Table of Contents

  1. What is orientation?
  2. Why do I have to attend orientation?
  3. How do I register for my orientation session?
  4. What do I do if I need to change my orientation session?
  5. Can I bring a guest to orientation with me?
  6. Will I receive an email confirmation for my registration?
  7. Why is there a fee to attend orientation?
  8. How do I pay my orientation fee?
  9. Can I get a refund for my orientation fee?
  10. Can the orientation fee be waived or deferred?
  11. Does my financial aid cover my orientation fee?
  12. If I want to change my major which orientation session, do I attend?
  13. Do I have to be there for the entire orientation session?

What is orientation?

Orientation is for ALL new undergraduate students (both first year and transfers students). At orientation you will have the opportunity to meet new students, explore majors and career opportunities, and familiarize yourself with the campus, staff, and faculty. Orientation provides you with key resources and tools to help ease the transition into the CSUCI community and prepare you for life as a Dolphin.

[back to top]

Why do I have to attend orientation?

  • Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students. It is part of the admissions process.
  • Orientation provides each student an opportunity to get all of the questions answered and feel comfortable with the expectations that will be required here at CSUCI. Also, CSUCI's faculty, staff, and administrators want to welcome you to the Dolphin Pod!

[back to top]

How do I register for my orientation session?

All students must accept their provisional offer of admission first. Once you accept your provisional offer of admission will be prompted to the New Student Onboarding Checklist webpage. In this site, you will be able to select both your Advising & Registration date as well as your orientation date. 

 

[back to top]

What do I do if I need to change my orientation session?

If you need to make any changes to your registration, you must call or email our office at 805-437-3160 or orientation@csuci.edu and our staff will assist you.

[back to top]

Can I bring a guest to orientation with me?

We offer a separate Family & Supporter Orientation, scheduled for Wednesday, August 21, 2024. For more information visit our Family & Supporter page

[back to top]

Will I receive an email confirmation for my registration?

Yes! In fact, you will receive two confirmations. Immediately after you make a reservation, you will be sent a confirmation of your date and time. A few days prior to your orientation session, you will be sent another confirmation with details on parking, where to check-in and the schedule of the day. Please be sure to check your Inbox and Junk/Spam folders.

[back to top]

Why is there a fee to attend orientation?

The orientation fee covers staffing, parking, program materials, and food served during your session.

Orientation Fees
First Year Orientation Fee$175 per student
Transfer Orientation Fee$50 per student
Family & Supporter Fee $30 per individual

[back to top]

How do I pay my orientation fee?

There is a payment link embedded in your myCI Student Center. To get there, log on to myCI and click on “CI Records” under “My Links.” For detailed instructions, visit: go.csuci.edu/OrientationPayment

  • Need more assistance? Call Orientation & Engagement Programs at 805-437-3160

[back to top]

Can I get a refund for my orientation fee?

Once paid, the orientation fee is non-refundable and may not be applied to a future term. This means you will NOT receive a refund even if
(a) you request to have our offer of admission (provisional or final) withdrawn at a later date or choose not to enroll;
(b) our offer of provisional admission is withdrawn because you failed to meet an admission or enrollment requirement or deadline (including the transcript deadline); or
(c) our offer of provisional admission is rescinded after reviewing your final transcript(s).

  • You may be held responsible for paying the orientation fee if you were deferred and any of the above conditions apply.

[back to top]

Can the orientation fee be waived or deferred?

Orientation fee cannot be waived but may be deferred. A deferment means that payment of the orientation fee will be charged to your fall semester’s account. It does not mean you are waived from paying the fee. If you are eligible for a deferment, you will find it noted in your myCI Student Center under “Holds.”

[back to top]

Does my financial aid cover my orientation fee?

This depends, as NOT ALL STUDENTS WILL QUALIFY. Students who filed a 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application on or before the April 2, 2024 deadline AND meet the criteria will be considered for a deferment. You must check the “Holds” section of your Student Center (visible in the upper-right corner of your portal). If you do not see “FA Orientation Deferral,” then you must pay the orientation fee by the above deadline or our offer of provisional admission will be withdrawn.

If you see “FA Orientation Deferral” noted in the “Holds” section of your Student Center, then payment of the orientation fee will be charged to your first semester’s account. In other words, your fee will be deferred (but not waived). IMPORTANT: You may be held responsible for paying the orientation fee if you were deferred and any of the above conditions apply. Contact orientation@csuci.edu if you have any questions about the fee.

[back to top]

If I want to change my major which orientation session, do I attend?

When you register for orientation, select the major you are interested in pursuing. If this is the same major you selected on your admissions application, great. If you are interested in a different major, register for an orientation session that offers the new major of interest. You can officially change your major by following instructions on the Request for Change of Major form.

[back to top]

Do I have to be there for the entire orientation session?

Yes, attendance will be taken throughout orientation sessions. Failure to participate or leave early may result in disenrollment.

[back to top]

Back to Top ↑
©