New Student Orientation

Congratulations on becoming a Committed Cardinal!

We are excited to help our new students prepare for the Summer and Fall 2024 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 for Summer and Fall 2024 students opens April 1! Students must be confirmed before registering for orientation. 

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

Choose from one of the dates below:

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

Online Orientation: Transfer Students Only

Note: The UIW Online Orientation is for Undergraduate Transfer students who are unable to attend an in-person orientation. Transfer students will learn about tools and resources available as they continue their educational journey as a UIW Cardinal. They will hear from several offices and get helpful information for their transition to the Nest.

UIW Virtual Backgrounds

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

Download UIW Virtual 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
  • Housing Tour
  • Financial Aid
  • Health Services (Meningitis)
  • Advising
  • Admissions

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

10:30 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

3:55 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom

University offices are open to assist you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Download Undergraduate Student Orientation Agenda (PDF)

6 p.m. | Online Link 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 (PDF)

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

  • Student ID
  • Business Office (Parking Permit, Payment Plan, Health Insurance Waiver)
  • Campus Tour
  • Housing Tour
  • Financial Aid
  • Health Services (Meningitis)
  • Advising
  • Admissions

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

10:30 a.m. | What It Means To Be a Cardinal | SEC Ballroom

10:45 a.m. | How To Be a Cardinal Parent

11:35 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, CARE Team, and Mission and Ministry

3:05 p.m. | Building Cardinal Connections: New Student Programs, Career Services

3:25 p.m. | Student Success: Testing Services, Student Disability Services, Writing and Learning Center, Advising, Tutoring, TRiO

3:55 p.m. | Closing Ceremony | SEC Ballroom

University offices are open to assist you Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Download Undergraduate Parent Orientation Agenda (PDF)

Download Cardinal Family Resource Page (PDF)


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 the start of the fall semester 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.

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. Please set up your Cardinal Apps before orientation to ensure the registration process goes smoothly.

Cardinal Apps is the place to do many tasks such as:

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

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. 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.
  3. Register for New Student Orientation

    Orientation registration opens April 1. Once you confirm your attendance to UIW, keep your eye on your email. You will receive information for registering for orientation and Next Steps to complete your enrollment.

  4. 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.

  5. Register for classes.

    Class registration opens May 1. Check your UIW email for information regarding course registration. If you have any questions regarding course registration, contact the University Advising Center at (210) 805-5814.

    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.

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

    First-Time-in-College Students: Submit your final high school transcript with the graduation date 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.

    Transfer Students: 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
    Office of Admissions
    4301 Broadway, CPO 285
    San Antonio, TX 78209

  7. 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.
  8. 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.