New Student Orientation - Spring
We are so glad you have chosen Grand View University for the next chapter in your educational journey!
Orientation Checklists
This checklist is a guide for several of the things you should do in preparation for orientation. Keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive, but it does organize a number of tasks that are required as you transition to Grand View. It is also important that you carefully read all materials you receive from Grand View and check your Grand View email regularly.
First Year ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
TRANSFER ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
Online/Evening Orientation checklist
What to Do Before Orientation
| Activate Your myGVU Account |
If you have not already done so, log into our myGVU portal using your GV Account. You should have received an email from Admissions giving you your GV Account username and initial password. If you do not have this information please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk @ grandview.edu.
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| Set Up Person Proxy |
| Person Proxy allows you to give a parent or anyone of your choosing access to your student account, academic record and financial aid information. Grand View does not mail paper statements, so this is the way others access your account information. You can set up your Proxy access via myGVU > Tools > About Me > Manage Person Proxy for your account or through GV Self Service > User Options > View/Add Proxy Access. |
| Student Records Release |
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This release authorizes the university to share your financial aid and billing information with a parent, guardian, or another designated individual. Students participating in the GV Complete program are required to authorize at least one parent or guardian unless they are considered independent for financial aid purposes.
To complete this authorization, go to myGVU > Tools > About Me > Release My Student Records.
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| Submit Your Photo for Your Student ID |
Login to myGVU and navigate to the Campus Services Group, and under the Resources tab select the Student ID's and Staff ID's link. Follow the prompts to upload your photo. You will receive your Grand View student ID at Orientation.
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| Complete Your Financial Aid Paperwork |
- Review your financial aid award notification (accessible mid-spring), available in myGVU > Tools > My Finances > View financial aid awards.
- Report all off-campus/hometown scholarships to the financial aid office.
- View the online job board to learn more about on-campus employment and to search for jobs. On-campus employers may be accessible during orientation or could be contacted prior to the start of the semester.
- Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling at www.studentaid.gov. Entrance counseling is required prior to any disbursement of loans to the university. We encourage all students to complete this process if they ever plan to borrow during their collegiate career. If choosing to accept a loan, students and parents need to complete separate electronic promissory notes at www.studentaid.gov.
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| Inform Us of Any Special Accommodations |
Special accommodations for students and family members with disabilities and/or special dietary requirements will be provided upon request. Please notify us of your needs at least two weeks prior to your arrival.
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| Notify Grand View of Previous College Credits |
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Make arrangements to have your transcript(s) sent to the Grand View Office of Admissions for college credit earned by:
Ask the college granting you credit to send a transcript to Grand View, including any courses that you are currently taking. For example, if you are taking a psychology course through your high school for Des Moines Area Community College credit, you must contact DMACC and ask them to send a transcript directly to Grand View. If you are unsure of whether Grand View has received your official transcripts prior to your orientation date, please bring appropriate documentation (such as unofficial transcripts) to orientation. This will provide academic advisors with more accurate information about degree requirements you have already completed.
Please note: You must have official transcripts sent directly to the Grand View Office of Admissions for earned college credits from all previous institutions to be entered in your official Grand View records.
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| Complete Vector Training |
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Grand View University regards standing up and looking out for one another’s safety as a core value. One way in which our school commits to this value is by providing students with bystander intervention training. We want each student to have the knowledge and skills to be an activate bystander, who intervenes if anyone is observed being harassed or endangered by sexual violence.
How to Complete:
You will receive an email in your Grand View email account from our training partner. Simply follow the link in that email to begin the training. The training module is self-paced and will take around 20-30 minutes to complete.
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| Set up a Payment Plan |
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To set up a payment plan to cover your remaining out-of-pocket costs, visit our Enroll in a Payment Plan webpage. This page can also be accessed in myGVU by navigating to Tools > My Finances > Enroll in a Payment Plan.
In order to have a 6-month payment plan, you must enroll by December 15, 2025. The first payment will be due January 15, 2026. Contact Viking Central for assistance in setting up a plan at vikingcentral @ grandview.edu or 515-263-2807.
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| Purchase Books |
| Visit the Bookstore in the Henning Student Center, or order online at www.bookstore.grandview.edu. We recommend students begin purchasing books at least two weeks prior to the start of school. |
What to Bring to Orientation
| License Plate Number |
| Remember to bring your license plate number to register your vehicle during orientation. |
| List of Exams Taken for College Credit |
Even if you haven't yet received scores for Advanced Placement exams, bring along a list of the specific exams that you have taken. This will help your academic advisors identify which course requirements you may have already completed.
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| Financial Aid Materials |
A complete listing and the amounts of your hometown scholarships can be reported during orientation. You may also submit hometown scholarship checks during orientation.
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| Work Study Eligible Students |
| Work study students must bring a driver's license along with one of the following items: social security card, birth certificate, or a passport |
What to Expect When Visiting
Throughout your visit you will be walking between buildings, so consider wearing comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather that day, and an umbrella. Some classrooms may be cool, so you may want to have a light jacket or sweatshirt.
Have a Question? I Can Help.
Heidi Pries
Associate Dean of Students