New Buff Families

new buff fam

Welcome to the Buff Family! We are excited to welcome you and your student to the CU Boulder community. As a new Buff, your student will complete many important steps before Welcome to the Buff family! We are excited to welcome you and your student to the CU Boulder community. As a new Buff, your student will complete many important steps before starting classes, and we are dedicated to easing the transition and helping your student succeed at CU Boulder. 

We encourage students to take the lead in completing these steps. As a family member, you can learn more about their steps below to help keep them on track in completing everything they need to do. You can also refer to the Buff Family Resource Hub where you will find information on topics like advising, class registration, housing, finances, books, technology, transportation and more, so that you can be a resource to them throughout this transition.

If you or your student have questions, please connect with our team.

  Family Welcome Letter   

Orientation and Fall Welcome at CU Boulder

Orientation

All students who will be starting their first semester at CU Boulder in fall 2026 are required to attend Orientation in June or July, where they will get to know other new Buffs, begin acclimating to the campus environment and register for their first semester classes. 

Learn more about what to expect, how they can sign up and what opportunities you have to attend with them. 

Orientation for first-year students

Orientation for transfer students

Fall Welcome

Fall Welcome takes place throughout move-in and the first weeks of the semester and is a great way to meet other new Buffs and begin getting involved in campus life. We offer a variety of events both large and small to cater to many different interests and energy levels. Explore the Fall Welcome schedule and pick out a few events to attend. Most events are optional; however, a few may be required for you.

New Student Convocation: Welcome to Our Herd

Welcome to Our Herd is your official welcome to the university and takes place on [date]. You’ll hear words of wisdom from key leaders, such as Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs D’andra Mull and CU Chancellor Justin Schwartz, and you’ll take part in the recognition of colleges and receive your CU pin.

This program is required for all new first-year students and optional for all new transfer students.

College Day

College Day takes place immediately after the conclusion of Welcome to Our Herd and is a chance for you to begin meeting faculty, staff and other students in your academic program. You will hear more about resources available to you, expectations and requirements, co-curricular opportunities and any other success tips you need to know before the semester begins. 

This program is required for all new first-year students.

New transfer students are instead strongly encouraged to participate in Transfer Student College Day on [date].

International Student Orientation

You will learn about requirements and expectations, as well as tips for acclimating to US classroom culture and the city of Boulder.

This program is hosted by International Student Scholar Services and is required for all new international students. 

Fall Welcome isn’t only for students though! During move-in, we also offer additional opportunities for families, including Family Welcome Tents across campus where you can pick up swag and connect with our staff to get any lingering questions answered.

Fall Welcome Family Activities

New Family Checklist

While your student has their own to-do list to complete, we have some recommended tasks for you as well as you support your student through their transition to CU.

Stay connected Be prepared Take action
Stay connected
  • Sign up for the Buff Family Newsletter to stay updated on important dates, timely information and campus news. This is also the primary place to learn about upcoming events like Family Weekend!
  • Join the Buff Family Facebook Page to connect with other CU Boulder families.
  • Check out Have You Herd: Buff Family Video Series and Coffee Hours to learn about upcoming processes and deadlines for tasks on your student’s checklist, as well as hear from campus offices about the resources available to you and your student.
  • Sign up for emergency alerts. Your student can add your mobile number to CU alerts in their Buff Portal.
  • Ensure you and your student have CU emergency numbers saved to your contacts.
  • Encourage your student to add you as an emergency contact in their Buff Portal.
  • Check that your homeowners or renters insurance policy covers your student’s possessions while they are living on campus.
  • Have conversations with your student about your expectations around academics, finances, safety and communication.
  • Ask your student to add you as a guest when they sign up for Orientation if you want to attend our Family and Guest Orientation program.
  • Talk to your student about their student privacy under FERPA and whether granting guest access and FERPA Consent to Release are right for your family.
  • Review the Bursar website for tuition due dates, payment plan options, and financial aid requirements, and have your student add you as an authorized payer if you will need to view and/or pay their tuition bill.
  • Help your student complete their health requirements.
    • Assist them in acquiring proof of required vaccinations.
    • Provide them with information about any individual or family health insurance plan(s) that will cover them during their time as a student, and/or discuss whether they should enroll in any primary or supplemental coverage plans offered by CU.
    • If your student will be under the age of 18 at the time they begin taking classes at CU, help them complete and submit the Parent/Guardian Consent for Treatment of a Minor form on MyCUHealth so that they can receive any needed medical treatment at the Wardenburg Health Center on campus.
  • Encourage your student to check their CU email regularly leading up to the start of semester.

Get ready for arrival. If your student is living on campus, be sure to review lists of what to bring and not to bring for move-in.

Your student’s next steps

Your student will need to complete important next steps as they prepare for their first semester at CU Boulder. This is an overview of some of the main steps they will need to complete. Encourage your student to log in to Buff Portal for a full list of needed steps and to check their CU Boulder email account often to stay on track for any upcoming deadlines.

 

Activate IdentiKey 

Your student’s IdentiKey is used to access online services and applications at CU Boulder. It typically takes three to five business days to activate before your student can access these services.  

 

CU Boulder email 

All CU Boulder faculty, staff and students receive a CU Boulder email account. We will use this account to communicate with your student, so please encourage them to use their IdentiKey to log in and start using it. 

 

Financial aid & scholarships 

The first step in the financial aid process is for your student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and include CU Boulder’s School Code: 001370. After the Office of Financial Aid receives their FAFSA, they will be in contact with your student. Learn more about FAFSA and scholarships.

 

Campus housing 

Encourage your student to explore living options and experiences to find the space that is right for them. Learn more about campus housing.

 

Orientation

Students can sign up to attend Orientation beginning in March. Dates will vary based on their college or major, and space in each session is available first come, first served and will fill up. Encourage them to register early to have the widest selection of sessions. Be sure they add you as a guest if you plan to attend Orientation with them, too!

 

Online Experience 

Remind your student to complete the Online Experience before attending orientation. They’ll learn more about health and wellness, advising, registering for classes and more. It must be completed before your student can register for classes during their orientation session. Your student can access the Online Experience through Buff Portal beginning in April.  

 

Buff OneCard photo 

Students must submit their Buff OneCard photo as soon as possible. The Buff OneCard serves as your student’s campus identification. The Buff OneCard will provide access to the Rec Center, printing, your student’s residence hall, meal plan and more! 

 

Academic advising & class registration

The Online Experience will guide your student through academic requirements and using the course registration system. Then, they will connect with an academic advisor and register for classes during their Orientation.

 

Check holds & to-dos 

CU Boulder assigns holds or to-dos to inform your student of steps they may need to complete. A hold prevents them from taking some kind of action (such as registering for classes) until it is resolved. A to-do is a recommended action that certain students need to complete. Students should check their holds and to-dos in Buff Portal. 

 

Health requirements

All students must complete health insurance, immunization and health questionnaire requirements before their first semester at CU. Learn more about health requirements.