Starting at Seneca task list for new domestic students | Orientation | Seneca Students

Welcome to Seneca Polytechnic!  Here you will find many tools and resources to assist you in becoming a successful student. Follow our task list for all that you can be doing to prepare for a smooth transition to the start of your studies at Seneca.

Before you begin your studies:

Have you… 

Accepted your Offer of Admission? 
Your offer of admission will have an expiry date on it. You'll need to confirm your offer before the date in order to hold your seat in the program, otherwise your offer will expire and result in losing your seat. 

Reviewed your Conditions of Acceptance?  
If you have any conditions of acceptance, please review them to make sure conditions are met. Your offer will be conditional until you complete the requirements listed in your Offer of Admission before the first day of scheduled classes.

Paid your fees?  
The fee payment deadline will be published in the fees information accompanying all acceptance letters. This will indicate the date on which your fees are due in full. If you fail to submit tuition fees within the stipulated time, you will forfeit your reserved position in the program. 

If you require financial assistance- view these resources to see if you meet the requirements: https://students.senecapolytechnic.ca/spaces/206/financial-aid/home 

Determined if you qualify for support from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)?   The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) is a source of grants and loans for eligible postsecondary students. It is a program funded by the federal and provincial governments that you can apply for to help pay for your postsecondary studies.

You can apply for OSAP as a full-time student, a part-time student, or a student of an approved micro-credential program.



 For more details about OSAP and how to apply, visit here. 

Activated your Seneca email account? 
Your student e-mail account will be used for official communication between you and Seneca. Your username and a temporary password was sent to your personal email address after you applied to a program.  

Checked if you need a Skills Assessment appointment? 
As a new student, you may be required to take a mathematics Skills Assessment. This is separate from the test you may have completed as part of your program admission process and there is no additional fee for the assessment. Please book an appointment with the Test Centres as soon as possible to ensure you can self-enroll in the appropriate mathematics course for your program of study. 

Created your Schedule?
On December 4, 2024, you can begin to select a class schedule. Instructions can be found online. Your student account must be in good standing in order to select your classes. You are responsible for selecting your class schedule and enrolling in courses by logging into Student Home. 

Registered for Virtual Orientation? 
During Virtual Orientation you can attend live sessions covering the most relevant topics before you begin classes, understand online learning environments, chat with Seneca experts from our service and support areas and connect with your peers in fun and interactive activities. You will also discover opportunities on how to get involved with the Seneca community.
 
Obtained your Virtual Student ID card (Seneca Onecard)? 
The OneCard is the official Seneca identification card. You can use the OneCard to access the campus shuttle bus, Seneca Libraries services, or you can use funds on your OneCard for purchases from Seneca Dining Services, campus bookstores, meal plan and printing services. 

Explored your campus? 
Register to attend Campus Welcome Day. Connect with peer leaders, fellow students, Athletics & Recreation and the Seneca Student Federation on campus. Enjoy enrolment support, a campus tour, and much more to help welcome you to Seneca. Check back for registration details. 

You can book an in-person campus tour or explore campus through a virtual tour. 
 
Determined if you need any Academic Accommodations?

Make an appointment to meet with a counsellor from Accessible Learning Services if you have a disability, had an IEP/IPRC in high school or need to talk to someone about the learning challenges you may have.

Learned about your student health dental insurance plan?

You are automatically covered on a semester basis for benefits by We Speak Student if you are a daytime student registered in a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities approved full-time, post-secondary, or post-diploma program and have paid your insurance premiums in full. Coverage begins on the first day of the semester and is only in effect while you are attending daytime classes.

Your First Week 

Have you… 

Downloaded all the Apps you may need?  
Download Seneca’s App Suite to stay connected on campus or on‐the‐go.

Accessed your most up-to-date schedule through the student portal My.Seneca? 
My.Seneca/Blackboard is a one-stop online resource providing access to your schedule, course materials, the option to look up resources and the tools to communicate with professors and other students  

Obtained your Virtual Student ID card (Seneca OneCard)? 
The OneCard is the official Seneca identification card. You can use the OneCard to access the campus shuttle bus, Seneca Libraries services, or you can use funds on your OneCard for purchases from Seneca Dining Services, campus bookstores, meal plan and printing services.  

Purchased your books? 
You will receive your required text lists in each class that you take on your course outline.  We recommend that you wait until after attending your first class to purchase your books.  The general exception is if you received a booklist in advance from your program area (i.e. at orientation). 

Entered the lottery for a locker rental? 
Lockers for the Winter 2025 Term are assigned based on a random lottery system for full-time Seneca Polytechnic students. Lockers for the Winter Term are available for one semester.