Shout Out St. Kate's Day!

Join in the fun on Wednesday, Feb. 29. It's our first annual Shout Out St. Kate's Day!

Show your pride as a parent or family member. Help us spread the word about what a great education St. Kate's provides. On Wednesday, Feb. 29, commit to "shouting out" why you are proud to be a Katie parent and what a life-changing experience your student is having at St. Kate's.

Tell a co-worker why you sent your daughter to St. Kate’s. Brag about your amazing Katie on your Facebook profile. Let everyone know why you think St. Catherine University is great! (For more information, go to: www.stkate.edu/shoutout)

It's FAFSA time again

A new year means it is time to renew your student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and St. Kate’s Financial Aid Application. As you are preparing to file your 2011 federal and state income tax returns, you and your student should also be thinking about applying for financial aid for the 2012-13 academic year.

Two initial items are needed to apply for financial aid: the 2012-13 FAFSA and the 2012-13 St. Kate’s financial aid application. Our Financial Aid Office must receive both forms by April 15, 2012, in order to meet the priority deadline. Access the St. Kate’s Financial Aid Application.

You can find the 2012-13 renewal FAFSA or the standard 2012-2013 FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov along with instructions on how to request a duplicate PIN (if forgotten) and a link to the PIN website. Please keep in mind that it may take two weeks from the time you sign and submit your FAFSA form before St. Kate’s receives it. For this reason, you should file your FAFSA by April 1, 2012.

Financial aid applications will be processed in the order they are received. In the event that we are required to collect additional documents, such as federal tax forms and W-2s, we will contact your daughter via her St. Kate’s e-mail. The St. Kate’s e-mail address is an official means of campus communication, and your student is responsible for checking and responding to e-mails from the University. It is extremely important that your student continue to check St. Kate’s e-mail all year long – even during the summer or while studying abroad.

If you have any questions about completing the FAFSA application with your student, please feel free to contact the Financial Aid Office at 651.690.6540 or e-mail us at finaid@stkate.edu.

Important dates and reminders for parents

January 30: Winter term classes begin

February 8: Parent and Family Speaker Series event: "Study Abroad: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How?" 7 to 8:30 p.m., President's Dining Room, Coeur de Catherine (CdC) 372

February 17: Last day to waive student health insurance plan for students who are new to St. Kate's during winter semester

February 21: Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair

March 7: Parent and Family Speaker Series event: "Fireside Chat with Vice President Brian Bruess and Dean of Student Affairs Curt Galloway," 7-8:30 p.m., Fireside Lounge, Rauenhorst/Morrison Hall

March 19 through March 23: Spring break

March 30: Payment in full due for winter term

March 31: Housing and dining agreements due. A 1 percent financial fee will be assessed on any winter term balance.

April 6 through April 9: Easter break, no classes, University holiday

April 15: FAFSA priority deadline

April 16: Registration for fall 2012 begins

May 11: Last day of classes, St. Paul campus

May 14: Finals week begins, through Friday, May 18

May 18: Last day of classes, Minneapolis campus

May19: Graduate and Associate Commencement

May 20: Baccalaureate Commencement

Annual Phon-a-thon, Wednesday, Nov. 30

We want to hear from you!

Parents/family members of our first-year students on the St. Paul campus as well as parents/family members from the Associate of Arts program on the Minneapolis campus should expect a call from one of the faculty/staff volunteers and members of the Parent and Family Advisory Council on the evening of Wednesday, November 30.

The purpose of our call is to see how well the University is meeting the needs of our students. We are asking parents to talk with their student over the Thanksgiving holiday to learn about their experience to date. The information we gather is very helping in learning how the University can better address the needs of our students. If we miss you on Nov. 30, please contact Director of Retention Ellen Richter-Norgel (erichter-norgel@stkate.edu or 651.690-8730) to discuss any of your student's experiences or concerns.

Don't miss the Annual Charity Ball

The Parent and Family Association invites you and your family members for a wonderful St. Kate's tradition, an annual event that raises money for a very worthy cause. Please join students, faculty, staff and other family members for the 9th Annual Charity Ball that will take place on Friday, Dec. 9, from 7 to 10 p.m.

This semi-formal event raises money for Sarah's: An Oasis for Women, a ministry of the Sister's of St. Joseph of Carondelet, which fosters self-improvement for women in transition through life-skill development, referral and advocacy services.

How Can You Support This Event?
Please attend this family-friendly event, which includes a silent auction, live entertainment, dancing, hors d'oeuvers, ornament-making stations, an old-fashioned photo booth and more.

Participate in the auction. Please consider donating a themed gift basket, gift card or services. Silent auction donations can be delivered to the Student Center and Activities office in Coeur de Catherine, room 270, through Monday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m.

The Charity Ball is completely organized by our students; tickets are $6 for students and $8 for guests, faculty and staff. All proceeds will be donated to Sarah's. For more information, contact advisor Brigette Marty at bmmarty@stkate.edu or call 651.690-6041.

Home for the holidays: tips for parents/families, by Heide Malat, director of counseling

This is the time of year when first-year students are making plans for Christmas break. Many students who live on campus will choose to spend the six-week break living at home. If this is the case for your family, it will be important to talk ahead of time about expectations. Why?

Because your daughter most likely has evolved into a slightly different person since she left your home four months ago. She has had many opportunities to grow on an intellectual, social and personal level. She has been practicing her independence skills and has developed a lifestyle that involves more personal freedom. Because of these changes, you may each have different ideas about how she will fit back into your home and family life. If all of you want things to go smoothly over the break, it will be important for you to talk with her ahead of time about how your family can recognize and honor those changes while being respectful to family rules.

The key to having a good break will be effective communication and building an atmosphere of respect for all involved. The December page of the Parent & Family Association resource calendar contains some wonderful suggestions for parents who are welcoming their daughters home for Christmas break. I am listing them here as a reminder. I hope your daughter’s break is filled with lots of opportunities for you and your family to relax and reconnect!

• Your student most likely will expect to find everything just as she left it.
• She will want parents and family members to notice and respect that she has changed and become more independent.
• She might be trying out new things like hair styles, clothing or body art.
• Stay calm and keep communication lines open by talking and really listening.
• Be ready to compromise on details.
• Recognize that changes are important to your student's development.
• Keep your sense of humor and find a balance regarding expectations.

Source: Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years
Posted by Ellen Richter-Norgel at 11:35 AM