February 2016 Parents & Family Newsletter

Website: uakron.edu/pfa | On Facebook: Zip Parents

In this issue:
  • Upcoming Important Dates
  • Get help filling out FAFSA; early deadline is March 1
  • Honors College named for alumni couple after decades of generous giving
  • Did you know? –PFA Board
  • Recognizing your student’s achievements through Merit
  • Spring Career Fairs
  • College Survival Kit
  • Services and support from the Office of Accessibility
  • Parents & Family Social and Zips Men’s Basketball Game


Upcoming Important Dates
  • Feb. 22: First payment due date if your student enrolled in the Installment Payment Plan
  • March 1: Priority deadline for the 2016-17 FAFSA
  • March 7: Last day to withdraw from regular session/15-week courses




Get help filling out FAFSA; early deadline is March 1

Does your student need assistance filling out the FAFSA? Our Financial Aid and ZipAssist staff will be available to help complete the 2016-17 FAFSA on Friday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students who meet the March 1, 2016, priority application date will be considered for every requested financial aid program for which they may be eligible and for which there are available funds, such as:
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
  • Federal Work-Study, and
  • Federal Perkins Loan

Your student can file the FAFSA even if 2015 taxes are not completed. Use estimates and apply by the priority date. Make your corrections after you file your tax return.

Your student should bring the following records for his or herself and their legal guardian (unless your student is an independent student as defined by federal criteria), or their spouse (if married) to more easily complete the FAFSA:
  • FSA ID login information, Social Security Number and driver’s license (if any)
  • 2015 Federal Income Tax Returns (if not completed for 2015, bring 2014 federal tax returns, W-2 forms, and records of other money earned during the year)
  • Records of untaxed income for 2015
  • Current bank statements
  • Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond, and other investment records

Please bring your laptop, if able, and meet at ZipAssist in the Simmons Hall Lobby.

Questions should be directed to Cassie Verardi at cjv8@uakron.edu or 330-972-7272.



Honors College named for alumni couple after decades of generous giving

Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams’ cumulative gifts to the University of more than $10 million will establish an Honors College Endowment Fund and continue to fund both The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Endowed Lecture Series in Biology and The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Endowed Scholarship for Gifted Students. In addition, the college will now be known as The Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Honors College, or Williams Honors College for short. Read the full story, see photos and hear the Williamses talk about their love of UA.



Did you know? –PFA Board

Each month, the Parents & Family Association (PFA) Board will share a helpful piece of information to fellow parents. This month’s Did you Know? is:

The MetroZip program allows students to ride the Metro RTA for free

The MetroZip program allows all UA students to ride any regular Metro RTA route free of charge by swiping their valid Zip Cards in the fare box. The program continues through Aug. 21, 2016.

All regular Metro RTA routes are included in the MetroZip agreement. For North Coast Express services, riders with a Zip Card will receive a $1 per trip fare credit. Summit County Accessible Transportation (SCAT) services are excluded. Metro does not operate on some holidays.

For more details, visit the MetroZip program online.



Recognizing your student’s achievements through Merit

Congratulations to the UA students who qualified for the President’s and Dean’s List for the fall 2015 semester.

Our student body is filled with amazing students doing extraordinary things and Merit is how we recognize these outstanding achievements.

Every semester, UA recognizes student involvement, achievements and milestones, such as joining UA as a first-time student, making the Dean’s or President’s List, graduation, volunteering at a major event like Make A Difference Day, being initiated into an honor society, and a number of other activities. Be sure to watch for Merit achievement announcements throughout the semester.

Learn more about Merit online.



Spring Career Fairs

It is almost time for the 2016 UA Spring Career Fairs! Please encourage your student to attend one or both events to network with hundreds of employers looking to hire for internships/co-ops and full-time employment opportunities.

Engineering, Science and Technology Career Fair | Tuesday, Feb. 23 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Student Union Ballrooms | Students: Pre-registration recommended by bringing a copy of your resume and $5 to Auburn Science and Engineering Center 203.

UA Internship and Career Fair | Wednesday, Feb. 24 | 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Student Union Ballrooms | Students: no pre-registration needed | Click here to view a list of attending employers.

Part-time/Seasonal Job Fairs | Wednesday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 15 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Student Union, second floor concourse | Students: no pre-registration needed.

Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and alumni are invited to attend. Attendees will need to bring resumes and come professionally dressed. Parents and family members may even want to assist their student in putting together a professional outfit for the career fairs.



College Survival Kit

The College Survival Kit is provided by the UA Counseling and Testing Center and consists of numerous workshops that provide academic performance help, wellness education and discussion of issues such as cultural diversity.

View the listing of group programs and workshops offered for the spring 2016 semester.




Services and support from the Office of Accessibility

The Office of Accessibility provides students with documented disabilities full access to, and the opportunity to participate in, the academic environment at The University of Akron.

Students requesting academic accommodations, including students experiencing acute temporary health conditions, are able to seek assistance through the Office of Accessibility anytime throughout the semester. The Office of Accessibility works closely with other offices on campus to make the coordination of accommodations work well for the students.

The Office of Accessibility is located in Simmons Hall 105. We are here to help students with disabilities as well as students with temporary medical conditions.

To get more information or to make an appointment to meet one of the disability specialists in the Office of Accessibility, please call 330-972-7928.




Parents & Family Social and Zips Men's Basketball Game

PFA Social, Friday, Feb. 26 from 5 – 6:30 p.m.

Join the PFA Board and other parents at EuroGyro (444 E. Exchange St, Akron, OH 44304) before the game for food, drinks and fun! Come by any time for free appetizers and a chance to mix and mingle with other UA parents.

Zips home basketball game – Discounted Tickets for Parents!
7 p.m. tip-off vs. Bowling Green Falcons

  • UA Athletics and the Parents & Family Association Board are teaming up to offer discounted tickets to all parents & family members for the home Akron Zips v Bowling Green Falcons game.
  • Contact Jay Miller, 330-972-6982 or jay48@uakron.edu, and mention you’re with the UA Parent group to get the $8 general admission individual ticket price!
  • UA students are free with Zip Card

Register now online if you are interested in attending!