Information for Accepted Students

Once accepted, a non-refundable deposit of $500 must be paid to hold a student’s space in the program.

Submit the $500 deposit with a credit card through the Pre-College Programs deposit portal linked in your acceptance email from Pre-College Programs.

Deposits are due within 2 weeks of acceptance. Payment of the deposit represents the student’s confirmation of attendance and is non-refundable. You may choose to pay the full program fee at this time if you prefer.

When you have submitted your $500 deposit, you will receive an automated acknowledgement from Nelnet via email. Pre-College Programs staff will confirm your space in the program via email within the next few business days. 

Spire is the UMass student account system. All accounts are set up under the student attending the program. It's where you'll find your course enrollments and your bill. Your Spire login (NetID & password) is also a universal login for all UMass services such as email, cloud file storage, campus WiFi, online course platforms, etc. 

Activate your Spire account:

After submitting the registration form and deposit, UMass will issue you a Spire account.

• Check your inbox and junk folder for an activation email from UMass IT. This email is sent to the student's email address listed on the application.
• The email will contain your NetID with a link and instructions to activate your Spire account and create a password. Be sure to check your inbox, spam & junk folders!
• It may take up to 3 business days for your Spire account to be issued and to receive the activation email. 
• Please note that for security purposes IT is unable to send Spire activation information to parents/guardians.

Students who have previously attended a Pre-College program or workshop will use their existing Spire account.

You will use two-step login to access most campus services. After you enter your password, you'll verify your identity using a second device. To set up two-step login and protect your account, go to: www.umass.edu/it/authentication.  

Questions? Need Help? Contact the IT Service Desk:
Phone: (413) 545-9400
Hours: 8:30am - 5pm Mon-Fri

Please note that for security purposes, IT staff will need to be speak with the student. 

The Registration Packet and Participation Agreement will be emailed to parent/guardian email address on file for electronic signature. Look for an email with the subject "Summer Pre-College Required Registration Forms."

• The Registration Packet for residential programs consists of a Liability Release, Photo Release, Consent to Treat Minor form, Emergency Contacts, Accessibility & Special Needs, Participation Agreement, and Commuter Student Agreement. 
• The Registration Packet for online programs consists of a Remote Learning Release Form and Participation Agreement.

Viewing and Paying Your Balance

Once you have submitted your deposit through the Pre-College Programs deposit portal, billing and payment of your balance will be done through Spire.

1. Visit https://www.spire.umass.edu and log in with your NetID & password.
2. View your charges and make payments by clicking on the Finances tile > “View & Pay Bill”. Follow instructions to submit payment in QuickPay. 

Balance Payment Deadlines
Once the deposit has been submitted, the balance is due in full by the dates outlined below for each session.

• Session 1 (programs starting June 29): May 31, 2025
• Session 2 (programs starting July 13): June 15, 2025
• Session 3 (programs starting July 27): June 30, 2025

Optional: You may give your parent or other third parties Delegate Access through Spire, which grants them a Spire account to access billing information directly. To set up Delegate Access, please see the following page on the Bursar's website: https://www.umass.edu/bursar/payment/parents. Note: The UPay payment plan outlined on the Bursar's website is intended only for use by undergraduate students during the academic year, and should not be used for Summer Pre-College program fees.

Pre-College students are automatically issued a UMass email account (Google mail). Once you have activated Spire, you'll use your NetID & password to access your UMass email. 

Log into UMass email account

Go to www.umass.edu/it/email, choose Google Mail, and log in with your NetID & password.

• Your professor will use your UMass email for course-related communications, particularly if you are attending an online course. 
• UCard Office staff will use your UMass email for UCard photo confirmation.

A set of medical records is required for all students attending in-person Summer Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst. This allows students to be seen at University Health Services or a local hospital/clinic. By providing these records, you also authorize Summer Pre-College program staff to share medical data with UHS and/or a local hospital or clinic. 

__________

Medical forms must be submitted in order to complete your registration. Please use the forms provided below or health records provided by a physician's office (including a medical history and immunizations record).

Download Blank Forms
__________

Use the upload portal at the button below to submit your completed forms. 

Note: Files must be in PDF format. Please combine separate pages into a single PDF. Please check any scans for legibility before uploading. Out of focus or poor quality scans will not be accepted.

All students attending in-person Summer Pre-College programs will be issued a UMass student ID card, otherwise known as a UCard. Your UCard gives you access to the pre-college residence hall, dining commons, and the Rec Center. 

You must upload a photo in order for your UCard to be issued and programmed. This extremely important step will ensure that you have a smooth arrival on campus! Please follow the steps below to upload your photo within three weeks of registering. 

Your UCard will be ordered for you by Pre-College Programs. Pre-College Programs staff will pick up your UCard for you, and you will receive it when you arrive on campus. Commuter students, too - your card will come with a lunch-only meal plan and Rec Center access.

Instructions to upload a photo for your UCard

• Review the UCard photo requirements (similar to a passport)
• Follow the prompts for UCard photo submission
• UCard office staff will let you know via your UMass email address if the photo has been accepted or not. If the photo is not accepted, you will need to upload a new one. Be sure to check your UMass email (login is your NetID & password).

Questions? Need Help? Contact the UCard Office: 
Phone: (413) 545-0197  
Email:  @email

Please note Pre-College Programs staff is unable to confirm receipt of your UCard photo. Students will need to check their UMass email for confirmation from the UCard office.

The Housing Preference form will be emailed to participants (students). Look for an email with subject line “Summer Pre-College Housing Preferences Questionnaire.” Login is with your NetID & password.

In this optional form, you can indicate your preferences for sleep schedules, type of room assignment, and mobility accommodations. Room assignment types include options for single gender or gender inclusive housing. Your responses will be used to help create a welcoming and inclusive residential environment. 

If you and a friend would like room together: please send an email to precollege@umass.edu requesting one another.

UMass Amherst Campus

For all sessions, residential check-in is from 2 – 5pm on the Sunday that your program begins. The day’s schedule includes move-in to the residence hall, a welcome meeting with program faculty and staff – families invited! – as well as dinner and orientation.

Commuter check-in and orientation is at 8am on the first Monday of your program. Commuter students are also welcome to check in on Sunday if preferred.

Checkout is 9am - noon on the final Saturday of your program. Students may also check out on Friday after 4pm if preferred.

UMass Mount Ida Campus

For all sessions, residential and commuter check-in is from 3 – 5pm on the Sunday that your program begins. The day’s schedule includes move-in to the residence hall, dinner with program faculty and staff – families invited! – as well as orientation, a community meeting, and an ice cream social.

Checkout is 9am - noon on the final Saturday of your program. Students may also check out on Friday after 4pm if preferred.

Directions to Campus

Visitor Info - here you'll find directions to campus by car, by air, by bus, and by train. Please note the closest Amtrak train station is in Northampton, MA - from there you would need to take a taxi, Uber or bus to campus. 

Ground Transportation to/from Airports

Valley Transporter
(413) 253-1350, provides airport transportation services to and from Bradley and Logan airports.

Seemo Shuttle
413-586-1120, provides shuttle service to and from Bradley, Logan, and New York airports.

Exclusive Car Service Inc.
877-695-4665, provides private car services to and from Bradley, Logan, and New York airports.

Bluebird Transportation
413-221-4512, provides airport shuttle and car services from Bradley, Logan, and JFK airports.

Michael's Limousine & Transportation Service
413-583-6392, provides transportation services to and from Bradley, Logan, and JFK airports throughout the local area.

Directions to Campus

The UMass Mount Ida campus is located at 100 Carlson Dr., Newton, MA 02459. Housing for pre-college students is in Brown Hall.

By Car: Driving directions by car

By Air: Logan International Airport Logan (Boston) is 15 miles east of the Mount Ida campus.

Ground Transportation to/from Airports

Patriots Limousine
855-914-5466

Teddy's Car Service
203-693-9456

What To Bring (a suggested list)

• A shower caddy, flip-flops/shower shoes, robe
• Personal toiletries
• Quarters and laundry detergent for laundry facilities
• A cellphone and charger
• A laptop or tablet
• A notebook or binder, pens, and pencils
• Small reading light, if you would like one (each room has overhead lighting & a desk lamp)
• Prescription or over-the-counter medications (to self-administer)
• Insurance card or have a photo of the front/back of your card on your phone

Linens: UMass Pre-College Programs will provide 2 towels, 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 set of sheets (includes 2 non-fitted sheets) and 1 blanket for your stay. If you wish to bring your own towels and bedding you are welcome to, but you do not need to. If you do choose to bring your own sheets, we recommend extra-long twin sheets.

What Not to Bring

• A car (unless you are a commuter student)*
• Air conditioners
• Hoverboards
• Anything illegal, including: alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, and tobacco products
• Firearms, knives, or other weapons
• Fireworks, candles, or incense

*Any students who drive themselves to campus will be required to turn their keys over to the Residence Director for the duration of the program. Students are not permitted to drive during the program, unless they are a commuter student traveling to/from campus. Students must make their own arrangements with Parking Services to obtain a parking permit (Amherst). Parking on the UMass Mount Ida campus is free.