IU Family Connect Oct. 2025

I don’t know how my student is doing in classes and am concerned.  What should I do? 

Are you getting a response like this when you ask your student how they’re doing in classes? “They’re fine. Long. But fine.” Or “I think I’m doing okay.”

We understand that it’s hard to no longer have access to your student’s academic record as you may have had in high school. Our advice is to ask some detailed questions so they have to give specifics instead of their evaluation of how things are going. For example, what papers or tests do you have due this week? What would you say your grade is in x class currently? If it’s a low grade, you can ask, what are you trying to do to improve in the class?

Mid-semester can be a reality check; students may not have used academic support early. And it’s possible some will receive a mid-term warning.  You can ask if they did receive any mid-term warning or starfish alerts this semester. And if they did, that’s okay. These are warning to help them get back on track.  Seeking the right resources will help them do that.

Recommended supports for students are: 

• Going to talk to their professors during office hours. 
• Accessing the numerous academic support resources to review and request services such as
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Math Center
  • Writing Center
  • Academic counseling/advising

When/how does my student register for classes next semester?

Class registration for the spring semester begins in mid-November on these dates:

• Seniors (and Honors students) Register November 17
• Juniors Register November 18
• Sophomores Register November 19
• Freshmen Register November 20

The academic calendar and Dome Digest weekly newsletter provide important upcoming dates. Students are contacted by their academic advisor to schedule advising appointments prior to class registration to ensure that students register for appropriate courses to meet their academic goals. In addition, new freshmen enrolled in First Year Seminar (FYS) class will attend a presentation during class in October/November explaining the registration process.

As always, we encourage students to check their Immaculata University email account each day for important communications and updates from faculty, staff, and administrators.

We have some tips for parents to deal with common student struggles.

Homesickness

Remind your student that homesickness is normal!  They are going through a huge transition no matter how far away "home" actually is! While homesickness often decreases with time, be patient and encourage them to be patient too, as everyone adjusts differently.

You can suggest your student connect with their RA who can offer support and suggestions, consider getting involved in clubs or organizations on campus, or see a counselor on campus if their feelings become overwhelming.

Roommate Conflicts

Encourage your student to be as proactive as possible!  Encourage them to sit down with their roommate(s) and come up with a list of who will be in charge of what chores, determine a schedule of chores and purchasing items for the room, etc.

If conflicts come up, emphasize the importance of clear communication that is assertive, but not aggressive (i.e. using "I statements" and maintaining a calm tone) and also emphasize the importance of compromise!

Academic Overwhelm

Validate the many extra responsibilities your student now has to manage, including the heavier academic workload.

Encourage your student to seek out help proactively if they need it, in the form of reaching out to professors, attending open office times, and seeking tutoring or academic support services.  If your student is hesitant, let them know that the help is there for a reason and they are not expected to be perfect!  After all, college is meant to be more challenging academically than what they've faced before!

Social Challenges

As with any new environment, there often comes stress or pressure to fit in or find a group of people with whom you connect quickly.  Remind your student that it may take time to find individuals they connect with, and that making new friendships as adults is different than when we were kids!

Encourage your student to get involved in campus activities that align with their interests, make it a point to try to get to know others when doing group projects, etc.

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A common theme is to approach all of your student's struggles with as much an open and non-judgmental mind as possible, and to ask your student what they want or need.  Some students are looking for help in brainstorming solutions to their struggles, while others are simply looking for someone to listen and validate their feelings/experiences.

Pet Therapy

Each month we bring some animals from the Brandywine SPCA to give students a chance to destress with some furry friends. Encourage your student to stop by between 12 – 2 p.m. on the Bruder Center lawn (rain location: Villa Maria Rotunda)

• Monday, October 20th
• Thursday, November 6th
• Tuesday, December 2nd

If you have completed a FAFSA for 25-26 aid year (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you should have received your Financial Aid package. Your student may have requirements that will need to be completed for the Federal Financial Aid to pay to their accounts.

• Entrance Counseling - complete at studentaid.gov
• Master Promissory Note - complete at studentaid.gov
• PHEAA State Grant Agency may reach out to your student to set up an account or for needed paperwork - This will be sent to your students email and it is for PA Residents that qualify.
• The FAFSA for the 26-27 aid year opened in October of 2025 and financial aid packages will be mailed out to new accepted students in November of 2025.

Federal Loans pay 10 days prior to class, while Pell Grants, Immaculata’s merit scholarship, and other institutional aid pays the first day of class to student accounts. If your student is full time and a class that puts your student in 12 credits does not start at the beginning of the semester, the Immaculata aid will not pay until the date of full time for your student.

All students need to maintain general academic requirements for Federal Financial Aid eligibility. General Academic requirements are to earn a 2.0 cumulative GPA and pass 67% of total attempted credits vs earned credits. All CUS students who receive an IU merit scholarship must maintain a 2.5 to 3.25 GPA, depending on the merit scholarship awarded.

Your student does not need to make an appointment and can stop by our office and ask to speak with your financial aid counselor.  Or they may email their questions to their counselor.