 Rested and ready to go! Website: uakron.edu/pfa | On Facebook: Zip Parents In this issue:
Welcome from the Parent Council Greetings and Happy New Year from your University of Akron Parent Council! As you and your student enter a new year and a new semester, we’d like to take a moment to introduce the members of the Parent Council: Rich Wilson (chair); Jeanette Foster (vice chair); Angie Gill (secretary); Diane Waddell Bauer; Karen Blackstone; Lisa Peterson; Tracy Riley-McKelvey; Betty Small; Corinne Tatulinski; Barbara Tomin; and Laura Yarabenetz. These UA parents are your voice of the Parent and Family Association (PFA) and we encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns and recommendations to make your interactions and experiences with UA as rewarding as possible. The council and officers are here for you and can be reached by email at pfa@uakron.edu. As announced last month, the Parent Council is excited to host the Parents & Family Winter Weekend Feb. 21-22. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! We’re working hard on plans designed to make Winter Weekend fun and relaxing for you and your student. We hope that you’ll attend and experience firsthand what makes being a Zip so special. A schedule, information and registration link will soon be posted on the UA Parent website as well as in a special e-invite. We welcome the opportunity to hear from you anytime and especially look forward to meeting you during Winter Weekend! Go Zips! UA Parent Council Important billing reminder The last day to sign up for the payment plan is Sunday, Jan. 18, to avoid late fees and possible enrollment cancellation for nonpayment. Your student can authorize Parent Access by following these steps, along with completing a FERPA Release form. It’s time to resubmit the FAFSA A new year means new money. Students must resubmit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every spring to request aid for the next academic year. The FAFSA can be completed online, and should be submitted before March 1. The application looks at a number of factors, like income, then determines what type(s) of aid you may qualify for, like Federal Work Study, and how many dollars might be awarded. Even if you do not plan on accepting any aid, it is very important to complete and submit the FAFSA. Should your or your student’s financial situation change after March 1, funds are extremely limited. As the saying goes, it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. If your student is awarded aid, you don't have to accept it, just let it sit there. To complete the 2015/16 FAFSA:
Sibs Saturday On Saturday, March 7, Residence Life and Housing will host its annual Sibs Saturday event. The day kicks off with check-in at 10 a.m. Attendees move into the first event of BINGO in Schrank Hall South 145 from 1 to 3 p.m. Then, students and their sibs can enjoy free activities or a low cost meal at Rob’s Café. The Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team will perform at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall at 6 p.m., followed by our annual Kids Karnival in the lobby until 10 p.m. Sign up online to attend! The deadline to register is Feb. 27. College Goal Sunday The University of Akron will host College Goal Sunday on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. in the lobby of Simmons Hall. College Goal Sunday is open to all students – regardless of age – who are seeking financial aid to pay for college expenses for the upcoming academic year. Whether you are a traditional student right out of high school or an adult who is returning to school or pursuing higher education for the first time, College Goal Sunday will help you complete the FAFSA, accurately and on time. Dependent students (generally those under 24) should bring a parent or legal guardian. Independent students (generally, those 24 or over) will not require a parent’s income information. Register online at collegegoalsundayusa.org. |