Step-by-step guide to becoming a Marauder
Step 1: Enrol in classes
The first part of your McMaster journey is enrolling (registering) in your classes. To enrol in courses first you will need to log in to Mosaic in which you will have two options: using MyTimetable or using Mosaic. MyTimetable is the newest online self-service tool that allows you to find a conflict-free timetable and direct class enrolment.
You’ll be randomly assigned an enrolment appointment in June, which is the specific date you can enrol in classes. This is your enrolment appointment for both the Fall and Winter terms. We recommend you enrol in both you Fall and Winter courses at the same time.
You can check your personal enrolment appointment time through the Enrolment Dates panel in McMaster’s Mosaic Student Center. You can plan out your schedule prior to enrolling but you have to wait until your enrolment appointment opens up to actually register in the classes you select.
After your enrolment appointment, you can continue to enrol in classes up until the add/drop date of September 15 for fall term courses and January 18 for winter term courses. Some courses might fill up fast; the sooner you enrol, the better!
We know that picking your courses can be overwhelming. Your Faculty is here to help you! Learn more about academic advising.
Step 2: Apply for aid & awards and pay your fees
Entrance scholarships
Were you offered a scholarship with your offer of admission? Learn more about what happens next!
Aid & Awards
Here you can learn about different programs offered by federal/provincial/state governments and McMaster to help financially.
If you haven’t already, you can apply for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or your province or state’s government student aid program. These programs offer student loans and grants to help students with financial need pay for school. We recommend getting your OSAP applications in by June 30, so don’t forget to apply before you enrol in classes! If you are an international student, we encourage you to look into any loan/grant programs available through your home country.
Starting August 10, you’ll be able to apply for bursaries and the McMaster Work Program. Bursaries are grants for students with financial need, while the work program offers you a chance to work on campus. Later in the school year, you’ll be able to apply for McMaster scholarships, which are awards for academics and/or extracurriculars. International students may be eligible for bursaries, scholarships or the Work Program.
Find all Aid & Awards forms here.
Paying your tuition and fees
Typically there are two times per year that you will need to pay tuition and fees, September and January. Our Student Services office handles these transactions. Fees for the Spring/Summer term are typically due in May.
You can track how much you owe in your student account, which is available in your Mosaic Student Center (under “Finances”).
Step 3: Get set up
There are few more things you need to do before you join us this year.
Upload your student card photo
As a new student, you need a McMaster Student Photo ID card. Your student card is an important piece of photo identification that is required for writing exams. It also gives you access to a variety of services on campus, such as the library and athletic centre.
We need a photo uploaded from you by July 15 in order to create your student card in time for the start of term. Please visit the Mosaic Student Center (Personal Information > Demographic Data) to upload your photo.
Student cards will be available for pick up near the end of August. More information will be communicated closer to the date.
Photo requirements
To be considered acceptable, your uploaded photo must:
- be recent and similar to a passport photo (head shot only, looking straight into the camera)
- have a neutral or smiling expression
- be in colour, in focus and of good quality (scanned photos of your driver’s license, passport or health card are not acceptable)
- be on an uncluttered background and of you alone (no other people or animals permitted in photo)
- not contain props (i.e. hats, sunglasses or graduation caps)
Maximum file size of your photo must be 3MB or less to be successfully uploaded.
Uploaded photos not meeting the above criteria, will be deleted resulting in delays in receiving your student card.
Photo troubleshooting tips
Having issues uploading?
- Check your file size. If your jpg image is too big, you will get a generic error message. The file should be less than 3MB in size. Try picking a different picture with a smaller file size or resize your image in Paint or Photoshop.
Verify personal information & SIN
Please visit the Mosaic Student Center (Personal Information > Emergency Contact) and ensure that you add an emergency contact. Under the address tab, please verify that your permanent and mailing address are both correct.
Your Social Insurance Number (SIN) needs to be up-to-date on Mosaic to ensure McMaster provides you with the correct tax forms. A SIN is a mandatory requirement for all students receiving OSAP, aid and award funding.
Need help? Chat with our team online. Visit registrar.mcmaster.ca to access our online chat.
Submit outstanding documents
Do you need to submit outstanding documents to us? Refer to your official offer letter to determine if there are outstanding documents that need to be submitted as an official hard copy.
RESP enrolment verification
Need to confirm your enrolment for your RESP plan? RESP enrolment verification letters indicate whether you are registered as full- or part-time student.
