Next Steps for Admitted First-Year Students

Congratulations on Your Acceptance to BW!

As a newly admitted first-year student, you're about to begin an exciting college journey at Baldwin Wallace.

To help you get started, we've outlined your next steps below. These will guide you through important tasks like setting up your BW student ID, submitting your new student deposit, and preparing for your first semester as a Yellow Jacket.

Need help? If you have any questions about your BW student ID, paying your new student deposit, or with any of the steps below, please contact the BW admission office at admission@bw.edu or call (440) 826-2222. We're here to help!

Step 1: Set Up Your BW Account

First, retrieve your BW username by logging into your application portal.
Second, while still logged in to the application portal, follow the instructions linked in the portal to set the password for your new BW account/email address.

Helpful Tips

Video instructions: Check out this video for step-by-step.
You will need the mobile phone associated with your BW application when activating your new account.
You must set up your BW account before you can continue with the rest of the steps on this page.

Ready to commit to BW?

Move on to steps 2 and 3!

Step 2: Pay Your New Student Deposit

To secure your spot in the next class at BW, you need to pay the $200 new student deposit online in the BW payment portal. Use your BW username and password created in step 1.

Step 3: Complete Your Onboarding Forms

These forms will complete your new student registration process. You will be notified when the forms become available.

Students entering BW in spring 2026: Onboarding forms will be available in November 2025.
Students entering BW in fall 2026: Onboarding fomrs will be available in February 2026.

Step 4: Submit Your Final High School Transcript

Once you have completed the spring semester of your senior year and graduated, please submit your final high school transcript to:

Office of Admission
Baldwin Wallace University
275 Eastland Road
Berea, OH 44017

Please be sure to submit your final transcript by July 1. This will allow BW to confirm you have a high school diploma or equivalent, which is required for enrollment at BW.

Step 5: Attend Orientation and Weekend of Welcome

Orientation and Weekend of Welcome are mandatory for all new students.

Students entering BW in spring 2025: Orientation will be on Friday, January 9, 2026
Students entering BW in fall 2026: Orientation dates will be available in early 2026

Other Important Items for Your To-Do List

There's a few more things you'll need to do:

Visit campus and unlock an $8,000 visit grant from BW. Make sure you visit before December 1, 2025 to be eligible for the visit grant Schedule your campus visit today.
Financial Aid: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and follow through on the financial aid process using the steps below.
College Credit Plus: If you are a high school student currently taking college credit under CCP/dual enrollment, review the steps below to ensure that you earn credit for those courses.

Steps for Accessing Financial Aid

Complete your FAFSA. Eligibility for financial aid is determined annually based on information you provide through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most government, college and private organizations depend on the FAFSA to determine eligibility for grants, scholarships and loans. The FAFSA application is available online. BW's federal code number for FAFSA is 003014.
Be sure you've retrieved your BW username and accessed your BW email account. This will allow you to receive important information via email from the financial aid office.
To qualify for a BW financial aid offer packet, please complete any other forms requested by the financial aid office promptly to avoid any delays in receiving financial assistance. Notifications will be sent to your BW email address and posted on our Financial Aid Self-Service Portal, so be sure you have completed item #2.
Explore outside scholarships. The financial aid office maintains a list of scholarships and resources outside of the BW community that may provide additional financial support.
Talk with a counselor to discuss your financial aid needs and potential support options. Call us at (440) 826-2222 - we're here to help!
View step-by-step instructions for applying for financial aid.

Accessing the Financial Aid Self-Service Portal

Once you've retrieved your BW username, log in to My Records where you be able to review your financial aid status, submit forms, etc.

Request College Credit for CCP/Dual Enrollment

If you are a high school student currently taking college credit under CCP/dual enrollment at another regionally accredited college or university, and choose to enroll at Baldwin Wallace once you graduate from high school, BW will award college credit for many of your completed courses (C or better). BW's online transfer guide shows how courses transfer from more than 90 area colleges and universities. Students also transfer credits from many other accredited schools not included in the online transfer guide.

CCP students enroll at Baldwin Wallace University as first-year students who have earned college credit. College credits earned through CCP may qualify students to be first-year students with a sophomore or even junior class standing. Regardless of the level entering students qualify for, students with CCP credit will still be considered first-year students. The first-year experience course (FYE-100) is required of all entering first-year students, including those first-year students who complete college credit as part of their high school curriculum (i.e., CCP/dual enrollment prior to high school graduation).

Scholarship eligibility for students with CCP/dual enrollment credit is determined as a first-year student.

If you are planning to enroll at BW, please request an official college transcript be mailed to the admission office at the end of your last semester. A review of your transcript(s) will be completed by the Registration and Records Office to determine transfer credits.

Summer courses: Baldwin Wallace University does not offer summer courses to incoming first-year students. If you are interested in taking a summer course elsewhere, we strongly advise that you take no more than one course. Additionally, that course should be approved by the director of undergraduate admission.

If you have questions regarding the above information, please contact Meredith Cannon, director of undergraduate admission, at (440) 826-8011 or mcannon@bw.edu.

Questions?

We're here to help! If you have any questions about your BW student ID, paying your new student deposit, or anything else, please contact the BW admission office at admission@bw.edu or call (440) 826-2222.

Connect with BW Admission

Tell family and friends you're a Yellow Jacket for Life (YJ4L) and connect with other future and current Yellow Jackets.