Montclair Online Student Frequently Asked Questions

Are there scholarships that I can apply for to help me pay for my education?

Yes! There are different scholarships that can help students finance their education. Scholarships vary based on eligibility and amounts. Visit the scholarships website to learn more about scholarships and specifically the Scholarship Universe tool.

Can I pay my bill using a payment plan?

Payment plan options and deadlines can be found by visiting our Tuition Payment Plan website.

Do any of your nursing programs offer tuition discounts for hospital employees?

Yes, Montclair State University offers a 20% tuition discount for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for students who are employed at the following hospitals: Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center Atlantic Health System St. Joseph’s ...

Do I need to enroll in the university’s health insurance as an online student?

Students enrolled exclusively in fully online degree programs (ONP) are exempt from the health insurance requirement and are not automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). To see if your program qualifies, refer to the list of online degree programs offered by Montclai...

Do Montclair Online students qualify for financial aid?

Yes. Montclair Online students may be eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid as long as they meet eligibility requirements and are enrolled in an eligible program.This is a great place to start: https://www.montclair.edu/online/tuition-and-aid/Additional information about fi...

Financial Aid FAQs

To view FAQ's for financial aid, visit our FAQ's website.

How and when will I get my diploma?

Diplomas and University Certificates will be mailed directly from the diploma company to those students who have no outstanding financial obligations approximately six-eight weeks after your conferment date. Covers for diplomas will be given out at Commencement. More information on how to track y...

How can I finance my degree?

There are many ways to finance your degree. For graduate degrees information can be found at the Graduate Financial Information website. For undergraduate degrees information can be found at the Financial Aid website.

How do I access my courses?

Canvas is your classroom! To access your courses, you will visit Canvas and click “NetID Login”. Log in with your Montclair NetID username and password. Navigate to the dashboard on the left side under "Account" to view all your enrolled courses. You can also access your courses by clicking the ...

How do I access my Orientation on Canvas?

The Online New Student Orientation course will be available on Canvas on January 5, 2026 through January 12, 2026. All incoming students will automatically see this course available on their Canvas dashboard on this date. Students can access Canvas through their NEST account. Here are steps to...

How do I access my transcripts?

Transcripts can be obtained in both official and unofficial formats. Learn more about requesting transcripts on the Request Transcripts website. Unofficial: Unofficial transcripts are available only to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students through NEST. Any transcripts requested ...

How do I apply for financial aid?

You must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each academic year to see if your qualify for financial aid. Montclair State University’s school code must be listed on your FAFSA for your information to be received. To learn more about the FAFSA process, visit the FAFSA pro...

How do I obtain a permit for registering?

Some programs require a permit before a student is allowed to register.Contact department or GPC: Contact Information Located Here.

How do I obtain my 1098-T tax document?

Information about how to access the 1098-T form can be found on this website: https://www.montclair.edu/red-hawk-central/student-accounts/1098-t-information/

How do I register for classes?

Connecting with your advisor is always a great first step to receive guidance on what to register for. You register for classes through your NEST account during your assigned registration period. Registration is completed online on your NEST account. This How to Register Guide can help you in the...

How do I sign up for the Montclair Online New Student Orientation?

The Montclair Online: New Student Orientation will provide you with a strong start to your online learning experience at Montclair State University. The orientation consists of two parts: a an Orientation course on Canvas designed to guide you through the essentials of being an online student at ...

How do I view/pay my bill?

All student account activity can be accessed on your NEST account. You can learn more about payment options, student bill invoices, and payment plans on the Student Accounts website.

How is my success coach different from my academic advisor?

Academic advisors help with course selection, degree requirements, and policies. Success coaches focus on how you succeed—helping you manage your time, stay organized, build confidence, and navigate challenges throughout the semester. Many Montclair Online students work with both.

How much does my program cost?

To view the cost of graduate programs, visit the Graduate Student Costs website. To view the cost of undergraduate programs, visit the Undergrad Student Costs website.

I am trying to log into my Montclair account but it telling me that I need a code or authentication?

The Duo Multi-Factor Authentication adds a layer of security for all students at Montclair. This is required to access your accounts. You will need to use the Duo MFA Mobile App to get set up to receive the security codes every time you log into Montclair platforms (NEST, Canvas, etc). Informatio...

I cannot find my answer in the knowledge base, what should I do?

Don't worry! Our knowledge base is constantly growing, and we're here to help when you can't find what you need. Here is what you can do: Create a support ticket - This is the fastest way to get help Be specific about what you're looking for Include context about your situation Mention that ...

I created a ticket. When can I expect an answer?

You will receive a response from our support team within 24 hours. If you submit a request for support after 12pm you will hear back on the following Monday.

I have a hold on my account. What does this mean?

Holds are placed on a student’s account when students have not completed requirements established by the University or have not paid their outstanding bill. Numerous types of holds may prohibit your ability to register for classes, view your transcripts, or even receive your diploma. Please view ...

I need academic advising who should I contact?

For graduate programs contact the Graduate Program Coordinators. For Undergraduate programs contact your advisor.

I’m having issues accessing NEST. What should I do?

Please view this list of NEST FAQs from the university to help resolve your issues.

I’m trying to register, but it says “Time ticket prevents registration at this time,” what does this mean?

This means that it is not your time to register yet and your window has not opened. Please view this list of registration times and double check your credits earned to find your correct registration time.

Is there a specific timeframe in which I have to complete my graduate program?

Please view the Graduate Policy Manual to find more information regarding time limitations for completion of program studies. Note: Policies may be different based on your program level (master's, doctorate, certification, or post master’s program). Specifics related to time extensions, leave of ...

What do I do I need technical assistance?

If you are a currently enrolled student and need technical assistance (NetID, Canvas, NEST, Montclair email and log-in), please contact the IT Service Desk.

What is a ticket? Is it the same as a request?

A ticket is our technical term for any support request, question, or issue you submit to our helpdesk system. Think of it as a digital record that tracks your interaction with our support team.

What is my registration time?

Registration times vary based on the amount of earned credits you have. Credits earned refers to how many credits you have earned grades for. You can reference your degree audit to see how many credits you have earned. Registration Times are usually posted prior to every registration cycle

What is the Academic Engagement assignment and why is it important?

The Academic Engagement assignment is an important component of your online learning experience as it helps you to set intentions for your learning in your courses and is also linked to your financial aid disbursement. This assignment is important because it allows the University to verify you ar...

What is the code I need to login to Montclair's platforms? NEST, Canvas, etc.

Use DUO MFA Mobile App to receive the code to then enter and login to Montclair Platforms. Information/guide can be found by visiting our DUO MFA website.

What should I do if I get a restriction (cohort, degree, student attribute) when wanting to register for a course?

This usually means that these courses are reserved for a specific population.For Undergraduate programs, contact your advisor listed on your degree audit, or reference this list of Online Program Advisors.For Graduate programs, contact your program’s Graduate Program Coordinator.

When is tuition due?

Tuition bills are posted on your NEST account under the Student Accounts tab. You should receive an invoice to your montclair.edu address every 1st and 15th of the month. Due dates can be viewed on the Payment Deadlines website. Note: Tuition due dates remain the same, regardless of when your pro...

When will my courses appear on Canvas?

All courses will be published and visible on your Canvas dashboard one week before the start date of your course. This may vary depending on your instructor so it is important to keep an eye on it so that you can review your syllabus before the course begins. If you have specific questions, you c...

Where can I find information about Financial Aid?

To view FAQ's about financial aid, visit our FAQ's website

Where can I find information about graduation and commencement?

All information about graduation and commencement can be found on the Commencement website, which is updated every semester. A great place to review commonly asked questions is on the Commencement FAQs page.

Where do I find the course schedules?

To see what classes are being offered each semester, you can find that on the scheduling website. However, most program advisors provide online students with specific guidance on courses to register for that align with their respective program. Your advisor should always be your first point of co...

Montclair Online Student Frequently Asked Questions