New Student Instructions
Please review these instructions and complete these steps before orientation week. There may be additional steps and differences depending on your college, program, and/or campus.
After completing these steps, review separate onboarding instructions for your college or program listed at the bottom of the page.
Most importantly, check your UNMC email frequently. Critical information will be sent to that email periodically.
Plan Ahead
You can start onboarding preparation even before you receive access to all systems.
To file your FAFSA you will need to apply for a FSA ID online. The FSA ID allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA. Students and parents (of undergraduate dependent students) will be required to apply for their own pin.
The FAFSA is filed online. The UNMC institution code is 006895. Learn more about submitting the FAFSA.
If you believe you will not be classified as Nebraska resident for tuition purposes, review the requirements for qualifying for Nebraska residency.
Access Your UNMC Email & Enroll in DUO
Your UNMC email account is the official means for receiving communication from UNMC. Students are accountable for reading and responding to their UNMC email account.
Three to five days after you are admitted into your academic program, you should receive an email containing your UNMC NetID and instructions on how to activate your UNMC account. Please follow the instructions and claim your UNMC account.
Within 24-48 hours of claiming your UNMC email account you will receive a confirmation email. Once you receive this confirmation you will have access to your UNMC email account.
If you are unable to locate the emails, please call the IT Helpdesk at 402-559-7700
Log into the UNMC App Store to change your password.
If you have problems changing your password, please call the IT Helpdesk at 402-559-7700.
Students accessing UNMC email and Canvas will be required to use DUO two-factor authentication. Please refer to the DUO service page for set up and installation if you have not already done so. Those needing assistance can contact the Help Desk at 402-559-7700 or via email.
To access your email account on your phone, you must install and activate Intelligent Hub Mobile Device Management. The Intelligent Hub allows UNMC students, faculty, staff, and Nebraska Medicine employees access to use specified iOS/Android apps and organizational (internal) resources on smartphones & tablets and allows UNMC & Nebraska Medicine IT administrators to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints.
UNMC Alerts is the campus notification system, designed to quickly alert faculty, staff, and students of life-threatening events on campus. The service will send alerts to a selected cell phone device and/or e-mail. This service is only for those with unmc.edu e-mail.
Explore MyRecords and Update Your Information
Login to MyRecords as soon as possible at myrecords.unmc.edu using your Net ID and password. MyRecords serves as the primary platform to access admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and student billing information. You will also see information related to actions you must take to complete your onboarding process and view any holds that may prevent future enrollment.
It is important to make sure that your contact information is accurate. You can update your contact information in the Profile section of MyRecords. Be sure to mark your UNMC email as your “preferred” account in MyRecords. All departments at UNMC send student communications to your UNMC email account. You will be sent information to that account going forward. Please check it on a regular basis.
Access Canvas and Complete Compliance Training
You can access Canvas online at unmc.instructure.com using your NetID and password.
Students accessing Canvas will be required to use DUO two-factor authentication. Please refer to the DUO service page for set up and installation. Those needing assistance can contact the Help Desk at 402-559-7700 or via email.
- Delivery of courses throughout your time at UNMC.
- Completion of compliance modules.
- Access additional college-specific or program-specific online orientations.*
*Not all colleges and programs have additional online orientations through Canvas. If your college or program does, you will be added automatically.
Compliance training is located in Canvas and should be completed as soon as possible. Some colleges and campuses have specific deadlines to complete the training.
After logging in to Canvas, click on the individual compliance module. Follow the instructions to view the course materials and complete the appropriate tests. Each test has a minimum score to successfully complete the requirement.
A reminder to complete compliance training will appear in your "To Do" section of MyRecords. To print certificates of completion and see when your compliance expires, access the CARE website and click on the Training tab.
Complete the FAFSA and Explore Aid Options
The UNMC Office of Financial Aid provides detailed instructions how to complete your FAFSA and apply for other types of aid.
- How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Types of Financial Aid
- Student Loan Deferment
- Information on Estimated Cost of Attendance
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@unmc.edu or 402-559-4199.
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships offered at UNMC are provided by the University of Nebraska Foundation's fundraising efforts and a variety of private donors. Most awards are made based on merit and financial need. Scholarship committees select scholarship recipients in each of the respective colleges and programs.
Who is eligible to apply:
All full-time students are eligible to apply by completing the UNMC Scholarship application in MyRecords. Students who begin their academic year in Spring term are also eligible to apply. Your college or program may request additional information.
Questions regarding scholarship eligibility within your college or program should be directed to the following:
- College of Allied Health Professions
- College of Dentistry
- College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Public Health
- Graduate Studies
Complete Immunization Requirements
All new UNMC students are required to receive required immunizations. Immunization records are submitted online through MyRecords. Please log on using you Net ID and password and click on Access Immunization Center. From there you can both choose to upload your current immunizations as well as generate your immunization record.
All documents must be saved in the Immunization Center in the following format:
- LastNameImmunizationsDate
- Example: JonesPPDTDAPINFLUENZA92018
If you have any questions, please contact 402-559-5158 or email studenthealth@unmc.edu.
Complete Background Check
College of Medicine students and College of Dentistry students should refer to their college-specific onboarding pages for information on when to complete background checks.
UNMC requires background checks on all newly admitted students. These background checks are completed through a company called One Source. Please do the following to complete your background check:
- Access the background check form.
- Select your specific program to complete the form. There is a fee for this service, which will be made directly to One Source when you submit the form. Please have a credit card ready to pay the fee.
- Once you submit your One Source background check, you will receive a supplemental email directly from DHHS.CFSCR@Nebraska.gov to complete your Nebraska Adult and Child Abuse registry check.
If you have any questions please contact One Source at 402-933-9999 or 1-800-608-3645.
More details about the UNMC Background Check Policy can be found online.
Submit Final Transcripts
You must make sure that all previous transcripts are submitted to UNMC. This includes final transcripts from institutions you may currently be enrolled so your college can verify degree completion.
Please refer to your individual college onboarding page found in the right-hand column for instructions on how to submit their final transcripts.
Purchase or Waive Health Insurance
Information on all aspects of Student Health Insurance can be found online.
Questions regarding the student insurance plan, procedures for filing claims, and/or problems with the claims process may be directed to:
Chadsity Crear, United Healthcare
University of Nebraska System Advocate
Email: unebraskaadvocates@uhcsr.com
Phone: 866-351-4262
Most students are required to have inpatient (hospitalization) insurance. This includes ALL students in the following groups:
- Undergraduate/professional students enrolled full-time (12 or more hours)
- Undergraduate nursing students enrolled in 12 hours
- PhD students
- Students in other graduate programs enrolled full-time
- Graduate nursing students enrolled in 6 or more hours
Students enrolled part-time may also enroll for the particular semester in the United Student Insurance Program by enrolling on the United Healthcare Insurance website and must do so within the first two weeks of each semester.
Students may participate in the University-sponsored plan thru United Healthcare Student Resources, or they may have their own plan through a parent, spouse, employer, or self.
The cost of the United Healthcare Student Insurance is automatically billed each fall and spring semester on the full-time student’s tuition statement/bill. If students do not wish to participate in the University plan through United Healthcare, they must file a Waiver verifying alternate insurance.
Information on how to purchase and waive student health insurance can be found online.
Complete Application for Nebraska Resident Tuition
New UNMC students who are not Nebraska residents should review residency policies and how those effect their financial obligations. Applications for residence for a specific semester or summer session can be submitted to the Academic Records Office prior to the first day of classes for that period of enrollment. The last day to qualify for residency for a specific term is the last day of the registration “add period” (the 6th day of class).
If you have questions, you can email Academic Records or call 402-559-4199.
Request Accommodations
Disabilities: Enrolled students with disabilities that qualify for accommodation under Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), should explore the process to be considered for an accommodation. Each case is considered individually. More information can be found on the Accessibility Services Center website. If you have any questions, call 402-559-7276 or email unmcasc@unmc.edu.
Pregnancy/Parenting: Enrolled students who are pregnant and/or parenting are protected by Title IX. There are a number of policies and resources available at UNMC to support and accommodate pregnant and parenting students. Please complete the UNMC Student Pregnancy Accommodation Information Form to begin the process of setting up supportive measures and/or accommodations. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) works with students to set up and coordinate supportive measures and/or accommodations and adjust their plans as needed.
Obtain an ID Badge
If you are in a program at a different campus or college, you will receive instructions on how to pick up your ID.
Omaha Campus
Many colleges will take all new students to obtain their ID Badges as a group. The Photo ID Office is located in the Administrative Annex 10 building at 4230 Leavenworth in Room 3037B.
All UNMC students are required to wear their UNMC ID Badge on campus. Students can obtain their UNMC ID Badge from the Photo ID Office after they have received their NetID and password. Due to heavy summer volume, the Photo ID Office requests that students starting in the fall wait until after August 1 to pick up their ID or go with your program as a group during orientation.
When you pick up your ID card at the Photo ID Card office, be sure to bring a valid U.S. driver's license, a U.S. government-issued ID, a U.S. military ID, or a passport.
Questions? Contact the Photo ID Office 402-559-8414 or photoid@unmc.edu.
Kearney Campus
Students on the Kearney campus should obtain their ID Badge from the UNK ID Card Office. Instructions can be found online at the bottom of the page.
Explore Parking, Transportation, and Vehicle Registration/Taxes
Students on the Omaha campus purchase parking permits through the Permits tab on the UNMC parking portal.
Students on the Lincoln campus purchase parking permits through UNL Parking & Transit Services.
Students on the Kearney campus may purchase parking permits through their MyRecords account using the Kearney Services link.
Visit your campus Support Services page for other information on parking.
UNMC’s TravelSmart program on the Omaha campus provides additional parking and transportation options, including carpool, busses, and bicycling. Sign up for TravelSmart to receive:
- Free bus passes
- Free parking passes for carpoolers
- Access to free shower and locker facilities, and bicycle parking
- $3 daily-rate flexible parking for those who do not have a parking permit
- Free rides home in an emergency on a day you use a transportation method above
All full-time college students who have an out-of-state permanent residence and are enrolled in 12 or more semester hours are exempt from registering their vehicles in Nebraska.
If you are temporarily residing in Omaha you will need to comply with the City of Omaha's Municipal Code Ordinance 16-22, which requires you to pay the City of Omaha Wheel Tax. More information can be found on the Douglas County Treasurer's website.
Explore Housing Options
This section applies to students at the Omaha campus.
Pay Tuition and Fees
MyRecords provides information on your student bill. You can access this information by logging into MyRecords with your Net ID and password. After logging into MyRecords, click in the Student Accounts tab.
Student Accounts also provides information on how to review and pay your student bill each term and how to receive refunds. Tuition bills are generated the tenth day of the semester.
Direct Deposit
UNMC encourages students to sign up for direct deposit. This allows UNMC to request the state treasurer’s office to disburse directly to the bank account of your choice. This process usually takes 5-7 business days.
To sign up for direct deposit, log into MyRecords and click on the Student Accounts tab. In the bottom right corner is the link “Enroll in Direct Deposit,” where you may add or verify Bank Info. Direct deposit avoids the risk of lost or delayed mailed refund checks and gets your refund to you more quickly.
Refunds will be held for 7 days for students who are not already enrolled in direct deposit to allow them time to enroll. After the 7-day window, the refund will be requested in the form of a check.
If you have questions, contact Student Accounts by email at studentaccts@unmc.edu or call 402-559-8086.
Review UNMC's Policies, Catalog and Calendar
Get ENGAGED on Campus
UNMC's online platform ENGAGE is designed to help students, student organizations, colleges, faculty, and staff stay connected to events, specific college information and community service opportunities. Your college will notify you if they have a page set up in ENGAGE that you should join.
If you are interested in a student organization or interest group, log in to ENGAGE using your UNMC Net ID and join our campus community.