With the first day of classes just a few weeks away, use this guide to get prepared to come back to campus and make it the best semester yet.
Stock Up on School Supplies and Gear
If you are in Alabama, you can shop for school-related items such as computers, books and clothing up to certain amounts free of sales tax between 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 15, and midnight Sunday, July 17. Many other states offer sales tax holidays for school items, too.
Send Packages for Move-In
Packages for move-in should be shipped no later than July 22, so pack and ship them soon if you haven’t already! And remember, you can always purchase everyday necessities like cleaning supplies, bottled water and other items not ideal for shipping at local Tuscaloosa retailers after you arrive. For more details, including how to correctly address items for shipment, see Campus Mail Service’s website.
Make Changes to Residential Meal Plans
On-campus residents and first-year students are automatically assigned meal plans, which will be billed to students’ accounts. If you would like to choose a different meal plan, you must request your new meal plan option by July 29 at 11:59 p.m. Students who have lived in on-campus housing for two years prior to fall 2021 may request to be exempt from the Residential On-Campus Meal Plan by completing the form on the Bama Dining website.
Transfer Prescription Medication
The Student Health Center Pharmacy can conveniently fill new or existing prescriptions for students on campus.
Purchase a Parking Permit
Students who registered for fall classes prior to July 20 will be notified of their permit registration date and time through their Crimson email. Students who register for fall classes on or after July 20 will not receive an email notification and will only be required to wait 24 hours after registering for their fall classes to purchase their permits. Permit rates and instructions for purchasing are on the transportation services website.
Download Software
Get your computer ready for the start of the semester with free software. Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, MATLAB and others are available to all UA students. Download software with your myBama credentials at oit.ua.edu/software.
Re-up Your Bama Cash
Bama Cash is a convenient option to preload funds to an online account you can access with your ACT Card at over 100 on- and off-campus locations. Bama Cash is the only form of payment accepted for residence hall laundry facilities and campus network printing. Deposits can be made online through a web browser, the eAccounts mobile app or by calling the Action Card Office at 205-348-2288.
Mark Your Calendar for Not-to-Miss Events
Weeks of Welcome events start Aug. 6 for students participating in early move-in and ramp up with the official kickoff event, Bama Jam, featuring a concert and food trucks Aug. 15. Weeks of Welcome culminate with Get on Board Day Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. on the Quad. This is the perfect chance to explore what UA student organizations and departments have to offer, not to mention pick up plenty of free stuff!
New Phone? Add your ACT Card
If you’ve received a new phone while away from UA, be sure to add your ACT Card to your new device. Download the eAccounts app, login with your myBama credentials and tap the Add to Apple Wallet or Add to Google Pay button. The card will load into your Apple Wallet or Google Pay and will be ready to use. Be sure to do this prior to arriving on campus so you can access services, such as residence hall doors, meal plans, Bama Cash and more.
Download the UA Safety App
If you’re a new student, you will want to have this app from day one on campus. In addition to emergency alerts, the app includes the seven-day weather forecast, storm shelter locations, a campus map with GPS directions to buildings and much more. The safety app is available for download on iOS and Android devices.