New Student Onboarding Checklist

Let’s dive in and get you ready for campus!

Fall 2026 Admitted Student Information

Welcome to Cal State Channel Islands! We’re excited to help you get started on your journey as a Dolphin.

New Student Onboarding is your go-to guide for completing the key tasks you’ll need to take care of before starting your Fall 2026 semester.

Important First Steps

New Undergraduate Student Onboarding Checklist

Throughout the spring and summer, you’ll work through a series of simple steps designed to help you get settled, feel prepared, and start building connections within our community. Your New Student Onboarding Portal is the main place where you'll complete your required onboarding steps and track your progress.

If you are a new student, please log in to your portal to begin completing your checklist items. 
Families and supporters are welcome to review this page to understand the onboarding process, but most required steps must be completed directly by the student through their portal.

Use the checklist below as a general guide to the onboarding process and key tasks you’ll complete. Each step brings you closer to an exciting experience at CSUCI!

Academic Advising & Course Registration

New Student Orientation

  • Registration Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
    Orientation is your official welcome to Cal State Channel Islands! All new students are required to register and attend Orientation. These sessions are essential to ensure a smooth and successful transition to CSUCI.

    Log in to your portal to confirm your Orientation registration details. 

Complete Your Admissions Checklist

  •  Submission of official transcripts from all institutions attended, including courses that are still in progress, is required to be eligible to enroll at Cal State Channel Islands.
    • High School Transcripts: If your high school offers electronic delivery of official transcripts, this is preferred. If this is not available, please see the instructions below for having your transcripts mailed to CI.
    • College Transcripts: Electronic transcripts are the preferred and fastest method of delivery.

    Log in to your portal to review and submit required documents by the due date.

  • Every student attending a California State University must be classified as either a California resident, or as a nonresident, for tuition purposes. For additional information, please visit go.csuci.edu/CAresidency or e-mail registrar@csuci.edu for questions.

Complete Your IT Checklist

Tasks for Students Living On-Campus

  • Welcome home! All students, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, who are interested in living in student housing are welcome to CSUCI! Apply for housing

  • Planning to bring a car? Purchase your parking permit! All parking permits will be mailed to the address entered at time of purchase. Purchase your permit

  • All new students will receive an email from onlinephoto@csuci.edu inviting them to upload their photo and a picture of a government ID. Students will be notified as to whether or not their photo has been approved and they will receive further instruction as to when and how they will receive their new DolphinOne Card.

    Learn more about DolphinOne

Tasks for Students Living Off-Campus

Pay Tuition Fees

Tuition and other fees are due in full by the published Tuition Payment Deadlines.

All account activity and balance information can be found through myCI. The navigation to check financial information is: myCI > CI Records > Student Ctr > Campus Finances > Account Inquiry

Pay your fees

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