Parents & Family

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Help

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Frequently Asked Questions
Within each section you can find the following topics addressed (updated as new questions come in):
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Academics

• In order for my student to continue his health insurance through my employee coverage, the insurance company wants proof that he is enrolled full time. Also, my auto insurance company needs proof of his grade point average so that we can keep his "good student discount." Where do we get that proof?
• My student received good grades last semester, and he was invited to join an honorary society. The invitation to join says that he must pay a membership fee. Is this group legitimate? Is it worth joining if he has to pay?
• How can I obtain a copy of my student's grades?
• How many credits does a student need to be registered for to be considered a full-time student?
• My student is not doing well academically. How can I help?
• How can my student buy course books before classes start?
• My daughter is a freshman in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics (LSBE), but she has decided she really wants to teach elementary students. She doesn't want to talk to her adviser, because the adviser is in LSBE and she thinks he wants her to stay there. Who can she talk to?
• What is the role of a student advisor?
  

Admissions

• What do you look for in an applicant to UMD? How do I apply?
• How big is UMD?
• What is UMD best known for?
• What is the student to faculty ratio?
• What percentage of your population are students of color?
• My son/daughter has taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or PSEO classes (Non U of M). Will students get credit for my work?
• What types of extra curricular activities are offered on campus?
• What types of entertainment are offered in the Duluth community?
• Are first-year students required to live on campus the first year?
• Are first-year students allowed to bring a car?
• How is housing assigned?
• Can I have a computer in my residence hall?
• Do you offer services for students who have disabilities?
• Deadlines
• Address and Phone Number
  

Financial Aid and Registrar

• In order for my student to continue his health insurance through my employee coverage, the insurance company wants proof that he is enrolled full time. Also, my auto insurance company needs proof of his grade point average so that we can keep his "good student discount." Where do we get that proof?
• How do we know how much aid my student will be getting for school?
• How does my student get his/her financial aid money?
• What is the tuition rate?
• When are bills due, and how can I make a payment?
• What if we need to borrow more money?
• How does my student complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling?
• Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA) and Student Privacy
• Where can my student look for student jobs?
• Scholarships
• Tax Credits
• PLUS Loans

Housing

• When can students apply for Housing?
• Can students request their roommate?
• When do students receive their housing assignment?
• Why didn't my student get their first housing choice?
• How do students apply for a parking permit?
• Can students change their meal plan choice?
• How are students billed for housing?
• My daughter/son doesn't like her/his roommate. Can they switch?
• What's provided in a residence hall room?
• Are first-year students required to live on campus the first year?
• How is housing assigned?
• Can I have a computer in my residence hall?
• My student received literature about buying sheets for the UMD extra long beds? Is it true that UMD has extra long beds? Do I have to buy the sheets/bedding from this company?

Transportation

• Are first-year students allowed to bring a car?
• How does the city bus system work? Is the bus system free?