Graduate School
Guide for Online Admitted Students
What to Do Now
As soon as you receive instructions to activate:
Check Your Email
Check your personal email for instructions to activate your Brown account with your Brown ID.
After Activation
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Add a mobile number to Banner: This allows you to reset your Brown password should you forget it, and also ensures you are notified should an emergency occur at Brown. To do this, log in to Self Service Banner and click Personal Information.
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Log in to Your Email: You can simply visit GMail and login with your Brown email address and the password you chose for Google services.
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Setup Two-Step Verification: The first time you log in to a Brown service like Banner, you will be prompted to set up a means of verification, such as a phone number. You can log into MyAccount after setup to add additional devices or phone numbers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT TWO-STEP VERIFICATION
International Students
International numbers are acceptable and they should be entered with a + in front of the country code. You can use the smartphone app over wifi or without a connection or print a sheet of bypass codes from MyAccount.
Brown University makes every effort to provide its students with adequate financial support.
VISIT FINANCING GRADUATE SCHOOL
Master's Students
Master’s students do not typically receive financial support, although some programs offer it when possible. Master's students in some programs are required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a CSS Profile through the College Board in order to receive a financial award. Please check with your program to determine if either of these applications is required. Financial information about individual students is treated confidentially.
Funding Packages
Your official letter of admission provides details on your funding packages (i.e., the number of years and levels of support). All promises of financial support are subject to a student making satisfactory academic progress as determined by their program of study.
Questions
If you have a question or concern about funding, please contact your program's director of graduate studies.
All information related to tuition, fees and billing can be found on the bursar’s website.
All tuition and fees for the following academic year will be available in late February/early March.
Approved financial aid awards reduce the amount of the required payment of tuition and fees. Therefore, students with approved financial aid awards, will not be assessed late charges provided their balance due after these awards is remitted on time. No scholarships or loan funding can be used to pay late payment charges.
To supplement other forms of support that may be available at Brown, student loans are available for both domestic and international students. Loan borrowing is initiated by the student through the Office of Financial Aid.
Federal Student Loans
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for federal student loans. A FAFSA is required to be submitted online. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program provides up to $20,500 per year to eligible applicants. Students enrolled in degrees associated with the School of Public Health may be eligible for $33,000 per year. Students can also apply for the credit based Federal PLUS loan after completing the FAFSA as well.
Private Education Loans
For students without full Brown funding, international and US citizens may also have the ability to apply for credit-based private education loans through the lender of their choice. More information is available about private loans on the Loan Office website or by emailing loans@brown.edu.
Read more about Brown University Graduate School: Deans and staff, governance, where we are on social media, and the Graduate Student Council.
Health Insurance
Students enrolled in an online graduate program will have the ability to opt into the robust Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), should they not have current medical health insurance*.
LEARN ABOUT GRADUATE STUDENT INSURANCE
Enrollment in SHIP is completely voluntary. If you have other insurance, no further action is needed by you. For more information regarding the plan or to voluntarily enroll, please visit the online portal for our student health insurance broker, Haylor, Freyer & Coon. This plan allows access to all United Healthcare providers nationwide.
*SHIP is not available to online graduate students residing outside of the United States.
Health Fee & Services
All students in an online program are charged a prorated Health Fee. This Health Fee gives access to the following Health related services.
- HealthiestYou: a robust teleclinical service which offers students remote consultation with clinicians and mental health providers licensed throughout the country. This service is intended to supplement existing local resources to provide students with easily accessible and dependable care, regardless of location of study.
- Access to health administrative support from the Health & Wellness staff including the Student Health Insurance Office
Online general and sexual health education material provided by BWell Health Promotion.
Submit a Photo
Visit the Applicant and Student section on Banner to submit a photo for your Brown Identification Card
The Brown Card
The Brown Card is the official Brown University identification card that provides access to everyday life at Brown.
Please refer to the email you received from the Master's Study Enrollment Team for detailed instructions regarding your official transcript submission requirements.
Deadline: May 1 for programs that start in the summer.
Online Course
Complete the online course on Academic Code & Code of Student Conduct as soon as you receive the links in your Brown email.
All incoming graduate students are required to take an online course on the rules of conduct defined in the Academic Code, Graduate Student edition and the Student Conduct Code, which pertains to all students.
Student Conduct & Community Standards
Brown University has developed this Code of Student Conduct as a set of standards of student behavior and conduct that help maintain a campus environment where ideas are freely exchanged, University property and processes are respected, and conflicts are peacefully resolved.
Preparing for the First Day of Classes
In general, registration for fully online graduate programs will open approximately eight-weeks prior to the start of the semester. Please refer to the official Academic Calendar for Brown University listing of official dates and deadlines pertaining to course registration.
Register online for courses through Courses@Brown (CAB).
Brown University's listing of official dates and deadlines.
Registration Guidelines from the Registrar.
The University Bursar is responsible for handling all billing questions. For information, deadlines, or forms related to tuition, billing, payment plans and refund policies
Important dates and deadlines can be found on the University Academic Calendar.
Complete Asynchronous Orientation for Graduate Students
New graduate students will be provided access to complete asynchronous orientation via the admitted student portal in Slate.
Complete Asynchronous Program Orientation
Your department will provide you with access and notification once you have been enrolled in your programmatic orientation course. Once you have been enrolled, please log into Canvas to review and complete your programmatic orientation modules prior to the start of your first semester.
Graduate School Handbook
The Graduate School Handbook defines the most important policies, procedures and practices that guide graduate education at Brown University.
Program Handbook (if applicable)
Not all departments have a separate programmatic handbook. If applicable, your program-specific student handbook can be accessed via your programmatic orientation course or via your program’s brown.edu website.
Campus Resources
Academics
The Brown University Library offers a wealth of information for graduate students, from traditional books and journals to original manuscripts and photographs, full-text databases, digital images, data sets, and streaming multimedia. Learn how to take full advantage of the spaces, materials, and resources available to the Brown community by scheduling a meeting with your Academic Liaison Librarian.
The University provides abundant opportunities for students to develop as teachers, scholars, speakers, and researchers.
Graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of this free academic service as a way to get feedback on their writing and to take part in a variety of graduate writing communities.
The mission of the Office of the Registrar is to support the instructional activities of Brown University by providing essential enrollment, curricular, and student record services to the entire campus community with the highest degree of accuracy.
Support, Services & Logistics
Visit the Brown Bookstore for all your supplies and technology needs. The Bookstore offers a full line of electronic products, including Apple, Lenovo, HP, and Surface computers, laptops, and devices as well as, software, peripherals, computer supplies and accessories . They also house an in-store authorized Apple Repair Service, and Consultation Center, and a wide selection of collegiate apparel and gifts.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) coordinates services and accommodations for students who may need accommodations related to medical, physical and psychological concerns as well as assisting students with Attention Deficit Disorder, learning disabilities, sensory conditions and more.
Learn more about services offered to students (emergency phones, Safewalk, Campus Watch) and tips for staying safe on campus. Police and Public Safety Officers patrol the campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week in patrol vehicles, on bicycles, and on foot and the Communication Control Center can be accessed 24 hours a day.
Learn how to get around on and off campus with a variety of services offered by the Transportation Office. Brown offers evening and onCall ride programs, weekday campus transport for students with disabilities, a daytime shuttle service, free bus service through RIPTA and more.
Find out about assistance and services offered by the Title IX office and campus coordinators.
Brown’s centralized IT department provides more than 120 services for faculty, staff, students and alumni.
An extensive list of links, dates and forms of importance to graduate students.
Community & Living
Through the recreation fee, Brown graduate students have access to the University’s recreational athletics facilities and are admitted to home sporting events free of charge.
SAO supports and advises nearly 500 recognized student groups. There are a number of graduate student specific organizations, additionally many groups formed by undergraduates are open to graduate students. The SAO also provides oversight and coordination to several facilities that serve the Brown community— T.F. Green Hall for Student Performing Arts and the Stephen Robert ‘62 Campus Center.
The Campus Center is home to many common lounge and meeting spaces for all university community members to enjoy. Within the Campus Center, you will also find an eatery (The Blue Room), ATM machines, a pool table, a printer and copy machine, several computers and lockers available for graduate students.
Events and important dates from across campus.
Health & Wellness
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a range of mental health services to the Brown community, with services available for all current Brown students, both on or near campus as well as those who will remain away from campus.
CAPS also provides services for urgent situations. In those cases, students should access one of the urgent help options immediately, including calling CAPS directly at 401-863-3476. Those who call should follow the prompts to be connected to someone who can help — this is available 24/7, every day of the year, and it can be accessed by Brown students from anywhere.
SAS coordinates and facilitates services for students with physical, psychological and learning disabilities. For new students, the SAS website includes a registration form and information about how to provide documentation. If you have any questions about documentation, please reach out by email or phone 401-863-9588 during weekday business hours.
Programmatic support staff is available to assist all online graduate students with a wide range of issues and concerns. They can serve as a sounding board to help students consider their options and can help connect students to the right set of support resources at Brown. As a first point of contact, online graduate students are encouraged to reach out to their academic advising coordinator. Email: onlinemph@brown.edu.
The Chaplains of the University are holding the Brown community in our prayers and remain fully available to all graduate students. Please check their website for details on programming and meetings. Brown community members may send requests for counsel, support, information, or prayer.
Outside the Classroom
New York Times and Wall Street Journal
Sign up for free New York Times and Wall Street Journal subscriptions through the library
Events@Brown
Find events to attend on campus.
Today@Brown
The latest announcements and events from around campus.
LinkedInLearning
Check out LinkedIn Learning for expert-led video tutorials on lots of topics, including creative and technology skills (free for Brown affiliates
RosettaStone
Learn a new language with Rosetta Stone online (free for Brown affiliates)
GSC-sponsored Webinar about Financial Literacy
Plan your budget and review a GSC-sponsored webinar about Financial Literacy.
Kanopy
Watch movies through the Brown Library’s free Kanopy streaming service.
Research Matters! Celebrating New Ideas and Discoveries
Research Matters, hosted by the Graduate School, is a live event, featuring short talks by graduate students and other scholars from the Brown community on “Why my research matters”.
TED Connects: Community & Hope
A free, live, daily conversation series featuring experts whose ideas can help us reflect and work through this uncertain time with a sense of responsibility, compassion, and wisdom.
5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Opera
A New York Times article.
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Browse festival archive of events and watch from home.
Things to do Virtually
Check out Go Providence’s list of Things to do Virtually, including tours, events, food and more