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First-Year Students

Family helping their student move in on arrival day

Student Send-Off Events

Student send-off events are hosted by Penn State Alumni Chapters to welcome new students (and their families) to Penn State. Events are typically held in June, July, and August. If one is hosted in your area, your student will receive an invitation from the local alumni chapter.

Parent & Family Checklist

Connect with Penn State

Arrival Information

  • Visit our arrival page for information about your student's arrival to campus
  • Select your student's campus and then the semester
  • Stop by the Parents Program information table or event to meet current families and get answers to questions (details will be shared via the Parent and Family Experience emails)

Health Care

  • All incoming students must submit immunization records before their New Student Orientation. Visit the Immunization website for more information
  • All full-time domestic students are required to submit their health insurance coverage information via LionPATH after registering for classes
  • Remind your student to copy and bring insurance and prescription cards with them
  • Remind your student to bring information about their current and maintenance prescription medications
  • Review with your student how to make an appointment with a health care provider, including University Health Services, and the importance of checking messages through a provider’s secure portal

Tuition & Student Information

  • Learn about FERPA and how your access to student information changes in college
  • Remind your student to check their Penn State email account frequently (University offices/departments communicate important information to the student's Penn State email address ...@psu.edu)
  • Remind your student to consent to do business electronically and to sign the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) in LionPATH before enrolling for classes
  • Discuss getting online access with your student, as they must "delegate access" to you in order for parents to view student information
  • If you are paying tuition, ask your student to add you as an "authorized payer" on their account
  • The student and any authorized payers on the student account receive an email when tuition statements are ready (Payments are typically due on the 22nd of the month)
  • Plan for future semesters at tuition.psu.edu
  • Add funds to the student's LionCash account

Discuss with Your Student

  • Encourage your student to participate in Welcome Week activities: welcomeweek.psu.edu
  • Discuss campus safety and decisions regarding alcohol and drug use/abuse
  • Discuss time management, study skills, and mutual expectations for staying in touch
  • Talk about how your student will finance their education
  • Provide a reminder of life skills (including doing laundry, managing a bank account, eating well, accessing healthcare)
  • Remind your student to check their Penn State email account frequently
  • Ask your student about how they plan to get involved and build their experience outside of the classroom

Family Weekend

Additional Resources

 

Our events and programs are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class. Student Affairs is committed to building a community of belonging for all.