WVU Portal Student Guide: Navigating Your Mountaineer Journey

The WVU Portal serves as your central gateway to a wealth of online resources and essential information at West Virginia University. Whether you're a prospective student, a newly admitted Mountaineer, or a seasoned scholar, understanding how to effectively utilize the WVU Portal is crucial for a successful academic journey. This guide provides comprehensive information, from initial account setup to navigating financial aid, academic resources, and campus life.

Getting Started: Activating Your WVU Login and Okta Multifactor Authentication

For new students, the first step is activating your WVU Login account within Okta, WVU’s identity management system. This activation is mandatory before accessing any University resources.

Navigate to Okta: Go to okta.wvu.edu (login.wvu.edu).
Enter Username: Input your assigned WVU username and click "Next." If you're unsure of your username, utilize the Login/WVUID Lookup tool.
Identity Verification: If a phone number is associated with your account, you'll be prompted to verify your identity via a text message.
Okta Verify Setup:
- Download the App: Download the Okta Verify app from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) onto your preferred mobile device.
- Enroll in Okta Verify: On your computer, log into okta.wvu.edu. Select "Enroll in Okta Verify" from the applications listed on your dashboard and click "Set up."
- Scan the QR Code: Open the Okta Verify app on your device. If it's your first time, tap "Get Started." Otherwise, tap the plus sign (+) to add a new account. Choose "Organization" as your account type. Grant the app permission to access your camera when prompted by tapping “Yes, Ready to scan”.
- Complete Setup: When prompted, tap "Scan a QR code" and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen. If you encounter difficulties scanning, click the "Can’t scan?" link for alternative instructions.
Duo MFA Setup:
- Enroll in Duo MFA: Click Set up then Enroll.
- New Duo users: Follow the prompts to add your device.
- Existing Duo users: You will be prompted to authenticate with your existing Duo device. Click Set up.
Additional Security Methods (Optional): After scanning the QR code, a screen will appear asking if you wish to add additional security measures, such as a multi-factor token. This step is optional and can be completed later through okta.wvu.edu (login.wvu.edu).

Important Reminders:

If you exit Okta before completing the activation, your activation link will be invalidated.
For assistance with Okta account setup, contact the WVU IT Help Desk at 304-293-4444 (option #3).
Never approve any Okta Verify push that you didn’t initiate. This could be a sign of a phishing scam.

Accessing the WVU Portal

Once your WVU Login is activated, you can access the Campus WVU Portal at portal.wvu.edu. This portal provides access to campus-wide information, announcements, and services.

Understanding Student Accounts and Financial Aid

The WVU Portal offers comprehensive access to your student account information, including:

Balance Including Financial Aid: View your current balance, reflecting any applied financial aid.
On Demand Statement: Generate an up-to-date statement of your account activity. Note that an On Demand Statement is up-to-date as of the moment it is generated.

Payment Options:

The WVU Portal facilitates online payments for tuition, fees, and other expenses.

Read also: Comprehensive ETAR Guide

Payment Method Selection: You will see a blue box with a drop-down menu. Select your preferred payment method.
ACH Payment Agreement: If choosing ACH (electronic check) as your payment method, you will need to agree to the ACH Payment Agreement.
Credit Card Payments: Ensure the billing address you enter matches the billing address associated with the card you are using.
Payments are posted in real-time.

Financial Aid:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after being admitted. Visit financialaid.wvu.edu for more information.
Check your financial aid status regularly through the portal, or revisit if aid is adjusted.

Important Considerations:

Students participating in the WVU High School ACCESS Early College Program should carefully consider their future financial aid eligibility when enrolling in dual credit coursework.
Additional penalties for late payment may apply. Visit WVU Student Accounts for details.

Navigating Academics

The WVU Portal provides access to essential academic resources and information:

Accessing Your Transcript: The WVU Portal allows you to access your comprehensive academic transcript.
DegreeWorks: Once WVU reviews an AP course, the course will appear in WVU DegreeWorks.
Course Catalog: Consult the catalog for individual departments. Specific WVU courses designated by a 000 course number. Credit in these courses can be applied to the 128 needed for graduation.

Advising:

Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors regularly.
Holds may be placed on your account to require consultation with your advisor on your schedule.
Pre-majors within the Eberly College can seek advising from their assigned advisors.
The student with the form and their file to their new major.

Majors and Minors:

Information on majors can be found at majors.wvu.edu.
Explore Eberly majors and minors page.
Students wishing to double major (receive one degree, such as a B.A. with two majors) must first be accepted into a major. After acceptance into the first major, the student can apply to and be accepted into the second major. Advisers will provide advising to the student who is obtaining a double major. A double major can be completed with a minimum of 128 credits.

Transferring Credit:

View our entire transfer credit policy.
Students may use our transfer database spreadsheet to learn if a course will transfer to WVU.
If a course is not listed on the transfer database spreadsheet, students may submit the course to be reviewed by our transfer credit evaluators through our Transfer Equivalency Review Request (TERR).
GPA earned in the dual enrollment courses will transfer into a student’s WVU transcript. In pass/fail cases, a GPA will not transfer unless the student earns a D/F grade.
A class is considered “dual enrollment” through the summer following the student’s senior year. Any class taken in the fall following the senior year would place the student into a transfer admissions status.
Visit the Transferring Course Credit to WVU page.

Additional Academic Resources:

WVU STEM Learning Center: Students may utilize the WVU STEM Learning Center for tutoring services. Students can stop by for drop-in services Monday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM if you are unable to make an appointment.
Capstone Courses: View current Capstone Courses. Some courses cannot both be counted toward graduation.
Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment: Getting credit for college work completed during high school
- Advanced Placement Equivalencies: View our entire Advanced Placement policy and course equivalencies. AP scores must be sent to WVU directly from the College Board. Most students tend to wait until all grades from all years are posted so that they only need to send one time (in May of the senior year). Please note that in some cases scores will not reach WVU before students schedule courses during New Student Orientation. In these cases, students will reach out to their adviser after their grades have posted if a course serves as a prerequisite for a WVU course they would like to schedule. Once WVU reviews the AP course, the course will appear in WVU DegreeWorks.

Campus Life and Resources

The WVU Portal connects you to various resources that enhance your campus experience:

Housing: The online housing application is typically available prior to the first day of class. Please note: University residence halls are closed during school breaks. During these times students are required to find alternate housing.
Dining Plans: Information on purchasing a non-residential student dining plan.
Health Insurance: All students at WVU are required to maintain health insurance. Information on the WVU Aetna Student Insurance Plan and the insurance waiver process are available. Remember to complete the insurance waiver even if a waiver was completed the previous semester.
Student Accommodations: The Office of Student Accommodations (OSA) is committed to helping students achieve academic success by authorizing reasonable and effective accommodations. Students must register for accommodations with OSA to be eligible to receive accommodations at WVU. Students can contact OSA directly at: 5th Floor Hodges Hall P.O. Box 6426 Morgantown, WV 26506-6426 Phone: 304-293-6726 Fax: 304-293-8485 Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Center: For LGBTQ+ students and allies, the LGBTQ+ Center supports educational social justice efforts and also provides a warm, comfortable atmosphere for organizing, socializing, teaching, and learning.
Discover WVU Open House: Discover WVU Open House days are hosted each fall on 2 separate Saturdays. Geared towards seniors. Students and parents choose sessions and experiences throughout the day that they would like to attend. Sessions typically include the following: visit with an academic department, financial aid, student panel, parent panel, expert panel, residence hall visits, lunch on campus, classroom experiences, and much more.
Decide WVU Open House: Decide WVU Open House days are hosted in the spring on two separate Saturdays for admitted students. Geared towards admitted seniors. Students and parents choose sessions and experiences throughout the day that they would like to attend. Sessions typically include visits with an academic department, financial aid and the Honors College, panel discussions with students, parents and WVU experts, residence hall visits, lunch on campus, classroom experiences and much more. Night before activities are an option as well.
Self-Guided Tours: Students and families can tour campus when they want, at their own pace, with an app to map their route and describe key locations.

International Students

The WVU Portal is essential for international students.

International Student Portal: Access the international student portal for your I-20/DS-2019. Ensure all information is complete and correct, including details of expenses (ex. official bank statement).
I-20 Requests: Use "In" when beginning a new I-20 request. Submit all required documents to transfer in your SEVIS record while we create your I-20. Advisors will review it. We ask that you recognize our standard processing times.
I-20/DS-2019 Verification: Verify your I-20 or DS-2019 is correct. Information must be updated in SEVIS before your visa appointment.
SEVIS Fee: Pay the SEVIS fee (instructions are sent with your I-20 or DS-2019). The SEVIS ID is located on your I-20 or DS-2019 (ex. code), even if you are receiving a scholarship.
SEVIS Check-in: You must complete SEVIS check-in upon arrival. Click the icon for SEVIS Check-in. Note that SEVIS check-in will be delayed until we can verify that you are enrolled full-time (12 credits undergraduate/ELP; 9 credits graduate). This allows for students to check in with their DSO.
Arrival and Orientation: Admitted, it’s time to get connected. Arriving in the US. Travel to Morgantown. Attend international student orientation. Check your email for announcements regarding the times and dates of these orientations.

Technology Resources

WVU provides various technology resources for students:

MyPrinting: Use MyPrinting to print on campus. Swipe your card at a printing station.
Tech Networks: When connecting to Tech networks, ensure you have a USB cable, and wireless capabilities must be disabled.
IT Help Center: For IT assistance, visit it.wvu.edu/help. You can also submit a support ticket. ITS doesn't provide computer repair services; use a search engine like Google to find local options.
Free Software: Access up to five devices and free Sophos anti-virus on up to three.

Important Reminders

Never share your WVU Login password with anyone, including a partner or parent. Give them access through the Parent/Guest Portal.
Be cautious of phishing scams.

Read also: Accessing the Cal Poly Portal

Read also: Accessing the MUSD Student Portal

tags: #wvu #portal #student #guide