Last-Minute Vikings

It isn't too late to enroll for spring 2026!

Classes begin on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. To enroll for the spring 2026 semester, do not delay completing the steps below.  

Please note: Information on this webpage is subject to change as the start of the semester approaches.  

Last Day to Submit Your Application

First Year Students: Friday, January 2
Transfer Students: Friday, January 9
Classes Begin: Tuesday, January 20

Last Day to Receive an Admissions Decision

First year students: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Transfer students: Friday, January 16, 2026
All required documents must be received by this date at noon.

Submitting Deposits

Last Day to submit enrollment deposit: Friday, January 9, 2026
Last Day to submit housing deposit: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Friday, January 9, 2026, after this recommendation please contact housing@salemstate.edu. Placement in residence halls is first come, first served.

Add/Drop

Last Day to Register For/Drop Any Classes: Monday, January 26, 2026.

First-Year Applicants

Submit the online application
Submit all official high school transcripts
To apply for federal student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Salem State's federal code 002188.

Transfer Applicants

Submit the online application
Submit all official college transcripts
To apply for federal student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using Salem State's federal code 002188.

*Please note that some majors have additional application requirements, please reference the undergraduate admissions webpage if applying for art + design, dance, music, theatre arts, occupational therapy or fire science.

*The deadline to apply for nursing has passed.

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be used temporarily to expedite your application review; however, the official transcript MUST be submitted.

Transfer credit will not be awarded based on unofficial transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may be emailed as a PDF to admissions@salemstate.edu. Website screenshots, grade reports, pictures of transcripts, and documents that are unclear will not be sufficient.

Contact Admissions

Email: admissions@salemstate.edu
Phone: 978.542.6200
Office Location: 331 Lafayette Street
Salem, MA, 01970, Second Floor

Assistance is available in person at our 331 Lafayette St location or virtually Monday-Friday, 9 am- 4 pm EST. Please contact us to make an appointment, walk ins are welcome, but subject to availability.

After you submit your enrollment deposit, please allow 24–48 hours for your access to activate. Once your access is ready—typically the day after your acceptance and deposit—you can follow the steps below. During your orientation session, you will register for classes.

Review the information below to learn how to register and complete orientation.

Log into Navigator

Log into Navigator and check your Tasks Tile for any outstanding items.

Note: If you are a Continuing and Professional Studies student, do not sign-up for orientation. Please contact Samantha “Sam” Cosentino, Student Success specialist for next steps, scosentino@salemstate.edu

Book an appointment directly with Sam here, or call 978.542.4923.

Log into Canvas

Log into Canvas here. Note that you may not have access until 24-48 hours after you log into Navigator. Begin completing your orientation modules on Canvas.   

If you have questions about orientation, please reach out to orientation@salemstate.edu or call 978.542.7455.

Placement Testing

During orientation, you will take a short math placement exam in Accuplacer. The exam takes about 40 minutes to complete. The Reading Accuplacer can be taken anytime in your first semester. More information regarding these placement exams can be found in the 2025-26 Salem State University Academic Catalog.

Applying for Financial Aid

Create a Federal Student Aid ID and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Salem State's school code is 002188. 
If you have any tuition waivers or scholarship paperwork (Ex. Adams scholarship) financial aid needs that paperwork. It should be faxed to 978.542.6876 or emailed to navcenter@salemstate.edu
You can also check your Navigator account for "to do" items.
How to view/adjust my financial aid award

Pay Your Bill

Salem State University offers many ways for students and families to pay for their education. Most people begin by applying for financial aid and confirming their award letter. If financial aid does not cover the entire cost of attending, the university has other options to help students pay their bill.

One aspect of a student’s bill is potentially waivable is the school sponsored health insurance. If students have healthcare coverage, they can waive out of the school sponsored health insurance and save $2,756.

Ways to pay your bill:

Enroll in an interest-free monthly payment plan through TouchNet, (plan enrollment is a $40 non-refundable fee). Review the "How to set-up a Payment Plan" guide. Enrollment for fall plans is mid-July, spring plan is mid-December and summer plans is mid-May.
Private student loans also help pay for college. These loans are available through banks, credit unions, online lenders and other financial institutions. Begin your private loan search by visiting our resource list.
PLUS loans are federal loans that parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid. Once your student has filled out a FAFSA, parents can apply for a PLUS loan at Studentaid.gov.

Refund Policy

All students should make themselves familiar with the university’s refund policy.

Contact the Student Navigation Center

If you have questions regarding your bill, financial aid status, or your transcript, please contact: 

Email: navcenter@salemstate.edu  
Phone: 978.542.8000  
Drop in Zoom Room

*Please note that you may have to wait to be seen. 

Information for accepted transfer students:

Submit all official final transcripts, transfer credit will not be awarded from an unofficial transcript. If at the time of admission, you had courses in progress, an updated official transcript must be submitted.
Log into Navigator to view your initial transfer credit evaluation. Your transfer credit evaluation is usually ready to view approximately one week after your acceptance date.
"No rule" next to a course indicates that the course has not been evaluated before and that transfer services is sending the course for review to the appropriate faculty member.

Contact Transfer Services

Email: transfer-services@salemstate.edu
Phone: 978.542.7198

Housing Application and Room Assignments

You must be in full-time status with at least 12 credits per semester to live on campus.

Housing Application Process

Pay your $300 housing deposit in Navigator:
- Log into Navigator and select "Financial Account", then "Make a Housing eDeposit", then "Spring 2026", then "Housing Deposit CC Spring" OR "Housing Deposit eCheck Spring"
- Notify housing@salemstate.edu that you've made your housing deposit
Complete your housing application in the housing portal with the same username and password as your Navigator Account. Spring and late applicants will be assigned a room from residence life.
- Once housing assigns your room, you will be able to view your room and roommate details in the housing portal.
- Move-in information will be sent to your Salem State e-mail address.

Meal Plans

All resident students must maintain the minimum meal plan as required by the residence hall assigned.
For details, review the dining meal plan webpage. Students may upgrade their plan.
Commuter students are welcome to purchase a meal plan.

For additional information about Dining on campus visit our dining page.

New students should submit required health and immunization forms to counseling and health services via their student health portal and complete important online wellness workshops prior to starting classes. Find health requirements and required trainings for new students here.

Deadlines