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Transfer Student Express Orientation

Welcome, Transfer and Non-Traditional students! Here at SVSU, we are so excited to have you as a part of the Cardinal family. Whether you are returning from an extended break from school, transferring from a 2-year college and want the full college experience, or starting your collegiate journey a little later than most, the Office of Orientation Programs is here to be your guide to life at SVSU.  

We have moved our Transfer and Non-Traditional Freshman Orientation to be a completely VIRTUAL experience. We call this "Express Orientation" While we do highly encourage you to take a tour of campus and get acclimated to the physical campus, we understand that you need the flexibility and convenience that a virtual appointment will provide. 

Express Orientation consists of three easy steps: pay the Orientation fee and register for your Express Orientation Advising Appointment, complete your Express Orientation Canvas Course, and attend your Express Orientation Advising Appointment to register for your classes. 

After those steps, you are an official SVSU Cardinal and you have completed your orientation process! See the steps below for a more detailed guide on how to register for your Express Orientation and feel free to contact our office with any questions!


How to Register for Express Orientation

2024 Spring and Summer Express Transfer Orientation registration opens on February 14th! 

2024 Fall Express Transfer Orientation registration opens on March 1st! 

What you will need to begin:

  1. SVSU Username and Password (If you have not done so already, create your SVSU Profile)
  2. 2024 Spring and Summer Admits - Credit card for $50 non-refundable orientation fee.

    2024 Fall Admits - SVSU is committed to supporting our families while "FAFSA Simplification" rollout timelines delay aid offers this year.  SVSU is waiving the $50.00 new student orientation fee for Fall 2024 to assist students who are ready to move forward with their enrollment decision.  

How to sign up for Orientation:

  1. Using your SVSU Username and Password, log into mySVSU at https://my.svsu.edu
  2. On the left navigation bar, scroll down to find "Tools" and select "Applications" (see Figure 1)
  3. Under the Application menu, select "Application Portal" (see Figure 1)
  4. From within the Application Portal select "Step 3: Pay your Orientation Fee and Register for Orientation" (see Figure 2)
  5. Pay your $50 non-refundable application fee (If applicable, see Figure 2)
  6. Return to your Application Portal.
  7. Select your Orientation date, complete the form and submit (see Figure 3)
  8. Complete your online Express Orientation Canvas modules before your scheduled appointment.

Figure 1
Red arrow pointing at mySVSU navigation bar, guiding to click on the Application Menu and the Application Portal Link

Figure 2
View of the application portal to guide people on how to pay their orientation fee and register

Figure 3

Select your orientation date


Frequently Asked Questions

Why is an orientation for transfer and non-traditional students necessary?

At SVSU, we feel it is important for all students to become familiar with academic requirements, important deadlines, and the University calendar. We also want to offer opportunities for students to learn their way around campus and introduce them to academic support services and extracurricular opportunities. We felt this flexibility to meet individual student needs and interests would be best facilitated by a hybrid model featuring both online and in-person orientation components.

Through the online modules, students will be provided with a wide variety of important information and a foundation of understanding before scheduling courses. Then, at an individual registration appointment, students will complete mandatory placement testing requirements (if needed), review their transfer credit evaluation, receive academic advising, schedule classes, and have the opportunity to meet with financial aid advisors. Other opportunities, such as a campus tour or meeting with other campus offices will also be offered to those who are interested. 

Is Express Orientation mandatory?

Yes, students must complete both the online module and an in-person registration appointment prior to enrolling at SVSU. 

When will I receive information about Express Orientation?

After you have applied and been accepted to SVSU, you should receive more information about completing Express Orientation. This mailing will also include detailed instructions on how to complete your Express Orientation online and schedule an in-person registration appointment. 

How do I set up a registration appointment?

After completing your online orientation module, you will fill out a poll with your preferred dates for a registration appointment. When we receive that information, we will contact you to schedule your appointment.

Please note: Appointments must be scheduled at least 10-14 days in advance to allow time for transfer credits and financial aid to be processed prior to your arrival on campus. We will do our best to accommodate your schedule, but appointments are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Should I bring my parents with me?

Parents are welcome to attend with their students. However, parents and guests will not be permitted into testing at any time, and students will have to complete a written and verbal FERPA waiver in order to allow others to accompany them into the advising and registration sessions. Please be sure to email your advisor prior to your appointment to let them know you will have a guest and notify them of their name. We do this to ensure your private information is not shared with anyone you do not wish.

What accommodations are made for those with special needs?

If you will need services to fully participate in an orientation such as large print, interpreting services, braille, extended time for placement testing, assistance filling out forms or assistance reading forms, please call the Office of Orientation Programs at 989-964-4070 or email orientation@svsu.edu. SVSU is committed to providing equal access to all university services, programs, and activities. See information on policies, procedures, resources, and forms available to current students.

Who can I contact for further information?

If you have any questions, please call the Office of Orientation Programs at 989-964-4070 or email orientation@svsu.edu.

Reading, Writing & Math Course Placement

‌Each student must satisfy basic skills course requirements for mathematics, reading and writing. Placement into or exemption from the required courses in mathematics, reading and writing will be determined by results of the ACT, Transfer Evaluation Report (TER), and/or course placement tests.

Reading

Transfer students will be placed in basic skills reading courses based on the following placement methods:

  1. Students with a transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher, who have completed 25 or more transfer credits will be granted a reading waiver.
  2. If students have completed fewer than 25 transfer credits, the freshmen reading placement scale will be utilized for initial placement:

    Freshmen Reading Placement

    2.99 or lower High School GPA with Reading ACT subscore of 21 or Lower = ENGL 103

    2.99 or lower High School GPA with Reading ACT subscore of 22-23 = ENGL 104

    Reading ACT subscore of 24 or Higher (regardless of High School GPA) = Waiver

    3.0 or higher High School GPA (regardless of Reading ACT subscore) = Waiver

  3. Transfer students who do not qualify for a waiver by one of the above criteria will complete the ACCUPLACER Reading Test through SVSU's Testing Center. For further information regarding testing for incoming transfer students, please contact us at 989-964-4070 or orientation@svsu.edu.

Writing

Students will be placed into Writing courses by equivalent transfer credit or utilizing the Freshmen Placement Scale using HS GPA, if available. Transfer students who wish challenge their placement may do so by taking an ACCUPLACER Writing test through the SVSU Testing Center. 

Freshmen Placement

HS GPA:

Course Placement:

Lower than 2.7

ENGL 080

2.7 or Higher

ENGL 111

Students without transferable credit or ACT scores must complete a writing sample through the SVSU Testing Center.

Math

Students will be placed in math courses by equivalent transfer credit or utilizing the SAT/ACT scale below if scores are available. 

Math Placement

ACT Math:

SAT Math

Course Placement:

16 or Lower

440 or lower

MATH 081

17-20

450-510

MATH 082

21-22

520-530

MATH 082 Waived

23-25

540-600

MATH 103 Waived

26-27

610-650

MATH 140

28 or Higher

660 or Higher

MATH 161

**Please consult with your Academic Advisor before selecting a Math course, as course requirements vary by major. 

Students may try to improve their initial placement by taking a mathematics placement test through the SVSU Testing Center. Students may take this placement test no more than 2 times and may schedule an appointment by contacting testing@svsu.edu.

Accessibility and Special Needs

If you believe you will need services to fully participate in orientation, please contact the Orientation Office by calling (989) 964-4070 or email orientation@svsu.edu

  • Large print
  • Interpreting services
  • Braille
  • Extended time for placement testing
  • Assistance filling out forms
  • Assistance reading forms

For more information on accessibility services offered to students, please see Accessibility Resources and Accommodations.

Important Financial Aid Information

All students are strongly encouraged to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ASAP for the 2021-22 academic year (or 2022-23 for 22/FA transfers). SVSU has no deadline for applying for aid, but we encourage students to apply as early as possible. You can complete the FAFSA online here. The FAFSA must be completed every year to determine a student's eligibility for aid.

When completing your FAFSA, be sure to include SVSU's federal institutional code: 002314. In order to have your FAFSA information sent to Saginaw Valley you will need to list our code in the first line of Step 6 on the FAFSA form.

For more information regarding the financial aid process, scholarship opportunities, and cost of attendance information please visit our web site at www.svsu.edu/financialaid.

Students will have an opportunity to meet with financial aid advisors when you are on campus for your registration appointment, but we encourage students to plan ahead and make an appointment with a financial aid advisor by calling 989.964.4900.

CONTACT US.


Orientation
Wickes 117
orientation@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4070

International Programs
Wickes 230
intadmit@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4473