You’ve been admitted to the University of California, Riverside (UCR), and you’re ready to begin the next stage of your life as a Highlander in fall. You are going to receive a lot of emails, reminders, and notices about upcoming deadlines and to-do items, so this website is your one-stop destination for everything you need to know as you prepare for this exciting adventure! From your decision to attend UCR to your first day of school, this website will be a valuable tool!
The first and most immediate task is to complete your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). You’ll complete your SIR when you’re ready to commit to UCR and join the Highlander family. If you ever get confused by the term, just remember that it means you’re intending to register in courses here.
Say "YES" to UCR!
Submit your SIR by May 15
You’ll begin using MyUCR, the portal for admitted students. Check this account often for updated messages specifically for you, including financial aid awards, checklists, provisions of admission, and more! This is a vital place for updates and notices, either general stuff you should know or very specific alerts to just you about things you need to complete.
Set up your MyUCR account: Check your inbox for an email containing your username and instructions for creating a password. This email was sent to the address provided in your UC Application. If you did not receive an email, please contact Undergraduate Admissions.
During the next few months, you’ll want to stay in the loop with what’s happening and what’s required, and following some departments on social media is the easiest way to get updates sent directly to your feed!
Izabella Flores
Class of 2023
Apply for financial aid — no matter what! You might be surprised to learn what kind of aid you’re eligible to receive. You can do this by either filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or if you’re an undocumented student, you can fill out the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
Complete your FAFSA or CADAA by the extended April 2 deadline for priority consideration, but submissions may be considered after that as well.
Don’t forget to include UCR’s school code 001316 on these forms to make sure your information gets sent to us!
If you have already applied for financial aid, log into MyUCR to view your preliminary estimated financial aid offer. Visit Financial Aid for important dates and deadlines.
Fun fact: 85% of UCR undergraduate students who applied for aid were awarded aid, and 97% of undergraduate students who were awarded aid received need-based scholarships and/or grants. That’s money that doesn’t have to be paid back!
If you received an email invitation in early March, applications are due by March 17. Visit honors.ucr.edu/admissions for program details and reference your email invitation for full details on applying!
If admitted to University Honors, students are also required to attend the first session of Highlander Orientation in July and, if living on campus, must reside in the living-learning community for University Honors located in the Pentland Hills Residence Hall.
Apply for your I-20 (F-1 students) – You will find the I-20 application in an email from Undergraduate Admissions. An I-20 will be issued after you have submitted your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and have submitted a complete I-20 application form. The form may be prefilled with some of your personal information. Please check this form carefully and complete all required fields. If you are transferring your SEVIS record from another school, your I-20 cannot be issued until the record has been successfully transferred to UCR.
Apply for your DS-2019 (J-1 students) – Please review their website for information.
Pay the required SEVIS-901 fee after you have received your I-20 or DS-2019. The SEVIS I-901 Fee is a separate fee to be paid from the visa application and receipt of payment is needed prior to applying for the F-1 and J-1 student visa/scheduling a visa appointment. The fee is $350 for anyone on a F-1 Visa and $220 for anyone on a J-1 Visa.
UCR’s school code for this process is LOS214F00177000.
When do new students need to pay the SEVIS fee? They must pay at least 3 days prior to going to a U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa interview, before appearing at the Port of Entry (if you do not need a visa because you are a citizen of an exempt country), or before filing a change of status form application while in the United States.
For more information, including the processes on how to pay, visit the International Students and Scholars website. After you pay, keep a receipt of your payment confirmation that you can bring with you to any visa interviews.
