Before Arrival

1. Activate Your Purdue Career Account
Purdue Indianapolis students should also activate their IU Account for resources shared with IU.

2. Accept Your Offer of Admission
Even if you have notified your program, you must officially accept your offer of admission.

3. Upload a Photo and Download Your Purdue Mobile ID
Purdue Indianapolis students must also obtain the Indianapolis-affiliated CrimsonCard for access to IU-shared resources, such as printing, libraries, and building access.

4. Research Funding Opportunities (If Applicable)
Explore financial aid, fellowships, assistantships, and/or scholarships. Visit the Fellowship Office, Division of Financial Aid, and Human Resources websites. Note: Online professional program students are not eligible for assistantships or tuition remission

5. International Students: Complete your Notification of Intent (NOI) Form
Follow the link in your admission letter from the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS). You’ll receive an email from the International Students and Scholars (ISS) office about a week after your admission.

6. Residential/Hybrid Students: Fulfill Indiana Immunization Requirements
Submit official documentation of your immunizations. You may be required to receive vaccinations before arrival. 

Academic Preparation

7. Register for Classes
Each program handles registration differently. Contact your graduate program coordinator for guidance. Use the Dynamic Schedule to search for courses.

• Be aware of the open registration dates
• Check for registration holds and resolve them promptly
• Contact the correct office to learn how to clear holds

8. Pay Tuition and Fees
Pay your bill by the due date. To pay online or to print your invoice, go to the myPurdue portal and click on the Student Account Card, then select View my Tuition Balance Payment Options. Note: Payments from external sources may take up to two business days to process.

9. Complete Bursar and Registrar Requirements in myPurdue

• Confirm Your Registration (each semester)
• Set Up Direct Deposit (separate from payroll direct deposit)
• Affirm Financial Responsibility (annually)
• Update Emergency Contacts (annually)
• Update Personal Information (anytime)

Residential Student Essentials

10. Plan Your Arrival
Ask your program when you’re expected to arrive.

• For West Lafayette: Visit the visitor information
• For Indianapolis, visit the Indianapolis location map

11. Find Housing
Secure accommodations and ensure utilities are activated before your move-in date.

12. Obtain a Parking Permit (If Needed)
You must be registered for classes to apply.

• West Lafayette: Purdue University parking permit
• Indianapolis: Indianapolis parking permit
  Note: You must live a certain distance from campus to be eligible.

13.  Explore Campus
Familiarize yourself with campus resources, buildings, and services.

Graduate Staff and True Fellowship Recipients

14. Complete Graduate Payroll Onboarding
If you received a Graduate Staff or Fellowship Appointment, visit the Graduate Payroll Onboarding website to ensure you’re set up to receive your funding.

Health and Wellness

15. Sign Up for Health Insurance.
You can enroll in University-Sponsored Insurance within the first few weeks of arrival.

• International students must purchase the University-Sponsored Insurance unless eligible for a waiver. Visit the Student Health Insurance Plan Waiver Criteria page for details.
• Graduate staff may enroll in contributed health insurance within 30 days of appointment start.

Orientation and Final Steps

16. Attend Graduate Gold Rush
Held each fall semester on the Friday before classes begin. Watch your email for details.

• Online students and those starting in spring/summer can access the Online Resource Fair

17. Satisfy Any Conditions of Admission or Continued Enrollment
Conditions are listed on the second page of your admission decision letter, available in the Graduate Application Portal.