Welcome to SJSU Online

We're so excited for you to continue your journey towards completing your bachelor's degree with us! Review the helpful information for newly admitted students below and contact us with any questions or requests for support.

SJSU Online student graduating on campus

Your Transformation Begins Now

Your SJSU Online experience will be so much more than merely taking classes online on your own.

Our model ensures that you can - and you will - have an engaging and supportive learning experience, make meaningful connections, and access helpful student life experiences and resources.

Reference this page to stay on track with completing your admission requirements, begin your onboarding to SJSU Online, and connect with classmates, resources, and opportunities.

Admissions Next Steps

If you have any questions or would like additional support with completing any of these steps, please contact our Enrollment Counseling team by phone at 408-924-7000 or by email online@sjsu.edu.

SJSU Online laptop

About 7-10 days after you submit your application, you should receive your SJSU ID via an email from nextsteps@sjsu.edu with the subject line "Activate SJSUOne". Activate your SJSU ID as soon as you can at one.sjsu.edu so you can check your MySJSU for updates about your admission status, upcoming deadlines, “To-Do List” items, and more.

If you can’t find this email, check your bulk/spam folder. You can also email admissions@sjsu.edu from the email address you used in your Cal State Apply application with your name and Cal State Apply ID to retrieve this email.

Request official transcripts from all colleges/universities you previously attended or currently attend and submit them by the deadline listed in your MySJSU account.

Electronic transmissions are ideal and must be transmitted directly by your college/university (or 3rd party, like Parchment, Credentials Solutions, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) to SJSU's Undergraduate Admissions Office. The evaluations office will not accept transcripts that are first shared with you (or me, or anyone else) before being forwarded to their team due to the possibility of tampering.

Please request your official transcripts to be electronically transmitted to SJSU even if you are currently taking courses. This way, the admissions office can begin to evaluate your completed coursework and prepare for your enrollment. Once you have completed the final courses, you will need to send in a final transcript.

Failure to submit your transcripts by your deadline could impact your admission status and financial aid processing timeline.

  • Federal Financial Aid: You are eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid and to qualify for Federal Pell Grants to subsidize the cost of enrolling with SJSU Online. Complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) application as soon as you can to provide enough time for processing prior to your first term.

  • SJSU Scholarships: Apply for SJSU university-wide and college scholarships to further reduce the cost of enrolling with SJSU Online. The scholarship application process takes opens online each spring semester and closes on May 1 to award students for the following academic year.

  • SJSU Financial Aid Office: After you have been admitted, review your financial aid information via MySJSU. If you have any questions about your financial aid, please contact the SJSU Financial Aid office by phone at 408-283-7500 or by email at fao@sjsu.edu

Enrollment and Payment Next Steps

If you have any questions or would like additional support with completing any of these steps, please contact our Student Success Advising team by email online-success@sjsu.edu.

SJSU graduate with their family

Our SJSU Online Student Success Center is here to make sure that you receive quality academic advising, utilize helpful academic resources, and stay on track to complete your degree. Visit our Student Success webpage to:

  • Meet the Student Success Advising team

  • Schedule an academic advising appointment

  • Review important academic dates and deadlines

  • Learn about payment and refund details

  • Access helpful forms

  • Connect with valuable SJSU Online and SJSU resources

Self-Paced Onboarding Course

New student orientation is a great way for you to understand important CSU and SJSU policies, learn about helpful campus resources, prepare for your SJSU Online courses, and get connected to your faculty, classmates, and other key staff.

After you are admitted, we will email you an invitation to our self-paced SJSU Online New Student Success online onboarding course so that you can have a successful start to your online experience. Completing this self-paced, non-graded Canvas course will help you:

  • Learn how to navigate the online classroom and technical requirements

  • Begin to make connections and build community through discussions and live chats

  • Establish a foundation for academic success

  • Understand your SJSU support system

  • Review your academic requirements and course registration

If you haven't had much experience with using the Canvas platform, we suggest you also utilize SJSU's eCampus Canvas Student Orientation.

Live, Online Orientation

We will also email you an invitation to register for a live, online orientation before your classes begin so you can understand the course registration process, learn how to utilize campus resources, and chat with academic advisors, faculty, and students. During the orientation, you will be able to:

  • Chat with SJSU Online academic advisors, faculty, and students

  • Utilize helpful campus resources such as the SJSU Career Center

  • Learn about the ways to engage in campus life

Meeting with your Student Success Advisor throughout your program is an important way to regularly discuss your academic goals and make sure you are staying on track to graduate. To get acquainted with one another and develop a personalized success plan, schedule an online appointment through Spartan Connect by selecting 'Service' and then 'New Transfer Student' to access our extended appointment option.

After enrolling, make sure to pay your required fees so that you are not withdrawn from your courses. Check your MySJSU account under "Finances" to see your payment due date and utilize the resources below for additional support.

  • Payment due date: Use this guide from the SJSU Bursar’s Office for help with finding your payment due date in your MySJSU account

  • Accepted methods of payment: The SJSU Bursar’s Office accepts several forms of online and in-person payment methods.

  • How to pay online: Use this guide from the SJSU Bursar’s Office for help with making an online payment.

  • Electronic refunds and direct deposit: Register for direct deposit so that you can receive any refunds up to 7 days faster than a paper check.

  • Installment Payment Plan: Complete this form anytime from November 5, 2024 - January 27, 2025 to enroll.

If you have questions related to payments and refunds, please email online-student-financials@sjsu.edu.

Miscellaneous Next Steps

We also have a few suggested next steps to prepare you for a successful start to your SJSU Online experience.

Sammy at Admiteed Spartan Day

Visit the SJSU Information Technology website to learn how to check or update your preferred email address for email communications from SJSU.

To obtain a student ID Tower Card you must be enrolled in an SJSU Online course. You will be sent a message via SJSU Messaging approximately 2 weeks before the start of the term inviting you to submit a photo via our online portal myid.sjsu.edu. Once you have submitted an online photo, provide your mailing address for your tower card to be mailed out. For questions, please email online-student-financials@sjsu.edu.

We want you to feel connected to SJSU and to SJSU students during your experience with us. Here are a few ways to get started!

SJSU Online News and Social Media

SJSU News and Social Media

More Online Communities

Show your pride by downloading and using one of our SJSU Online virtual backgrounds when you're using Zoom. We've included several styles and color combinations for you to choose from!