# U of A tuition due date: Sept 30

Your U of A tuition is due September 30, 2026. What to do in your first week, getting your ONEcard and U-Pass, and the money moves that set up your term.

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Your first week at the U of A is a blur of orientation, new buildings, and a to-do list that nobody hands you in one place. Most of it is fun. A few pieces of it are financial, and those are the ones that cost you if you miss them. This guide walks through what to expect in your first week on North Campus, and the money moves to make before the deadlines sneak up.

## Orientation: the actual schedule

New Student Orientation runs over two days at the end of August, and it's where you pick up the two things you'll use every day: your ONEcard and your bearings.

- **Day 1 (Aug 30)** is your welcome to the University of Alberta.
- **Day 2 (Aug 31)** is your welcome to your faculty and your program.

Here's the full start-of-term timeline for Fall 2026:

| Date | What's happening |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Orientation registration opens |
| Jul 25 | Family Orientation (for parents and loved ones) |
| Aug 24 | North Campus residence move-in begins |
| Aug 24–29 | Residence Orientation (BaseCamp for first-years) |
| Aug 27 | International Students Orientation |
| Aug 30–31 | New Student Orientation (undergraduate) |
| Sep 1 | First day of fall term + Discover U of A resource fair (10 a.m.–3 p.m., University Commons Atrium) |
| Sep 1–4 | Week of Welcome (WOW): free events, live music, clubs fair |
| Sep 4 | Football home opener pre-party and game |

A note on times: New Student Orientation runs in faculty groups, so your specific session times are personalized. When you register, you get your own schedule with your group's times, tours, and panels. The one big public event with a set time is **Discover U of A** on September 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Commons Atrium, where you can connect with student services and on-campus involvement opportunities.

Orientation is also where you pick up your **ONEcard**, your student ID. It's your library card, your building access, your meal plan and residence key if you live on campus, and the card you tap for a lot of campus services. If you're an incoming resident, you can also pick it up on move-in day. Don't leave campus without it.

If you miss orientation, you can still get your ONEcard at the InfoLink desk in SUB or CAB during the first week. The point is to get it early, because a surprising number of campus things need it.

## The U-Pass: your transit is already paid for

Your U-Pass is included in your student fees, which means your bus and LRT rides are covered for the term. But it's not automatic, and it's not on your ONEcard.

The U-Pass is integrated with the **Arc Card** fare system. You need to get an Arc Card (from the nearest LRT station or another vendor), then attach your U-Pass to it. The U-Pass fee shows up on your Bear Tracks account, and once it's active, you tap your Arc Card to ride.

Do this in the first week. The U-Pass is one of the biggest freebies in your fees, and it only works once you've set it up.

## The tuition payment deadline: September 30

Your Fall 2026 tuition is due **September 30, 2026**. This is the one date you cannot miss.

After the deadline, a late payment penalty of **18% per annum** is applied to your outstanding balance at the end of each month. There is no fees appeal for missing a fee deadline. If your student aid doesn't cover the full amount, you're responsible for the shortfall by this date.

If you're waiting on Alberta Student Aid, remember the lead time: Student Aid recommends applying at least 60 days before your study period starts, because processing time is what makes people late, not eligibility. If you haven't applied yet, that's the first thing to fix this week.

## Add, drop, and refund deadlines

Your first week is also your window to fix your schedule without academic or financial consequences. The Fall 2026 dates for 13-week classes:

| Deadline | Date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Add/Delete (no academic record) | Sep 15, 2026 | Last day to add or drop a course with no record on your transcript |
| Fee payment | Sep 30, 2026 | Tuition due; late penalty applies after |
| Fee refund (50%) | Oct 1, 2026 | Last day to drop and get a 50% fee refund |
| Withdrawal (grade of W) | Dec 1, 2026 | After this, dropping a course leaves a W on your transcript |

The practical takeaway: if you're going to drop a course, do it before **September 15** to keep it off your record, and before **October 1** to get half your fees back. Waiting costs you money and a transcript entry.

## The money moves to make in week one

Beyond the deadlines, a few small setup tasks in your first week save you money and stress all term:

- **Apply to Alberta Student Aid if you haven't.** The 60-day lead time means September-start applications should already be in. If yours isn't, do it now.
- **Set up your bank and payment method.** Know how you'll pay tuition by September 30, whether that's through your bank, Bear Tracks, or a payment plan.
- **Get your Arc Card and attach your U-Pass.** Free transit is only free once it's set up.
- **Check your fees for things you can opt out of.** Some incidental fees are optional, and the opt-out windows are early in the term.
- **Find your classes before day one.** Orientation is the time to walk your route, so you're not late and stressed on the first morning.

## The bottom line

Your first week at the U of A is about more than finding your lecture halls. Get your ONEcard, set up your U-Pass, and put September 30 on your calendar. Those three things handle most of the money stress before it starts. The rest of the term, you can focus on classes.

## Sources

- [U of A orientation and start-of-term dates](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/current-students/orientation/index.html)
- [U of A tuition payment deadlines and penalties](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/admissions-programs/tuition/deadlines-penalties.html)
- [U of A registration dates and deadlines](https://www.ualberta.ca/en/registrar/registration-and-courses/registration-dates-and-deadlines/index.html)
- [U-Pass at the U of A](https://www.su.ualberta.ca/these-are-your-resources/sustainable-campus/u-pass)

For more on making your money work at the U of A, see our guides to [student housing](/universities/university-of-alberta/student-housing-uofa/) and [eating cheap on campus](/universities/university-of-alberta/cheapest-food-on-campus/).