Welcome to The University of Texas at Austin! We are so glad you chose UT to pursue your graduate studies. To help you make a smooth transition to being a graduate student here, we're providing you with several action steps and links to important campus resources.
1. Get your ID Card. You can submit a photo online through the ID Center website. They will notify you when you can pick up your card at their location on the first floor of the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
2. Ensure your EID is upgraded. You already have a UT EID (electronic identity); you used it to apply to UT. Many online services require an “upgraded” EID. Visit the ID Center website for instructions on how to ensure your EID is upgraded and on how to request an upgrade if it is not.
3. Access your Official UT email. As a student at UT, you are provided with a Microsoft 365 account. All important University communications will be sent to this email address so you should plan to check this account regularly. Please see Microsoft 365 training resources for details and to learn more about using Microsoft 365 tools.
Your official UT email address is based on your EID:
[Your EID]@my.utexas.edu
4. Register for classes. You will register for Fall classes through Texas One Stop; be sure to check for the date and time of your registration slot through the links on that page. You can view course offerings through the Fall 2026 Course Schedule on the Registrar’s website but be sure to follow your program’s guidance on what courses to register for in your first semester.
5. If you are an international student, connect with ISSS. International students should visit International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) regularly to obtain important information and supports from this office.
6. Respond to any emails from Texas One Stop about lawful presence. If you are not a Texas resident and are receiving a waiver of the out-of-state part of tuition as a result of a work appointment or fellowship, you will be contacted by Texas One Stop to provide documentation that demonstrates your lawful presence in the United States (e.g., current and valid U.S. passport, driver’s license, visa).
7. Complete the items on the new employee checklist. If you will be employed this fall as a Teaching Assistant, Assistant Instructor or Graduate Research Assistant, be sure to review and complete the items on the New Graduate Student Employee Checklist on the Human Resources website.
8. Enroll in health insurance. Your options for health insurance vary based on whether you are working at UT, have a fellowship or are an international student.
- Health insurance for graduate student employees: Graduate student employees can visit this site to learn about your options for health insurance and find out how to enroll.
- Health insurance for graduate student on fellowship: Students on fellowship can visit this site to learn about options for health insurance and find out how to enroll.
- Health insurance for international students: Students enrolled at UT Austin with an F- or J- immigration status are automatically enrolled in insurance each semester; you can learn more at this site.
- Health insurance for domestic graduate students not employed at UT or on fellowship: If you are paying your own tuition and fees, you can voluntarily enroll in UT’s Student Health Insurance Plan.
9. Check your tuition bill and pay any balances. Be sure to check your tuition bill at Texas One Stop to see if you have any balances that need to be paid for your tuition or fees (e.g., the International Student Support Services fee). Please remember that you must confirm your attendance before the 12th class day, Sept. 9. For help understanding your tuition bill, see our Tuition Bill Help Guide. It is important that you confirm attendance by checking the appropriate box when you pay your tuition bill.
10. Put key dates on your calendar. Be sure to make note of important dates on UT’s academic calendar, such as last days to add or drop a class, dates of Fall Break and dates of final exams.
11. Orient to our campus. UT is often affectionately called the “Forty Acres” (which was the size of the original campus), but our main campus is now ten times that! With such a large campus, you will want to get oriented using our campus map.
12. Learn the UT Shuttle routes. Parking on or near campus can be difficult or expensive, so it is important to know the UT Shuttle routes. They are run by Austin’s Capital Metro and are free for UT students with your UT ID. You can learn more about transportation options at UT’s Parking and Transportation.
13. Explore resources to promote wellness. UT offers a range of resources to support your health and wellness, including Recreational Sports and the Counseling and Mental Health Center. In addition, Student Outreach and Support (SOS) is here to support students in times of difficulty.
14. Learn UT’s traditions. If you’ve wondered why our colors are burnt orange and white or what it means when the Tower is lit at night, you can learn more about our traditions here.
15. Begin thinking about your career after graduate school. The Office of Career and Life Design provides resources to help you learn about career and professional development. Their first session is Career by Design: A Strategic Start to Graduate School workshop on Friday, August 21; if you are interested, be sure to register for the 11 a.m. to noon session here or the 1 to 2 p.m. session here.
16. Start adjusting to and managing your graduate writing. Students have access to free writing supports offered by Graduate Services at the University Writing Center to help manage the transition to graduate-level writing. The UWC is open Monday-Friday for 1:1 writing consultations, either online or in-person. Grad Services also offer weekly writing groups, twice-monthly writing retreats, standing 1:1 appointments and many other graduate resources. Join their mailing list to get notified about signing up to their events and writing groups.
We hope these resources are useful to you and that you have a successful start to the fall semester.