Visit MU and Your Degree Program Prior to Enrolling
We encourage you to visit before you enroll.
Many of our academic programs hold visit weekends in the spring before the acceptance-of-offer deadline.
If you have not received information about visiting your degree program, ask the program’s director of graduate studies.
Seek Extra Financial Support
- If you are seeking federal loans, complete a FAFSA form by February 1 for priority consideration.
- Contact your academic degree program about assistantships and other funding.
- Follow up on financial support and informational tips.
- Search campus-wide employment listings. You’ll need your username and password to log in.
- Review the information about seeking funding from the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Inform Your Degree Program that You Officially Accept the Offer of Admission
Contact the degree program as soon as possible to inform them if you have decided to enroll or decline admission.
This assures other talented students may be admitted if you decline.
As a member of the Council of Graduate Schools, prospective students who have been offered financial support have until April 15 to finalize acceptance of financial support offers. No University should put pressure on accepted students to accept an offer of financial support prior to the April 15 deadline.
Contact the Graduate School if you experience any undue pressure to accept a financial offer prior to the deadline.
Find a Place to Live
We recommend that you start looking for a place to live as early as possible after being admitted. Waiting until July or August will make it difficult to find suitable housing. Visit our Housing in Columbia page to learn more about off-campus as well as on-campus housing options and resources for graduate students.
Housing in ColumbiaActivate Your MU Account
Memorize your username and password — they allow you to register for classes, request transcripts online, check grades, access email and more.
- Activate your MU account by creating a password with the username you received via email from Graduate Admissions. (You don’t have to be on campus to do this.)
- Access your email with your username and password.
- You may also be able to personalize your University email address.
Register for Courses
Contact your academic advisor to discuss course registration.
Consult your academic program before you register for classes. After you have determined your program’s registration requirements, please check the registration dates.
Learn About School or Daycare Options
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce lists schooling and daycare options in Columbia.
Help Your Spouse, Partner, or Significant Other Find a Job
Columbia offers a range of job opportunities both on and off campus.
University employment databases contain job postings for faculty and staff, health-related professions, and students. Faculty and staff positions may be available at six other nearby universities and colleges. Local job postings may be found on the city’s HR site or in the Columbia Daily Tribune and the Missourian. The state capitol is only a half hour’s drive and provides additional state and federal job opportunities. See the State of Missouri and federal government sites for their job search engines.
Obtain a Student ID Card (TigerCard)
The TigerCard is used for meal plans, checking out library books, charging or debiting University purchases to your University account and more.
You can get your card at the MU Bookstore in the MU Student Center within 33 days of the start of the semester. Click here for more details.
Confirm You Have All Required Immunizations
Make sure you meet all medical requirements to ensure you can enroll at MU.
Consider Transportation Options
Explore Graduate Student Health Insurance Options
Graduate students should enroll in a health insurance plan.
Investigate MU’s insurance requirements and insurance plan to find out if you qualify for a subsidy to help offset costs. Enroll in MU’s student health insurance program through MyZou.
If you qualify for an insurance subsidy and have questions, contact coordinator Karen Gruen or visit 210 Jesse Hall.
Insurance for children and spouses is also available. Fees are paid by semester.
Visit TigerTech for Hardware and Software Needs
TigerTech is a part of the University Bookstore and offers many of its deals online.
To see a list of software with prices, click the “Site License Software” link and input your username and password.
Find the Textbooks You’ll Need for Classes
Textbooks can be purchased at the University Bookstore, ordered online, or purchased from retail vendors.
To locate required texts, go to the online locator and search by course and semester. If you have a qualifying assistantship, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on many items in the bookstore.
Access Your Bill Online
The MU Cashier’s office allows you to view and pay your bill online.
Attend Graduate Student Orientation
The Graduate Student Orientation for all new students occurs the week before classes each fall.
Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO)
The Graduate School provides Graduate Teaching Orientation (GTO) to help prepare graduate students to teach at the University of Missouri (MU). It is required that graduate students complete GTO prior to teaching at MU for the first time. If you plan to teach at MU, Teaching Orientation is offered two times per year, in August and January the week prior to the start of the semester.
Registration is required. Register for GTO by August 10, 2023.
Get Involved!
Join the Graduate Professional Council (GPC), our graduate student government.
Participate in one or more of over 60 graduate student organizations.
International Students
International students have additional requirements to meet before coming to MU.
Veterans
Students who are veterans can learn about benefits or can visit in the Student Veterans Resource & Support Center on campus.
There you can receive G.I. Bill information and certification for eligible veterans, dependents, and vocational rehabilitation veterans. The office also furnishes information on military service educational assistance programs.