Spring New Student Checklist

Your online decision letter is available on your student status page. Completing this step will give you access to other important status page activities like replying to your offer of admission—which must be done before you pay your enrollment deposit—and registering for admitted student visits (both virtual and in-person!).

To do this, log in to your student status page and navigate to the “Status Update” section. Click View Update.

We encourage all families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. The federal formula takes several factors into account, and many families mistakenly self-select themselves out of the financial aid process, missing the opportunity to explore all aid programs available, including Butler University aid. Use school code: 001788

More information about completing the FAFSA is available on this website.

Admission visits are an important step in the college search, particularly as you near the end of your decision-making process. We offer a number of exclusive visit options—including both on-campus and virtual options—designed specifically for our #ButlerBound students and their families. Schedule your campus visit here.

You will use your Butler Network Account throughout your time as a student. As an incoming student, this account will grant you access to your My.Butler student portal, your financial aid notification, online bill status, housing information, and more. 

You will receive your Butler username and email address about one week after you’re admitted. Instructions for establishing a password for the first time are available here. You must establish your password before you will be able to access Butler sites.

Information about preparing your technology for campus, the Butler App, smartphone email set up instructions, and more is available at Information Technology’s Quick Start for Admitted Students resource. 

To officially reserve your place at Butler University, submit your $500 enrollment deposit online. To avoid bank processing delays, we recommend paying with a credit card instead of a debit card or check.

To pay your deposit:

1. Log in to your student status page and navigate to Status Update. Select View Update.
2. Select Reply to Offer of Admission under the Forms section. Complete and submit the form.
3. From your status page, select Submit Payment for $500. Complete and submit the form.
4. Verify your addresses on the main status page. If anything is listed incorrectly, you can correct it by selecting Edit Addresses.

If your plans change and you decide not to attend Butler, your deposit is refundable with written request submitted prior to January 1.

Completing placement exams is a required task for New Student Registration and for enrollment. Results are for placement purposes only, and your assigned faculty or staff member will share them with you during your academic advising appointment when discussing appropriate courses to fit your academic plan.

We recommend completing all required placement exams by December 1 for students who are admitted prior to that date. Students who are admitted after December 1 should try to complete required placement exams as soon as possible so they can move into the advising and course registration process quickly. Once all required placement exams are completed, your advising materials will be transitioned to the college of your primary major and a representative will reach out to you via your Butler email account to schedule a time for an academic advising conversation.

First-year students: Once you have paid your enrollment deposit and received confirmation of this step, reference your To Do List on My.Butler, where any required placement exams will be listed.

Transfer students: Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, a representative from the Office of Registration and Records will contact you to assist in preparing you for academic advising and enrollment at Butler University. It’s possible this may include the completion of one or more placement exam(s) and submission of additional course information.

The housing application will be available beginning October 6, 2025. After paying the $500 enrollment deposit, complete your housing application as soon as possible online using My.Butler. Butler’s priority housing application deadline for Spring 2026 incoming students is December 5, 2025. Students who deposit after this date should aim to complete the housing application as soon as possible.

The $500 enrollment deposit must be submitted and processed in order to access the housing application. The housing application typically becomes available within 72 hours of paying your enrollment deposit , if the deposit is paid with a credit card. Debit card and check transactions may result in a delay of up to ten days.

Housing assignments and preferences are not based on when you pay the enrollment deposit and/or complete the housing application. For more information, visit the Housing and Dining website.

Admitted students will be able to view all financial aid items in our Student Financial Planning tool.

Students can access the Student Financial Planning tool from My.Butler by clicking on the Financial Aid tile. Please be sure to review all Pending items in red on the Home page, and check out any red numbered notification badges in the navigation header. Check back regularly to be sure that you don’t have anything pending, and watch for your financial aid notification to become available to view.

Students can grant their parents access to Student Financial Planning, too! Additional instructions on how to navigate your Student Financial Planning tool or grant your parent or guardian access are available here.

Butler University policy requires all incoming transfer students to complete the Acceptance of Financial Responsibility (AFR) process prior to enrollment. The AFR statement outlines your commitment to pay all expenses incurred at Butler University. This requirement must be completed prior to class registration.

To complete the process, please follow the steps below:

• Log into your my.butler.edu account and select Self Service Student Homepage.
• Click on the tile marked Tasks then click on Butler Accept Financial Responsibility.
• Review the text thoroughly before clicking Next (at the upper right of the screen).
• Read the agreement and check the box next to Accept Terms and Conditions, then Save. Click Next (at the upper right of the screen).
• Click Finish to complete the process. The indicator will be removed from your account to allow registration.

If you have any problems logging in or have technology related questions, please call the Butler University IT Help Desk at 317-940-HELP (4357) or email helpdesk@butler.edu.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Butler University is no longer requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff, but strongly recommends receiving the series/boosters.  You can find a vaccination clinic near you and schedule an appointment through the CDC website.

There are three additional health requirements you’ll want to take care of as well:

1. Provide an updated copy of your immunization records to Health Services before January 1. This record can be from a family doctor or state health agency. Immunization requirements are similar to those required in K-12.
2. A current physical exam (within 12 months of enrollment) is also required. Healthcare providers may complete and sign a general physical form or you may use the Health Services form located under the “Forms” section of the Health Services website.
3. Annually, all undergraduates are requested to either email proof of their existing health insurance information to healthinsurance@butler.edu or enroll in the University sponsored student health insurance program. Students can sign up for the plan at any time by emailing healthinsurance@butler.edu.

Copies of these documents can be faxed to Health Services at 317-940-6403, emailed to healthservices@butler.edu, or mailed to: Health Services Room 110, 530 West 49th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208.

All first-year and transfer students are required to have their final official high school transcript with posted date of graduation sent to the Office of Admission. If you were admitted with college coursework in progress, you’ll need to request that your official transcript with final grades posted be sent to the Office of Admission as soon as it’s available.

Official transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing institution. They may be sent electronically to admission@butler.edu or mailed to:

Butler University Office of Admission
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Students who applied with self-reported test scores are required to submit verified scores by January 1, prior to enrollment.

The test scores requiring verification are listed on your student status page. Your test scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admission from ACT or the College Board, or from your high school counselor. If your high school lists ACT/SAT scores on your final high school transcript, we can also use those for verification purposes.

The testing agencies can submit your test scores electronically or mail them to the Office of Admission. Your high school counselor can email materials to admission@butler.edu.

The Office of Student Accounts publishes the electronic billing statements in December for the spring semester. Visit the Student Accounts website for information about the billing process, payment plans, and additional services.

Your out-of-pocket cost has been calculated in your Financial Aid Notification. If you need additional assistance to cover educational expenses, Butler offers financing options to invest in your education. The payment plan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and Private Education Loans are available regardless of financial aid eligibility.

Refer to your Financial Aid Notification or click here for more information about financing options.

Butler collects emergency information from all students twice a year. To verify your contact information, read these instructions. There will be a hold placed on your account that blocks registration until you complete this process. Verify your contact information soon to remove the hold.

Make sure you order or rent your books. You can either pick them up when you arrive on campus or have them shipped to your home ahead of time. You can also purchase your books by logging into your My.Butler portal and following the instructions provided on your To Do list.

Students need to provide all personal items, bed linens, and towels. Additional items that students might bring include: alarm clock, bedspread, television, computer, Ethernet cord, laundry supplies, shower bucket, plants, fan, simple eating and cooking utensils, desk lamp, stereo/radio with headphones, stationery and stamps, storage crates.

Butler’s recommended packing list can be found here and more information on the move-in process will be emailed to you.

All new students, including first-year, transfer, and commuter students are required to take part in Orientation. Orientation for incoming students beginning classes in January will consist of a Zoom meeting and an online New Student Orientation Canvas Course.

January Orientation Zoom meeting
Join other new students and their families during January Orientation zoom. This two hour meeting will include information about Butler, resources available to you, getting to know other new students, and to ask any questions that you have before you arrive at BU. Please register for the January Orientation Zoom meeting here. 

Spring New Student Orientation Canvas Course
Prior to a student’s orientation period, all new students must complete a series of online Orientation modules. These modules include academic resources; campus life resources; diversity, equity, and inclusion training modules; and AlcoholEdu. Students will gain access to AlcoholEdu part 1 in December and must complete the module before January move-in. Students will receive a separate email invitation in January to complete the “U Got This!” course, as part of our comprehensive approach to sexual and relationship misconduct response and prevention.

This Canvas Course is asynchronous and students can complete it at their own pace. The deadline to complete the modules for Spring 2026 if forthcoming. An invitation to participate in this course will be sent to students via their Butler email address and via Canvas.

Your student ID is your ticket to accessing all campus has to offer. Use it for dining, the Health and Recreation Complex, to enter your housing unit, and more. It also means you’re an official Bulldog!

You can get your student ID by visiting the Parking Services Office, Suite 500 in the Sunset Avenue Parking Garage during their regular business hours. Parking Services is open 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Closed Noon to 1:00 PM) Monday through Friday.

Photo Specifications

• Background Requirements (Background must meet ALL requirements):
  • Solid
  • Smooth/Flat
  • White, light-colored or gray
• Color photos only.
• Photo must have been within the last 6 months.
• Must be framed passport-style: forward-facing, head and top of the shoulders in frame.
• Natural or neutral expression/smile.
• Face must be centered with eyes and features clearly visible.
• No hats, caps, sunglasses, headphones, scarves, etc. (Religious head coverings are permitted.)
• Photo must be.jpg (or .jpeg) file format.
• 3 MB file size limit.
• Minimum image size is 300 x 300 pixels.
• Photo must include only the person on the ID. No pets, friends, props, etc.
• Do not use any filters to alter the photo.

If you plan on bringing a vehicle to campus you’ll need to purchase a parking permit. Find out more on the Parking Services website.