Next Steps

Come see everything that makes our unique downtown campus the perfect place to call home. There are many ways to visit Suffolk as an admitted student. Choose the option that works best for you!

You can view information related to your financial aid application in the Workday Student External Site. Notifications will be sent to the email address you provided on your admission application once your financial aid package is available.

If you have any questions about your aid package, contact your financial aid counselor. Counselor assignments are based on the first letter of your last name.

We feel a quality education should be available to every student, so we offer a broad range of financial aid solutions—featuring both merit- and need-based aid to eligible students—including scholarships and grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.

• We automatically consider applicants for merit-based scholarships, which can be found in your acceptance letter
• Need-based aid is awarded in the weeks following your merit-based award. To apply for need-based aid, make sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the recommended filing dates using our school code, 002218
• We proudly offer a $1,000 scholarship specifically for qualified incoming first-generation students enrolling in college for the first time. This award is in addition to any other merit- or need-based aid received
• Internships are an integral part to students' growth and future careers! That's why the Center for Career Equity, Development & Success now offers stipends of up to $3,500 to support students participating in non-paying summer opportunities

For more information, you can visit the Student Financial Services page, where you can also schedule an appointment with your counselor.

To confirm your place, please submit your enrollment deposit. If you want to request University-sponsored housing, submit an $800 resident student enrollment deposit. If you will be commuting, submit a $500 off-campus student enrollment deposit. Submit your deposit as soon as possible in your application portal. All students—including those with outside scholarships and/or government funding—must submit an enrollment deposit.

Make your Deposit

Before Arrival

Suffolk’s International Student Services Office (ISSO) works with international students who need immigration documents to apply for their student visas. To begin the process, submit a completed Certificate of Finances form, a bank statement, and a copy of your passport ID page to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Once we have received these documents, you will be issued an I-20 or DS-2019 form for your visa application. You may schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. consulate after you receive your immigration documents from us. Please note: The U.S. consulate will issue visas up to 120 days before the start of your program, so it is important to begin the process as soon as possible.

You are allowed to enter the U.S. on your new visa no more than 30 days before the start of your program, so please be careful when scheduling your travel plans.

If you are already in the United States in F-1 or J-1 status, please submit a copy of your current I-20 or DS-2019, a copy of your current visa, and the Suffolk transfer release form to the international advisor at your current school so that your SEVIS record can be released to our office. Once we receive your completed transfer release form, as well as your other required documents, we will create your Suffolk I-20 or DS-2019.

During Arrival

International students must plan their travels to be able to participate in the mandatory new international student orientation and immigration check-in. Be sure to review the dates and register for Orientation.

Look out for more information about virtual receptions especially designed for you and your fellow international students.

Visit the International Student Services Office (ISSO) for more information and email the ISSO with any questions.

Next Steps for Transfer Success

1. Log into your applicant portal and review your Transfer Credit and Program Evaluation. Your Transfer Program Evaluation will show you what courses you have completed and what courses you have remaining at Suffolk which will assist you in figuring out your time left to graduate
2. Respond to the Reply to Offer of Admission form in your applicant portal
3. Submit your deposit as soon as possible!
4. Schedule an academic advising appointment where you'll be able to build your schedule for the next semester and talk strategy on the fastest path to graduation and/or declaring a minor or double major
   
   • To schedule your appointment, you must have first submitted your enrollment deposit and then you will receive your Workday Student login credentials. It may take 2-3 days after receiving your credentials to be able to book an appointment
     • Students beginning at Suffolk in the spring semester can scheduling advising appointments in Mid-November
     • Students beginning at Suffolk in the fall semester can scheduling advising appointments in Mid-April
   • If you don't have the chance to come to campus ahead of time for an advising appointment, you will still be able to register for classes online after submitting your deposit or in person at Transfer Orientation
5. Register for a Transfer Orientation session
6. Any in-progress courses at the time of your admission decision were not included in your initial transfer credit evaluation. Please send updated transcripts to the Office of Undergraduate Admission so we can update your transfer credit and program evaluation

Orientation is designed to help students transition to college and assist families in understanding their students’ experience during this exciting time. Joining Suffolk’s academic community is an important milestone, and we are thrilled to celebrate it with you.

Once you have submitted your enrollment deposit, you’ll receive more information on orientation. You can register for new student and family orientation via your admission portal. You’ll find registration instructions on the Orientation & New Student Programs page.

Orientation for Students Beginning in the Spring Semester

You will receive information about registering for orientation beginning in October. The registration deadline is January 3. Please note: Orientation is mandatory and space is limited. We advise registering as soon as possible to reserve your preferred session.

Orientation for Students Beginning in the Fall Semester

You will receive information about registering for orientation beginning in March. The registration deadline is June 1. Please note: Orientation is mandatory and space is limited. We advise registering as soon as possible to reserve your preferred session.

Veterans or Students Currently Serving in the Military

All veteran, active service, and reservist students are required to attend orientation. If you have trouble attending the specific orientation designed for veterans and students currently serving in the military due to deployment, travel, or location, please contact Orientation, New Student & Family Programs at 617-573-8321 or by email. If you have additional questions regarding veteran educational benefits, please contact the RAM Registration & Financial Center at 617-573-8470 or by email.

Special Accommodations

The University’s commitment to the success of all students means we ensure full access to Suffolk programs and services. If you have a learning disability, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, physical/mobility disability and/or system disorder, autism spectrum disorder, mental health condition, neurological disorder, deafness or hearing loss, blindness or low vision, and/or a medical condition, the University provides services to accommodate your needs.

If a student or family member has a disability that may affect participation in orientation, please contact Disability Services at 617-573-8034 or by email. Please indicate any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or mobility concerns online when making your reservation.

If you have questions about orientation, new student programs, or registering for classes, please contact Orientation, New Student & Family Programs at 617-573-8321 or by email. 

Starting in late November for students starting in the spring and early May for fall start students, we’ll create a University email account for you.

You’ll receive your account information via the email address you shared on your admission application. Suffolk University email is the primary way we will communicate with you; once you have your University email, check your Suffolk inbox regularly for updates.

If you need help with this email account or your portal login, contact the Information Technology Service Desk at 617-557-2000 or by email.

New students must complete the math placement exam/writing placement survey and register for first-semester courses before arriving at orientation. This will help you build a schedule that fits your academic and personal interests.

During orientation, you’ll work with an academic advisor to build your course schedule, but you can start exploring the classes you think you’d like to take head of time. We encourage you to browse our course catalog and explore the academic majors you might wish to declare. You must participate in orientation to finalize your registered course schedule and complete the registration process. 

Note: If you are a transfer student who has completed Suffolk’s math requirement through a transferred course, you do not need to take this exam but should still register for courses before orientation.

Students Beginning in the Spring Semester

Instructions for completing your placement exams and building a schedule will be available in your admission portal beginning in November.

Students Beginning in the Fall Semester

Instructions for completing your placement exams and building a schedule will be available in your admission portal beginning in mid-May.

Students Beginning in the Spring Semester

For first-year and transfer students, submitting your deposit by January 1 will guarantee your spot in University-sponsored housing for the Spring 2025 semester. Returning students must also follow deadlines set by the Office of Residence Life & Housing Services. In December, we’ll start confirming University-sponsored housing and send instructions on how to access the housing portal. We will continue this process on a rolling basis after the January 1 deposit deadline. You’ll find out your University-sponsored housing assignment and information about your roommate(s) in January.Students

Beginning in the Fall Semester

If you are a first-year student, submitting your deposit by May 1 guarantees your spot in University-sponsored housing for two years. Returning students must also follow deadlines set by the Office of Residence Life & Housing Services in order to secure their second year of housing.

If you are a transfer student, University-sponsored housing is not guaranteed and will be assigned on a space-available basis.

In early June, we’ll confirm University-sponsored housing and send instructions on how to access the housing portal. You’ll find out your University-sponsored housing assignment and information about your roommate(s) in July.

Questions about Residence Life?

Off-campus Housing

If you plan to live off campus, Residence Life & Housing Services has resources for every stage of your housing search—from providing lists of trustworthy realtors to helping you find roommates. Send an email to begin your search.

Your Ram Card will serve as your residence hall key, a way to pay for food on campus (and get discounts off campus!), and much more. To get one, please use the photo from another official ID (your driver’s license or passport, for example). Please upload your official ID photo by the time to get to campus.

Health Insurance

All registered Suffolk students (domestic or international) enrolled in at least 75 percent of a full-time academic program must have a comprehensive health insurance plan for the academic year. If you do not have one, you must participate in the Suffolk Student Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). Eligible students will automatically be enrolled in SSHIP and charged the policy premium. Your health insurance card will be mailed to the address you supply in Workday upon arrival at Suffolk. Those students who do not wish to subscribe to SSHIP and who are enrolled in another qualifying health plan must waive the plan or you will be enrolled automatically. If you have questions about this process, please call University Health Plans at 1-888-251-1113.

Please note: All international students must purchase SSHIP and are not eligible for a waiver, with the exception of:

• International students whose sponsoring institutions have a signed agreement with Suffolk that satisfies the University’s health insurance waiver requirements or
• International students covered by health insurance companies with a home office based in the United States, and whose policy provides coverage comparable to that of SSHIP 

All other students with insurance plans that do not provide comprehensive coverage for both emergency and routine services for treatment with Massachusetts medical and mental health providers are also required to purchase SSHIP.

Waiver Information

If you have an alternative qualifying health insurance plan, to opt out of SSHIP you must complete the online waiver form by:

• February 10 for students beginning in the spring semester
• September 30 for students beginning in the fall semester

We will notify you when the waiver is available and provide more detailed information.

Required Immunization Records

If you are enrolled in a full-time academic program or you are an international student, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires that you submit certain immunization records to Suffolk University.

Please visit the Counseling Health & Wellness page for detailed information and instructions for submitting required documentation to the Counseling, Health & Wellness office by:

• February 10 for students beginning in the spring semester
• September 1 for students beginning in the fall semester

Failure to submit your required documentation by the deadline will result in a hold on your course registration.

Please be sure to have an official updated transcript sent from your previous institution once you have completed your final classes. Learn more about our transfer policy.

Download and start making your way around Workday Student. This system—which you can access from your phone—makes it easy to do things like finding your advisor, changing your major, and keeping up with any forms you might need to submit.