Parent/Family Guide | Salem State University

Parent/Family Guide | Salem State University
Parent/Family Guide
Welcome to the Salem State community! This is a very exciting time for you and your student. We hope you'll take the time to learn more about Salem State University, attend an
in-person or online
event and join our
Viking Family Hub
to be fully immersed in your students experience throughout their journey as a Salem State Viking.
Located just 15 miles north of Boston on the North Shore, we're one of the largest state universities in Massachusetts, and provide an academic home preparing a diverse community of learners to creatively contribute and serve in cultural, social and economic development.
Join the Viking Family Hub
Parent/Family Resources
Application
Our application is free through December 15. Encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity and receive a decision earlier!
Apply Now
Books
ISBN numbers should match when looking for books.
Generally, these are out-of-pocket costs and vary greatly depending on major/program of study.
More information on books at Salem State
Career Services
Career services supports the career and professional development of
undergraduate and graduate students
and
alumni one year post-graduation
, so that they can successfully navigate their internship, job, and graduate school search process with confidence.
Learn more about career services.
ClipperCard (Student ID)
The ClipperCard is our official identification card that gives you access to resources on and off campus. A student would use their ClipperCard for things such as meal plans if they are eligible, their residence halls, the library, and our parking garage.
ClipperCard
Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the amount it will cost a student to go to school. The COA of completing a full academic year at Salem State University, if a student is attending school at least half-time, includes the following:
tuition and fees
books, course materials, supplies, and equipment;
cost of housing and food (or living expenses);
transportation expenses;
loan fees (excluding any loan fees for non-federal student loans);
miscellaneous expenses (including a reasonable amount for the documented cost of a personal computer);
allowance for childcare or other dependent care;
costs related to a disability;
costs of obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential; and
reasonable costs for eligible study abroad programs.
Cost of Attendance
Deposits
Salem State University encourages you to make your deposit (
enrollment
and
housing
) as soon as possible to secure your spot.
If you believe you are eligible for a waiver please complete the
Admissions Deposit Waiver Form
Connect with other parents/family members, ask questions, stay connected to what's going on at Salem State!
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
FERPA is the law that protects the privacy of a student’s educational records regardless of age or who is paying the bill. If the student would like to give their parent or guardian access to their educational records, the student must elect to waive their rights to FERPA by
submitting a waiver in Navigator
Please note:
If the student does not complete the FERPA Waiver, parents and guardians
will not
be able to obtain or access any specific information about the student.
Learn more about FERPA
Financial Aid Verification
Verification is a federally mandated process whereby the university, the college financial aid administrator will ask the applicant to supply copies of documentation, such as income tax returns, W-2 statements and 1099 forms, to verify the data that was submitted on the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Verification is intended to improve the accuracy of the information submitted on the FAFSA. Financial aid administrators have the right to ask for any
documentation
they feel is necessary to complete verification. If the family refuses to supply this documentation, the college is prohibited from disbursing federal student aid to the student.
Financial Aid Info for Parents and Families
First Year Experience
Your students first year at Salem State University is an opportunity to explore, learn and grow. The first year experience office (FYE) is here to ensure they have access to the resources and support needed to successfully navigate the transition from high school to university life. The first-year experience will lay the foundation for continued success in academic, intellectual, social, and civic endeavors throughout their undergraduate career.
First Year Experience Office
Resources for First Year Students
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Students, their families, or other
FAFSA contributors
will need a secure username, called an
FSA ID
, and a password to complete the
FAFSA
for the first time they complete it.
The FSA ID allows students and contributors to complete and sign the FAFSA electronically. Keep this information safe and accessible; it will be used each year the FAFSA is completed. The FAFSA
is required each year a student attends Salem State and wants to receive financial aid.
Students will be considered for all federal, state, and institutional aid. The FAFSA is required to be considered for
Salem State scholarships and many others
Learn more about the FAFSA process and materials you will need to complete the FAFSA at
studentaid.gov
APPLY NOW FOR FINANCIAL AID
Health Insurance
Based on the State of Massachusetts guidelines, students are required to have health insurance. If a student has their own, they are welcome to
waive out of the school’s health insurance through their Navigator account
. Please check the
Health Insurance
page for more information.
Health Services Portal
Students are encouraged to monitor their health services portal, which can be accessed through
Navigator
. If counseling and health services is requesting any immunization records, students can see exactly what is needed in this portal.
Jobs (On-Campus)
For on-campus jobs visit the
Student Employment Office
In September, during the first week of classes, there is a Student Employment and Volunteer Fair that takes place on campus.
Parent Plus Loan
Parent PLUS Loans
are federal Direct loans for eligible parents to assist them with paying the remaining out-of-pocket expenses associated with their student's education. The out-of-pocket expense is the amount of the student's bill not covered by federal, state, and institutional aid or scholarship resources.
Parents may apply for a
Parent PLUS Loan
if their student is:
A dependent undergraduate student in a degree-seeking program
Enrolled in classes at least half-time (six credit hours)
Meeting
financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP
Has a completed and valid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
for the current aid year on file with Salem State University
Parents can apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan at
studentaid.gov
. The Department of Education completes a credit check at the time of application. Salem State is only notified of the check decision and has no input on the credit check process.
For more information on the Parent PLUS loans and the process at Salem State, please visit
Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans
Parking Pass
All eligible students who choose to bring a car to campus must
purchase a parking pass online through their
Navigator
account
. At the time of your online purchase, you will receive a temporary parking pass that is valid for 10 days while you wait to receive your parking decal in the mail. Freshmen are not eligible to park on campus with the exception of commuters. For more information please visit the
parking
page.
Payment Plans
Enroll in an interest-free monthly payment plan through
TouchNet
, (plan enrollment is a $40 non-refundable fee). Review the
"How to set-up a Payment Plan" guide
. Enrollment for fall plans is mid-July, spring plan is mid-Dec and summer plans is mid-May. Please refer to the TouchNet announcement section for specific dates on when plans are available.
Students should log into
Navigator
to enroll in a payment plan. Authorized users only (those who have been granted online access by their student) should log into
TouchNet
with their credentials.
Private Education Loans
Private education loans
are another option for helping students pay for costs not covered by other aid they've received. These are nonfederal loans made by a
lender
, such as a bank, credit union, or state agency, and the lender sets the terms and conditions
Students apply directly through the lender and can choose any lender they wish. To find a private loan, students may use
ELM Select*.
ELM Select is an excellent tool for students to determine which lender and loan product is right for them. If a student has questions about a lender or a loan type, it is best to contact the lender for more specific information.
For more information on private education loans and the private loan process at Salem State, please visit
Private Education Loans
This list shows lenders who have provided private loans to students from Salem State. Please be advised that Salem State University does not recommend or promote any lender. It is up to the student to decide which lender they would like to borrow from for their private loan.
Scholarships
Salem State offers several
institutional scholarships
to help offset the cost of getting your degree. Whether you're an incoming Salem State student or an upperclassmen, there are opportunities for you to reduce your college expenses! Students applying to Salem State
who submit their FAFSA
are automatically considered for institutional scholarships and grants.
Students can use the
Viking Scholarships Portal
to
view and apply for any internal scholarships
they may be eligible for and access links to external scholarships. The portal is open from the end of the Fall semester through the midpoint of the Spring semester.
More scholarship opportunities can be found at the following sites:
Fastweb.com
Scholarships.com
BigFuture / The College Board
The Stephen Phillips Memorial Scholarship Fund
Scholarship America
Tuition and Fees
All students are billed depending on what type of classes they register for (day vs evening) and whether they are in-state or out of state. We bill per semester and expect students to regularly review their accounts. All students must pay their bill by dates below:
Fall bills are due the second Wednesday in August
Spring bills are due the second Wednesday in January
Summer I & II bills are due the second Wednesday in May
For more information please visit the
tuition and fees
page.
Viking Family Hub
The Viking Family Hub is your all-access pass to staying connected and informed about your student's journey at Salem State University. Whether your Viking is already part of the crew or you're exploring the possibility of joining our prideful community, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.
Sign-up to experience the ultimate portal designed exclusively for parents and families like you!
Join the Viking Family Hub
Resources
Tuition and Fees
Financial Aid
Resources
Scholarships
Residence Life