Welcome!
Here is your Step-by-Step guide to starting your first year. On this page we have put together the steps to follow once you have accepted your offer until your first day of class. The resources we put together on this page can be helpful to international and domestic students.
Have Questions? We’re here to help
Essential Steps to Get Started
After Accepting your Offer (April – Early July)
Start by Booking an Academic Enrolment Appointment
This is a very important step as you will need to have attended an advising session to be granted permission to enroll in your courses. You should complete the steps given to you by your academic advisor before returning to this page to proceed with the next steps.
Create your Passport York Account
Your Passport York Account is an important tool you will need to access many York resources.
Create your Passport York Account Now
Access YU START
YU Start is a New Student Transition Program designed to support you as you make your way into and through your first Year of York University. It would guide you through the resources on campus and their uses.
You will need a Passport York Account to log in to YU START.
Pay Your Registration Deposit
The registration deposit needs to be paid only once, for the very first academic session in which you enroll in courses. Since the deposit is part of your tuition, it will not appear as a separate charge on your student account statement. Please note this deposit is non-refundable in the event you decide not to proceed.
For Domestic Students: The deadline for your payment will depend on your enrolment date.
For International Students: The deadline for your payment will depend on when you accept your offer from York.
Register for Academic Accommodations, if/as applicable.
If you had accommodations at your previous institution or require accommodations now, register with Student Accessibility Services today for your accommodations at York University. You can register after accepting your offer of Admission. (Registration with Student Accessibility Services will not be identified on official records, academic transcripts, or graduation documentation.)
Enroll in Your Courses
After your academic advising session, you will receive a personalized course checklist. Please note you will not be able to enroll in courses until you have attended an academic advising session with Markham Campus’ Academic Advisors.
Remember to use the Visual Schedule Builder to create your timetable so you can see what schedule works best for you.
After you have Enrolled in your Courses (June – August)
Set-Up Banking Information
You are advised to add your banking information for refunds, funding and financial aid, by visiting https://sfs.yorku.ca/refunds/request and selecting “Create or Update My Banking Information”.
A test deposit of a few cents will be sent to your account and a verification email will be sent, asking you to confirm the amount deposited.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is an application-based government aid program for Ontario resident students. Based on the government’s assessment of your educational costs and expected financial resources, OSAP offers a mixture of grants (money you may not need to repay) as well as repayable loans.
You can register for OSAP by creating a profile online at https://www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program.
To view OSAP FAQs visit https://osap.yorku.ca/
Begin your learning journey with confidence!
YU Prep
YU Prep is a series of online modules and workshops to get you ready for studies in math and science and build skills for university success. Designed for all incoming first year students, you can self enrol in your choice of modules once you have accepted your offer of admission to York University.
Students in Computer Science for Software Development, Digital Technologies and the First Year Engineering Core Program are eligible to participate in the Lassonde Academy and brush up on chemistry, math, physics, computation, and coding concepts in preparation for your first year. Keep an eye out for additional information that is shared via your offer letter and/or email.
Learning Skills Services
Learning Skills Services is another great resource to bookmark and checkout. Attend a virtual or in-person workshop on various academic topics, such as time management, organization, study skills. A new calendar is released each month and all incoming first year students can register and attend.
Financial Aid, Awards, and Scholarships (FAAS)
The new Financial Aid, Awards, and Scholarships (FAAS) app (formerly the Student Financial Profile) is a multi-purpose application that is used to apply for university supports including scholarships, awards, bursaries and on-campus employment programs (e.g. Work/Study, LEAP, RAY).
You can access FAAS here: https://students.yorku.ca/sfs/awards-and-scholarships. By using your PPY log in, you can start creating your Student Profile for the upcoming academic year. Completion of the Student Profile will allow you to be considered for funding opportunities that do not require additional information such as a personal statement or a reference letter.
Once awards are set up in FAAS (starting Sept), you would automatically be matched to awards to which you meet the criteria for. It’s recommended that you revisit FAAS on a regular basis to see what new awards you are eligible for, and to keep your profile up to date, since some awards will require an application which students must complete through FAAS.
Paying your Tuition
Once you have enrolled in your courses, visit the Student Account page to view tuition deadlines, and school fees breakdown. Each student has personalized account information, so please log in to view your fees breakdown.
In July and August, the roll over onto the student account can be slow sometimes. However, your student fee should be posted by mid-August.
Visit the Student Account page to view school fees and tuition deadlines and the Paying my account page to learn how to make payments.
Setting up your Google Apps
As a York student, you have a student Gmail account, Google drive access and Google Calendar associated with your student account. You should set up your student Gmail account to ensure you get all the communications coming from York. You will also need this Gmail account to join the online community which is the next step.
After Setting up your Student Google Apps (August – September)
Join and Connect with us on Slack
We have the MC2 channel (Markham Campus Community Channel) for incoming Markham students. On this channel, you can ask a student life assistant questions who will guide you to helpful resources. In addition, you can connect with other incoming Markham students and students from the Greater York Community. As a friendly reminder, you will need access to your student email account to join this channel.
eClass Set-Up
eClass is an online tool that you will use throughout your time as a student to access your courses including viewing your course outline, receiving course announcements and submitting your assignments. Please note that you may not have access to your courses until the first day of class.
Textbook Purchasing
The York bookstore website can tell you the required or recommended textbooks for your courses. To do this use the “search your book list” menu button. You can also check your required textbook in the course outline provided by your professor in your course eClass page.
Markham students will be able to purchase their textbooks at the Markham bookstore.
Health Insurance
Full-time undergraduate students are automatically opted in for the York Federation of Students (YFS) health and dental plan. If you would like to op-out of this, you may do so by following the steps provided in the link below.
YU-card
The YU-card is York’s official photo identification, and campus-wide payment card for students. YU-card provides access to several services and spaces across Keele, Glendon and Markham campuses including the library, recreation facilities, exams, food, dining plans, shopping, events, discounts and more.
Get to know the Markham Campus Community
Throughout the summer, the Markham Student Life Team will host events and activities for you to connect with other incoming Markham students, learn about supports to help you succeed at York and to become familiar with the new campus.
To learn more about our summer drop-in activities and orientation events please visit our Orientation Page.
Additional Steps for Success
York University has partnered with 4stay, a student housing organization, to provide Markham Campus students with a local living option that is affordable and close to campus.
The residence will be located a block west of Markham Campus in downtown Markham suites. York’s Residence Life team works diligently to create a supportive community experience with amazing opportunities to make friends from around the world while you learn and succeed together.
For housing questions, please contact markhamhousing@yorku.ca
The International Student and Scholar Services Team support international student retention and success by offering expert non-academic programs and services, and by fostering a dynamic global community.
The Markham – Keele Shuttle Service is available to all current students, staff and faculty that have a valid YU-card. There are scheduled shuttle buses that will take students from the Glendon Campus to the Keele Campus and vice versa. Please note that there will be no shuttle buses that go directly from the Markham Campus to the Glendon Campus.
Global Peer Program is a mentoring program available to international students and domestic students from different provinces or towns to help you adjust to Toronto. Also, to provide you with resources and to support you whenever you may miss home.
Make sure you have a reliable laptop or computer and the required software for your coursework. If you do not own one, consider using the library’s computers while on campus. Do not forget to bring your earpiece or headphones if you need to watch or listen to anything, ensuring a quiet environment for others.
Our on-site Digital Services Team is here to support your IT requirements when it comes to software, hardware and network set up, management and troubleshooting for Markham Campus students.
For IT Support, please email: askit@yorku.ca
For students who need extra support in regards to housing, food and other situations impacting your overall learning experience, you can access helpful on-campus services and resources.
For quick answers to common queries, don’t hesitate to ask SAVY, our student virtual assistant.
Whatever your needs, we’re just a message away – reach out and let us assist you on your university journey!