Freshman 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. 

To foster a stronger sense of academic community among students who are studying similar subjects and possess similar interests, large universities frequently divide different disciplines, majors, and programs of study into subsections called "colleges." At CSUN for instance, There are 8 traditional Academic Colleges that house all undergraduate majors/minors and program options.  As such, each college maintains its own facilities, research centers, etc., and have a set of administrative leaders like a Dean, Associate Dean, etc.. We often separate students by college, major, or program during NSO as well.  

CSUN's Academic Colleges can be found here: https://www.csun.edu/academic-affairs/colleges 

Here are a few examples of how we breakdown a student's academic college, department, major, and program/option:

EXAMPLE 1:
DEGREE/MAJOR: Communication Studies
OPTION: n/a
DEPARTMENT: Communication Studies
COLLEGE: Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, & Communication

EXAMPLE 2:
DEGREE/MAJOR: Business Administration
PROGRAM/OPTION: Business Law
DEPARTMENT: Business Law
COLLEGE: David Nazarian College of Business & Economics

EXAMPLE 3 :
DEGREE/MAJOR: Kinesiology 
PROGRAM/OPTION: Exercise Science
DEPARTMENT: Kinesiology 
COLLEGE: College of Health and Human Development

New Student Orientation (NSO) is an engaging on-campus experience the university has created to prepare all its new students to integrate into the academic, cultural, and social context of California State University, Northridge. Throughout the orientation experience, new students will be advised on appropriate steps to take in order to achieve academic success in and out of the classroom. Students will also get a chance to meet their peers, both fellow new students and continuing CSUN students, who will offer help and suggestions to assist with a smooth transition.

A $75 orientation fee is automatically charged to every first-time freshman in the summer prior to the start of the semester.  Typically, students pay this fee when they make payment for courses.  The fee should be paid as soon as possible to avoid any holds on your student account. 
To view your student account, sign in on your student portal, select the "Financial Matters" tab and click the appropriate links to view your any fees owed to the university.  

No. Financial Aid does not cover the cost of your orientation fee.  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'. 

Campus tours will be held during the orientation day as part of the NSO programming. Orientation leaders will conduct a 1 hour tour of the campus providing information on campus geography and locations for student services to promote your success. 

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

Due to capacity, the NSO programs are designed for new students only.  We encourage all new students to partner with their families so they can be a strong resource for them while moving through their education.    

Parents should keep an eye out for "Parent & Family Day" which is tentatively set for Saturday, October 18th. More information on what that event entails can be found at https://www.csun.edu/nso/parent-and-family-programs.

Registering to attend NSO typically occurs late June (for students entering in the Fall term). Students will learn about NSO through messages sent by CSUN Email and postcards sent through traditional US mail. Upon registration you'll be asked to confirm the date. If there is no registration link posted on the website then please check back in a few days as it the link for registration is taken off the website while we updating student records. 

Yes. NSO is a required activity for all new students. Failure to complete NSO may result with a hold on your student account. 

When you are admitted to CSUN, your CSUN student ID is issued by the Department of Admissions and Records.

This number is used to identify your academic records and your current student status. The CSUN Student ID number allows you to establish a CSUN User ID and password, to enroll online, to view academic records and check your CSUN student account.  Your CSUN ID number stays with you even if you stop attending, transfer or graduate. You can find this number on correspondence with the university, transcripts and enrollment summary documents.

If you are a student admitted to the university and you do not remember your CSUN Student ID number or password, go online to the portal at www.csun.edu and click "Forgot User ID/Password." For more information, call (818) 677-2504.

You may also sign up for your CSUN email address at your earliest convenience. If you need additional assistance please contact the Office of Student Involvement and Development at (818) 677-4100.

If your personal information is incorrect, you must correct it through Admissions and Records. For a name change, fill out the Name Change Form and return it to Admissions and Records in Bayramian Hall.

You may change your address or phone number by logging on to myNorthridge Portal. Click on Student Center (SOLAR), 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.