As a parent you may be experiencing some apprehension about letting your "baby" leave the nest. At LSUS, we want you to feel confident that your child is getting a quality education and setting themselves up for success in their adult lives and future careers. Utilize resources on this page to help you and your student adjust to your new lives and roles.
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LSUS adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. You can read more about our committment here.
FAQ
Q. How are students placed in English and Math?
A. Results of the student's ACT scores determine placement in English and Math courses. ACT scores are the most objective and accurate measure available to predict a student's performance in college classes, such as English and Math. These scores are carefully reviewed in light of the student's previous educational experience and desired college curriculum.
Q. What is the cost of attending LSUS as an undergraduate?
A. The cost of attending LSUS (tuition and fees) is based upon a number of factors, such as residency status and the number of hours a student is enrolling. A full schedule of fees is found on the LSUS website at Accounting Services.
Q. How can I find out if my student is eligible for financial aid?
A. All financial aid decisions are based upon the results of the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA). Information regarding this process is available at the LSUS Financial Aid Office. The FAFSA form is completed on-line. For more information, contact the LSUS Financial Aid Office (ADM 159, 797-5363) or visit Financial Aid online.
Q. What assistance is there for students with learning difficulties?
A. LSUS offers a variety of assistance for students with disabilities, whether a learning, physical, psychological, or sensory impairment. The student must contact the Student Development & Counseling Center's Assistant Director, who coordinates any accommodation on campus. The student will participate in a brief interview, provide documentation of the disabling condition and, if determined eligible for services, assist the Assistant Director in developing the most appropriate accommodations. For more information, contact SDCC (ADM 228, 797-5365) or visit Disability Services online.
Q. Who can give me information about my student's progress or grades?
A. Only your student can provide you with this information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA, also known as the Buckley Amendment) is a federal law that provides guidelines for educational institutions regarding protection and release of student education record information. This law states that the right to inspect an educational record is limited solely to the student; parents have no inherent rights to inspect the educational record.
What to Expect During College
What can you expect from your student's college life?
Although you've lived with a student for quite some time now, college is likely to offer new (and maybe unexpected) opportunities and challenges not only for your student, but also for your relationship. To be sure, the demands of college are rigorous and impact many dimensions of the student's life. This section is devoted to offering information about what your student may be experiencing, helping you understand the changing nature of your relationship with your student, and provide some suggestions in coping.
In college, your student may experience:
- encouragement toward independence and an increase in freedom at school, the full responsibility of their own education,
- frustrations with the administrative processes,
- new demands on his/her time (both study time and personal time),
- differences in course scheduling (they may not be in class all day or everyday),
- the desire to try something new or radically different from previous interests,
- significant differences in relationships with instructors, the necessity to actively manage (and increase) study time to achieve the same grade,
- new anxieties about their abilities or future plans,
- less interaction with you and the school or instructors,
- changes in classroom, testing, and grading procedures, and
- changes in instructor expectations
How will this impact me?
These experiences are a normal and expected part of your student's development. Because of these new experiences, the nature of your relationship with your student is likely to change. While each relationship is different, you might be aware of some of these changes:
- As the university encourages independence and views your student as an adult, LSUS will deal directly with your student. You can expect to be less directly involved with the school.
- As your student begins to become more independent, you might expect strong negative reaction to your suggestions.
- As your student faces new challenges or defeats, you might also expect a need for more verbal reassurance.
- In adjusting to the demands of college, you might expect differences in your student's involvement at home and with family.
- As your student finds his/her own way, you may also experience an unusual mixture of emotions: fear, pride, frustration, abandonment, joy, etc.
What can I do about it?
Know that despite all the changes your relationship may experience, your student continues to need your love, respect, and support. The challenge will be in discovering new avenues and expressions for this love and respect:
- It is important to remember that it may take your student some time to adjust to the rigors of these new academic demands. Be patient with them and assist in problem-solving when they are ready.
- Encourage your student to discuss the decisions confronting them and the implications of each decision.
- Allow your student to make their own decisions and let him/her know that you will be supportive even if the results are not ideal.
- Try to take a "wait and see" attitude toward a new venture.
- Because of the significant demands of college work, support and encourage good study habits without being too directive. You may be able to adjust household chores to make up for additional time required by school.
- Help your student view this time of life as a discovery phase, which is normal and exciting.
- Give freedom to learn how to cope with the new environment.
- In the face of frustrations and failures, give encouragement and support to keep trying to do well.
- Encourage your student to be involved in a few meaningful leadership roles on campus
- Encourage your student to network with a variety of people at the university
