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Admitted Graduate Student Checklist

Ready to secure your spot in the incoming cohort? The Admitted Graduate Student Checklist guides you through your next steps, like accepting your offer of admission and confirming your enrollment. Click your entry term below to begin your journey as a Mountaineer.

Spring and Summer 2024 Admitted Graduate Student Checklist

We’re proud to welcome you to Western. Complete the following checklist items to officially begin your journey as a Mountaineer:

  • Activate your MyWestern account using your Student ID (stu######). Your Student ID number will be your username.
  • Your password will come to you in a separate email once you start the activation process.

  • The GPCW, HAEP, MBA, MBS, MEM, and MSE programs require you to pay a $150 non-refundable enrollment deposit to reserve your spot in the incoming cohort. You can submit your deposit through your MyWestern account by selecting Student & Financial Aid Menu > Pay Bill or Tuition/Housing Deposit > Items for Purchase, Tuition Deposit. You may also pay your deposit by check (payable to “Western Colorado University”), or credit card by contacting the Cashier’s Office at 970.943.3003.
  • If you are a MA in Education or Gallery Management student, complete the Intent to Enroll Form to reserve your spot in the incoming cohort.​ You are NOT required to submit a program deposit.

Visit your MyWestern Account to update your gender, pronouns, and/or used name. From the main menu, click on the Personal Information tab. Click on “Update Gender, Pronouns, and/or Used Name” and update accordingly.

Explore housing options here.

For questions about on-campus housing for graduate students, contact the Residence Life office at 970.943.2101 or reslife@western.edu.

Review your options for financing your graduate education.

  • Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at ed.gov. Western’s school code is 001372.
    • Summer 2024 admitted students: complete 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025 FAFSA applications.
    • Fall 2024 admitted students: complete 2024-2025 FAFSA application.
  • Check the status of your financial aid and scholarships and accept/modify/decline student loans through your Applicant Portal.
  • Visit Western’s Financial Aid Toolspage for additional Financial Aid resources. ​
  • NOTE: International graduate students are not eligible for federal Financial Aid

The Mountaineer Card is your official University ID. After you’ve registered for classes, upload your photo here. Once logged in, choose “Profile” to upload your photo.

For questions, contact the Mountaineer Card office at 970.943.2525, mountaineercard@western.edu, or visit our Mountaineer Card page.

TimelyCare is a free virtual health and well-being platform for Western students! You can access care 24/7, 365 days at no cost. Just download the TimelyCare app on your mobile device or log in at timelycare.com/western using your Western email and password. Not only do you have access to high-quality mental health professionals who are trained to care for college students, but you also have access to a wide range of self-care content, including a peer community, yoga and meditation videos, healthy recipes, and self-care journeys.

  • If you are participating in a residential, on-campus graduate program (MEM, HAEP, Ecology, MBS), you must submit Immunization records. Colorado law requires all students to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). At a minimum, students must have completed the first MMR immunization before classes begin. Medical and religious exemptions are allowed. If you live on campus, proof of meningococcal vaccine or waiver is required.
  • You can find the forms on the Student Affairs webpage. Forms can be emailed to shotrecords@western.edu or mailed to the address below.

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 301
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

For questions about these documents, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 970.943.2232 or student.vps@western.edu

  • If you were admitted to Western before completing your bachelor’s degree, please have your institution send your final transcript to the School of Graduate Studies immediately after your degree is awarded.
  • If you submitted an unofficial transcript to expedite the application review process, request an official transcript be sent directly from the issuing institution to the School of Graduate Studies before the first day of classes.

Western Colorado University
School of Graduate Studies
118 Quigley Hall
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

  • You will receive one paper billing statement by mail a month before classes begin.
    • Adding/dropping classes MAY affect your account balance. Check your current account balance through your MyWestern Account one business day after making any changes.
    • To view information regarding, Add/Drop and Withdrawal dates, click on the link.
      To view information regarding Refunds of Charges for Drop and/or Withdrawal courses, contact the Financial Aid office
    • NOTE: The Refund of Charges information refers to drop and withdrawal dates based on a 16-week semester. If your graduate program operates 12-week or 8-week courses, contact the School of Graduate Studies for information regarding a refund.
  • Payment is due in full on or before the first day of the term unless you set up a W-Pay Payment Plan.
    • A $50 late fee charge may be place on any graduate student’s tuition account who does not pay their on time or who has not set up a W-Pay Plan by the time tuition is due.
  • Pay your bill and enroll in e-Refund online through your Inside Western Account.

To maximize your academic and personal journey, refer to our comprehensive Graduate Student Resources list, highlighting essential services and resources curated explicitly for graduate students.

I paid my enrollment deposit; what other documents must I submit?

Western Colorado University and the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement require that admitted students planning to enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa provide proof of financial support before immigration documents (I-20) can be issued. You must provide evidence of the ability to cover the first year’s educational costs, living expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses must be made available to the University.

Once you receive an admission decision, one of Western’s SEVIS Coordinators will contact you about the required documentation for your visa application process.

Some of the documents required include:

  • Completed Affidavit of Support that is provided to you by one of Western’s SEVIS Coordinators;
  • A letter of financial support and bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the first year of study;
  • A photocopy of your passport listing official name, birth date, birth place, etc.;
  • If residing in the U.S., a photocopy of the visa and I-94 on which you entered the country.

Be advised that original documents, including bank statements, are required once you arrive on Western’s campus; however, for initial certification, copies are acceptable. Certified English translations must accompany all documents in a language other than English.

Please get in touch with any of Western’s SEVIS coordinators for more information about visa requirements:

Important Phone Numbers

Office Phone #
Cashier’s Office 970.943.3003
Graduate Studies Office 970.943.2125
Financial Aid 970.943.3085
IT Services 970.943.3333
Student Affairs Office 970.943.2232

Fall 2024 Admitted Graduate Student Checklist

We’re proud to welcome you to Western. Complete the following checklist items to officially begin your journey as a Mountaineer.

  • Submit a non-refundable $150 enrollment deposit to confirm your spot in the incoming cohort. The enrollment deposit applies to your first tuition bill. Log in to the Applicant Portal to make your payment online.
    Please contact the graduate program to which you are admitted if the enrollment deposit presents a barrier to committing to Western
  • If you are an Education, Special Education, or Gallery Management student, complete the Intent to Enroll Form to confirm your spot in the incoming cohort. You are NOT required to submit an enrollment deposit.

  • Beginning in November, admitted graduate students who paid an enrollment deposit or submitted and Intent to Enroll form will receive a Western email account and a student ID. Check your email and Applicant Portal for updates.

  • Beginning in November, admitted graduate students who paid an enrollment deposit or submitted and Intent to Enroll form will receive a Western email account and a student ID. Check your email and Applicant Portal for updates.

View housing options here.

For questions about on-campus housing for graduate students, contact the Residence Life office at 970.943.2101 or reslife@western.edu.

Review your options for financing your graduate education.

  • Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at ed.gov. Western’s school code is 001372.
    • Summer 2024 admitted students: complete 2023-2024 AND 2024-2025 FAFSA applications.
    • Fall 2024 admitted students: complete 2024-2025 FAFSA application.
  • Check the status of your financial aid and scholarships and accept/modify/decline student loans through your Applicant Portal.
  • Visit Western’s Financial Aid Toolspage for additional Financial Aid resources. ​
  • NOTE: International graduate students are not eligible for federal Financial Aid

The Mountaineer Card is your official University ID. After you’ve registered for classes, upload your photo here. Once logged in, choose “Profile” to upload your photo.

For questions, contact the Mountaineer Card office at 970.943.2525, mountaineercard@western.edu, or visit our Mountaineer Card page.

TimelyCare is a free virtual health and well-being platform for Western students! You can access care 24/7, 365 days at no cost. Just download the TimelyCare app on your mobile device or log in at timelycare.com/western using your Western email and password. Not only do you have access to high-quality mental health professionals who are trained to care for college students, but you also have access to a wide range of self-care content, including a peer community, yoga and meditation videos, healthy recipes, and self-care journeys.

If you are participating in a residential, on-campus graduate program (Ecology, HAEP, MBS, MEM), you must submit Immunization records. Colorado law requires all students to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). At a minimum, students must have completed the first MMR immunization before classes begin. Medical and religious exemptions are allowed. If you live on campus, proof of meningococcal vaccine or waiver is required.

You can find the forms on the Student Affairs webpage. Forms can be emailed to shotrecords@western.edu or mailed to the address below.

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 301
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

For questions about these documents, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 970.943.2232 or student.vps@western.edu.

If you were admitted to Western before completing your bachelor’s degree, please have your institution send your final transcript to the School of Graduate Studies immediately after your degree is awarded.

If you submitted an unofficial transcript to expedite the application review process, request an official transcript be sent directly from the issuing institution to the School of Graduate Studies before the first day of classes.

Western Colorado University
School of Graduate Studies
118 Quigley Hall
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

You will receive one paper billing statement by mail approximately a month before classes begin.

  • Payment is due in full on or before the first day of full-term courses unless you set up a W-Pay Payment Plan.
  • Check your account balance and/or set up a W-Pay Payment Plan by contacting the Cashier’s Office at 970.943.3003 or cashier@western.edu.
  • Adding or dropping classes may change your account balance.
  • Click on the link to view course add, drop, and withdrawal dates.

The Cashier’s Office will charge a $50 monthly late fee to any graduate student’s account who does not pay their tuition bill on time or still needs to set up a W-Pay Plan by the time tuition is due.

To maximize your academic and personal journey, refer to our comprehensive Graduate Student Resources list, highlighting essential services and resources curated explicitly for graduate students

I paid my enrollment deposit; what other documents must I submit?

Western Colorado University and the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement require that admitted students planning to enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa provide proof of financial support before immigration documents (I-20) can be issued. You must provide evidence of the ability to cover the first year’s educational costs, living expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses must be made available to the University.

Once you receive an admission decision, one of Western’s SEVIS Coordinators will contact you about the required documentation for your visa application process.

Some of the documents required include:

  • Completed Affidavit of Support that is provided to you by one of Western’s SEVIS Coordinators;
  • A letter of financial support and bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover the first year of study;
  • A photocopy of your passport listing official name, birth date, birth place, etc.;
  • If residing in the U.S., a photocopy of the visa and I-94 on which you entered the country.

Be advised that original documents, including bank statements, are required once you arrive on Western’s campus; however, for initial certification, copies are acceptable. Certified English translations must accompany all documents in a language other than English.

Please get in touch with any of Western’s SEVIS coordinators for more information about visa requirements:

Important Phone Numbers

Office Phone #
Cashier’s Office 970.943.3003
Graduate Studies Office 970.943.2125
Financial Aid 970.943.3085
IT Services 970.943.3333
Student Affairs Office 970.943.2232

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