Metadata
Title
Quick Guide for Online Students
Category
undergraduate
UUID
466a0af2d4bc4d9882e9be105413f967
Source URL
https://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/information-admitted-students/quick-gui...
Parent URL
https://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/information-admitted-students/gradmap-c...
Crawl Time
2026-03-23T13:57:33+00:00
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Quick Guide for Online Students

Source: https://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/information-admitted-students/quick-guide-online-students Parent: https://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/information-admitted-students/gradmap-canvas-community

Graduate College Admissions Information For Admitted Students Quick Guide For Online Students

Quick Guide for Online Students

Welcome to Illinois! Our Quick Guide for online students includes essential steps to help you get everything in place.

1. Claim your NetID

Your NetID and password are required for access to many services at the University.

2. Use Your Office 365 Email Account

Microsoft Outlook Online (Office 365) is the official campus service used for email, calendaring, and contact and task management at the University of Illinois and is vital for receiving emails and information from the University. To check your mailbox on the web, visit https://outlook.office.com. After claiming your Net ID, it may take up to 4 hours before you can access your email box. Full set-up typically takes 12-48 hours. If you have questions about your email account please contact Technology Services Help Desk at consult@illinois.eduor 217-244-7000.

3. Verify Personal Information in Student Self-Service

Once you have established your Net ID, use it to log into the online Student Self-Service and verify your personal information, including your local address. Keeping this information up-to-date is extremely important. (Student Self-Service is also the interface you will use to register for courses and make billing payments.)

4. Submit your Transcripts & Other Academic Credentials

Check your Official Notice of Admission Letter for a complete list of academic credentials (transcripts, certificate of degrees, translations) you may need to submit.

Details about document requirements and how to submit them to us are available on our website.

5. Campus Technology Services

Check out the New Student Technology Guide to learn more about your university email account, free software, online storage, and other available resources. The Tech Services Knowledge Base can help you find answers to your technology questions. Contact the Technology Services Help Desk for all of your technology problems or questions.

6. Online Learning Platforms

If you are enrolled in online courses or taking classes remotely, ask your program about any online learning platforms that will be used for your courses.

Make sure your computer meets the necessary technology requirements.

For enrolled students, the Student Academic Resource Tool (S.T.A.R.T.) pages are available for some online programs. S.T.A.R.T. pages are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of essential program-specific information.

7. Complete Required Training

All new students are required to complete two online training programs:

Learn how to access these and other training programs.

Check with your department to find out about any other required training. Your academic program, area of research or assistantship responsibilities may require you to complete additional types of training, such as a teaching orientation for teaching assistants.

8. Set-up Payment Options / Direct Deposit

Visit the University Bursar website and complete the steps to set up payment options and direct deposit and take note of important payment due dates.

Note that paper bills are not mailed to students. Bills are posted in Student Self-Service.

International payments can be made using FlywireTM: paymybill.uillinois.edu/payments/InternationalPayments

9. Consider Getting an I-Card

Students planning on coming to campus, may want to get an i-card. The i-card is your official University of Illinois photo ID. Visit the i-card website for more information.

10. Register for Classes

Consult with our program and/or advisor and then use Self-Service to register for classes. Always register early and check your registration to make sure it is current and accurate. Course Explorer lists of courses currently offered courses.

11. Join the GradMAP Canvas Community

Our GradMAP Canvas community is designed to be a guide to help you get off to a good start at Illinois. You'll also find information about campus resources, health and wellbeing, funding and employment, and tips for having a successful graduate school experience. Our pages include videos, tips, handouts, and opportunities to discuss topics with other graduate students. We invite you to return to our Canvas community whenever you need information and to reach out to us with any questions you may have.