Deposited Student Checklist

Congratulations! We're so excited you are joining the RWU graduate student community.

If you've already submitted your deposit, please follow the steps below to make sure you're ready to get started. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission if we can be of any assistance to you at 401-254-6200 or gradadmit@rwu.edu

Within 48 hours of submitting your deposit, you should receive an email containing all of your RWU account login details with information on each of the critical systems you will be accessing as a student. 

RWU Email: The official University student email system is Gmail. You can access your email at gmail.rwu.edu. Your RWU email address is the official destination for all electronic communication between the University and you – we will no longer be sending information to the personal email account you indicated on your application. Please be sure to check your RWU email regularly as important university communication will be sent only to this address. All student email accounts end with @g.rwu.edu. 

Roger Central: Roger Central allows you to register for classes, access a number of university systems and services, and review your grades. The portal is located at rogercentral.rwu.edu.

Please note that your Roger Central login is your username followed by @academics.rwu. (Do not include .edu)

Bridges Learning Management System: The University uses an online learning management system called Bridges. You will use this system to access any online courses you have or materials that are provided online as part of your traditional courses. The system is available at bridges.rwu.edu.

MediaTech Helpdesk Portal:  The technology available at RWU can be overwhelming.  For quick answers to your questions, please visit the MediaTech helpdesk portal.  There is a collection of Knowledge Base articles on the services at the university.  You can also submit a request for help here, if needed.  The portal is located at mediatech.rwu.edu.

ADSelfService Plus:  All RWU account passwords are self-managed using the ADSelfService Plus tool.  It is an easy-to-use, secure, web-based end-user password reset management solution.  You can easily manage your passwords and unlock your accounts 24/7/365 without a call to the helpdesk.  The tool is located at passwords.rwu.edu.

Zoom:  The university uses Zoom for meetings, and it is integrated to be used for online courses through Bridges.  You will need to create your RWUZoom account, and install the client.  To setup and access your account, please visit rwu.zoom.us.  

Laptop Repair Depot:  The Laptop Repair Depot service at the MediaTech desk provides laptop and desktop diagnostics, hardware and software repair, data transfer, data recovery, and infection removal.  All labor for students is free, but students are responsible for purchasing technician-recommended parts, if needed. Students must sign the RWU Computer Intake Liability Waiver.

For a list of services, provided please review the Student Laptop Repair Scope.

Laptops can be dropped off at the MediaTech desk in the first floor of the Main Library.  For questions, call 401-254-6363 or email mediatech@rwu.edu
 

 

Most RWU graduate students utilize federal student loans to support some or all of their studies and related expenses. 

If you are hoping to take advantage of federal student loans, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have it sent to RWU. The RWU school code is 003410.

All graduate students are considered to be of independent status; parent financial information is no longer required on the FAFSA for determining eligibility for federal student aid. 

You will need to complete a FAFSA form each year you want to apply for financial aid. You may also need to provide the Graduate Financial Aid Office with a copy of your previous year’s tax return including all schedules if requested to do so.

Read more about Graduate Financial Aid

You're almost ready to register for classes! Before you register, you should contact your Program Director for advisement on course selection. In order to ensure that all new graduate students register for appropriate courses, we require that you do this prior to registering for your first graduate courses. 

Some graduate programs have students register for courses at Orientation (held in late August for the fall semester only). Please consult your Program Director for the most appropriate time to register.

Read more about Advisement & Registration

Roger Williams University does not offer university-sponsored housing for graduate students. However, our graduate students find ample housing availability in the surrounding area.

We have developed an extensive Graduate Housing Resources page to help with your search for housing. If you need assistance, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 401-254-6200 or gradadmit@rwu.edu and we would be happy to assist you.

Visit our Housing Resources page

If you did not graduate from Roger Williams University, you must request your final, official undergraduate transcript showing a conferred bachelor’s degree to be submitted to RWU before you can begin your classes. We must also have your official transcripts for any additional transfer or graduate courses taken at other institutions if you did not supply them during the application process. 

Official electronic transcripts can be forwarded to us at gradadmit@rwu.edu or hard copy transcripts can be mailed to the following address:

Office of Graduate Admission
Roger Williams University
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809

RWU student transcripts will be obtained on your behalf. Your deposit reflects your permission to pull your transcripts on your behalf.

To provide a safe and healthy academic community, RWU complies with Rhode Island health regulations on immunizations and requires proof of health insurance of all full-time, campus-based students. 

  • All full-time, in-class graduate students are required to submit the RWU Immunization Form, Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Screening Questionnaire, and proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including all required shots of the respective vaccine) or an approved exemption prior to enrollment. Students should plan to have these forms completed by July 1st for the fall semester, but must have them fully completed before starting classes. Submit your forms on the RWU Health Portal. You will need your RWU login information to access the system. Note that your forms may not be available to complete until 48 hours after you register for your courses.
     
  • All part-time, in-class graduate students are required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption prior to the start of classes on campus. Submission instructions will be sent to you via email.

Read more about graduate student health requirements

To ensure your success in getting started in your graduate studies, you should plan to attend one of the Graduate Student Orientations.

Register for Orientation

Textbooks for each of your classes will be posted on the the Roger Williams University Bookstore website. Once you've registered for your courses, you can search for your books by course number and section on the Bookstore website. Some professors also provide the syllabus for their course(s) prior to the start of class on the Bridges site and required books are typically included. 

If your books are not currently listed, they may not have been posted. Try again at a later date or contact your faculty member for more information. Textbooks in many cases can be purchased or rented.

Interested in a way to offset the cost of your books? Consider applying to become a Graduate Program Ambassador, which provides a $300 stipend to the Campus Bookstore each semester. 

Visit the RWU Bookstore website

  • Bristol Campus: All graduate students are allowed personal cars, but students wishing to park on the Bristol campus are required to obtain a valid parking permit from the Office of Public Safety. Graduate students enrolled in nine or more credits per semester will be required to pay an annual fee for a parking permit, which allows you to park in approved student parking lots.
     
  • Providence Campus: Graduate students parking at the Providence campus (1 Empire Plaza, Providence, RI 02903) are not required to obtain a parking permit, but you are advised to obtain one if you intend on visiting the Bristol campus. Student parking at the Providence campus is available in the Providence Civic Center Garage located on Washington Street. Student parking in the garage is validated by RWU; simply bring your parking ticket to the front desk on the first floor of the RWU campus building.

Read full details about RWU graduate student parking

All graduate students must obtain an RWU student ID. Bristol-based students can obtain their student IDs during Orientation or can visit the ID Office at any time prior to starting classes. Providence-based students will have their photos taken at Orientation and cards will be provided by the academic program coordinator.

If you wish to avoid the line at Orientation or visiting the ID Office in person, you may submit a clear, appropriate picture to the Office of Graduate Admission via email and your ID will be made available for you at Orientation or at a later date. 

Join the RWU Graduate Student Facebook Community to connect with other RWU graduate students, find roommates, discuss campus life, and more. 

 

Staying healthy is important as you pursue your graduate studies. Take advantage of all that the RWU Recreation Center has to offer for you: recreation facilities, weight room, cardio machines, exercise classes, a pool, and more. Memberships are $50 per six-month period.

Learn more and purchase access to the Recreation Center

Many students like to earn some extra income while they're in school. We've created a student employment site for on-campus jobs and provided some resources for finding jobs off campus.

Check out graduate student employment opportunities