Checklist for New Graduate Students
   

A PDF version of the checklist for new FSU graduate and professional students is now available. For questions regarding this document, please call the Office of Graduate Studies at (850) 644-3501. The university-wide New Graduate Student Orientation will be conducted the week prior to the first week of classes. Online registration for Orientation is required and will be available June, 2008.

FSUID and FSU Email Account
Much of the business you will conduct with the University will be done through campus.fsu.edu. Academic and non-academic resources, course information, and other tools are housed in campus.fsu.edu under the "Secure Apps" tab to protect your identity and secure your privacy. You must activate your FSUID and create a pin to access these services, your FSU email account and course registration.

Your FSU Email account is the official form of communication for the University as well as for many academic programs. You may forward e-mail from your FSU email address to your personal email address. FSU email accounts can be accessed from anywhere in the world by using the FSU Webmail system.

To activate your FSUID and obtain and FSU email address go to the University Computing Services website and click "Get Started." You may also activate your FSUID and FSU Email Account simultaneously via Blackboard. For more information about setting up your email account and accessing FSU's web/computer resources view the Guide to Computing Resources.

If you have trouble establishing your FSUID and activating your FSU Email account contact the FSU Technology Help Desk at (850) 644-HELP or help@otc.fsu.edu for support.

Obtain an FSUCard
With your FSUCard, you can pay your fees, obtain a parking permit to park on campus, obtain an FSU email account, use facilities across campus, such as the Leach Center and the Student Life Cinema, ride the Star Metro city buses for free, and receive discounts in various establishments throughout Tallahassee.

First, go to the FSUCard Center website. You will find the office hours, where the FSUCard Center is located and what you need to bring with you to get a card. There will be a $10 fee which you will pay when you pay your course registration fees. You must be physically present on campus to get your card if you are admitted to a degree program that is offered on site. It is not possible to get your card through the Web or through telephone service.

Register for classes
For comprehensive registration information, go to the Registrar's Office website. This site gives you the information you will need to search for courses and to register online. You will also use this site to obtain your class schedule, to check your grades online, to print out unofficial transcripts and to update your records. Please note: There is a mandatory first class meeting attendence policy at FSU.

Obtain a parking permit
To park on campus, each vehicle is required to have a parking permit. To obtain a permit by filling out an online parking permit application and to view all of the parking regulations and visit the Parking and Transportation website. Students must have a valid FSUCard to obtain a "W" student parking permit. Permits are valid for one year: September 1 through the following August 31. Permits become available the third week in August. It is not necessary to pay for the permit at the time of procurement, as it is charged to the student via the Transportation Access Fee on the tuition bill. For a map on where to park on campus, visit http://parking.fsu.edu/PMap/ParkMap.asp.

Apply for financial aid
For information on various funding opportunities for FSU graduate students, please visit the Office of Graduate Studies Fellowships & Funding page. To learn more information about tuition waivers for graduate assistants and employees of the State of Florida and Florida State University, please visit the Tuition Waiver Information page. To obtain financial aid information and deadlines, go to the FSU Financial Aid Office website. Please note: A separate application is required for summer financial aid. Tip: Always apply early for financial aid.

Pay fees
Fee payment is normally due no later than the tenth day of classes. The Office of Student Financial Services website gives you complete information on how to pay your fees, including tuition payment deadlines and installment contract deadlines by semester. The site also includes information on financial aid disbursement as well as a section on how to pay fees online using a credit card.

Mandatory proof of health insurance
Effective fall 2007, all new, full-time, main campus students carrying at least nine (9) graduate credit hours are required to show proof of adequate health insurance or enroll in the University sponsored plan. Online students are exempt from this requirement. For information on mandatory health insurance and immunization, go to the Thagard Health Center website. All students must provide proof of immunization to the Thagard Health Center Immunization Department before they will be allowed to register.

Housing information
On-campus housing for graduate students is limited. There are two buildings on campus reserved for single graduate students in apartment style living. There is also an apartment community, Alumni Village, located about one-and-one-half miles from campus where single students, married students and students with families live. For information on graduate student housing, go to the Housing Office website. For information about off-campus housing, visit the Off-Campus Housing website. To find information about connecting utilities in the City of Tallahassee, visit talgov.com Connecting/Disconnecting/Transfers website.

Services for international students
The International Center provides an opportunity for international students across campus to meet students from other countries. The International Center holds a New International Student Orientation, provides information on financial assistance, visa documents, housing and other assistance.

Purchase textbooks
The FSU Bookstore is located in the main level of Parking Garage 1, across from the Student Union. Students may purchase books in the store or online at www.efollett.com/. For more information, call (800)255-FSU1 or 850-644-2072.

Library resources
The Florida State University Libraries include Strozier Library, Dirac Science Library, Goldstein Information Studies Library, Law Library, Medical Library and the Warren D. Allen Music Library. The Strozier Library offers two Graduate Student Study Rooms for FSU graduate students only. These are located on the second floor in Rooms 202 and 203.

Computer resources
Florida State University provides a wide variety of computing resources for those who are joining the FSU community as a student, faculty member or staff. The Computing Resources website provides information about the following: Connecting to the Internet on and off campus, FSU Email Accounts, Computer Security, and Web Applications. Other useful resources include information about computer labs, libraries and computing, technology enhanced classrooms, etc. You will also find the policy regulating FSU computing mandated by the Office of the Inspector General.

FSU Information
There is a one-stop shopping website for students that has links to numerous, valuable websites. Looking for registration information? Want to look at the Graduate Bulletin? Looking for a bank? Looking for a building on campus? Want to know more about life as a student at FSU? Interested in looking for entertainment? Go to the website established for the student, FSyou! StudentsFirst Information Central.

Life in Tallahassee
There are numerous activities in Tallahassee that go on throughout the year. To find out what goes on in and around Tallahassee, go to marquee.fsu.edu, the City of Tallahassee website, the Leon County Visitor's Guide, the City of Tallahassee Student Guide or visit Tallahassee.com.

We hope this orientation has provided some helpful information for you. We would like to welcome you to Florida State University. If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please feel free to visit the Office of Graduate Studies in 408 Westcott or call the Graduate Studies staff at (850) 644-3500.