Monday, January 29 began the two-step application and sign-up process for current resident students who would like to live on-campus for the 2018 – 2019 academic year. The application is available to students via CaneLink and must be completed by 5 p.m. on February 7 for current residents to be guaranteed on-campus housing for the 2018 – 2019 school year. A $500 prepayment payable by credit card is required to complete the application.

Current off-campus students can apply by February 7 but will be assigned a room/apartment later in the spring or early summer as spaces become available.

National research suggests that students who live on-campus tend to have higher GPAs, be more involved in campus life, and graduate in 4 years at higher rates than their off-campus counterparts. Thus, students – and their families – should consider several important factors when deciding where to live while enrolled at UM.

In addition to convenient access to vital on-campus resources and engaging campus programming, living in on-campus housing provides UM students with the unique opportunity to meet and interact with resident faculty and their fellow ‘Canes. On-campus housing also provides a worry-free living arrangement and allows your student to stay focused on what matters most to their success and not on the many complexities of living elsewhere in Miami.

Resident students who have completed their application by Wednesday, February 7 will receive an e-mail to their UM e-mail address with a time and date to select their room/apartment for next year. Priority sign-up times are given to students who have lived on campus the longest and, with mutually confirmed roommates on their applications, can fill a whole suite/apartment

If a student has applied for on-campus housing but no longer wishes to live on campus, they must cancel their application by February 7 at 5 p.m. or forfeit the $500 prepayment.

For more information about the 2018 – 2019 housing application and sign-up process, including the full selection timeline, visit miami.edu/housing/signup or contact HRL at 305-284-4505 or housing@miami.edu.

The financial aid application, FAFSA, opened on October 1, 2017, for the 2018-2019 academic year. New and returning students must complete the application every year along with the CCS Profile. Students intending to receive financial aid for the upcoming year must fill out these applications by April 15, 2018. College Board is providing CCS Profile waivers for victims of the recent hurricanes. 

Students who received institutional financial aid for Spring 2018 must also ensure they are enrolled full time, at least 12 credits. For federal financial aid, most grants or programs require at least half-time enrollment. Any changes to students' enrollment that may effect financial aid must be completed by February 1, 2018. 

It is important that students revisit the type of aid they are receiving as well as any requirements they must meet. Students should also check their messages on CaneLink regarding any important communications from the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment.

The Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement is here to partner with you in supporting your student’s learning and development throughout their college journey.  ’Canes Conversation is a segment to give you tips and insight on what might be helpful to discuss with your student at this time of year.  For more information like this, visit the Family Calendar in the back of the Family Guide.

After spending a few weeks at home for winter break, your student returning to school may bring different challenges, opportunities, and emotions.  Many students might feel either homesick or excited when they return to UM.  If your student is from an area with a cold winter, they may have been particularly excited to return to Miami.  The Spring semester has a lot going on, including Greek Life recruitment, new student organizations, Sportsfest, the Orange Festival, and a new schedule of courses.  Check in with your student to ask how they are acclimating to the Spring semester and adjusting to organizations or social circles that may be new to them.  Early Spring semester is often the time when students start to make plans for Spring break trips, summer internships, or commencement.  Recognize that your student may have a lot on their mind, and focus on supporting their own completion of these tasks and plans.  By asking questions, being curious about their experience, and listening, you can support your student in talking through some of the challenges as well as the positive experiences they are having. 

 Some great things to ask your students about this time of year could include:

• What do you hope to get out of this semester?
• What academic strategies are you using for success? (professor office hours, Camner Center tutoring)
• What have you discovered that you may want to get involved with this semester?
• What is your plan for filling out the FAFSA and applying for financial assistance for the 2018-2019 academic year?

FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, was established to ensure that students’ educational records were kept private.  It is important for students and their families to understand FERPA and its implications for the security of student records.  A full listing of the University of Miami’s Disclosure Policy can be found at www.miami.edu/hea which includes the full text of the FERPA Policy.

FERPA provides the right to review a student’s record, the right to request an amendment to an incorrect record, the right to obtain the university’s FERPA Policy, and the right to file a complaint. However, the most common right is the ability to limit disclosure of the educational information. At the secondary level, a student’s record belongs to the student. Regardless of their age, once they are enrolled in college, all rights to their record belong to the student, not the parent or other family member. With a few exceptions, a student must give permission for the university to share their records. The most common occurrence of this is releasing transcripts.  As the official record of a student’s work at the university, we require that student give explicit permission every time they want a transcript released.  

There are some pieces of information that are considered Directory Information that the university may provide without permission—these are basic biographic and general enrollment information (e.g. name, email, degree awarded, dates of attendance, etc.) However, students have the right to restrict the release of any or all of this information as well, although a direct request must be made through the Office of the University Registrar. Rest assured that Directory Information does not include race, social security number, grades, financial information, or other protected/sensitive information.

The university’s Student Consumer Information site provides a full overview of FERPA and related consumer notices.