Merit Day 2026

You’ll need to use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete this process. Microsoft Edge, Safari and Internet Explorer do not work with the myUK portal.

You can follow the steps below or follow these detailed instructions with screenshots.

• Log in to myUK.uky.edu with your linkblue username and password.
• Select Student Services.
  • You'll see the message "Not an Active Student."
  • This is a normal message to see until you've registered for coursework at orientation. You can still continue with the registration steps below.
• Select Admissions from the top toolbar, then select BBN Orientation Registration on the left panel.
• Once you’re in the BBN Orientation Registration in myUK:
  • Select Register for an Orientation;
  • Select your preferred Merit Day date;

  • Select Continue and choose your payment method. Once you have selected your payment method, click the Next button to enter your payment method information. If payment is not made at the time of confirmation, you will not be confirmed for Merit Day and will need to reserve your space when your payment can be completed.

    IMPORTANT: After completing your payment, be sure to follow all prompts. If you do not complete the process after payment to select an orientation date, you will not be registered for Merit Day.

You’ll need to use Google Chrome or Firefox to complete this process. Microsoft Edge, Safari and Internet Explorer do not work with the myUK portal.

• Log in to myUK.uky.edu with your linkblue username and password.
• Select Student Services.
  • You'll see the message "Not an Active Student."
  • This is a normal message to see until you've registered for coursework at orientation. You can still continue with the registration steps below.
• Select Admissions from the top toolbar, then select BBN Orientation Registration on the left panel.
• Once you’re in the BBN Orientation Registration in myUK:
  • Select Switch Orientation;
  • Select preferred Merit Day date;
  • Select Continue

There will be no additional charges for switching to Merit Day.

There is a $250 Merit Day payment that includes the Merit Day orientation fee and enrollment pre-payment. This payment process must be completed to reserve your space at Merit Day.

Military-connected students and families: We appreciate those who defend our country and the incredible role of military families, who sacrifice and support their loved ones. If your admission application responses indicated that you are a member of a military-connected family, as gratitude from the University of Kentucky you'll receive a reduced registration fee when registering for a UK orientation date.

Additional Fees:

• There is a $30 guest fee for each guest a student brings to Merit Day. Students are allowed to bring up to two guests to Merit Day
• There is a $20 Student ID Fee that covers the cost of the WildCard Mobile ID Credential students will receive prior to the start of the Fall semester. This fee is not required to be paid at time of registration but must be paid prior to the start of the fall semester.

Instructions based on payment method

If paying via credit or debit card, a new browser window will open and display our credit/debit card payment form, powered by Value Payment Systems, LLC (please note the convenience fees associated with credit and debit transactions). Follow the instructions to enter and process your payment. When finished, the window will close and you will receive a confirmation message in the student portal.

If paying via electronic check, you will proceed through our UK check payment process. Follow the prompts to enter and confirm your bank and routing numbers and the account holder name and click Submit Payment. Please note that it will take several days for your transaction to post through your financial institution. 

If paying via international bank transfer or international credit card, you will select one of our international payment vendors. Once you select one and click the Continue button, you will be redirected to that vendor’s website to complete your payment.

Please do not attempt to pay your orientation fees directly through the UK Account Services tab, Web Payment Services or Guest Access through the student portal. Proceed through the BBN Orientation Registration (see instructions above) to make any changes or payments.

If payment is not made at the time of confirmation, you will not be confirmed for Merit Day and will need to reserve your space when your payment can be completed.

Merit Day invitations are independent of any Lewis Honors College applications or decisions. Lewis Honors College admission decisions will be released in mid-February.

Lewis Honors College Open House

Lewis Honors College admitted students who are registered for Merit Day are strongly encouraged to attend an Open House at Lewis Hall the evening before their Merit Day. Check in will be open from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m., with the event concluding at 6:00 p.m, ET.  Free parking for this reception is available at the Rose Street Garage (301 Hilltop Ave.) beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Lewis Hall (420 Hilltop Ave.) is a 5-minute walk from this garage.

Learn more about the Lewis Honors College

Attending Merit Day does not impact any decisions regarding the scholarship award process at UK. Scholarship awards were not and are not considered in preparing the invitations for Merit Day.

Learn more about scholarship programs for Fall 2026 freshman students

Full refunds will only be issued for cancellations requested by the Monday prior to your Merit Day.

If you are requesting a refund due to cancellation, please submit your request in writing via email to orientation@uky.edu. Refunds will only be processed after receiving the request via email.

After attending Merit Day:

Merit Day attendees who notify us by email by May 1, 2026 after participating in Merit Day that they will not enroll at UK will receive a refund of the $125 enrollment pre-payment, but they will not receive a refund of the $125 Merit Day orientation fee.

To request this refund, students must notify the University of Kentucky by May 1, 2026 in writing via email to orientation@uky.edu. Refunds will only be processed after receiving the request via email.