Student Events and Checklist

• Submit the FAFSA to be considered for need-based financial aid.
• Attend Cardinal Preview Day or make other plans to visit campus.
• Pay your non-refundable enrollment deposit online or by mail by May 1.
• Activate your Cardinal Mail account and your network login starting June 1st, 2026.
• Accept and activate any financial aid awards you've received in Cardinal Station. 

Complete your housing and dining plan applications by May 15.

The national deadline for submitting your enrollment deposit is May 1, 2026. The deposit deadline for Early Decision I is January 15 and for Early Decision II is March 16. See our section on Post-Deposit Next Steps for additional information for after you deposit.

• Register for Orientation beginning June 1.
• Accept Student Financial Responsibility in Cardinal Station beginning June 1.
• Enroll in direct deposit if you anticipate a student account refund.
• Create authorized payers in Cardinal Pay (you, a parent/guardian, etc.) This allows the person responsible for paying your bill to receive statement notification emails and access to online account statements after June 1.
• Register for classes. Information will be sent mid-June.
• Take any necessary academic placement tests.
• Return your immunization form to University Student Health Services by July 1 to avoid a $100 late charge.
• View your housing assignment in MyHousing starting the week of July 1.
• In early July, watch for electronic account statement notifications being sent to your University email address (learn more about activating your Cardinal Mail account).
• If you'll be participating in intercollegiate athletics, return athletic medical forms to the Department of Athletics.
• Upload a photo for your student ID card, the Cardinal Card.
• Submit your final high school transcripts and any AP, IB, SAT, or ACT scores to the Office of Admission by July 31.
• Visit the University's student medical insurance website. If not using the student medical plan, submit a waiver by the posted deadline.
• Consider using the monthly Tuition Payment Plan.
• Consider using the Student Tuition Refund Plan.
• Make your fall semester payment by mid-August.

• January 15: Early Decision I deposit deadline.

• Early Action and Early Decision students receive their financial aid award notification.
• February 1: FAFSA Priority Deadline to be considered for need-based financial aid at studentaid.gov.
• February 14: Cardinal Preview Day
• Apply for Housing in Cardinal Students. Application available on February 15 at 10:00 am EST

• Mid-March: Regular Decision and Early Decision II students receive their admission decision.
• March 31: Regular Decision students will have received their financial aid award notification. (Please confirm with Financial Aid).

• April 11: Cardinal Preview Day

• May 1: National enrollment deposit deadline. Your deposit is due to Catholic University.
• May 15: On-campus housing and dining applications are due.

• June 1: Begin registration for Orientation.
• Mid-June: Class registration and academic advising information mailed.

• July 1: Housing assignment available at MyHousing.
• Week of July 20: Housing assignments mailed.

• By Mid-August: Payment is due for the fall semester.
• August 27: Move-in day and new student orientation.
• August 31: First day of classes.