Frequently Asked Questions

All new first-year and transfer students starting at Point Park in Spring 2025 attend Spring Pioneer Experience.  

While Pioneer Experience is intended for students, you may bring up to two guests with you.  If bringing guests, you are asked to include them on the form when you register for Spring Pioneer Experience.

Please Note: This event is not appropriate for younger children, and childcare services are not provided.

Spring Pioneer Experience is a comprehensive one-day in-person program for all new first-year and transfer students starting at Point Park in the spring semester.  It is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with check-in beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Spring Pioneer Experience is scheduled to have presentations by the Provost, Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Dean of Student Life, Director of the Professional Career-Readiness Center, and Managing Director of the University Advising Center.

There will also be a resource and department fair for students to be able to ask questions. At the end of the program students will have the opportunity to visit with university departments.

Register for Spring Pioneer Experience.
View the Spring 2025 schedule (pdf).

Should you need support or assistance to participate in Spring Pioneer Experience, please contact us as soon as possible at orientation@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3840.

For accommodation support requests for the academic year such as academic, housing, or dining/meal plan, please register with Accessibility Services.

The Spring 2025 Pioneer Experience orientation fee is $100.

This fee is automatically assessed upon course registration to the student's tuition account.

Students who do not attend the program will still be charged the fee, as it is tied to course registration.

Please email orientation@pointpark.edu for questions.

To receive your Pioneer (ID) Card, you need to submit two photos online (one from a government issued ID). For more information and instructions visit the ID Center page. 

You are able to pick up your Pioneer Card in the ID Center, after you have received the email from your academic advisor in the University Advising Center stating your class schedule has been created.

Students living on-campus (residential students) need to make sure they submit their housing and meal plan contract as soon as possible.  Visit the Contracts and Forms pages for more information.  In order for the contract to be considered fully complete, students must also pay the (housing) maintenance fee and tuition deposit.

In addition, the Living on Campus pages have dining and residence hall information, a Frequently Asked Questions page, and links to the Student Well-Being and Support pages.

Students are also encouraged to review the Transportation and Parking page, which includes information about the U-Pass program.

For additional questions, or to make arrangements for spring move-in, please contact the Office of Student Life at 412-392-8026 or studentlife@pointpark.edu.

Students living off-campus (commuter students) are encouraged to review the Commuter Resources pages that include information on lounges, lockers, meals (including meal plans for commuters and Flex Dollars), and a renter's guide.  Students should also visit the Transportation and Parking page that includes information about U-Pass program.  Also included is a link to the Student Well-Being and Support pages.

Complete and submit your health records

Visit the Student Health Center page and review the list of health records to see which ones you are required to complete and submit. 

Review the Financial Aid web pages

There are a variety of forms that may need to be completed before you arrive. On the page with the forms, you can also find additional information about loans and payment plans.

Review the Student Accounts web pages

Use the links on the left-hand side of the Student Accounts web pages to navigate through the various pages of information that relate to your student (tuition) account.

Review the Student Health Insurance (SHIP) page

Review the information on the SHIP page to determine your whether or not you are required to waive or enroll in the Point Park student health insurance plan (SHIP), as well as deadlines, costs, and other enrollment and waiver information.

Students who are mandatory for insurance (athletes, dance and theatre majors, international students) are automatically charged for the insurance on their student account each fall and spring semester.  You are required to waive (opt-out) or enroll (opt-in) by the deadline. If you do nothing or do not successfully waive by the deadline, you will be enrolled in the SHIP and the charge will remain on your account.  If you wish to enroll in the SHIP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Visit the SHIP page for more information.

All other students may choose to enroll in the SHIP by enrolling online, but are not required to do so, and do not submit a waiver.  For more information visit the SHIP page.

Transfer Pioneer Day is for new transfer students who are NOT in a Conservatory major (COPA).  COPA transfer students are required to register for and attend Pioneer Experience instead.

Register for Transfer Pioneer Day.

Transfer Pioneer Day is a comprehensive one-day in-person program for transfer students, scheduled to take place on in August 2, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with check-in beginning at 8:00 a.m.

The day is scheduled to include presentations from the President, Provost, Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students, and Dean of Student Life.  In addition, scheduled presentations also include the Professional Career-Readiness Center, the University Advising Center, Center for Inclusive Excellence, Office of Compliance and Integrity, and SAIL (Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership).

Lunch and campus tours will be provided.

At the end of the program students will have the opportunity to visit with university departments or attend the Resource Fair that is scheduled to include representatives from the ID Center, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Career-Readiness Center, University Advising Center, Student Health, Spiritual Life, Student Life, Study Abroad, Commuter Resources, Public Safety, and Athletics.

Register for Transfer Pioneer Day.
View the 2024 schedule.

Should you need support or assistance to participate in Transfer Pioneer Day, please contact us as soon as possible at orientation@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3840.

For accommodation support requests for the academic year, such as academic, housing, or dining/meal plan, please register with Accessibility Services.

The 2024 orientation fee for transfer students is $100.*

*The orientation fee for COPA transfer students is $250, as they are required to attend Pioneer Experience.

The orientation fee is automatically assessed upon course registration to the student's tuition account.

Students who do not attend the program will still be charged the orientation fee, as it is tied to course registration.

Please email orientation@pointpark.edu for questions.

To receive your Pioneer (ID) Card, you need to submit two photos online (one from a government issued ID). For more information and instructions visit the ID Center page. 

You are able to pick up your Pioneer Card in the ID Center, after you have received the email from your academic advisor in the University Advising Center stating your fall class schedule has been created.

Otherwise, residential students who have uploaded their photos will receive their Pioneer Cards at check-in during Move-In. Commuter students who have uploaded their photos can pick up their Pioneer Cards from the Office of Student Life. 

Follow us on your favorite social media platform and join the group for your graduating class:

Students living on-campus (residential students) need to make sure they submit their housing and meal plan contract as soon as possible.  Visit the Contracts and Forms pages for more information.  In order for the contract to be considered fully complete, students must also pay the maintenance fee and tuition deposit.

In addition, the Living on Campus pages have dining and residence hall information, a Frequently Asked Questions page, and links to the Student Well-Being and Support pages.

Students are also encouraged to review the Transportation and Parking page, which includes information about the U-Pass program.

Students are assigned a date to move onto campus.  Information can be found on the Move-In page.

Complete and submit your health records

Visit the Student Health Center page and review the list of health records to see which ones you are required to complete and submit. 

Review the Financial Aid web pages

There are a variety of forms that may need to be completed before you arrive. On the page with the forms, you can also find additional information about loans and payment plans.

Review the Student Accounts web pages

Use the links on the left-hand side of the Student Accounts web pages to navigate through the various pages of information that relate to your student (tuition) account.

Review the Student Health Insurance (SHIP) page

Review the information on the SHIP page to determine your whether or not you are required to waive or enroll in the Point Park student health insurance plan (SHIP), as well as deadlines, costs, and other enrollment and waiver information.

Students who are mandatory for insurance (athletes, dance and theatre majors, international students) are automatically charged for the insurance on their student account each fall and spring semester.  You are required to waive (opt-out) or enroll (opt-in) by the deadline. If you do nothing or do not successfully waive by the deadline, you will be enrolled in the SHIP and the charge will remain on your account.  If you wish to enroll in the SHIP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Visit the SHIP page for more information.

All other students may choose to enroll in the SHIP by enrolling online, but are not required to do so, and do not submit a waiver.  For more information visit the SHIP page.

Due to space limitations, families are not able to attend Pioneer Experience.  However, there is an online family orientation program for parents/guardians to become more knowledgeable about Point Park so they can then support their students during their time here. There is also a Family Guide that contains university information pertaining to new students.

Register for Family Orientation

Other Helpful Links for Families:

• Parents and Families 
• Point Park Glossary
• A-Z Quicklinks

Should you need support or assistance to participate in Pioneer Experience, please contact us as soon as possible at orientation@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3840.

For accommodation support requests for the academic year such as academic, housing, or dining/meal plan, please register with the Accessibility Services.

We recommend you check the weather and the schedule of events each day and consider the following, depending on the forecast and the day's activities:

• Weather-appropriate, comfortable clothing
• Comfortable shoes, as there is a good bit of activity and walking that takes place
• A light jacket or sweater for cool days or indoor programs, as some of the rooms are cool
• An umbrella or rain jacket for rainy days
• Sunscreen for sunny days when there are outdoor activities
• A refillable water bottle is a MUST

The 2024 Pioneer Experience orientation fee for first-year students and transfer students in Conservatory majors (COPA) is $250.  The fee for all other transfer students is $100 (see Pioneer Transfer Day).

This fee is automatically assessed upon course registration to the student's tuition account.

Students who do not attend the program will still be charged the fee, as it is tied to course registration.

Please email orientation@pointpark.edu for questions.

To receive your Pioneer (ID) Card, you need to submit two photos online (one from a government issued ID). For more information and instructions visit the ID Center page. 

To pick up your Pioneer Card before Pioneer Experience, you are able to do so in the ID Center, after you have received the email from your academic advisor in the University Advising Center stating your fall class schedule has been created.

Otherwise, residential students who have uploaded their photos will receive their Pioneer Cards at check-in during Move-In. Commuter students who have uploaded their photos can pick up their Pioneer Cards from the Office of Student Life.  

Follow us on your favorite social media platform and join the group for your graduating class:

Check-in for both Move-In and Pioneer Experience will occur at the same time during Move-In.  

Move-In 2024 for students living on campus and attending Pioneer Experience will occur Friday, August 17th - Tuesday, August 20th.  Students are assigned a date to move onto campus.  Information can be found on the Move-In page.

Students living on-campus (residential students) need to make sure they submit their housing and meal plan contract as soon as possible.  Visit the Contracts and Forms pages for more information.  In order for the contract to be considered fully complete, students must also pay the maintenance fee and tuition deposit.

In addition, the Living on Campus pages have dining and residence hall information, a Frequently Asked Questions page, and links to the Student Well-Being and Support pages.

Students are also encouraged to review the Transportation and Parking page, which includes information about the U-Pass program.

Students living off-campus (commuters) will be able to check-in for Pioneer Experience 2024 immediately prior to the welcome session the morning of Wednesday, August 21st.  View the full schedule online. Please note that the schedule is subject to change, so check back here for updates, as well as your Point Park email.

On-campus housing is not available to commuter students during Pioneer Experience and students are expected to commute to campus each day for the program.  Meals will be provided throughout Pioneer Experience, per the schedule which will be provided to students prior to the event.  

Parking will not be validated. Students should visit the Transportation and Parking page for suggested parking locations as well as information about the U-Pass program. You can also visit Parkpgh.org to view additional nearby locations. 

Students living off-campus (commuter students) are also encouraged to review the Commuter Resources pages that include information on lounges, lockers, meals (including meal plans for commuters and Flex Dollars), and a renter's guide.   Also included is a link to the Student Well-Being and Support pages.

At Pioneer Experience, we hope to create circumstances for you to meet a variety of students in your class.  Students will be assigned to groups at random from residence halls, so your roommate may or may not be in your group. Students are not be able to request their group assignment.

Yes, but you will not exclusively be in a group with only commuter students. At Pioneer Experience, we hope to create circumstances for you to meet a variety of students in your class.

Complete and submit your health records

Visit the Student Health Center page and review the list of health records to see which ones you are required to complete and submit. 

Review the Financial Aid web pages

There are a variety of forms that may need to be completed before you arrive. On the page with the forms, you can also find additional information about loans and payment plans.

Review the Student Accounts web pages

Use the links on the left-hand side of the Student Accounts web pages to navigate through the various pages of information that relate to your student (tuition) account.

Review the Student Health Insurance (SHIP) page

Review the information on the SHIP page to determine your whether or not you are required to waive or enroll in the Point Park student health insurance plan (SHIP), as well as deadlines, costs, and other enrollment and waiver information.

Students who are mandatory for insurance (athletes, dance and theatre majors, international students) are automatically charged for the insurance on their student account each fall and spring semester.  You are required to waive (opt-out) or enroll (opt-in) by the deadline. If you do nothing or do not successfully waive by the deadline, you will be enrolled in the SHIP and the charge will remain on your account.  If you wish to enroll in the SHIP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  Visit the SHIP page for more information.

All other students may choose to enroll in the SHIP by enrolling online, but are not required to do so, and do not submit a waiver.  For more information visit the SHIP page.