If you have not already let us know that you will be attending CU Boulder and paid the $200 enrollment deposit you may do so on your application status page. Once the university has received the deposit, students will be permitted to register. Confirmation deposits are only refunded to students upon graduation or official withdrawal from CU Boulder within established dates and procedures; the deposit is non-refundable if you decide to not enroll/register.
If you need to defer your admission, you may do so for up to a year. To request a deferral, please contact emp@colorado.edu.
If you receive an offer of admission and confirm your intent to enroll, you will be required to submit your official transcript(s) to Graduate Admissions. Official transcripts must match the unofficial ones that were submitted with your application. Electronic official transcripts are accepted as long as they are sent directly from the issuing institution. Electronic transcripts should be sent to gradprocessing@colorado.edu. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts. Please do not have these sent until a final official transcript is available - including all graded coursework and degree with graduation date.
If you have not done so already, activate your IdentiKey. It is important that you set your IdentiKey password and remember it. It is your key to apply for housing, sign up for New Student & Family Programs and register for classes. A U.S. Social Security Number is required to activate an IdentiKey. If you do not have one, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) will email you a four-digit personal identification number (PIN) to use instead. If you do not receive your PIN within five business days of confirming your intent to enroll, contact OIT at help@colorado.edu to request your PIN. Your IdentiKey will also allow you to log in to the Buff Portal, which is your secure entry point for CU Boulder online services and information that you need as a student. It typically takes three to five business days for your IdentiKey activation to be completed before you can access the housing application.
Email is an official means for campus communication—campus departments and faculty will use it to relay important information to you. Moving forward, all emails will be sent to your Colorado.edu account. You must activate your IdentiKey before you can create your email account.
Students register directly through the Buff Portal according to their assigned enrollment appointment. On the registration checklist card, change the drop-down to the upcoming semester. Your enrollment start time (Mountain Time) will be listed at the top of the card. Once you have determined your registration date and time, you can begin searching for classes. For details on registration, please visit the website for the Office of the Registrar. After your enrollment dates end, registration remains open for current grad students until the date specified on the academic calendar.
For Engineering Management course information, including a comprehensive course list and when classes are typically offered, click here.
Please note that a Plan of Study must be completed, submitted and approved by the Graduate Program Advisor, Kendra Thibeault, before you can register for classes as a new student. The hold on your account will be removed once this is complete.
All students are required to have health insurance while attending CU Boulder. Students may elect coverage through an individual health insurance plan, through a family member or employer or the CU Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Students must meet this requirement their first semester at CU Boulder and at the beginning of each academic year. Those taking six (6) or more undergraduate credit hours or one (1) or more graduate credit hours are required to complete the health insurance requirement process. More information on student health insurance. At this time, CU Boulder student health insurance does not cover spouses and dependents. Wardenburg Health Services refers all students looking for spouse and dependent insurance coverage to the Colorado Health Exchange. From there, you can browse plans and find resources for health insurance in Colorado.
All new students must complete the immunization requirements by the deadline according to their first semester at CU Boulder. More information on the immunization requirement.
Your Buff OneCard is your student ID card and your key to many different services and events, including dining, printing, banking. Plan ahead and submit an application and valid photo online, and when you arrive on campus you can quickly pick up your card and get moving, rather than waiting in line. Visit the Buff OneCard website for deadlines, applications and instructions.
Important: If you are an F-1 or J-1 student, please take note of your program start date. All F-1/J-1 students MUST arrive no later than the program start date which is reflected on your I-20/DS-2019. Note: You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to this date.
Additional Guidance
Know your rights and your responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with the CU Boulder Graduate Student Bill of Rights & Responsibilities.
The Buff Portal will provide you with your course schedule, classroom locations, financial aid status and your bill. While your tuition bill will be due around the time that courses start, please note that your first payment from a research or teaching appointment generally is not available until a month into the semester.
CU Boulder offers limited on-campus housing to graduate students and their families, as well as services to help you find off-campus housing in the area. The local rental market can be a challenge, so begin looking at housing options today.
The CU Boulder Children's Center offers childcare options for children of CU affiliates 2.5 - 5 years of age. In addition, graduate students who are also employees have access to Bright Horizons Care Advantage, which includes preferred enrollment at certain childcare centers and a free Sittercity membership. Childcare services in Boulder have long wait lists; it’s a good idea to arrange for childcare now.
To educate our community and create a welcoming and safe campus environment, the University of Colorado Boulder requires all new students, staff and faculty to complete education on policies prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination and Harassment. The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) provides education about these policies. The online training can be accessed through OIEC’s website. Click on the “Mandatory Training for Graduate Students” tab.
If you do not already qualify for in-state tuition, you can become eligible after one full year of living in Colorado. To qualify for in-state tuition you must complete a Petition for In-State Tuition Classification. The petition requires proof of residence in Colorado for the entire year, such as a signed lease, as well as documentation that you have registered to vote, obtained a Colorado driver’s license, registered your vehicle and filed Colorado state income taxes. For more information on the process, visit the Office of the Registrar. For general information on vehicle registration, obtaining a driver's licence, etc., visit www.colorado.gov. Visit the Boulder DMV to obtain a Colorado license, register your vehicle and register to vote!
Boulder DMV Office
2850 Iris Ave., #F
Boulder, CO 80301 (Northeast end of 28th and Diagonal Plaza)
303-442-3006