Cal U Parent & Family E-News: January 2012

Cal U Family Network  

The  New Year brings new ways for Vulcan parents to stay informed and in touch.  Beginning next month, the Parent/Family Portal will expand to include the Cal U Family Network, a secure online community for parents. The Network will feature the familiar parent e-­newsletter in email format with additional options,including Question-­and-­Answe Boards, interactive chat, articles, blogs, and others. The additional features are sure to enhance the connection between campus and your home.  Look for more exciting details to follow, including  easy instructions to register for this no-­cost Cal U parent resource!

A Fresh Start 

Spring  semester 2012 begins on  Monday, January 23. Whether your student is flying high over a  job well done, or  experienced a  less-­than–stellar performance last semester, every new semester brings an opportunity for a fresh academic start. This  is a good opportunity for you and your student to discuss goals for the new  semester. What does your student hope to achieve? What will be required to accomplish academic success? Does your student have an action plan? Helping Your Student with Goal Setting

Meal  Pan  Adjustments

Campus meal plans are designed to give students a variety of dining options. Does your student have a meal plan for 2011-­2012?  How’s it working out?  Read more about meal plan adjustments and important Spring semester  deadlines. Meal Plan Adjustments

Drop/Add Period 
January 23 - January 27
 

At the beginning of each semestudents are given a few  days to make any necessary adjustments to  their  course  schedules without incurring any financial or academic penalties. This is the only time in the semester when a student may do so.  After the drop/add period has ended, a student can  withdraw from  a course between weeks two and ten of the semester. However,financial and academic pemalties may incur. The drop/add period for the Spring 2012 semester begins on Monday, January 23 and ends on Friday, January 27 at 11:59  PM. Read more about Drop/Add 

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid

Last month the Financial Aid Office sent out Financial Aid Warning and Financial Aid Suspension emails to students (via campus email accounts) who failed to meet satisfactory academic progress. Students are also able to check their status in VIP. When on Financial Aid Warning, students are still eligible for financial aid for that semester. If the student fails the following semester, they will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. When on Financial Aid Suspension, students are not eligible for financial aid unless an appeal is submitted. All students are encouraged to submit appeals. The suggested Spring appeal deadline is February 1, 2012.

Satisfactory Academic Policy and Forms: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress-policy/index.htm

Financial Aid Office: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/financial-aid/index.htm

New Years Resolutions for College Parents and their Students

Are you making them, breaking them, or avoiding them all together?
http://www.collegeparentcentral.com/2009/12/new-years-resolutions-for-college-parents-and-their-college-students/

FAFSA

Filing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the only way to be considered for federal, state and private financial aid. A FAFSA must be completed every year whether there are changes or not to the family finances.Starting January 2, 2012 the 2012-2013 FAFSA will be available to complete online. This year, the Cal U Financial Aid Office is highly encouraging students to use the IRS Data Retrieval to complete your FAFSA. Using the IRS Data Retrieval gives FAFSA permission to retrieve your filed Federal Tax Return to complete the income section of your FAFSA. This option will be available starting February 2, 2012.

Complete a 2012-2013 FAFSA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Cal U Office of Financial Aid: http://www.calu.edu/current-students/financial-aid/index.htm

Job Shadowing Experiences

Cal U’s job shadowing program is a volunteer experience available for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students spend one to five days observing and working with professionals. The purpose of this cost-free program is to give students the opportunity to explore career fields and provide them with a realistic view of a typical day on the job.  Learn more about the program and see how you can get involved by becoming a job shadow sponsor: http://www.calu.edu/business-community/employers/files/JSE-SponsorFAQ.pdf

Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion

Please make time to visit Cal U this year to check out all of the great happenings on campus. A museum exhibition, 'Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion,' will be on display in the new Convocation Center from January 2 - May 6. The traveling exhibition invites interaction. Visitors can manipulate and activate most of the machines - the revolving crane, armored car, printing press and more - an event for the whole family to enjoy! Admission is free.
http://calu.ealumni.com/pages/BEMLLink.aspx?j=146&l=E6A3DA7B-53A3-4678-882C-D36CABE8D43B&g=D2582D2E-96D8-4D80-87E2-2FC50FEBDB89

CONGRATULATIONS! Cal U Global Online #1 in Nation AGAIN

Cal U is leading the way through excellence in education. For a second consecutive year the Global Online program received the top national ranking for high quality and affordable online education.
http://www.calu.edu/prospective/global-online/index.htm

Important Upcoming Dates