Supporting Your Student's Transition to North Central
New Student Onboarding Tasks
Make it official! Student pays the deposit and commits to coming to North Central College.
New Student Checklist
Where does my student access the New Student Checklist? All new student onboarding information is provided in Canvas. This serves as the New Student Checklist. Canvas is a web-based learning management system that North Central uses for its academic courses. We intentionally use Canvas for onboarding so students become comfortable using it before they start their classes.
When will the New Student Checklist be available? If your student deposits before mid-February, they will receive their onboarding information through Canvas around the middle of February. If your student deposits after mid-February, they will be added to Canvas within three business days of the deposit being paid. Your student will receive emails to their NC account when they are added to Canvas and when updated information is released. Please encourage your student to check their NC email account at least once a week.
How does my student log in to Canvas? The student will need to use their NC credentials to access Canvas. Parents/supporters – PLEASE DO NOT SET UP YOUR STUDENTS LOGIN CREDENTIALS!!!! The Microsoft Authenticator will be linked to your device and the student will not be able to access their NC accounts because of this. Please support your student with creating their login credentials and use the Microsoft Authenticator through their phone.
Password Reset If your student has not done so already, they should follow the steps on Canvas to reset their password. Again – please do not do this for your student.
New Student Survey One of the ways we begin to get to know your student is through the New Student Survey. Students can access this from Canvas. Your student will select their Orientation date and first-year students will select their Placement Test date. The survey will ask questions about your student’s interest, previous college courses, dual credit, or AP courses, identities, and much more. The survey takes 15 – 25 minutes to complete. Even though you may be an expert on your student, we please ask that you allow your student to complete the survey. Your student will receive an email to their personal and NC email confirming the dates they selected for their Placement Test (if appropriate) and Orientation.
Immunizations Illinois State Law mandates that all students entering a post-secondary institution, born after 1956 provide proof of required immunizations. Your students should submit their immunization records and a TB Screening form through Canvas. Further Clarification
TB Screening: Not all students need an actual TB test. Please make sure your student completes the TB Screening to make that determination.
Meningococcal Vaccine: Your student needs the meningococcal conjugate MVC4 or ACYW of MENVEO vaccine. The meningococcal MenB vaccine does NOT meet this requirement!
Housing Application Once the housing application is available, your student may access this through – you guessed it – Canvas! The housing deposit should be submitted prior to completing housing selection. The earlier your student submits their application, the more likely they are to get what you are requesting.
Student Financial Responsibility Agreement (SFRA) All students are required to accept their SFRA before they can register for classes. This agreement is not unique to North Central. This is required in order for the college to receive Federal Aid for students. The instructions and link to accept the SFRA can be accessed on Canvas.
Student Disability Services If your student had an IEP, 504 Plan, or has a disability or chronic health condition, they may want to request accommodations. Information about this process can be found on Canvas or on the Student Disability Services webpage. Student Disability Services will begin meeting with students starting on March 1st. Please do not delay starting this process.
Granting 3rd Party Access to Academic & Financial Information – FERPA In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), North Central College has created two ways students can include their family and others in the financial responsibility.
FERPA Release Third parties may contact Financial Aid or Student Accounts via phone or email with general questions, however, a FERPA Release Form from the student must be on file in order for staff to discuss a student's specific account details with a third party.
Online Proxy Access Third-party users can be given online access to financial aid and billing information as well as receive notification from Student Accounts when bills become available.
To view the College's FERPA policy, please go to the Catalog.
Financial Aid Checklist Your student should refer to the instructions on Canvas on how to log in to Merlin Self-Service to complete the items listed on their Financial Aid Checklist. These items may include but are not limited to: Submit a Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA), Complete required documents, Your application is being reviewed by the Financial Aid Office, Review and accept your Financial Award Package, Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling, and Sign a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note. All items should be marked in green as “Completed”.
Health & Safety Online Trainings Your student must complete several online trainings through Vector Solutions. These trainings are access through the link in Canvas. If your student does not complete these trainings there will be a “HOLD” placed on their account that will prevent your student from registering for their future courses.
Cardinal Card – Student ID Your student is encouraged to order their Cardinal Card as soon as the information is released on Canvas. The card will be ready for pick up on Orientation Day. Students also have the option to have their photos taken at Orientation but we recommend submitting before. Cardinal Cards can also be picked up at the New Hall front desk.
Emergency Alerts Your student is encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts such as campus closures, weather warnings via text message by registering their cell phone on RAVE. The link to this can be found in Canvas.
Orientation & Placement Test Dates and Information
All first-year and some transfer students are required to take math placement. The New Student Survey and admission information will determine if your student needs to take the foreign language placement as well. The placement tests can only be taken once. There is no need to practice or prepare for the placement tests. The math and foreign language placement tests take about 45 minutes each.
The location of the placement tests will be confirmed in an email sent to your student's personal and NC account within three business days of the event.
The placement test dates are listed below. Your student should take the placement test as soon as possible and before they attend Orientation.
2025 Placement Test Dates
Friday 3/14 at 9:00am
Friday, 3/28 at 10:00am or 3:30pm (Before or After Admitted Student Day)
Friday, 4/25 at 10:00am or 3:30pm (Before or After Admitted Student Day)
Tuesday, 5/20 at 9:00am or 11:00am
Thursday, 5/22 at 9:00am or 11:00am
Thursday, 5/29 at 9:00am, 11:00am or 2:00pm
Wednesday, 6/4at 9:00am, 11:00am or 2:00pm
2025 Orientation Dates
Thursday, 6/5 First-Year
Wednesday, 6/11 First-Year
Tuesday, 6/17 Transfer (afternoon)
Friday, 6/27 First-Year
Tuesday, 7/8 Transfer (morning)
Saturdary, 7/12 First-Year
Tuesday, 7/15 First-Year
Thursday, 7/24 Transfer (afternoon)
Supporting Your Student's Path to Graduation
Center for Student Success
What is Student Success?
Our team is committed to helping you achieve your academic, personal, and professional goals. That’s why we offer a variety of personalized resources and programs designed to support you from your first day on campus through graduation and beyond.
Orientation Services
Academic Advising
Tutoring
Testing Services
Student Disability Services
Academic Support Services
What is a Success Coach?
Provides academic advising to keep a student on track for graduation
Connects students with campus partners
Answers questions
Follows up with academic concerns
Provides academic coaching
Will my student have the same Success Coach through graduation?
We hope so but...
If your student's major changes they may need to switch
If your student's needs are better met by someone else on the team
Your student may develop a connection through their First-Year Experience course with a different Success Coach and want to change
How are students assigned to a Success Coach?
Your student is assigned to someone who knows your student's curriculum very well. Student Success advises in pockets of majors. We advise in five pockets: 1. Business, Leadership & Entrepreneurship, 2. Psychology & Neuroscience, 3. Education, 4. STEM & Health Science, and 5. Arts, Communications & Humanities.
Advising & Registration Information
When will my student register for class?
New Students
All new First-Year students will register for their fall courses at Orientation. Your student will attend a Plan Your Path Advising Workshop through their First-Year Experience (CARD110) to plan their spring courses in October. Please encourage your students to attend this workshop.
All new transfer students will register for the fall and spring courses with their Success Coach in a 1-1 advising session ideally before Orientation.
Current Students
Existing students will register for their fall and spring courses for the next year in March. Students may attend a Plan Your Path Advising Workshop, submit their schedules for review, and be ready to register on their assigned date.
How many credits should my student take each semester?
We recommend 16 - 18 credits each semester. Your student needs to earn 128 credits to meet graduation requirements.
Full-time status is 12 credits, however, your student will not earn 128 in eight semesters if they only take 12. They need to average a minimum of 16 credits each semester to stay on track to graduate. Some forms of financial aid require students to take a minimum of 15 credits.
