FAQs & Policies
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost for freshman orientation is $150. The cost for transfer orientation is $75. Payment for orientation is due before you can confirm an orientation date. This fee is non-refundable regardless of cancellation or failure to enroll in classes at UH. Registration directions will be sent by email to admitted students.
To register:
- Use the portal link provided to you in your email or use the link posted on the UH NSO website.
- Enter your CougarNet username and password when prompted.
- Pre-Orientation
- New Student/Transfer Orientation
- Orientation Advising
The Pre-Orientation modules will be available beginning on Monday, May 4, 2026. The associated hold will be removed when you complete the Pre-Orientation Modules. Make sure you have pop-up blockers disabled:
The New Student/Transfer Orientation and Orientation Advising holds will be removed from your account when you attend orientation.
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, you may be eligible for a fee deferment. A fee deferment will add the orientation fee to your tuition and fee bill instead of requiring you to pay before registering for orientation. This allows you to pay for orientation once you receive your financial aid package by the tuition and fee bill deadline.
If you are eligible for a fee deferment, the orientation registration system will automatically defer payment to your first semester of enrollment.
Students who do not have a FAFSA on file cannot qualify for a fee deferment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. This fee is non-refundable regardless of cancellation or if the student does not enroll in the University after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
Student housing accommodation is required for first time-in-college students starting in the summer or fall terms. Staying on campus provides you with the opportunity to meet other new students, get to know your orientation leaders and fully experience campus life and involvement. Plus, it allows some extra sleeping time since you won’t have to commute to campus!
Here are just a few more reasons why!
Safety: Our students' safety is our top priority. Having all students on-campus for the duration of the event ensures your student is experiencing campus life in a safe and secure environment.
Building Community and Relationships: An overnight orientation allows new students to form bonds with their peers. Spending extended time together in activities and shared living spaces helps facilitate friendships and a sense of community, which can be crucial for social integration.
Immersive Experience: A more extended orientation provides a comprehensive and immersive experience. Students have more time to learn about the campus, its resources and the local community, which helps them feel more comfortable and prepared for the transition.
Time for Activities and Information Sessions: There is more time to cover essential information, such as academic advising, campus safety, student organizations and resources. It allows for a balanced schedule with breaks, interactive sessions and social activities without feeling rushed.
Increased Engagement: An overnight stay can increase engagement and participation. Students are more likely to take part in activities and attend sessions if they are staying on campus, compared to a single-day event where they might be tempted to leave early or skip parts.
Team Building and Leadership Development: Overnight experiences can help students develop important skills that will benefit them throughout their academic and professional careers.
Reduced Anxiety: Familiarity with the campus environment and routines can significantly reduce anxiety and uncertainty. Students who have spent time on campus overnight are often more confident and less anxious about starting their academic journey.
Overall, the goal of overnight orientations is to ensure that new students are well-prepared, comfortable and integrated into their new environment, which can positively impact their overall success and retention rates.
Students attending the two-day freshman orientation spend the night on campus in a residence hall during orientation. Your orientation has been specifically designed to help you become familiar with campus and meet peers. The overnight stay also ensures an on-time arrival for the second day's early start.
You should bring the following items for your overnight stay:
- Bed linens, blanket, towels, pillow, etc. (the bed is a twin-size bed)
- Toiletries: soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer, toothbrush, toothpaste, medicine, etc.
- Clothes for your second day of orientation
- Casual clothes, including comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes
- Umbrella or raincoat
- A jacket or sweater (meeting rooms will be cold)
- Portable phone charger
Students will enroll in courses during their New Student Orientation. If possible, bring a laptop or mobile device for Day 2 to speed up your advisement and enrollment process.
Students who need to arrive the evening before their orientation may receive a housing accommodation at Cougar Village II. Students who have been approved for this accommodation can arrive between 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm on the evening before their orientation to check in with orientation staff. (Students arriving after 8:00 pm will not be allowed to check-in until the following morning.) A non-refundable $35 charge will be added to your student account. Please email orientation@uh.edu to request this accommodation.
To receive complimentary event parking for orientation, you are required to park in the University Gateway Garage. Follow these instructions to park. Select freshman or transfer from the drop-down menu. Gates for this garage will be open for orientation attendees only. A parking ticket will not be validated if you park in a garage that is not the University Gateway Garage.
Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date if you need assistance during your orientation.
Yes! If you have family or supporters who want to support you in your transition to UH, register them for the Family & Supporter Orientation when you submit your student registration. The cost for Family & Supporter Orientation is detailed on the page linked below. Some portions of orientation programming are planned for you and your supporter to experience together while other sessions are just for you and will separate you from your supporter.
Parents and guardians are welcome at all orientations and, if attending, will follow a separate schedule of events.
Because of the nature of the program, it is not appropriate for anyone except parents/guardians or spouses to attend as a supporter. Friends or siblings are not allowed to accompany you.
Supporters under 18 will not be able to attend the Family & Supporter Orientation without a parent or guardian and will be required to pay the registration fee. The exception would be an older sibling who is acting in a guardian capacity; however, in this case, the sibling would attend the Family & Supporter Orientation and would not be with you during any time parents and students are not ordinarily together.
Policies
Please review the processes outlined below for assistance. For other accommodations or exemptions such as completing orientation, overnight stay, modality and others not included here, please email orientation@uh.edu. All requests must be received at least five business days before your orientation.
Exemptions from Completing Orientation
All incoming students to UH must attend an orientation session. Only students meeting one of the criteria below are eligible to request an exemption:
- Student has paid for and attended a New Student Orientation within the last 13 months.
- Student will be non-degree seeking AND is not planning to transition to a degree-seeking student.
- Student has been admitted as a post-baccalaureate student in the College of Education, College of Nursing, or in Undergraduate Student Success.
Students who meet any of the above criteria can complete an exemption form. Staff will verify the exemption and, if the criteria is met, remove both holds within three business days. If exemption criteria is not met, the student will be notified within three business days.
Accommodation to Attend Online Orientation
All incoming students to UH must attend an in-person orientation session. However, students who meet one of the criteria below may receive an accommodation to complete a self‑paced online orientation instead.
Students Automatically Eligible to Register for Online Orientation
- UH Extend Students or Eligible Post‑Baccalaureate Students
Students enrolled in any UH Extend degree program or post‑baccalaureate students not in the College of Education, College of Nursing, or Undergraduate Student Success may register for online orientation through their AccessUH account.
(Post‑baccalaureate students in the three excluded colleges are not required to attend orientation but must connect with their academic college for advising and enrollment support.) - Students Living More Than 300 Miles from UH Main Campus
Students whose permanent addresses are more than 300 miles from the UH main campus may register for online orientation.
Students Eligible to Request an Online Orientation Accommodation
The following students may submit an Online Orientation Accommodation Request Form:
- Distance Education Psychology Majors
Students admitted to the fully online B.A. or B.S. in Psychology degree plan and intending to complete the program online. - Students Traveling, Studying Abroad, or Participating in UH‑Required Activities
Students who will be traveling, studying abroad, or participating in an official UH‑required activity for the entire duration of all in‑person orientation dates.
Official documentation must be uploaded to verify the conflict. Examples include:- Confirmed airline ticket
- Official acceptance letter
- Compliance letter
- Documentation of mission trips, internships, professional commitments, or UH institutional requirements
- Documentation must cover all available orientation dates.
- Students Serving Military Orders
- Students who are on active military orders for the entire period of offered orientation dates.
- Official military documentation will be required.
Students who meet any of the above criteria can submit an Online Orientation Accommodation request form. Please note that UH reserves the right to deny requests that lack sufficient documentation.
Fee Deferment
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, you may be eligible for a fee deferment. A fee deferment will add the orientation fee to your tuition and fee bill instead of requiring you to pay before registering for orientation. This allows you to pay for orientation once you receive your financial aid package by the tuition and fee bill deadline.
If you are eligible for a fee deferment, the orientation registration system will automatically defer payment to your first semester of enrollment.
Students who do not have a FAFSA on file cannot qualify for a fee deferment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. This fee is non-refundable regardless of cancellation or if the student does not enroll in the University after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
Orientation Fees and Refunds
The orientation fee is due at the time of registration, before you can confirm an orientation date through the AccessUH portal in myUH Self Service.
All orientation fees for both students and family and supporters are non-refundable, regardless of cancellation or failure to enroll in classes at UH.
Accessibility
All videos are closed-captioned for students with accessibility needs. If you need further assistance or have questions about the orientation experience, don’t hesitate to contact us at orientation@uh.edu.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns related to orientation that weren't answered above, please contact us at orientation@uh.edu. We look forward to seeing you!