Admitted Graduate Students

Welcome to our Cardinal community! We look forward to working with you throughout your time at North Central College. This is a very important and exciting time in your life and we want to make sure your transition to North Central is smooth. Bookmark this page and be sure to follow along with the checklist and timeline below to stay on track. 

Prepare to Take Flight 

▢ Monitor Your Email

As we move through the admission process together, important information will be sent to the email you provided on your application. Please monitor your inbox, follow the steps in any “Action Needed” subject emails, and save grad@noctrl.edu to your contacts to prevent important emails from landing in spam.

▢ Submit your Deposit

Make it official and reserve your spot with a tuition deposit.

▢ Create Your North Central College Accounts

Create your account using the credentials provided in your acceptance email from grad@noctrl.edu. Remember to change your temporary password and set a new one. Instructions on how to update your password can be found here. Please contact itshelpdesk@noctrl.edu for assistance with logging in. 

Be sure to set up and log in to both Merlin and Outlook. In Merlin, you can review your financial aid checklist and important documents. 

▢ File the FAFSA

If you haven’t already, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using our school code 001734. You can also explore scholarships and awards at northcentralcollege.edu/graduate-scholarships-and-tuition-benefits.

After You Submit Your Deposit

▢ Clear Your SFRA (Student Financial Responsibility Agreement)

Before you meet with your advisor to register for class, you will need to clear your SFRA hold. You can do so by logging in to Merlin Self-Service and signing the SFRA document in the Required Agreements section. 
 

▢ Make Payment Arrangements

The Office of Student Accounts will send your official bill to your College and personal emails. This document is also accessible on Merlin. Payment plans can be set up at northcentralcollege.edu/paymentplan.

▢ Check Your North Central College Email

Now that you’re officially a student, important communications from offices on campus and faculty will go to your North Central College email address. Make sure you have logged in and set up notifications for your new Outlook email address so that you don’t miss any important steps, like scheduling your advising meeting to register for class!

 Timeline

 Spring SemesterSummer SemesterFall Semester
Register to meet with Academic AdvisorOctober 8, 2024February 2025May 2025
Meet with Academic AdvisorBeginning October 14, 2024February 2025May 2025
Check Posted Tuition Statement in MerlinNovember 15, 2024April 2025July 2025
Check courses for necessary textbooks through the Bookstore
*please contact instructor for questions
November 30, 2024April 2025July 2025
Login to Canvas to view coursesJanuary 6, 2025May 2025August 2025