Getting Started Checklist

This checklist will take you step-by-step through the process from requesting information and applying to registering for classes and ordering your textbooks. Print it and use it to keep track of where you are in the process. Have questions? Call us at (877) 268-4636 or send us an e-mail at cmuoffcampus@cmich.edu.

Before you are admitted - Getting Program Information

1. Request Program Info at www.cel.cmich.edu/future/info-request.html.

2. Apply online at www.cel.cmich.edu/future/apply.html.

Send official sealed transcripts, directly from all the schools you have attended, to:

Central Michigan University
Attn: Transcripts
802 Industrial Drive
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

A transcript request form can be found at www.cel.cmich.edu/forms/generic-transcript-request.pdf. If your program requires additional documents for your admission please send materials to the same address.

 

If your GPA is below the required admission criteria, please mail your resume to the address above or email to cmuoffcampus@cmich.edu.

3. Financial Aid

• If you will be using financial aid please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine your eligibility for grants and loans. You can do this online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. By sure to include CMU's school code of 002243.
   
• Complete the SL-1 (CMU’s student loan document)/worksheet at www.cel.cmich.edu/SL1, loan counseling at www.dlservicer.ed.gov, and promissory note at dlenote.ed.gov. 
   
  *please remember you must be fully admitted to a program before your financial aid can be packaged and awarded.

Once you are granted an admission status

4. Set up your CMU Global ID and email account at www.cel.cmich.edu/globalid/students.html. 
   The global ID is necessary for accessing the student portal and your CMU email account. Students have only 30 days to establish their Global ID from the time they are granted admission status, so don't delay.

5. Attend mandatory student orientation either face to face or over the phone with your center. If you are ONLY taking online classes you can complete the online orientation at www.cel.cmich.edu/orientation. 

6. Academic advising - Academic advisers will complete a program plan for you once fully admitted. This will lay out all the classes you will need to take to complete your degree from CMU. It will assist you in knowing what to register for.
   
   Graduate students meet with an academic advisor once you have received a regular or conditional admission. Please submit an advising request form online at www.cel.cmich.edu/advising. 
   
   Undergraduate students please wait for your official Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) to be completed (4-6 weeks). You will need to contact your center or academic advisor to set up an appointment. You will be mailed a copy of your official transfer credit results once our TCE is completed.

7. Registration

• Review registration dates and choose classes from the online term schedule www.cel.cmich.edu/schedules.
   
• Register for classes online through the student portal https://portal.cmich.edu.



• To log into the portal you must have your CMU Global ID and password established (see #3 above)



• If you have difficulty with registration or did not get your Global ID established in time, pleas call our friendly registration clerks at (800) 644-2681.
  *Please note, this number is only operational during registration.

After registration

8. Purchase text books through MBS http://direct.mbsbooks.com/cmu.htm.

9. Download your syllabus at www.cel.cmich.edu/courses/course-syllabus.html and/or check the course  Blackboard site at blackboard.cmich.edu.

10. Check your CMU email account, through the student portal, for your tuition bill.
    *Tuition bills are sent out by CMU at the beginning of the month after you register for class and payment is due the following month. Billing statements are NOT mailed to your home address.

11. Check out Off-Campus Library Services at http://ocls.cmich.edu

Contact CMU at any point in the process for prompt assistance. We are committed to helping you achieve your educational goals. Call (877) 268-4636 or e-mail cmuoffcampus@cmich.edu.