Welcome to ONU
You’ve made it. Nice work. Your high school journey is coming to an end, but your future begins right now. When you join our community, you’re joining a unique combination of academics and tradition, where you’ll develop as a student, as a leader and as a person. Your time at Northern will be a celebration of everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve – and the goals you’ve yet to meet. So let’s get started.New Polar Bear Resources
Make your deposit and make it official
Reserve your spot in the entering class by submitting your deposit. When you submit your deposit, you will be given access to set up your ONU email, register for Summer Orientation, and select your housing.
Summer Orientation & Welcome Weekend
Each summer, New Polar Bears and their parents participate in ONU's Summer Orientation Program. During this program, you'll meet other students, become familiar with campus services, and register for fall classes.Summer Orientation Dates: June 9, 10, 17, 18
Welcome Weekend consists of Move-In Day and five days of fun activities designed to help you make new friends and get ready for the start of fall classes. Dates for Welcome Weekend are August 19-23.
Registration is now open
Traditions, Legacies and Legends
At Northern, tradition isn’t just about the past. It’s about our people, today and tomorrow, and the stories we author along the way. All of them speak of the strong bonds we build at ONU.
VIRTUAL FINANCIAL AID MEETINGS
Connect with the financial aid staff in virtual meetings specifically designed for accepted students and families. You are able to review financial aid offers, discuss payment options and outline important next steps. All virtual meetings are held on Zoom.
IMPORTANT LINKS
You’re getting so close! You’re almost a Polar Bear. There are just a few more things to know.
Spring Semester 2026 | Accepted Student Information
Accepted Student Information
Check out important information below for freshmen and transfer students starting in January 2025.
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All new students/transfer students will arrive and move-in on Thursday, Jan. 15.
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Please log into our internal site (my.onu.edu) to access important information, a detailed schedule, and your arrival checklist. Go to my.onu.edu/orientation/spring_experience (you will need to use your ONU network log-in to access it).
SPEAK LIKE A POLAR BEAR
GenEd - General Education Program, the liberal arts core curriculum required of every student.
GNBs or Good News Bears will assist new students during the Summer Orientation program.
Green Monster - Emerald green outdoor track located around campus for walking, biking or roller blading. Track is 2.5 miles in length.
King Horn is the complex which includes cardio and weight rooms, various sports courts, an indoor track, and pool.
Klondike the polar bear is our beloved mascot!
Klondike’s a student lounge in McIntosh Center.
Mac is the all-you-care-to-eat dining facility located within McIntosh Center.
Orientation Leaders or OLs are a group of energetic, fun and dedicated leaders will assist during the Welcome Weekend program.
Polar Dollars students can use their ONU Student ID card as a debit card by depositing money onto their card in the Controller’s Office.
Northern Lights located in Heterick Library sells smoothies, coffee and bottled drinks.
RA - Resident Assistant is a student who supervises, assists and provides programming for residents in residence halls
RD - Resident Director is the upper-class student who coordinates the residence hall community and oversees the RAs
ResLife - The Office of Residence Life, located in McIntosh Center, is in charge of all on-campus housing.
SPC - (Student Planning Committee) is a student organization on campus which puts on FUN and always FREE entertainment each week for all students.
Student Senate - The governing student body of Ohio Northern University which is comprised of student leaders who strive to actively participate in the formulation and application of University policy
Student-Ls - The google group based system that sends campus announcements to your inbox.
The Tundra is the large grassy area between the residence halls and the academic buildings, with the English Chapel at one end and Fraternity circle on the other. This 8.56 acre area – which would hold 8 football fields side by side – serves as a popular location for events as well as downtime for students.
WOW Café (World of Wings American Grill) is the grab and go dining location in McIntosh Center
GNBs or Good News Bears will assist new students during the Summer Orientation program.
Green Monster - Emerald green outdoor track located around campus for walking, biking or roller blading. Track is 2.5 miles in length.
King Horn is the complex which includes cardio and weight rooms, various sports courts, an indoor track, and pool.
Klondike the polar bear is our beloved mascot!
Klondike’s a student lounge in McIntosh Center.
Mac is the all-you-care-to-eat dining facility located within McIntosh Center.
Orientation Leaders or OLs are a group of energetic, fun and dedicated leaders will assist during the Welcome Weekend program.
Polar Dollars students can use their ONU Student ID card as a debit card by depositing money onto their card in the Controller’s Office.
Northern Lights located in Heterick Library sells smoothies, coffee and bottled drinks.
RA - Resident Assistant is a student who supervises, assists and provides programming for residents in residence halls
RD - Resident Director is the upper-class student who coordinates the residence hall community and oversees the RAs
ResLife - The Office of Residence Life, located in McIntosh Center, is in charge of all on-campus housing.
SPC - (Student Planning Committee) is a student organization on campus which puts on FUN and always FREE entertainment each week for all students.
Student Senate - The governing student body of Ohio Northern University which is comprised of student leaders who strive to actively participate in the formulation and application of University policy
Student-Ls - The google group based system that sends campus announcements to your inbox.
The Tundra is the large grassy area between the residence halls and the academic buildings, with the English Chapel at one end and Fraternity circle on the other. This 8.56 acre area – which would hold 8 football fields side by side – serves as a popular location for events as well as downtime for students.
WOW Café (World of Wings American Grill) is the grab and go dining location in McIntosh Center
Frequently Asked Questions
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Start by completing important next steps to help you finalize your decision. This includes scheduling a campus visit, attending an Orange and Black Accepted Student Day, filing the FAFSA, and exploring scholarship opportunities. Once you have finalized your decision to attend ONU, it is important for you to submit your enrollment deposit.
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You’ll need to submit your enrollment deposit. Once you do, you can set up your student email, register for orientation, and choose housing. It’s the key step to making your acceptance official.
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Accepted Student Day is a great way to explore campus before committing. You’ll attend academic sessions, tour residence halls, meet faculty, and learn about financial aid—helping you make a confident college decision.
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After submitting your deposit, you can sign up for Summer Orientation. During this program, you’ll meet other students, explore campus resources, and register for your fall classes.
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Housing is completed online after you submit your deposit. Be sure to meet deadlines (often in the spring) to secure your preferred options and participate in room selection.
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Yes—ONU offers virtual financial aid meetings. Families can review aid packages, ask questions, and get clear next steps, making it easier to plan and feel confident about the investment.
Still Have Questions?
Office of AdmissionsWeber Hall
525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810
419-772-2260
admissions-ug@onu.edu