Take Your First Steps on Your College Journey

Congratulations! Every journey begins with a first step, and now that you’ve deposited and have access to your Mountie Status Page, you’ve officially started on the path to the top. This page contains all of the next steps you’ll need to take to prepare for your first year as a Mountie student. Contact your admissions counselor if you have any questions along the way. Your Mountie Status Page Checklist will update as you complete the following steps.

Complete the Steps Below to Get Started!

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  1. You will receive an email from Mount Aloysius with the subject line “New Mount Aloysius College Account Created.” Copy the code in that email and then click the “Activate Account Page” link in the email.
  2. Follow the instructions to activate your account. When you reach the page with the page header that reads “Success,” you must click “Continue” to reset your password.
  3. After you reset your password, take a minute to document/remember your MAC Student Email address and your MAC User ID. These will be important to remember.
  4. When these steps are completed, you will receive another email with the subject line “Mount Aloysius College Account Activated.” This email will contain your MAC User ID and some information about the systems you will use as a Mountie. Be sure to save this email for future steps!

If you have any issues along the way, please reach out to us at 814-886-6502 to speak to our IT Services Helpdesk.

Instructions also available via PDF

Please take time to review our Residency Requirements in the Student Handbook. Mountie students who live outside of a 45-minute drive radius of the College are required to live on campus for their first three years. There may be some exemptions. Please reach out to ResidenceLife@mtaloy.edu with any questions you may have.

  1. Visit the Mountie eRezLife page.
  2. Login with your Mount Aloysius email address and password.
  3. Click on the Housing Overview tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
  4. Click ‘Apply Now.’
  5. Complete all questions on the application form. Mandatory questions on the application are marked with a red asterisk (*)
  6. After completing your application form, click “Save” and “Continue” in order to save your data, or click “Continue to: Confirm Application” to continue with your housing application process.
  7. On the Confirm Application page, carefully review your application details and check the boxes of the two terms listed indicating that you understand and agree with all statements.
  8. Once your application has successfully been completed, you will see a confirmation message. A copy of this confirmation message will also be sent to your Mount Aloysius email address.
  9. Set up a RoomEez account on the ERezLife site to search and connect with fellow students and potential roommates.

Note: If you update your application after your initial submission, it will save as the new date and you will lose your original position for the first come, first serve selection.

We encourage students to email us at ResidenceLife@mtaloy.edu if you encounter any problems with the application process.

To Withdraw Your Housing Application

You will notice that your housing application status is updated as “Complete” under the Housing Overview tab. You may click the “Withdraw Application” link if you change your mind and no longer want to request on-campus housing.

Access Your Email

Your student email is used throughout your time at the Mount to keep you up-to-date on events, campus news, and general communication from fellow students, professors, and other members of the campus community. So it’s important to access it early and to access it frequently. There are a few options for doing this:

  1. You can access the Mount’s email login page on the MyMAC Portal. Go to the Portal and search for the ‘Email – Student’ link along the left-hand side.
  2. Go to gmail.com to log in.
  3. Log in using your phone’s email app
  4. Download the Gmail app to your phone or tablet and log in

If you choose to log in using the link on the Portal, you will only need your school username (the first part of your email address before the @) and your password. However, if you choose to use gmail.com, your phone’s default email app, or the Gmail app on your phone, you will use your full email address and password to log in.

Keeping up with your email is an easy way to help you become a successful college student.

Check Your Tech

Make sure your tech (laptop, operating system, etc.) meets the specifications necessary to use the programs you’ll access daily in class. If you have questions, reach out to our IT team at helpdesk@mtaloy.edu.

Approximately 98% of MAC students receive financial aid. We award millions of dollars in scholarships each year and also offer grants and work-study.

But before you can secure your aid, you must file the FAFSA. Here are the steps to complete the FAFSA successfully.

  1. Visit studentaid.gov to create an FSA ID and password. Students and parents both need FSA IDs to complete the FAFSA. You will need to wait four days before proceeding to ensure that your FSA ID is activated and that you are in the government’s system.
    • Note: Make sure you keep track of this information, as you will need to use it every year to file your FAFSA.
  2. Fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. You will be asked to give permission to FAFSA to access your IRS tax documents. Once your FAFSA is processed, you will receive an email.
    • Our school code is 003302.
  3. The Department of Education will send your FAFSA information to the colleges you’ve chosen.
  4. If we need additional information, you will be notified in writing. Sometimes, students get selected for what is called verification, which means that a school may need additional documentation of what is listed on your FAFSA. This could be things like your tax returns, W-2s, etc. It is helpful to provide any and all requested information quickly, as some aid cannot be determined until verification is complete.

Scholarships

You can also explore and apply for scholarships both through the College and from outside organizations. The College offers the Alumni Book Scholarship, which can be completed online on our scholarships page. The deadline to complete the Book Scholarship Application and the Scholarship Profile Sheet is May 1. You can also explore and apply for outside scholarships at fastweb.com and cfalleghenies.org. Students are also encouraged to check out the scholarship board outside of the Financial Aid office.

You’ve worked hard to get into college and the next step in your educational journey is right around the corner – take a day to celebrate with other incoming Mounties at Accepted Student Day (Proud parents, family, and friends are invited too!)

At Accepted Student Day, you can meet future classmates, talk to professors and current students, check in with Admissions and Financial Aid, score exclusive swag, and join the Mountie community!

Students in Business, Health Sciences, and Arts & Sciences will meet on Saturday, April 18. Nursing and Radiography students – your Accepted Student Day will be on Saturday, April 25. We can’t wait to see you on campus!

If you have any questions, reach out to Admissions@mtaloy.edu and we’ll be happy to help!

Beginning April 14, 2026, you can begin to register for your classes!

Registering for classes early is a great way to ensure that you’re getting into the classes you need AND the classes you want. Many popular classes fill up quickly, so being among the first to register can give you a better chance to have a schedule that works for you.

In order to be eligible to register for classes, we must have official transcripts (secondary and post-secondary, if applicable) and your FAFSA information on file; and if you are a resident student planning to live on campus, you must have completed your housing application.

  1. Check your Mount Aloysius student email account for an invitation to schedule classes with your academic advisor. It will give you instructions on how to set up your advising appointment. During this appointment, you will review any credits you may be transferring in and requirements for your major.
  2. When you click the link in the email, you will be prompted to log in to Navigate. You will do this using your personal email.
  3. Select a time to meet with your advisor and register for classes.
  4. If your advisor mentions needing more information from you (such as final high school and/or college transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, etc.), make sure you follow up with them with the requested information.

Please note: Depending on your major/athletic involvement, you may receive communications to your student email about additional requirements for your program (for example, health majors may get information about clinical clearances, etc.). Please check your Mountie email frequently to stay on top of these requests.

If you have any questions about registering for classes or Navigate, please reach out to the Office of Student Success & Persistence at StudentSuccess@mtaloy.edu.

Want more information about your tuition and how to pay for your education? The Business Office can help!

After you have registered for classes and received your financial aid package in the mail and returned it, contact the Business Office to learn more about financial planning for your tuition.

Call: 814-886-6368 | Email: BusinessOffice@mtaloy.edu | Stop in: Main Administration Building 124

Please note: If you plan to seek a loan, please make sure to contact the Business Office before beginning that process. We can provide a more detailed estimate that can help you take out the correct loan amount.

If you plan to have a car on campus, you’ll need a parking pass. Follow these instructions to fill out the form, and then pick up your parking pass from the Campus Safety Office in Ihmsen. You may email CampusSafety@mtaloy.edu at least five business days before your scheduled Orientation date, you may pick up your pass during orientation. Otherwise, you may pick up your pass during Welcome Week or the first week of classes.

  1. Log in to the MyMAC Portal Page and navigate to the Students tab.
  2. Under Common Tasks, click on the Parking Permits & Info link. This should take you to the Student Affairs hub.
  3. Read through the information on this page and fill out the form to register for a parking pass.
  4. Pick up your pass from the Campus Safety Office.

Your Mountie Digital ID is one of the most important things you will receive as a student, as it allows you general access to campus. If you are a resident, your ID grants you access to your residence hall, and if you have a dining plan or Mountie Bucks, it is how you pay for meals in the dining hall, MAC Shack, and the library vending machine.

Submitting a Digital ID photo is required for all Mountie students. You must have a class schedule in order to complete the Student ID process. Students may be turned away from some offices and offerings on campus until they submit their photo.

Please visit our Mountie ID page to set up your ID and submit a photo.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact IT Services at helpdesk@mtaloy.edu.

This year, New Student Orientation will be held Thursday, June 25; Friday, June 26; Friday, July 17; and Saturday, July 18. Students (and their support systems!) should plan to attend one orientation session. Registration will open at 8:30am, with New Student Orientation officially kicking off at 9:00am. The day will conclude at 3:00pm. More information will be sent out soon.

Learn more on our orientation page!

A virtual orientation will be held Tuesday, August 4.

Additional, mandatory orientation sessions will occur for all new residential and non-residential students during Welcome Weekend and the first week of classes: August 21-29, 2026. Information about Welcome Weekend/First Week of Class schedules will be provided in the future.

Sign up for an orientation session that works best for you!

Once you’ve attended New Student Orientation, you’ll get access to the New Student Information & Resource Course in Canvas. You’ll need to complete the trainings in this course by October 1, but students will benefit the most by completing it over the summer.

This super easy online resource course will cover important topics you will need to know, like financial and academic resources, student life and student services, required forms, legal information, and more. This course is mandatory for all students and the trainings in the course must be completed by the due date.

If you have any questions about the online Canvas course, you can contact Student Activities via email at StudentActivities@mtaloy.edu.

Watch this video or follow the steps below to access your tuition invoice:

  1. Log in to your MyMAC Portal at portal.mtaloy.edu
  2. Select the Student tab.
  3. Scroll to the My Account Info section.
  4. Select Tuition Invoice, Generate Tuition Invoice, and View Tuition Invoice.

To learn more about payment plans, loans, and other payment options, visit the Student Billing Hub.

If you have any financial difficulties and/or cannot pay your tuition, please contact the Business Office. A member of our team would be more than happy to discuss your options with you.

Questions? Call, email, or stop by the Business Office any time.

Call: 814-886-6368 | Email: BusinessOffice@mtaloy.edu | Stop in: Main Administration Building 124

Confirming your financial aid is a crucial step–make sure you do it as soon as possible. If you do not confirm the aid you receive, you could lose important scholarships or government funds given to you by the College to help make your tuition more affordable.

  1. You will receive your aid offer in the mail.
  2. Review the materials included in the packet. Then, sign and date the aid offer letter and return it to the financial aid office. You can mail it back to us, scan and email it to FinancialAid@mtaloy.edu, or fax it to us (814-886-6463).
  3. If you have been awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS), you should follow the instructions in the packet and download the necessary employment forms found on our website. You should fill these out and return them as soon as possible, as certain job sites on campus can fill quickly, and you may not be able to be placed in your first choice.
  4. If you have a Federal Direct Loan listed on your offer letter, both a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and entrance counseling must be completed to receive these funds. You can complete these at studentaid.gov.
  5. If you have a Federal Direct PLUS loan listed on your aid offer and your parents will be accepting this loan, they will be notified in June how to start the process of applying for the loan. A credit check and Master Promissory Note (MPN) will need to be completed by the parent applying for the loan. Parents will need to do this at studentaid.gov.

What if I still have a balance left after scholarships and loans?
You have a few options:

  1. If the balance is small enough, you can pay it directly via cash, check, or online with a credit or debit card. Visit the Student Billing hub to learn more about paying your tuition.
  2. Contact the Business Office to set up a payment plan. Call: 814-886-6368 Email: BusinessOffice@mtaloy.edu
  3. Take out a private alternative loan through a private lender. Students will likely need a co-signer to get this type of loan. Examples of lenders can be found at mtaloy.edu/privateloans.

Important Notes about Financial Aid

  • The Financial Aid office will communicate with students during the school year primarily through college email. It is important to check it every day so that you don’t miss something important.
  • Once you start receiving financial aid, remember that if you decide to add, drop, repeat, or withdraw from a class or from the College, it can affect your financial aid. Students who are full-time must pass and complete at least 24 credits per academic year. This is called academic progress and is a requirement of the federal government to continue receiving aid.
  • You must file the FAFSA every year, and it is important to do it as early as possible so that you can get financial aid and work-study as quickly as possible. Typically, students can start applying October 1. The deadline for the FAFSA for PA residents is May 1.

New students will receive an email to your student email address with information about roommates and room assignments.

We encourage you to connect with your roommate(s) to learn more about each other and to coordinate your shared living space. Feel free to reach out to your roommates on social media (or using your student email) to connect and chat before move-in!

If you have any questions about this process, please reach out to Residence Life at ResidenceLife@mtaloy.edu.

For your general education and non-nursing textbooks, follow these steps:

  1. On the homepage of the myMAC Portal, click ‘Textbook Lookup (Bookstore)’ in the quick links menu on the left.
  2. Enter your class’ department and section (all found on your schedule) and then click ‘View Your Materials.’ This will show you all of the required and optional textbooks for each of your classes, including their title, author, ISBN, and their price at the Mount’s bookstore.

Students in the nursing program will receive more information on accessing their textbooks from their department chair.

Please watch your student email for communications from Residence Life about move-in and the move-in process. These emails should begin to arrive in early August.

You can find more information about move-in and Welcome Weekend on the Orientation hub.

We ask that students who are unable to arrive on Friday arrive on Saturday or Sunday; families should not request to move-in early.

If you have any questions about move-in, move-in weekend, or living on campus, you can contact Residence Life at ResidenceLife@mtaloy.edu.

Once you’ve completed everything else on this list, you’re finally ready to start on the path to your degree. The first day of classes is an important step on the journey–but don’t forget that, if you get lost, there are plenty of Mounties ready to help you out.

Reminder: Classes begin August 24, 2026!

Here are some important things to review as you prepare for your first day:

  1. Double check your schedule on the Portal page. Login and navigate to the Students tab to access it. Check to see your classes’ dates, times, and buildings/rooms.
    • Tip: Screenshot your schedule and save it on your phone for easy access for the first week! This way, you can make sure you always know where you’re going.
  2. Review our parking map to double check where you can park on-campus.
    • The first week of classes, it might be tough to find parking. Don’t worry!—there is ample parking in Lot 13 near the ACWC. It’s helpful to arrive early so you have time to navigate campus and make sure you know where you’re going.

Questions along the way? Your advisor or any other trusted faculty or staff member on campus would be happy to help! Reach out via email or stop by during office hours–they’ll be glad to see you!