Freshman Admitted Student Checklist

Note: We also offer a personalized Admitted Student Checklist. Just complete the “Set up your PirateID and email” step below, and access the personalized checklist in PiratePort.

Set up your PirateID and email

Log into the Navigator account you created when you submitted your application. There you will find your PirateID and email address. Then, activate your PirateID and create your secure passphrase. When activating, please be sure to enter your full student email address when prompted. If needed, find instructions on activating your PirateID in this tutorial.

Important Note: All official correspondence will take place via your ECU email address. This includes tuition and fee bills, financial aid information, and any messages from your academic advisor, academic department, and faculty. Please check it frequently.

After activating your Pirate ID, please find your Admitted Student Checklist in PiratePort. There you will find instructions on:

  • Paying your enrollment deposit
  • Submitting your campus housing preference
  • Signing up for orientation
  • Applying for financial aid & scholarships
  • Registering for classes
  • And more!

Verify your residency (NC residents only)

If you wish to claim in-state residency for tuition purposes, please make sure to complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) process at NCresidency.org, if you have not done so already. Provide us with your Residency Certification Number (RCN) by emailing it to ugresidency@ecu.edu. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar’s Residency page, or contact RDS at 1-844-319-3640 or rdsinfo@ncresidency.org.

Apply for financial aid and scholarships

Make sure to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. This will determine your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and other financial aid programs. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage all fall freshmen to complete the FAFSA by March 1, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Review our scholarship opportunities specifically for freshmen. You will need to apply for scholarships separately from applying for financial aid. To find out more information on what is available, if you are eligible, and how to apply, visit the University Scholarships webpage.

Important Note: The deadline for most university scholarships is January 15.

Explore the Admitted Student Guide

Our online Admitted Student Guide provides a wealth of information about academics, campus living, and student life at East Carolina. Review the guide often as you make your way through the enrollment process.

Don’t Wait! Secure Your Spot

Pay your deposit

Submit the non-refundable $100 Enrollment Deposit as soon as possible to reserve your spot in the upcoming fall freshman class. The priority deadline for Fall 2025 is May 15th. Due to the nationwide FAFSA delay, deposits will continue to be welcomed after May 15th. Learn more about Financial Aid.

Once you set up your PirateID and ECU email, secure your enrollment at ECU by completing the instructions below to pay the $100 non-refundable deposit.

  1. Use the PirateID you created earlier to log into PiratePort
  2. In the search bar at the top of PiratePort, type in “tuition” and select “Tuition Statements, 1098-T Statements & Payments”
  3. In the new window, select the “Deposits” tab, choose the deposit term (i.e. Fall 2025), and click “Select”
  4. Choose “Enrollment Deposit – Main Campus,” and click “Select,” and then “Continue”
  5. Choose your desired payment method, and click “Select”
  6. Follow the steps on the screen to enter and submit your payment information

Note: You will receive a payment confirmation by email.

Submit your campus housing preference

ECU believes that living on campus is an important part of the college experience. Fall or summer term freshmen are required to submit a campus housing application as well as pay the $100 advanced room fee and $100 application fee by May 15th. Housing assignments are made in the order contracts are received, so we encourage you to submit your application early.

Visit the Campus Living website for information on how to apply online.

Register for Orientation

Freshmen who are admitted for the fall semester must attend one of the two-day orientation sessions in June or July. While at orientation, students learn about resources available at ECU to help them be successful academically, socially and emotionally. In addition, students will attend group academic advising and course registration.

Visit the Orientation website for more information. Orientation registration now open.

Review PIER and begin course registration

ECU’s “Pirate Introduction to ECU Registration” (PIER) provides guides for your first semester schedule and directs you through the academic steps to begin your journey at ECU. You may review the information on the PIER website at any time. Once registration opens for freshmen in April, you will be able to log into PiratePort and register for fall courses, provided that you have already signed up for Orientation.

Visit the PIER website for more information.

SPRING & SUMMER admits: Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, you should reach out to Advising for registration assistance. To schedule an appointment for academic advising, please use this Advising Contact List to contact the Advising Center for your intended academic program.

Before You Arrive

Submit your final official transcripts

Enrolling students must submit their final official high school transcript by July 15, 2025.  If you attended a community college or earned college credits during high school, please arrange for that school to send an official transcript to the Undergraduate Admissions Office by July 15, 2025.

Send transcripts to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Mail Stop 517
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858-4353

We also accept electronic transcripts from most transcript services including the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC). Please request to have them sent directly to admissions@ecu.edu.

Important Note: All admission decisions are contingent on your continued success. Students must maintain freshman requirements throughout the remainder of all coursework prior to their start term.

Complete Student Health Services checklist items

Visit the Student Health Services Checklist for New Pirates for information about health related requirements, including:

  • Immunizations – Immunizations are a state law requirement and failure to comply will result in academic withdrawal. Learn more about immunization requirements.
  • Report of Medical History – You must complete the online Report of Medical History form by logging into your Online Student Health account.
  • Student Health Insurance – Health insurance is a requirement for students to enroll at an NC college or university. Once registered for classes, you will need to either enroll in, or waive out of, the Student Health Insurance Plan.

Verify social security number

The Internal Revenue Service requires East Carolina University to verify social security numbers (SSN) annually for accurate tax reporting on 1098-T forms. Having an accurate SSN on tax forms supports the tax deduction that a student or family may claim for qualified educational expenses on both federal and state income tax returns. Failure to provide ECU with an SSN may result in the student being fined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code section 6723.

View the SSN request FAQs and follow the instructions to verify your social security number or individual taxpayer identification number.

Arrange payment of tuition and fees

Tuition bills are generated by the Cashier’s Office in early July, using the university’s Electronic Billing (eBill) system. Bills will not be mailed. Tuition and Fees must be paid by the date posted on your billing statement to avoid class schedule cancellation. Find more information about eBilling or payment options, including setting up a payment plan.

Purchase parking permit (optional)

If you wish to bring your car to campus, you will need to purchase a parking permit through ECU Parking & Transportation. Permits typically go on sale in July or August.

Contacts to Know