Parent Checklist

• Pay the $75 enrollment confirmation fee.
  Upon receiving acceptance to NKU, your student must pay the $75 enrollment confirmation fee to the NKU Office of Admissions to reserve a spot in the incoming class.  This fee must be paid prior to your students' orientation date selection.
  
  
• Sign up for Orientation
  Each student is required to pay the $100 Northern Exposure fee, along with a $25 fee for each guest that they bring.
  
  The Orientation process is a two-phase event.
  

   

  Phase 1: Orientation

  By participating in an Orientation Day, students will mingle with fellow incoming students and learn more about on-campus resources as they are lead around campus by their orientation leaders. They'll also have the opportunity to connect with staff who represent departments and offices such as Student Financial Assistance and University Housing, plus many more! 

• Your student is able to choose their Northern Exposure: Orientation date as soon as their $75 enrollment confirmation fee is paid. When payment is received an e-mail will be sent (to their NKU e-mail and to the e-mail they used to apply to the university) with a unique registration code. They will use this code to select their preferred Northern Exposure: Orientation date at https://visit.nku.edu/orientation

  
  
  We will have an update about the Northern Exposure fee soon.
  

   

  Phase 2

  The second phase of Northern Exposure is called Victorfest. Victorfest is also required for all new students under the age of 21 and also for transfer students (under the age of 21) who have accumulated 24 credit hours or less from their previous institution up until the school year starts. Orientation will take place on the following days:
  
  

  Victorfest dates will be posted soon!

• Fill out the FAFSA for grants and loans.
  Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) which can be found here.  You and your student will need a FSA ID that can be obtained from here.  Be sure to indicate NKU’s school code 009275 when filling out the FAFSA. Call the office of Student Financial Assistance at 859-572-5143 to check the status of a FAFSA.
  
  
• Accept financial assistance and scholarships once awarded.
  Your student can check financial assistance and scholarship award offerings and accept them online at http://mynku.nku.edu. Students should click on the Financial Aid tab to view awards and to agree to the terms and conditions. Remind your student to check their NKU email frequently for official communications regarding financial aid (and most other NKU correspondence).
  
  
• Apply for external scholarships.
  Encourage your student to apply for scholarships in the community and through their high school. Other great sources include www.collegeboard.com/parents or  www.fastweb.com. Deadlines vary by scholarship. *Please Note: Students are reviewed for all merit based NKU Scholarships as long as they submit all application documents on or before January 15th and do not require an additional application. A few exceptions exist and more information can be found at http://financialaid.nku.edu/scholarships*
  
  
• Submit a Housing Application.
  Have your student visit housing.nku.edu to complete an application. You will receive a confirmation email with an attached Housing/Dining Agreement Page after you have completed the application. Mail in the Housing/Dining Agreement Page with the nonrefundable $200 pre-payment fee to the Office of University Housing. The deadline for guaranteed consideration for on-campus housing is May 1, 2020.
  
  
• Complete Placement Testing.
  You may benefit from a placement test; however, it is not required. If your standardized test scores fall below those listed in the chart above, you may schedule a college placement test(s). You can schedule your college placement test(s) online at http://testing.nku.edu. 
  
  
• Take a world language test 
  (Only if your student is interested in studying a foreign language during their NKU career) Students who have studied French, German or Spanish, especially those interested in a major with a language requirement or an international career should complete the language placement test at least one week prior to attending orientation. Learn more about required testing AND testing to earn retroactive credit by visiting placement.  For more information call (859) 572-7650 or e-mail worldlanglit@nku.edu.

• Register any documented disabilities
  Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) must provide documentation and register with the Office of Disability Services. Disability Services is located on the third floor of the Votruba Student Union and can be reached at 859-572-6373 or disability@nku.edu.
  
  
• Apply for Student Support Services
  Student Support Services provides motivated first-generation college students from moderate and low-income families with resources and services that may help them stay in school, do well in their classes, and graduate. There are a limited number of spaces in the program, so apply early!
  
  Your student may qualify for Student Support Services if they meet any of the following criteria:
  • From a moderate or low income family
  • Parents did not earn a bachelor's degree
  • Has a federally recognized disability
    http://sac.nku.edu/services/studentsupportservices.html

• Apply for NKU R.O.C.K.S.
  To assist first year students in the transition from high school to college, the Office of African American Student Affairs invites students to consider their freshman transition program, NKU R.O.C.K.S. (Responsibility, Opportunity, Community, Knowledge and Success). This program will help students to explore personal and institutional expectations of college, develop effective study habits and skills that will increase students’ potential for success; expose students to the many valuable resources available on NKU’s campus; and provide a comprehensive support system throughout our students’ undergraduate experience. There are a limited number of spaces in the program, so apply early! For more information, visit the African American Programs and Services webpage or call (859) 572-6684.

• Have a conversation together about your plans regarding the payment of college costs (tuition, fees, books, meals, living expenses, parking pass, etc.)

• Register for classes
  Your student will meet with an advisor and register for classes during the program!

• Get an All Card
  Your student will receive their All Card during their Registration day. The All Card is a multi-purpose student identification card that grants access to NKU e-mail, Canvas, the Campus Recreation Center, Norse athletic events, Steely Library, the student’s residence hall, and more!  Encourage your student to use the declining balance (Flex Dollars) on the All Card to receive discounts on campus. Deposits can be made at the All Card office in Votruba Student Union room 120 or online.  For more information, visit allcard or call (859) 572-6016.
  
  
• Open a PNC Bank account on campus
  Northern Kentucky University has a campus banking relationship with PNC Bank to help you attend to your banking needs with a variety of online and mobile banking tools and ATMs.
  
  PNC offers banking services designed especially for students, including the ability to link your PNC accounts to your All Card. PNC has 3 ATMs located around campus – Norse Commons, Steely Library and the University Center.
  
  You can find more information about PNC Bank’s on-campus services at pnc.com/nku.
  
  ©2020 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.
  
  
• Discuss FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) with your student
  You may hear FERPA mentioned by multiple people during the Registration day and discuss the rights and options of your student, as well as the process for a Student Information Release Form here at NKU. To review FERPA guidelines and locate the Student Information Release Form online, please visit registrar. Your student will have an opportunity to turn in a FERPA form when the check out at the end of the day.
  
  
• Reserve textbooks
  Students will have the opportunity to reserve textbooks at their Registration Day. If purchasing at a later date, be sure to have the student’s class schedule with you. Two courses with identical titles may require different books if they are taught by different instructors. For more information call (859) 572-5142 or visit the bookstore’s website at http://bookstore.nku.edu.
  
  
• Sign up for Norse Alert
  NKU has partnered with Community Safe/Cincinnati Bell to create the free NORSE ALERT, which which will contact members of the campus community through voice and text messages in the event of an emergency situation or campus closing. Students can register up to three numbers. Encourage your student to register your number as well as his or her own. For more information or to sign-up, visit norsealert.nku.edu.
  

• Purchase a parking permit
  Permits are required for students who wish to park on campus. Permit prices can be found online, and permits can be purchased through the parking website during the online purchase period at parking or in the Parking Services Office. Call (859) 572-5505 for more information.
  
  
• Pay tuition and fees
  For your student to view and/or pay their bill, visit http://mynku.nku.edu and go to Biller Direct. MC, DISC, and AMEX accepted online only. Students are encouraged to sign up for Direct Deposit to ensure they recieve refunds as quickly as possible.  For up-to-date information about bill paying procedure, visit student account services or call (859) 572-5204. Parents can sign up as authorized payment sources at http://studentaccountservices.nku.edu/payment_info/paymentportal.html.
  
  
• Submit final high school transcript
  Most high school guidance counselors will automatically send a high school transcript once your student has graduated.  Follow up with the guidance office at their high school or contact the Office of Admissions (859) 572-5220 to verify NKU received a copy.
  
  
• Purchase a meal plan
  NKU Dining Services offers over 15 dining locations and several meal plans to residential and commuter students. Residential students are required to purchase a meal plan, except those living in Woodcrest Apartments. Meal plans for residential students may be purchased through the housing application. Commuter students may purchase meal plans online or in person at the Office of University Housing. Check out their website.
  
  

Complete During First Semester (Students)

• Attend Victorfest  
  PLEASE STAY TUNED AS WELCOME WEEK PLANNING CONTINUES.
  
  
• Participate in the Book Connection program
  An eleven-year tradition, the Book Connection is our common reading program for incoming freshman. The book will be integrated into many of their freshman classes. This is something that all incoming freshmen have in common!
  
  
• Get involved
  Research shows that students who develop a connection with other students through organized activities and organizations are more satisfied with their college experience, more likely to be academically successful, and more likely to graduate.
  
  NKU offers more than 200 student organizations (club sports, academic clubs, special interest groups, and campus ministries).  For more information about student organizations, visit MyEngagement or stop by the Office of Student Engagement in Votruba Student Union 316.
  

Complete During First Semester (Parents)

• Get involved as a parent
  Join the FREE Family Association at orientation or sign-up online at parents (just click on Family Association on the left navigation menu). Members of the Family Association receive regular e-newsletters, updates about campus events, and invitations to special events on-campus! Plan to attend Family Weekend, an annual event in the fall that offers a great opportunity for parents to explore and experience NKU with their student.
  
  Parents of first year students receive a complimentary copy of the Parent Calendar.  Use the calendar to connect with NKU and your student.  For more information about parent programs, visit the parent page at orientation or e-mail parents@nku.edu.