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? 

  • Eligible JumpStart students will be invited to apply to the program by July 1, 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 meet both of these criteria as determined by Enrollment Management:

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

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. Currently, the program prioritizes the experiences of first-time full-time freshman.