Bobcat Families
The Georgia College Parent and Family Newsletter
July 20-24
- "What Am I Forgetting?": Parent Checklist
- TONIGHT: Zoom Info Session on Academic Success
- To-Do: Sending Important Documents
- New Parent Drop-Ins
Parent Checklist
Remember, the vast majority (like, 99.9%) of these are really tasks for your student. While they might need a guiding hand through the process, help them learn some autonomy by letting them take the wheel on these things. That independence will pay out dividends in the future!
- Select a move-in date and time. Your student received an e-mail from Housing on July 14 with the sign-up link.
- Check their student account. Make sure the financial aid award and all charges look correct. Your student can view their account in PAWS when they login to Unify. The deadline for payment of Fall 2020 tuition and fees is August 3.
- Check the prohibited items list from University Housing, and make sure these don't get packed for move-in day!
- Check your health insurance policy for local in-network providers, and send your student with that list in case they need to be seen locally. For most students, your family coverage is sufficient. For students in certain majors, additional coverage may be provided and billed to the student account.
- Submit the Certificate of Immunization before arriving on campus.
- If your student is not bringing a car to campus, talk to your auto insurance agent about possible "student away" or "occasional driver" discounts to your policy.
- If you live in a county that requires emissions testing, schedule the service for now or during a school break. This area does not require emissions tests, so you will not find a testing location nearby.
- Check that status of financial aid. Financial aid status can be found in PAWS.
- Look into buying renters insurance for your student's on-campus belongings. Though they may be covered under your homeowners policy, renters policies offer much lower deductibles.
- Help your student select a meal plan for the semester. Meal plan information can be viewed in PAWS.
- Check with your student on the actions they need to take before move-in: submitting their Bobcat Card photo, registering for a parking permit, completing online New Student Orientation, deciding on a laptop and other technology they will need, checking their class schedule in PAWS, and communicating with their new roommates/suitemates.
Achieving Academic Success at GC
To join the Zoom meeting, click on the link below and follow the prompts to enter the Meeting ID and Password.
https://gcsu.zoom.us/j/97778876068?pwd=SFJZcy9yVVIwMndHOHVPempqalM1Zz09
Meeting ID: 977 7887 6068
Password: 141142
Monday, Jul 20, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Important Documents
Medical Insurance Card: Your student should always be able to access and read their medical insurance card. They will need it at the Student Health clinic and at off-campus providers. Take a look together at the information listed on the card: Member ID, Group ID, co-pay information, and customer service information. Make sure they are familiar with co-pays and deductibles. Do the same for dental, vision, and prescription cards.
Government-issued ID: Every student should carry a government-issued ID for their own safety and for practical reasons like getting a part-time job. A driver's license is the most common. If your student does not drive, consider getting a state ID. These are easier to replace if lost than other identification documents like a passport.
Social Security Card: We do not recommend that all students keep their Social Security Card at college. If they need it to complete employment paperwork, we encourage them to return it to your home as soon as possible. Make sure you talk with your student about the importance of protecting their Social Security Number and the dangers of identity theft.
Bobcat Parent Drop-Ins
Register for a Thursday morning drop-in here.
Contact
Email: emily.jarvis@gcsu.edu
Website: gcsu.edu/parent
Location: Parks Hall 206
Phone: (478) 445-8566
Facebook: facebook.com/bobcatfamilies