Every department will have slightly different requirements and priorities, but this checklist should assist in developing a checklist designed specifically for your department.

ISSS Check In

International students must check in with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), 432 Student Services Building, 610 East John Street, Champaign. Office hours are 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday; phone is 217-333-1303. Important issues include application for a Social Security Number, attendance at orientation, registration for English Placement Test (EPT) if necessary, and SEVIS program validation. International students must also complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility form through their departments if they are to become employees. http://www.isss.illinois.edu/students/incoming/checkin/

Department Check In

All students should check in with their department's graduate office upon arrival on campus. Departments may have forms for students to fill out, and may distribute keys or assign mailboxes at this time. Some departments also have their own mandatory orientation programs, in addition to campus-wide orientation. Departments will vary in how and when students receive their teaching assignments. Students on assistantships might need to check in with human resources in the unit that is paying their stipend, and complete the I-9 form.

Information for New Students from the Graduate College

The Quick Guide, www.grad.illinois.edu/quick-guide, is an easy resource to give new students information outlining steps to take before they come to campus and about gaining access to campus computing and services. It also gives the link to the Graduate College Handbook.

Advising

Many departments require that new students meet with their adviser to plan their program before registering for classes.

Register for Classes

Register online through UI Integrate Self-Service. It is important that all students be registered by the tenth day of classes. Not being registered by the tenth day may jeopardize student loans, insurance coverage, assistantship appointments, and visa status for international students. The Class Schedule, a list of courses currently offered, is available online at the My Illinois portal under Academics, https://my.illinois.edu/. 

NESSIE

Many students, particularly those with assistantships and fellowships, will need to complete payroll information in an online system called NESSIE at https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/. Departments will provide students with a special login and password to do this. Students will not be paid until information in NESSIE is complete.

Final Official Copies of Transcripts

Transcripts sent during the admission process are often sent before an undergraduate student officially completes the degree and therefore do not show degree conferral. Students must make arrangements for copies of their final official transcripts to be sent to the Graduate and Professional Admissions unit in order to enroll for their second semester of study.