Congratulations on your acceptance to Khoury College’s Align master’s program. This page is your comprehensive new student guide, including information on how to set up your student account, register for courses, receive health insurance information, and more. The new student checklist will walk you through everything you need to know as you get started. 

Setting up your online account

Your Northeastern account opens your way to many university resources, including Student Hub and your email account. You should have set up your username and password when you first claimed your online account.

If you have not yet claimed your account, check your personal email for a message with the subject line “Claim Your Northeastern University Online Account.” Click the link in that email within 60 days of receiving it. If it has been more than 60 days, contact the IT Service Desk.

Resources

Sending your official transcripts

Official transcripts must come either directly from the reporting academic institution electronically sent to gradtranscripts@northeastern.edu or by mail to either address below. Students may also send certified, sealed copies to either address. Please do not submit your transcript in person to your campus. This will significantly delay the processing time.

Northeastern University – Khoury Computer Sciences
Graduate Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 1417
Portsmouth, NH 03802 USA

If you are unable to have official transcripts mailed to a P.O. box, you can have them mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave – 30 BV
Boston, MA 02115

Per the university policy, official test scores and transcripts should be submitted within 30 days of the start of the semester. Unsubmitted transcripts may result in a registration hold for the following term. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing after receipt.If you’re unsure as to whether you already provided us with your final transcript, feel free to check the status on the application portal.

Reviewing your financial aid options

Align students finance their education through a combination of personal funds, loans, and on- or off-campus work. We also have scholarships that are awarded based on campus location and students’ background and needs. Domestic students should complete the FAFSA and submit it to Student Financial Services early in their application process.

All scholarships are made possible by corporate and philanthropic donors and awarded to students who meet the criteria set by the donor. No additional application is needed to be considered, and students who receive them will be notified before the start of the semester.

Resources

Registering for courses

Classes begin in early September or January, depending on when you enroll. Visit the full university academic calendar for more information on the semester schedule. Fall registration for incoming students begins in May. Spring registration for incoming students begins in November. Your academic advisor will reach out to you regarding registration and other general information close to these timeframes.

Once you have set up your Northeastern account, you will be able to register for classes using these registration steps. Make sure you pick the section at your campus location. If you want to learn about possible future courses, the course catalog provided by the Office of the Registrar is a good place to start.

Submitting a bridge course waiver

If you are entering the program with some computer science experience through a course taken prior to joining Align or through professional training, you may apply for a course waiver.

Office of Global Services and working in the United States

For international students: The Office of Global Student Services (OGS) will be your resource for policies on how to maintain your status in the United States and take advantage of work experience within your program. Once on campus, you will need to complete an Online International Student Check-In and attend an international student orientation. OGS will email information about this process before the semester begins.

For international students planning to attend a Northeastern University program in Canada: Please visit the OGS website for more information on study permit processing, general guidelines, and support services.

To request an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student, you must submit financial and biographical information and documents to OGS. To request an I-20, follow these OGS instructions. Once submitted, your form will be reviewed and updates will be sent to your Northeastern email address.

You can also choose to remain in your current status and not request an I-20. In this case, you must submit your current study-eligible visa classification. However, please note that immigration statuses other than F-1 may not allow for participation in experiential learning activities such as internships, co-ops, or practicums. If you have decided not to request an I-20, complete this form by logging in with your Student Hub information. Once submitted, your form will be reviewed and updates will be sent to your Northeastern email address.

After you set up your Student Hub account, please wait 24 hours before attempting to log in to the myOGS platform. Your myOGS account uses the same username and password as your account.

Attending your orientation

Orientation is offered virtually via Canvas. There will be both synchronous and asynchronous components, and orientation is mandatory for all incoming students. At orientation, you will meet your peers and members of the faculty and staff, receive an overview of curriculum and co-curricular initiatives, and receive training on academic integrity.

Activating or waiving health insurance

Health insurance is required for all students, both domestic and international. By default, all graduate students are automatically enrolled in the Northeastern University Student Health Plan (NUSHP), an affordable option that allows graduate students without coverage to obtain care.

Graduate students may waive NUSHP by showing proof of comparable coverage, per these guidelines. Students in Boston who waive coverage may submit a form and pay an annual fee to receive unlimited primary care at Northeastern’s University Health and Counseling Center (UHCC).

If you are planning to waive NUSHP, please be aware that Gallagher Student Health will be reviewing each individual waiver to ensure that the health care plan submitted is fully compliant with the Affordable Care Act and Massachusetts state requirements. Short-term medical plans and travel insurance plans cannot be used to waive NUSHP.

Please email NUSHP@northeastern.edu with any questions. You can also call the University Healthcare Services insurance coordinator at 617-373-8007.

Submitting the health report

In Boston, all full-time or international graduate students taking courses on campus must submit a health report form prior to enrolling at Northeastern.

Paying your bill

At any time, you can find your live account and posted bills in Student Hub. Bills are posted to your account starting in July for fall semester and November for spring semester. Each bill specifies a due date and any late fees associated with it. Contact Student Financial Services if you have questions.

Housing and transportation