Transfer FAQs

NSO is separate from Academic Advisement and registering for classes. All new students will be contacted by an academic advisor who will assist you in selection of classes for the upcoming term.

To learn more about Academic Advisement, you can visit the CSUN Catalog by clicking here.

TRANSFER ORIENTATION DESCRIPTION

The Transfer Student Orientation is designed to help students understand college expectations and individual responsibilities as CSUN students. In addition, transfer students will familiarize themselves with building locations and important campus services. The orientation allows transfer students the opportunity to meet highly trained orientation leaders, who provide valuable information, guidance and insight about the university. Overall, the Transfer Student Orientation allows transfer students to become knowledgeable and well-prepared students to begin their journey towards graduation with confidence.

Information for NSO will be made available in early December. Students will receive emails with instructions on how to register. Once you receive the registration email, you can register for the orientation experience of your choice through our registration website.  

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?

There are two different Orientation options for Transfer students - NSO Online and Transfer Orientation. All incoming Transfer students will have access to NSO Online. Transfer Orientation is an optional in-person experience, which you can attend in addition to receiving the NSO Online link! 

NSO Online - Is a set of comprehensive modules that address university programs, services, and resources available in a virtual and eventual on-campus capacity. You will be able to complete NSO Online at your own pace throughout in your own space.  All new Transfer Students are required to know information that is provided.

NSO Transfer Orientation - Is an optional in-person opportunity to engage with your new campus! NSO Leaders will be facilitating small groups on a wide set of topics including Student Involvement and Belonging, Academic Success, and Information Technology. This experience can assist in answering lingering questions, learning campus locations/geography, and offer a more individualized opportunity to connect with other CSUN students

Yes, the fee for both NSO Online and Transfer Student Orientation is a one-time payment of $35. Following orientation registration, the university will bill each student automatically. This charge can be found on the student's myCSUN Portal account by choosing View Account Information under the "Financial Matters" tab. 

WHEN TO MAKE A PAYMENT:
You will not need to make the payment right away, but all fees (NSO included) on your student account must be paid for prior to you registering for classes in the following semester. Students should take care of this charge as soon as they can.

WHERE ARE FEES LISTED:
To view the cost for tuition and other fees visit this webpage  https://www.csun.edu/stufin/tuition, the orientation fee is listed under the "non-refundable fees & charges" drop-down list.  Payment on fees can be found on your student portal, under the “Financial Matters” page.

CAN’T FIND THE NSO FEE: 
If you are not seeing the ‘orientation fee’ then chances are that you may have already paid for it when you made your initial payment for tuition/fees.  Keep an eye on your student financial account just to be safe, and you can check with University Cash Services If you have any questions at (818) 677-8000 or university_cash_services@csun.edu.  (Reminder: Failure to pay may result in a hold blocking all University services. This is a separate fee from tuition and financial aid does not automatically pay for this fee. 

REACHING OUT:
If you have any questions or concerns surrounding the NSO fee (financial hardship, making payments, etc.) you can reach out to the NSO staff through email at orientation@csun.edu.  Be sure to provide us your full name and Student ID in addition to your message/question so we can assist you as quickly as possible. 

Financial aid rewards do not cover the orientation fee initially, and therefore will not be automatically deducted. If you are expecting Financial Aid, it will be applied to your current tuition charges first, then housing etc., (pending how much you are awarded). Financial aid does not get automatically applied to the orientation fee, and it will appear on your student account as a separate charge. Fees in this category can be found here under 'non-refundable fees/charges'. Those choosing to attend Transfer Orientation, or NSO Online, will be billed separately at which time a student can use any method to make a payment. 

Please visit the NSO Orientation Day page for all the updated information on your NSO Orientation Day by clicking the link here: https://www.csun.edu/nso/orientation-day

Registration for NSO typically occurs mid-June (for students entering in the Fall term) or mid-December (for students entering in the Spring term). Students will receive a direct email prompting them to begin registering for NSO. 

Registration is most likely not open if a weblink/registration button isn't present.   

If you have received communication that registration is open and there still is no registration link available, please check back in a few days as the link for registration may have been taken off the website while we update student records. 

Emails sent to students generally provide information like this example here:
To register for Orientation, please follow the steps below:

1. Visit www.csun.edu/nso
2. Click Register button (sometimes appears as a direct link)
3. Enter your Portal Username & Password
4. Select the type of program you would like to attend (Transfer In-Person, Transfer On-Line, or International) and the corresponding date
NOTE: Transfer students who wish to participate in NSO In-Person (on campus) will also automatically receive access to the NSO Online interface.  
5. Follow the prompts to complete registration
6. Print your confirmation email or have an electronic copy available for NSO Check-in

A successful registration will result in an automatic email kick-back which confirms the details provided/selected.  

How to get a student ID card

Student ID's are taken care of online at this time.  Information below can also be found by visiting the CSUN Student ID website. 

How to upload a photo for your CSUN student ID card

Follow these steps to upload a photo for your CSUN student ID card and then receive your card by mail:

1. Pay for your CSUN student ID card online through myNorthridge Portal one of two ways:
   • Log in and navigate to the Financial Matters tab > Financial Obligations > Purchase a Photo ID
   • Or navigate to your SOLAR Student Center > Finances > Purchase a Photo ID
2. Within 2 business days,* you’ll receive an invitation to your CSUN email address with instructions for uploading your ID photo. We'll also ask you to upload another form of identification right after, so be sure to have that ready.
3. Please upload a color photo of yourself that is a full-face view, directly facing the camera. Use a flat, light background. Do not wear a hat or head/face covering that obscures the hair or hairline unless worn daily for religious purposes. Glasses are OK.
   
   

   STUDENT ID GUIDELINES

   

4. Once the ID photo you took is approved, usually within 1 business day,* the Office of the Registrar will mail your CSUN student ID card to your home address on file with CSUN via first-class mail.
   
   To verify or update your mailing address, log in to myNorthridge Portal. Need help? Check out the Update Personal Information how-to-guide.
5. Please allow 7-10 business days for delivery.*

*Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding weekends and campus holidays/closures.

If your personal information is incorrect, you must correct it through the office of the Registrar. For a name change, fill out the Name Change Form and return it to the Student Service Center area on the first floor of Bayramian Hall.

You may change your address or phone number by logging on to myCSUN Portal. Click on Student Center, scroll to the bottom and click either the address or phone number link, whichever you wish to change.

For additional matters, please visit Admissions and Records in Bayramian Hall or contact them at (818) 677-3700.

NSO Online - We find that it takes about 2 hours to compete. NSO Online is a module that allows the student to watch and review at your own pace though. We encourage you to complete NSO Online before your first day of classes!

Transfer Orientation - Transfer Orientation is a half-day experience that lasts approximately 4.5 hours. There are typically two sessions available per day, a morning and an afternoon session. Visit the NSO Transfer Students homepage for a schedule of the day's events.

GWAR Description

All CSU undergraduate students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. At CSUN, students who have met the lower division writing requirement, completed 56 units or more, and intend to graduate with a baccalaureate degree are required to demonstrate their writing proficiency in one of two ways:

1. Students may meet the GWAR by receiving a grade of "C" or better in a minimum of 6 units of coursework in designated Writing Intensive upper division curriculum at CSUN; or

2. Students may meet the GWAR by receiving a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 345 Recursive Writing.

For the latest updates, visit Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement page.

There is required information for all new students to know upon entering CSUN; however, attendance at NSO is not mandatory for TRANSFER students but rather highly encouraged. 
A CSUN study conducted over a 5 year period showed that transfer students attending NSO performed better in classes and graduated more quickly.