Frequently Ask Questions

I recommend connecting with your student's academic adviser. Typically, they can help you navigate the university's system - and understand how to help your student get back on track. Often campuses allow students to take courses for credit as auxiliary students, even if they are not enrolled as full-time students. Check with your school's continuing education program for more information.

The Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Program program provides grants to low-income students, and generally helps supplement the aid they receive from Pell Grants and other sources. Federal funds provide for 75 percent of the award; the college or university contributes the remaining 25 percent or more. In 2001-02, the program provided $691 million in federal funds to approximately 1.2 million students at approximately 3,800 postsecondary institutions. In 2001-02, awards ranged from $100 to $4,000; the average grant was $581.

Students recommend that new students wait a couple months before going home for the first time, citing Thanksgiving to be a good goal. Staying at school forces your student to connect.

This year, Family Day is September 19, 2009. Find out more here.

First - encourage your student to be involved in campus activities in some way. For some - a Greek society may be a good fit, and intramural sports may be a better fit for others. Either way - studies have consistently shown that students actively involved in campus activities are more successful students.

Go to FAFSA.gov. Make sure that you go to ".gov" not ".com." If you go to “.com” they will charge you $45.

Typically, your student's on-campus bookstore will have the best rates and will offer student discounts. You can check out the bookstore online or in-person. Apple offers a hefty student discount here.

No, unfortunately in-state and out-of-state tuition are specifically for public institutions.

Change in diet; ordering fast junk food; new stresses; lack of exercise -- The "Freshman fifteen" is fifteen pounds of fat which accumulates over the course of a freshman's first year away from home.

Please talk to your child about the importance of exercise, avoiding fast food, controlling portion sizes, eating balanced meals (don’t skip breakfast!), and trying not to eat while they study.

FAFSA is the free application for federal student aid. Parents and students are encouraged to fill this out after January 1st of the student's senior year, and then renew the form each following year. The FAFSA form uses numbers from your taxes to calculate a number that they think the parents can afford to contribute to their child's tuition each year. Using that number, Northland can award need based grants and work study to help pay for institutional costs.