T-Bird Parents: Checklist for New College Students
Posted: August 02, 2022 | Author: Kenzie Lundberg | Read Time: 6 minutes
Congratulations! Your student has been accepted to Southern Utah University and you are now the proud parent of a college student. As you and your student prepare for them to attend college this fall, know that there are a number of items you should accomplish before sending them off.
From paying their enrollment deposit to completing orientation training and events, there are still several steps to take before your student is college ready. Completing the tasks on the new student checklist will help your student practice independence and responsibility and help them begin to feel ready for college. Families can support by following up with their students to see which items have been completed and which tasks they need extra help with.
Find more information about each step along the way below and help your student have a smooth transition into college.
Help Your New Student Prepare for College
1. Pay or postpone the enrollment deposit
SUU requires a $100 non-refundable enrollment deposit to be paid by all undergraduate students. The enrollment payment tells SUU your student is planning to attend and helps University organizations start the enrollment process. Paying the enrollment deposit also enables your student to register for classes.
2. Secure student housing for the upcoming academic year
Your student should secure housing as soon as possible. At SUU, there are many great options available both on and off campus. Start by developing a budget to determine what your student can afford, consider both on-campus housing options and off-campus housing options, and then choose what and where works best for your student.
3. Accept any scholarships and apply for financial aid
Next, you’ll want to double-check that your student has accepted any scholarships they may have been offered. This is done by going to your student’s portal on the SUU website (my.suu.edu), navigating to the left side banner, and following the Financial Aid, then Award, and Award Aid by Year links. Once you are there, accept the scholarship.
Additionally, have your student fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if they qualify for federal financial aid, work-study, or subsidized student loans.
Financial concerns are a leading reason students drop out of college, so be sure you are aware of all the financial resources available to your student at SUU. If you have any questions, visit the Financial Aid or Financial Wellness Offices in the Sharwan Smith Student Center.
4. Speak with your ACE
Incoming students will be assigned an ACE (Assistant Coach for Excellence and Success) the summer before they start their first year at SUU (usually in April or May). ACES are peer mentors who help answer any questions your student has as they prepare to attend school. They will be with them during Orientation and will help them navigate campus throughout their first year at SUU.
ACES can help with registration, financial aid, and getting connected and involved on campus.
5. Complete the T-Bird Takeoff Questionnaire
The T-Bird Takeoff Questionnaire (TTQ) is designed to help University organizations get to know your student and plan to best serve their specific needs. This information is also crucial for the student success advisor to help create your student’s first-semester class schedule.
To be effective, the TTQ needs to be filled out by your student so please don’t fill it out for them.
6. Complete the Online Orientation
The mandatory online portion of SUU’s Orientation program must be completed prior to starting school, so your student will want to complete this as soon as possible. The orientation helps students get to know campus and provides tips to become a successful college student. The Online Orientation is found in Canvas on their mySUUportal.
7. Complete online Title IX Training
Another required training, the online Title IX training must be completed and will be available to your student the week prior to the start of the semester.
8. Upload a photo and request a student ID
Before the start of the semester, help your student upload a photo and request their student ID. This ID will give your student access to activities and academic resources while they are a student at SUU.
9. Sign up for University communications
The following resources not only help your student stay connected to the University and other students, but they also provide notifications and alerts in the case of an emergency on campus.
- Sign up for campus safety alerts - members of the SUU community may register for text messaging by logging into mySUU and completing the required registration. Subscribers are notified when emergency conditions exist on campus.
- Download the SUU App - the app provides students access to mental health resources, the My SUU Voice program, clubs and involvement, campus resources and more. Notifications are often sent to students through the app, so it also helps your student stay informed and up-to-date on current issues.
10. Purchase a parking pass or get a free bicycle permit
Each student that plans to drive to campus will need a parking pass. Permits are sold for the year and are valid from the first to the last day of school. For students in on-campus housing, permits may be purchased in advance and picked up during check-in.
Students may also want to obtain a free bicycle permit if they are bringing a bike to campus. Bicycle permits are free and help Parking Services to be able to identify the owner if your bike gets lost or stolen.
Additional To-Dos to Help Your Student Be Successful
Beyond the required list above, your student may want to do some of the following to prepare for their first semester as a college student.
- Set up a Post Office box - this is especially helpful if your student would like the same mailing address throughout their time at SUU.
- Arrange disability accommodations if needed - disability accommodations are available depending upon documentation of the student's diagnosed disability.
- Fill out a FERPA Release of Information - once submitted to the Registrar's Office, the FERPA release allows you or someone else to act on your student’s behalf.
- Drop by the Career and Professional Development Center - if you student is looking for a job while in college, this is the best place to start.
Your To-Do List as a New Student Parent
As a parent of a new college student, staying connected to your student and the University is a top priority. SUU’s Parent and Family Services online orientation introduces parents to a few things your student might experience as a Thunderbird and can help you identify ways that you can support your student. You can complete the orientation section-by-section or visit the topics that will be most helpful for your student.
Parents are also encouraged to stay connected to campus and Parent and Family Services by signing up for the Parent and Family Newsletter, and following @SUUTBirds and @SUUParentandFamilyServices on social media.
Many of the checklist items above are mandatory or trigger another part of the new student process. Help your student complete the items in a timely manner and be fully prepared for their first semester.
You are sure to have many questions as your student prepares for school, and SUU’s Parent and Family Services is here to help welcome you to the T-Bird family. They know families can be the best advocates for their students, so they keep families informed and connected to campus throughout the school year.
