers in the 100's are on the 1st floor. Room numbers in the 200's are on the 2nd floor, etc. If a room number is below 100, it is located in the lower level of the building.

• Helpful hint: When entering the Polsky Building, the main entrance on High Street is the 3rd floor of the building.

Syllabus 101

• A syllabus is a contract between a student and a professor.

• The class syllabus will be distributed during the first session of each college course.

• A syllabus will include: course description, learning outcomes, contact information for the professor, grading and attendance policies, dates of tests/quizzes and assignments, among other items pertinent to the specific course.

• Keep the syllabus for each class in which you are enrolled in a safe place. You will refer to your syllabus several times throughout the semester.

Advice From Current Students

• "Get involved with something on campus, like an organization or a job. It’s the easiest way to make friends and meet contacts."-Andrea, Senior, Graphic Design

• "Your collegiate experience is truly what you make of it. Get involved in SOMETHING. Your resume will thank you later." -Ben, Senior, Public Relations

• "Jump in feet first and don't be afraid to try new things." -Lisa, Sophomore, Public Relations

• "Don't work all the time. Have fun!" -Matt, Freshman, Chemical Engineering

• "Be true to yourself, but be open to the people and opportunities around you, whether new, old or completely different." -Susanna, Sophomore, Political Science/Business Administration

• "Procrastination may be fun for the time being, but time management will make you a lot happier." -Sejla, Freshman, Political Science

• "You're entering a new phase in your young adult life. It's a great opportunity, but remember to stay focused, avoid negative influences, and discover your personal strengths." -Anazette, Sophomore, Sociology

• "Be open-minded, make new friends, and be active!" -Nate, Freshman, Business Management

• "School is only as hard as YOU choose to make it." -Bill, Junior, Mechanical Engineering Technology

• "Don’t fall into the role that anyone else has set for you and never be intimidated by anything that you want to do." -Jared, Senior, Economics

• "Don’t procrastinate! If you know about a project early in the semester that isn’t due until the end, start it early and work on it throughout the semester so you aren’t stressed when you’re given a lot of other work at the end of the semester as well." -Amanda, Senior, Early Childhood Education

• "The best way to enjoy your college experience is to get involved! You meet so many people who become your friends and make you feel like Akron is now your home away from home." -Natalie, Senior, Psychology

• College: A place to stay warm in between childhood and marriage. Make the most of it!" -Emily, Sophomore, Communications

• "Don't be afraid to try new things. Look into an organization that sounds interesting or pick up a hobby that you've never tried before." -Diana, Senior, Political Science

• "Emerse yourself in as much as possible, but be careful that you can handle it. Only YOU can decide that. Don't be afraid to take on new things. Take every opportunity that comes at you because it can, and will, help you in the future." -Jason, Junior, Marketing

• "Keep your GPA high. It is much harder to recover from low grades than it is to do well in the first place." -Danielle, Junior, Speech-Language Pathology

• "College is what you make of it, once you are here it is up to you to accomplish the goals you set and how successful you become." -Jon, Senior, Biology

• "Make the most of the time you have and meet as many people as possible because each person will teach you something new!" -Darcey, Senior, Nursing & Emergency Management

• "Education is everything - think positively." -Sarah, Sophomore, Business Management