Integrating Gospel values
with academic excellence in a
multicultural environment
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College Process
How does the financial aid process work?- The process may vary from school to school but they all begin with the FAFSA form that must be filled out and submitted to the school in accordance with their deadlines. The forms can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov Please feel free to contact the Office of Graduate Support for assistance.
What is orientation and is it mandatory?- Most schools will have a mandatory orientation weekend that is required for all accepted students to attend. This gives the students a chance to meet classmates, get acclimated to University life and to partake in ice breakers and other campus onboarding rituals.
Will my student need a car on campus?- That depends on the University but most likely no. Most places are close enough to local transportation that students will not need a car of their own to get around.
When are school breaks? Any important dates I will need to know about?- The registrar’s office of the University of your choice will have lists of all important dates and times when students are not in school. Upon acceptance to a University, this should be sent to you.
How do I access my students grades?- This one is tricky. Because of FERPA most schools are not allowed to notify the parents of student grades. All grades are posted to a portal which the student has access to and most parents, with the permission of said student, will be able to view grades.
How many courses should a student take in a semester?- The average is around 15 credit hours, which would be about 5 classes per semester that typically meets twice or three times a week depending on the professor and the structure of the class. I would suggest a first semester freshman take no more than four classes to allow themselves the time to get used to the demands of college.
Does my student need a computer?- A student will not need a laptop but it is strongly preferred that they have one. Most libraries on campus close at a certain time and students a left with incomplete work. There are many affordable options: Dell, Best Buy, Lenovo, Microsoft and Walmart all have laptop bundles under $200.00. If you need assistance please feel free to contact the office, we will find a cost effective solution for you
What if there is a roommate problem, what can be done for my child?- If there is a roommate issue or discrepancy, most often the resident advisor would be made aware of this right away. Typically, he or she would set up a meeting between both parties to resolve this calmly. If, however, this cannot be done matters will be taken to ensure the safety and comfortability of your student and either one or both parties will be placed into a new housing situation.
Is there a place to help with any academic problems or challenges that my student may face?- There are centers for success at most colleges and Universities that have people put in place to help those who may be struggling in a specific area. As an added bonus all graduates of Drexel Neumann Academy have the Office of Graduate Support to assist them in any area where they are not comfortable or will need additional resources to succeed.
Where/What is my child going to eat?- All colleges have dining halls and corresponding meal plans to afford students the opportunity to have adequate meals a day. Typically this is all paid through the student ID card and no money is ever exchanged. You will be told more about this at an orientation.
Will I need a tutor?- If you feel you need a tutor you should contact the tutor center at your college to ensure you get all of the assistance you will need. Tutors can assist in any subject you are struggling with. You will need to sign up early to ensure someone will be there to assist you. You are also welcome to contact the Office of Graduate Support for additional assistance