July 2024

Volume 6, Issue 12

• Academic Affairs

  Earn a Coursera Certificate this Summer
  Your student could earn a certificate for free over the summer that will help prepare them for the job market after graduation. KU has partnered with Coursera to offer students courses that prepare for in-demand job roles including cybersecurity, social media marketer and project manager. To view the catalog, go to the Extended Learning website. 

  First-Year Experience Success Coordinator
  If you have a first-year student at Kutztown University who could benefit from assistance, please refer them to the Student Success Center to schedule a meeting with Alyssa Oakley, coordinator for Student Success and First-Year Experience. Alyssa offers personalized one-on-one meetings to help students identify the most effective strategies for success. Students can reach out to her directly via email at alyoakley@kutztown.edu to schedule an appointment.

  Tutoring Services
  Tutoring Services is recruiting peer tutors, lab assistants and academic peer mentors for Fall 2024. If your student is interested in this employment opportunity, please have them complete the Tutoring Services Employment Application. Contact tutor@kutztown.edu with questions. 

  Transfer Student Success Coordinator
  Did you know that there is a dedicated staff member at KU to support students with transfer credit? The coordinator for Student Success and Transfer Engagement, Briana Zdradzinski, is available for individual meetings to assist students with transfer credits, including test credit and dual enrollment credits, with transitioning and acclimating to KU. Prospective and current transfer students can contact Briana to schedule an appointment and learn more via the Transfer Student Engagement website.

  KU Succeed Academic Recovery Program
  Is your student at Kutztown University facing academic challenges? The KU Succeed program is here to help. This comprehensive academic recovery initiative is designed to support students in improving their academic performance and regaining their confidence. Offering personalized coaching, skill-building workshops and a connection to campus resources, KU Succeed equips students with the tools and strategies they need to thrive. Encourage your student to take advantage of this invaluable resource and make Fall 2024 their semester of success. For more information, visit our website or contact the Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence at success@kutztown.edu. Let's work together to help your student achieve their academic goals.

  What Employers Want from College Graduates
  More than 60% of employers are seeking evidence of students’ abilities to solve problems and to work in a team. In addition, at least half report looking for a strong work ethic, analytical/quantitative skills, written communication skills and technical skills on the resumes of the job candidates they consider. Also of critical importance is internship experience – both with the employer’s organization and within its industry. In fact, when two equally qualified candidates are competing for a job opening, employers cite internship experience as the top deciding factor (source: National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2023 survey). Encourage your student to explore internship opportunities at the Career Center.

  KU Career Classic Golf Outing
  Please consider joining us for this year's Career Classic Golf Outing Fundraiser, Friday, Sept. 13, with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., hosted by Golden Oaks Golf Club, Fleetwood, Pa. Players of all skill levels are welcome. It is a great day of golf, food and fun. In addition to golfing, this event features a networking lunch with KU students, staff and faculty. All funds raised through both registrations and additional donations will benefit KU students directly. Registration for the Third Annual Kutztown University Career Classic event is required. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

  Upcoming Fall Career Development Events 
  Internship and Job Fair, Wednesday, Oct. 16; Graduate School Fair, Monday, Nov. 11; Job Fair for Educators, Thursday, Nov. 14.

• Finance and Facilities

  Spring/Summer 2024 Balances
  Please check Legacy MyKU to ensure all Spring (and Summer) charges are paid and to remove any holds that may have been added. Fall aid cannot pay Spring or Summer charges. MyKU > KU Financial Account tile > Payment Dashboard

  System Conversion
  Reminder that Kutztown University is changing their student information system and payment provider. Legacy MyKU is used for Summer and Spring payments until mid-August (approx.). New MyKU is used for Fall 2024 and going forward.

  Payment Provider and Credit Card Processing Fee Change
  The payment provider is changing from Cashnet to Touchnet. The new provider has a slightly different fee structure for credit cards. Echecks will remain a free way to pay unless returned for any reason (enter bank information carefully and slowly). Credit cards in New MyKU will still be assessed 2.85% as a non-refundable processing fee; however, there will now be a minimum fee of $3 for any credit card charge in New MyKU. The fee for a credit card will be $3 or 2.85%, whichever is greater. If using a debit card, we suggest using the bank information instead.

  Fall 2024 Tuition, Fees, Housing and Meals Billing
  Tuition rates for academic year 2024-25 have not yet been set, therefore, we are not showing any Fall charges in New MyKU and we have not prepared statements (bills). To estimate your costs for the Fall, you can do a few of the following:

  1. Use the Estimated Undergraduate Tuition Costs showing online.
  2. Use the estimated costs in your Financial Aid package that was emailed to students.
  3. Use this estimating calculation sheet tool we created just for you. This shows housing rates for this coming year and how to view the aid.

  We hope to prepare actual statements mid-July with a due date of Friday, Aug. 9. Please note, however, that this is dependent on the tuition rates being officially approved and set by our Board of Governors in conjunction with the Governor. Statements (bills), when produced, will include tuition, required fees, on-campus housing and meals based on the student’s enrollment/selection as of that day (later changes can affect charges and aid).

  Only pending aid will reduce the amount due on the statement. Aid that is not in pending status (i.e., awarded aid, or loans not yet certified) may require action and will not be considered as a valid payment type reducing charges due. After we prepare statements, students will be notified with an email to their KU email account. Authorized Users in New MyKU will also receive an email. Billing help is found here.

  Statement/Bill Location
  New MyKU > Student Accounts Card > Fall 2024 Payment Plan or Payment Dashboard (this will be getting updated shortly). Statements will show on the Payment Dashboard splash page or can be located under My Accounts > Statements.

  Prepare for Statements
  Using the estimate options above, students can still take advantage of the three-payment plan, they can apply for loans as needed and complete federal loan requirements.

  1. Fall 2024 three-payment plan open now on New MyKU > Student Accounts Card > Fall 2024 Payment Plan or Payment Dashboard
  2. Stafford Loan requirements
     1. New students go to https://studentaid.gov and login with their own FSA ID and password.
  3. Complete Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling.
  4. Additional Loan options listed below.

  Stafford Loans – Accept or Decline – New Requirement for All Students
  All students must now accept or decline their Stafford loans in New MyKU > Student Self Service > Dashboard > Financial Aid > Award Offer (second tab) > under Loans select Take Action and use the dropdown to accept or decline. Loans will only show on the bill if accepted. Any changes after initial accept or decline must be done on a student loan change form. Financial Aid can lend guidance at 610-683-4077.

  Outside (non-KU) Scholarship Awards
  Many students receive scholarships either as they graduate high school or awards that they renew each year. Student Accounts will not carry these items over year to year. If you have an award that is renewed, please send an updated award letter to our office so we can add a courtesy credit to the statement that can reduce the charges due. We will only add courtesy credits for scholarships of $1,000 or more. Email these award letters to studentaccounts@kutztown.edu. Any award checks sent to you that are made payable to just the student do not have to come to our office and we don’t need those award letters. Only items that are payable to KU or KU and the student will need to come to our office.  Call us with any questions at 610-683-4133.

  Additional Funding Options – Apply for Loans Now
  Many students will need additional funding after their awarded aid package from the FAFSA completion. Some will pay the difference; some will use a payment plan (see below) and some will use additional loans. Additional loans should be applied for now so that Financial Aid Services will have time to certify the loan and allow it to show on the Fall account thereby reducing the charges due.

  • Alternative Loans are loans in a student’s name with a credit worthy co-signer (some even have a parent option now). These can take up to two weeks to show as pending aid in MyKU. Don’t delay. You can always reduce these loans before they disburse.
  • Parent PLUS loans are loans in a parent’s name they take to help a student. Approvals and denials (parent denials may offer students some additional Stafford Loans). These can take up to two weeks to show as pending on the account.
  • Apply for the full year – double the cost need for Fall and use the loan period of August 2024 to May 2025. Financial Aid will split loan evenly between fall and spring.

  Interest does not start until the funds are disbursed (i.e., September and February). Do not delay, apply for these extra loans in June. You can easily reduce the loans later by completing a loan change form once the actual charges are on the account and you see all of the figures in one place. More information can be found online for additional funding options. You can also get more information by calling Financial Aid Services at 610-683-4077.

  The Difference Between Pending and Awarded Aid
  Once the FAFSA is completed, an aid package is prepared for a student by Financial Aid Services. This is awarded aid. This aid will not reduce charges on a bill at this point. To move from awarded aid to pending aid, students must complete all requirements, such as verification if selected, Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling (if not already completed at KU), submitted their final high school transcript, be enrolled in courses and lastly, the student must be eligible for aid (financial aid progress). Only aid that is shown as pending or anticipated will be considered as payment towards the charges due. Students can check if they have any outstanding aid items at New MyKU > Student Self Service card > Dashboard > Financial Aid > Federal Tasks.

  Fall 2024 Payment Plans
  Payment plans remain open for the Fall 2024 semester charges. The three-payment plan is open until Friday, Aug. 9. A student can sign up for a plan now and adjust the plan later if charges change. There is no fee to increase or decrease the plans as need should a surprise scholarship show up or the bill increase due to a housing change, for example. New MyKU > Student Accounts card > Fall 2025 payment plan or Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans.

  Authorized Users – Payment Dashboard Access
  Students can sign their parents up to get their own access to the New Payment Dashboard, including getting the statement email notifications as to not solely rely on the students to share their notice. Students go to New MyKU > Student Accounts card > Fall 2024 Payment Plan or Payment Dashboard > Authorized Users.

  Student Accounts Summer Office Hours
  Over the summer, we are still available to help you. We recommend email as our preferred method of communication to allow us time to research and review the account for a good answer; however, you may always call us as well at 610-683-4133. We are open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  Address and Email Updates
  Now is a great time for students to review their addresses on MyKU and their personal emails. Students can update their mailing address. Home address changes must be done online with a request to the Registrar’s Office. The student must log in to do so. We also ask that students review their personal emails so that we have another way to reach them. High Schools often disable those emails after graduation and many students forget to remove these. Please review these today. Emails can be updated right in MyKU. Remember, KU email is our formal method of notification.

  Parking Permits
  We know this is always a common concern around billing season. The August Parents and Family Bulletin will have information regarding when permits will be available to purchase online and more. Stay tuned. Semester permits will be $50 and the annual permit will be $75. Expect these to go on sale online early August.

• Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

  Two More “What’s Up Wednesdays” for Incoming Students New to Campus
  Throughout the summer, the Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services office has been hosting informational sessions (including live Q&A) on various topics to help answer your questions about meal plans, residence hall policies, move-in day and more. Three What’s Up Wednesdays have already occurred and two remain scheduled for this month (July). Incoming students and their families are invited to attend. The recordings for the three past What’s Up Wednesdays are available on our YouTube page. The full schedule for these summer sessions and the links to past recordings can be found here.

  Move-In Day is Almost Here
  We are excited to welcome our new and returning Golden Bears to campus next month. Incoming students who are new to KU move in Thursday, Aug. 22. Later this month, the exact move-in times for Aug. 22 will be posted on this page. As you prepare for your arrival to campus, please consult our packing list for “what to bring” and “what not to bring” so that you are aware of recommended and prohibited items. Returning, upper-class students move in Friday, Saturday, or Sunday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We can’t wait to see all our students “Live Here, Roar Here” on campus this upcoming year.

  New Student Orientation
  Welcome Weekend 2024 is Aug. 22-25. This is part-two of the new student orientation experience for all first-time attending students and it includes events such as convocation, pet therapy, goat yoga and more. All students should wear their maroon shirts they received from orientation for our class photo Friday, Aug. 23. A full schedule of all activities and events is included in the orientation packet. More information to come.

  Student Involvement
  Students seeking more involvement on campus can explore options in Engage. This is where all registered student organization information is always available. Students will see more details when logged in. Check it out at http://engage.kutztown.edu.

  Interested in joining a Sorority?
  Social Sorority Recruitment is Sept. 12-16. Follow @kutztownuniversity_cpc on Instagram for more information as well as for the link to sign up. Signups open Thursday, Aug. 1.

  Required Form to Use Military Benefits in Fall 2024
  Students planning to use their military benefits (e.g., VA GI Bill, TA, EAP, MFEP) in the Fall 2024 semester must submit their KU Veterans Services Enrollment Certification form after they enroll for fall semester classes. Benefits may be delayed if this form is not submitted early. Continuing Students: access the Enrollment Certification form from the “Brochures, Publications, and Forms” section of our website, www.kutztown.edu/veterans. New/Incoming Students: send a request to the Military and Veterans Services Office, veterans@kutztown.edu to obtain the form.

  Students Receiving Chapter 35 VA GI Bill Benefits May Qualify for Additional Funding
  PA Educational Gratuity program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. Payment will not exceed $500 per semester per qualified child. Educational gratuity payments are paid directly to the educational institution and may not be made for longer than four scholastic years. The application process is simple. Visit Educational Gratuity Program (pa.gov) for details. Contact veterans@kutztown.edu if you have questions.

  Veterans Affairs Work Study Opportunity for Fall 2024
  Students enrolled for at least nine credits and using VA GI Bill military benefits may also be eligible with work-study benefits. This benefit is in addition to their VA benefits. The VA will pay students a stipend ($7.25/hour, non-taxable). VA Work Study students support the Military and Veterans Services Office. Questions about open positions can be sent to veterans@kutztown.edu.

• Equity, Compliance and Legal Affairs

  Disability Services Office (DSO)
  A friendly reminder from the Disability Services Office (DSO) that accommodation letters for summer courses will be available to send to professors via MyKU one week before the start of each summer session. Please encourage your students to check their KU email for instructions on how to send electronic accommodation letters to summer course professors. Any questions about summer accommodations should be directed to the DSO at 610-683-4108 or DSO@kutztown.edu.

  Parents of incoming freshman and transfer students: now is the time to start the Accommodation Request Process. Please visit www.kutztown.edu/DSO and select “Requesting Accommodations” then “Student Accommodations” to review the process for requesting accommodations (academic, housing and dining). If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the DSO at 610-683-4108 or DSO@kutztown.edu.

• University Relations and Athletics

  KU Presents! 2024-2025 Season Subscriptions Available
  Enjoy the same great seats to all seven entertaining KU Presents! Performing Artists Series or three Family Series performances by subscribing before Thursday, Aug. 1. Experience the improvised musical parody Shamilton, an evening of fortepiano with Daniel Adam Maltz, Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, a Journey tribute by E5CAP3, Grammy® Award-winner Kurt Elling, Bill Blagg Family Magic and so much more. Subscribers also receive access to discounted tickets to special events. Subscriptions can be purchased online or by calling 610-683-4092. Tickets to individual performances will be available starting Thursday, Aug. 1. KU students can access $10 tickets by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login starting Monday, Aug. 26.

  Golden Bear Football Season Tickets Available
  Get your season tickets to the Kutztown Golden Bears. Add your tailgate permits or parking passes for the season and save over individual game tickets. Tickets, tailgate permits and parking passes for individual games will be available starting Thursday, Aug. 1. KU students can access one free ticket General Admission ticket per game by logging in for tickets with their MyKU login starting Monday, Aug. 26.

• KU Campus Store

  Why Purchase from KU Campus Store
  As a non-profit affiliate of KU, our priority is student success and retention. Full refunds are available for materials in original condition throughout the add/drop period. We contribute our surplus to student scholarships, activities and campus athletics. Our goal is for students to have access to the most affordable course materials available to support their academic success.

  Inclusive Access – Course Materials
  Inclusive Access is a collaboration between faculty, KU Campus Store, the Office of Student Accounts and publishers to provide required course materials at a reduced cost. When a professor chooses to participate in this program, all students registered for the class automatically receive access to these materials.

  Benefits of Inclusive Access:

  • Day 1 access to required course materials for all students registered in the class.
  • Digital Access on mobile and desktop devices, print copies available for select courses.
  • Lowest price available, even directly from the publisher.
  • Conveniently charged with tuition, no out of pocket expense required.
  • You do not need to source and purchase materials elsewhere. For more information, visit our website.
• KU Foundation

  1866 Minute Giving Challenge Returns Oct. 23-24
  You are an important part of our upcoming sixth annual 1866 Minute Giving Challenge. For 1,866 minutes, the KU community unites as one to support all – because together, we’re Golden. 

  Save the Date: Homecoming 2024 Oct. 25-27
  We are delighted to welcome alumni, current students and their families to Homecoming 2024. Registration opens in August.

• Dates to Know

  KU Central Calendar
  A full listing of upcoming events and academic deadlines can be found on KU's central calendar.

  Last day to set up a two-payment plan for Summer Session II 2024 in Legacy MyKU > Payment Dashboard	Thursday, July 11
  Undergraduate Orientation Program (Freshman/Parent Program)	July 11-13
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 60% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II only)	Thursday, July 11
  On or about this date, e-mail notification sent to students to login and view their Fall 2024 bills. Payment due Friday, Aug. 9.	Friday, July 12
  Refunds for overpayments of Summer Session II will begin no sooner than this date (subject to change)	Monday, July 15
  First day Financial Aid can disburse for Summer Session II 2024 (subject to change)	Monday, July 15
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 50% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II only)	Monday, July 15
  Last day for students withdrawing from the university to receive 40% reduction in charges or refund (Summer Session II only)	Wednesday, July 17
  First day no reduction in charges or refund for university withdrawals	Thursday, July 18
  On or about this date, the Board of Governors will release the tuition rates for the 2024-2025 academic year (subject to change).	Friday, July 19
  Last day for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for Summer Session II 2024 graduation	Friday, July 19
  Undergraduate Orientation Program (Transfer Program)	Thursday, July 25
  Deadline to withdraw from a Summer Session 10-Week 2024 course and receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Monday, July 29
  Application deadline to Fall 2024 for Graduate Studies	Thursday, Aug. 1
  Registrar to create grade rosters for Summer Session II and 10-Week	Thursday, Aug. 1
  Deadline to withdraw from a Summer Session II 2024 course and receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Friday, Aug. 2
  Last day to set up a three-payment plan for Fall 2024 semester in New MyKU > Payment Dashboard	Sunday, Aug. 4
  Fall 2024 Registration will reopen for returning students.	Monday, Aug. 5
  Residence Halls: Summer Session II Checkout – 2-4 p.m.	Thursday, Aug. 8
  On or about this date: hometown listings of undergraduate and graduate students completing Spring 2024 graduation requirements sent to University Relations Office for distribution.	Thursday, Aug. 8
  Summer Session 10-Week ends	Thursday, Aug. 8
  Summer Session II ends	Thursday, Aug. 8
  Fall 2024 bills due (subject to change)	Friday, Aug. 9