Orientation Resources

You must also submit your Ball State ID card photo at least 72 hours prior to your Orientation session via your Cardinal Landing portal. If your ID photo is not submitted and approved, be prepared to take the photo at check-in. Please review the instructions and requirements for your photo in advance.

For questions regarding your ID card, please contact our ID Card Office at idcards@bsu.edu.

Academic Advising helps you schedule classes. During Orientation, you’ll meet one-on-one with an academic advisor to build your schedule.

Afterward, you can view your schedule in MyBallState through Self Service Banner (SSB). You may add or drop courses until the semester’s Change-of-Course period ends. Academic Advising can also help with registration, scheduling, and tracking academic progress.

For course materials, Ball State First Day partners with Barnes & Noble College and the Ball State Bookstore to provide all required print and digital materials for one flat rate per credit hour.

Review the vaccination and immunization requirements for all students. The Health Center provides forms for domestic and international students to be completed by your healthcare provider.

Immunization records can be uploaded online or submitted in person at the Health Center.

Complete your housing application to reserve your space in one of Ball State’s residence halls. Simply log in to the online housing portal to submit your housing contract.

You can also choose a meal plan that fits your needs, with options for 10, 14, 18, or 21 meals per week. Your Ball State ID card is used to access your meal plan at dining locations.

Parking Services uses a License Plate Recognition system (LPR) for parking enforcement. All parking facilities, except parking meters and metered floors of parking garages, require a parking permit during enforcement hours.

Commuter, stadium, general, restricted, and residence hall permits must be purchased online. Review the permit types and purchase instructions.

You may grant others (parents, other family members, and/or spouses) permission to access certain information or to speak with specific departments by using the Ball State University Proxy Management system. This is called granting “proxy access.”

See how you can establish proxy access through your MyBallState account.

Our campus’ Unified Technology Support offers various services to help you throughout your life as a Cardinal. This includes, but is not limited to, Digital Accessibility Services, TechTime, Technology HelpDesk, and a Technology Store.

This is your one-stop shop for all your technology needs from in person or remote support to purchasing a new device. The Technology Store even offers specific device recommendations depending on what major or program you are interested in.

You will receive an email to your Ball State account whenever you have a bill ready to view (you will not receive a paper bill).

To learn more about setting up authorized payers, payment options, payment types, billing statements, and/or setting up direct deposit for financial aid, please contact Cardinal Central.