Your first week at Western is a blur of OWeek, new buildings, and a to-do list 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, and the money moves to make before the deadlines sneak up.
Orientation: the actual schedule
Western’s OWeek runs Monday, September 7 to Saturday, September 12, 2026, and it’s where you get your bearings, your Western ID (your student card), and your first taste of campus life. Western calls itself the largest orientation in Canada, and it’s a full week of events.
For almost all incoming students, the OPass fee is automatically included in your tuition. If you’re a new Western student who can’t participate in Orientation Week, you can request a refund for this amount on your fee statement.
Classes for Fall 2026 begin Tuesday, September 8.
The tuition payment plan: two installments
Western doesn’t use a single tuition due date. Instead, undergraduate students are automatically on the Standard Payment Plan, which splits your fees into two installments:
- First installment: August 3, 2026
- Second installment: December 1, 2026
There’s also a Flexible Payment Plan with six installments, which you can request by August 17, 2026 for a $120 fee.
If you’re on OSAP, your funding is applied to your account once it’s confirmed, and you’re responsible for any shortfall by the installment dates.
Add, drop, and refund deadlines
Your first weeks are also your window to fix your schedule without academic or financial consequences. The Fall 2026 dates:
| Deadline | Date | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| OWeek | Sep 7–12, 2026 | Orientation week |
| Classes begin | Sep 8, 2026 | First day of fall term |
| Payment plan fee due | Sep 8, 2026 | Deadline to enrol in a payment plan for Fall |
The practical takeaway: get your schedule settled in the first couple of weeks, and make sure your first tuition installment is paid by August 3.
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:
- Get your Western ID. You’ll need it for the library, buildings, and campus services.
- Check your Statement of Account. Your fees, including tuition, residence, your bus pass, OWeek pass, and health and dental plan, are all listed there.
- Opt out of fees you don’t want. Your health and dental plan and other optional fees have opt-out windows 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 Western is about more than finding your lecture halls. Get to OWeek, get your Western ID, and make sure your first tuition installment is paid by August 3. Those three things handle most of the money stress before it starts.
Sources
For more on making your money work at Western, see our guide to student housing at Western.
This guide is general information for Canadian students, not personalized financial advice. Program rules and dollar amounts change, so confirm the details with the official government source before acting on them.
