Jayhawk JumpStart

JumpStart is an early move in program that provides students with a FREE on-campus experience to enhance the transition to KU by participating in a series of workshops and activities to meet new people, get comfortable with campus, and learn more about KU resources.

Program Dates

August 13, 2023 – August 17, 2023
A picture of OPTIONS program from 2021

What to expect?

  • Get settled in your residence hall before other students move in.

    • Students living on campus will move in on August 13th, 2023, for FREE.

    • Students not living on campus will need to book accommodation with their leasing agent to accommodate an early move-in 

  • Students will have the opportunity to connect with KU students, ask questions directly to KU faculty and staff and get a jumpstart on connecting to campus support services. 

    • JumpStart Student leaders will lead students through the week, answer questions, and make sure they find their place.

  • Students will participate in daily required programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

    • Programming is a mix of interactive experiences and presentations reflective of the on-campus experience and build connections to important support services and programs. 

    • JumpStart Fall 2023 Schedule Click Here. 

How to sign up? 

  • The JumpStart application will be available June 2024 for the Fall 2024 JumpStart Program.

  • Students in Band, ROTC, or Recruitment are ineligible to participate in JumpStart, and students attending International Orientation are also ineligible to participate in JumpStart. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Jayhawk JumpStart program is open to any first-time, full-time, domestic undergraduate students that identifies as:

  • First- Generation College Students: Neither parent nor guardian has completed a four-year degree 

  • Students of Color: Identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic, or more than one race 

  • Pell Eligible Students 

  • Members of the following Scholarship programs: 

    • Hispanic Development Fund Scholars 

    • Hixson Opportunity Award 

    • KC Scholars Scholarship Program 

    • Larson Scholars Scholarship Program 

    • MSP Scholars Program

  • Students in the following Academic Support Programs: 

    • TRIO Student Support Services 

    • Emerging Scholars

Students will move-in Sunday, August 13, 2023, starting at 9:00 am. Students should be moved in and ready for registration and to attend required events beginning at 3:00pm. Families will be able to attend family specific events beginning at 3:30pm.  

No. Students living on campus will move into their fall housing assignments for free. Students not living on campus will need to make arrangements with their housing providers to accommodate an early move in.

No. As a participant in JumpStart, all cost for meals are covered during the program (starting the evening of August 13th and ending on August 17th at lunch) at Mrs. E's Dining Location. This includes students living off campus and in scholarship halls. Students with campus meal plans will not be required to use their meal plans during JumpStart.  

Parents/Families will be able to attend family specific events on Sunday, August 13, 2023, beginning at 4:00pm, including a send-off dinner for students and their parents/families.

No. Unfortunately the two schedules overlap too much, and students are not able to get the benefits of both programs. Both programs offer similar outcomes to the campus experience, so students will need to decide which program better fits their needs.  

No. Unfortunately band camp and the JumpStart schedule overlap too much, and students are not able to participate in both programs

No. Currently, the program prioritizes the experiences of first-time full-time freshman. 

No.  The schedules of International Orientation and JumpStart overlap too much, and students are not able to participate in both programs.