New Student Orientation

Congratulations on becoming a Committed Cardinal!

We are excited to help our new students prepare for the Summer and Fall 2023 semesters with an orientation packed with resources and paths for success. We have gathered support documents, agendas and next step guidelines below. The Cardinal journey is about to begin. Welcome to the Nest!

NSO Student and Family

New Student Orientation registration is now open for Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 admitted students!

Use your GoUIW account (personal email and password) to sign up for orientation.

Choose from one of the dates below:

  • Friday, June 2, 2023* - Registration Closed
  • Tuesday, June 13, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Friday, June 16, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Wednesday, June 21, 2023* - Registration Closed
  • Thursday, June 29, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Friday, July 7, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Tuesday, July 11, 2023* - Registration Closed
  • Friday, July 14, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Friday, July 21, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Tuesday, July 25, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Thursday, July 27, 2023* - Registration Closed
  • Friday, Aug. 4, 2023 - Registration Closed
  • Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023 - Registration Closed

*Note: Students with majors in the School of Media and Design should attend the designated orientations. Other majors may also attend on these dates or any other date with open spots.

Zoom Orientation: Transfer Students Only

  • Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | Registration Closed
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | Registration Closed
  • Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023 | Registration Closed

UIW Zoom Backgrounds

We have designed exclusive UIW Zoom backgrounds for you to use.

Download UIW Zoom Backgrounds Here

8:30 a.m. | Check-in Starts | Student Engagement Center Mezzanine

  • Student ID
  • Business Office (Parking Permit, Payment Plan, Health Insurance Waiver)
  • Campus Tour
  • Chapel Tour
  • Housing Tour
  • Military and Veteran Center
  • Financial Aid
  • Health Services (Meningitis)

10 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions | SEC Ballroom

10:20 a.m. | What It Means To Be a Cardinal | SEC Ballroom

10:45 a.m. | Academic Overview

11:30 a.m.| Advising

12:15 p.m. | Lunch | SEC Ballroom

1:30 p.m. | Cardinal Camp

3:30 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom

4 p.m. | Open Office Hours

Download Undergraduate Student Orientation Agenda

6 p.m. | Zoom Goes Live | Welcome and Agenda Overview

6:20 p.m. | Financial Aid Overview

6:40 p.m. | Business Office Overview

7 p.m. | UIW Help Desk

7:20 p.m. | University Advising 

7:40 p.m. | Closing and Final Questions

8 p.m. | End of Virtual Transfer Orientation

Download Transfer Student Orientation Agenda

8:30 a.m. | Check-in Starts | Student Engagement Center Mezzanine

  • Student ID
  • Business Office (Parking Permit, Payment Plan, Health Insurance Waiver)
  • Campus Tour
  • Chapel Tour
  • Housing Tour
  • Military and Veteran Center
  • Financial Aid
  • Health Services (Meningitis)

10 a.m. | Welcome and Introductions | SEC Ballroom

10:20 a.m. | What It Means To Be a Cardinal | SEC Ballroom

10:45 a.m. | Academic Overview

11:15 a.m. | How To Be a Cardinal Parent

11:45 a.m. | Campus Safety

12:15 p.m. | Lunch | SEC Ballroom

1:30 p.m. | Money Matters: Financial Aid, Business Office, and Military and Veteran Center

2:10 p.m. | Campus Life for Residents and Commuters: Residence Life, Campus Engagement and Sodexo

2:40 p.m. | Cardinal Wellness: Behavioral Health, Health Services and CARE Team

3 p.m. | Break

3:10 p.m. | Student Resources: Student Success, First Year Engagement and Career Services

3:40 p.m. | Break

3:45 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom

4 p.m. | Open Office Hours

Download Undergraduate Parent Orientation Agenda

Download Cardinal Family Resource Page


We want to hear from you! If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete the parent orientation survey. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to improve future events for our families.

Take Survey

Click the links below to download and view the various undergraduate orientation presentations. 

Health Insurance Waiver

All UIW students are required to have medical insurance. If you are insured on a family plan, you will need to waive coverage through the University by Sept 1, 2023, to avoid charges. If you have medical insurance and would like to waive the UIW medical insurance, bring a physical copy of your medical insurance card to orientation to complete this requirement. For students wishing to enroll in the UIW student health insurance, no action is required. Visit the Business Office webpage for more information.

Meningitis Vaccination Record

Are you missing your meningitis vaccination? Bring a physical copy of your medical insurance card on the date you register for orientation. UIW Health Services representatives will be able to provide immunizations during orientation.

Texas state law mandates that all students under the age of 22 entering college provide a certificate signed by a healthcare provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to the University. Visit the Health Services webpage for more information.

Event Accommodations

The University of the Incarnate Word provides reasonable accommodations for special events with adequate notice. To request disability accommodation for events, please complete and submit the form found on the ADA/Section 504 webpage.

Meet UIW Admissions 2023 Orientation Leaders

Next Steps for Undergraduate Students

Once you have submitted your confirmation fee, you'll receive an email from the UIW Help Desk within three days to set up Cardinal Apps for the first time. Cardinal Apps is the place to do many tasks such as:

  • Access email
  • Complete orientation modules
  • Register for classes
  • Purchase parking permit
  • Enroll in payment plan
  • Apply for housing
  • Get involved at UIW

The UIW Help Desk will email your UIW credentials to access your Cardinal Apps.

Prior to attending New Student Orientation, you are required to watch the orientation modules through the Canvas platform in Cardinal Apps.

Once you log into Cardinal Apps, click on the Canvas icon to access the modules. Then choose the New Student Orientation course to get started.

Canvas Logo

Here are a few items you need to complete before the start of the semester.

  1. Submit your proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination.

    Texas state law mandates that all students under the age of 22 entering college provide a certificate signed by a healthcare provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to the University. You may submit your vaccination record in PDF form to Document Receiving at  registrar@uiwtx.edu. Note: You must have your meningitis shot on record, if applicable, to enroll in classes and to apply for on-campus housing.

  2. Register for New Student Orientation

    Orientation registration is now open. Once you confirm your attendance to UIW, register for orientation and complete other next steps to complete your enrollment.

  3. Take the ALEKS PPL

    To be correctly placed in college-level math, students not meeting the minimum requirement must take the UIW Mathematics Placement through ALEKS PPL or be placed in a remedial math course (no credit). Visit uiw.edu/aleks for more information.

  4. Apply for on-campus housing (if you plan to live on campus).

    Information about on-campus housing is available on the Residence Life website. Applications for housing can be completed through the StarRez student housing portal found in your Cardinal Apps.

  5. Complete the Online Orientation Modules

    Access the Canvas app through Cardinal Apps and complete the online new student orientation modules so you are ready for orientation day! The orientation modules will be available after you confirm your attendance and receive your student login credentials. 

  6. Register for classes

    Class registration opens May 1. You can access the online New Student Advising module in Canvas on May 1, for information regarding your degree plan, course selection and registration! Check your UIW email for further instructions from your advisor once you complete the advising module. Should you have any questions, contact your advisor or the University Advising Center at (210) 805-5814.

    Students in the majors listed below must reach out to the respective contact person to discuss program requirements and class registration.

    Note: It's important to remember that you will not be allowed to register for courses until you have submitted your meningitis record.
  7. Submit your final high school transcript with the graduation date.

    Submit documents to admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu or mail official high school transcripts to the address below. If you have dual credit, also submit an official college transcript.
    University of the Incarnate Word

    Document Receiving Office
    4301 Broadway, CPO 304

    San Antonio, TX 78209

Here are a few items you need to complete before the start of the semester.

  1. Submit your proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination.

    Texas state law mandates that all students under the age of 22 entering college provide a certificate signed by a healthcare provider or an official immunization record verifying that a student has been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis, or has received a booster during the five years preceding admission to the University. You may submit your vaccination record in PDF form to Document Receiving at  registrar@uiwtx.edu.

    Note: You must have your meningitis shot on record, if applicable, to enroll in classes and to apply for on-campus housing.

  2. Register for New Student Orientation

    Orientation registration is now open. Once you confirm your attendance to UIW, register for orientation and complete other next steps to complete your enrollment.

  3. Take the ALEKS PPL

    To be correctly placed in college-level math, students not meeting the minimum requirement must take the UIW Mathematics Placement through ALEKS PPL or be placed in a remedial math course (no credit). Visit uiw.edu/aleks for more information.

  4. Apply for on-campus housing (if you plan to live on campus).
    Information about on-campus housing is available on the Residence Life website. Applications for housing can be completed through the StarRez student housing portal found in your Cardinal Apps.
  5. Complete the Online Orientation Modules

    Access the Canvas app through Cardinal Apps and complete the online new student orientation modules so you are ready for orientation day! The orientation modules will be available after you confirm your attendance and receive your student login credentials.

  6. Register for classes.

    Class registration opens May 1. You can access the online New Student Advising module in Canvas on May 1, for information regarding your degree plan, course selection and registration. Check your UIW email for further instructions from your advisor once you complete the advising module.

    To ensure relevant scheduling, all official transcripts must be submitted at least five business days prior to your selected orientation date. Please note: Students in the majors listed below must reach out to the respective contact person to discuss program requirements and class registration.

    Should you have any questions, contact your advisor or the University Advising Center at (210) 805-5814.

  7. Submit your final official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.

    All admitted students must submit official transcripts with final grades from each institution attended before the beginning of the fall semester. Students with fewer than 24 college credit hours are also required to submit an official high school transcript or official GED scores. Final documents may be submitted in PDF format to admissiondocs@uiwtx.edu or physically mailed to the address below.

    University of the Incarnate Word

    Document Receiving Office

    4301 Broadway, CPO 304
    San Antonio, TX 78209

Make sure to complete these next steps for a successful start to your semester.

  1. Register for a parking permit.

    You may register your vehicle using the T2 Cardinal Cars app via UIW’s Cardinal Apps sign-on portal. Please, bring the required items with you to orientation in order to purchase your parking permit. Visit the UIW parking site for more information.

    • Valid email address (you will be required to verify your account using this email)
    • Vehicle license plate number and state
    • Vehicle make, model, color and style
    Note: Any vehicle not registered with a permit is subject to a parking fine.
  2. Enroll in a payment plan.

    Students must pay tuition or enroll in a payment plan before the semester begins. Once you have registered for classes, you may enroll in a payment plan on CashNet via Cardinal Apps. Visit the Business Office webpage for more information.

  3. Submit your health insurance waiver.

    All UIW students must have medical insurance. If you are insured on a family plan, please ensure you waive coverage through the University by Sept 1, 2023, to avoid charges. Visit the Business Office web page for more information.