Parent Newsletter February 2024

February 2024

Waynesburg University

PARENT NEWSLETTER Here to provide you insight, updates, and information on your student's experience at WU

Updates from the Dean Dear Parents and Guardians, Happy February! We have certainly hit the ground running since January and are continuing this month as we progress towards Spring and the end of the academic year. In this newsletter, you can find links for resources and information regarding the Spring 2024 semester.

February is a busy month for the Waynesburg campus. Spring sports begin while winter sports hit the peak of conference play. The Spring Musical auditions have occurred, and The Center for Service Leadership hosted a Spring Service Fair. In addition, the Office of Student Engagement hosted an Organization Open House. This is an exciting month for Residence Life as they begin the hiring process for the next academic year of Resident Mentors.

Encourage your student to be a part of our robust campus life!

Residence Halls will close on Saturday, March 4 at noon and re-open on March 10 at noon. For transportation between campus and Pittsburgh, Grey Line is the primary provider and runs 365 days a year.

Waynesburg University will supplement their schedule with student-operated shuttles during the designated dates and times. Please have your student reserve 5 business days in advance by completing the Shuttle Reservation Form located on myConnect under University Links. Residence halls will re-open on Sunday, March 10 at noon and classes resume Monday, March 11 at 8 a.m.

As always, we are here to support your student and assist you with any questions along the way. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (724) 852-3206.

Blessings, Kelley Hardie, Dean of Students

February Athletics Baseball: Saturday, February 24 - Home vs LaRoche Saturday, February 27 - Home vs Pitt-Bradford

Men’s Basketball: Wednesday, February 14 - @ Franciscan University Saturday, February 17 - Home vs Thiel (Senior Night)

Women’s Basketball: Wednesday, February 14 - @ Franciscan University Saturday, February 17 - Home vs Thiel (Senior Night)

Wrestling: Saturday, February 16 - PAC Championships

Women’s Lacrosse: Saturday, February 17 - Home vs Eastern Mennonite Saturday, February 24 - @ Mt. Aloysius

Athletics Facility Updates: New WU Jackets window wraps Athletic Training and the Fitness Center

BIG changes with the 2024-2025 FAFSA! Due to the passing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act, the following changes can be expected in the 2024-2025 FAFSA:

• The FAFSA application process will be streamlined and easier for students and families to complete.

• Eligibility for federal financial aid will be expanded for undergraduate students.

• The FAFSA will feature fewer questions, fewer requirements, and retrieve tax information using a direct data exchange from the IRS instead of the previous IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

• The FAFSA is introducing the new term “contributor,” which refers to anyone who is required to provide information on a student’s FAFSA form, including the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adopted parent, or the parent’s spouse. Being a contributor does not imply responsibility for the student's college costs.

• Students will need the contributor’s name, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), and email address to invite them to complete their required portion of the FAFSA. • Contributors will need to provide personal and financial information on their section of the FAFSA. • If parents are divorced or separated, the contributing parent(s) is the parent (and their spouse, if remarried) who provided the greater portion of your financial support during the 12 months immediately prior to filing the FAFSA. It is not automatically the parent you primarily lived with during the past 12 months.

• All Contributors–student, student's spouse (if married), and student's parents(s) (if a dependent student)–must provide consent to have tax data transferred directly from the IRS to the FAFSA. If consent is not provided by all parties, the student will not be eligible for federal financial aid. In previous years, transferring IRS data was optional. It is now required.

• The need analysis formula to determine financial aid, formerly known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), will now be referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). Unlike the EFC, the SAI may be a negative number.

• The SAI is NOT the amount that the student and family are responsible to pay.

• The SAI is the figure used by the Financial Aid Office to determine a student’s aid eligibility.

• The adjustments to the new Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation will expand Federal Pell Grant eligibility to more undergraduate students.

• Small businesses and family farms are now considered assets.

• The number of family members in college will still be asked on the FAFSA, but it will be excluded from the federal and state financial aid calculation.

• The Student Aid Report (SAR) will now be referred to as the “FAFSA Submission Summary.” This is the summary submission document you receive after completing the FAFSA. • The adjustments to the new Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation will expand Federal Pell Grant eligibility to more undergraduate students.

Complete your FAFSA now at www.studentaid.gov!

If you are a PA resident, the application deadline is MAY 1ST. If you have questions, call the Financial Aid Office at 724-852-3208.

Pathways Center Professional Development: 48 students signed up to participate in mock interviews during Future Professionals Day on Monday, February 12. The Pathways Center also offered a resume workshop and Career Closet Open House as a part of this event.

Upcoming Workshop: A job search workshop will be held at noon on Monday, February 26, in the library.

The topic is "Acing the Application: Tips for Engaging in the Job Search & Understanding Job Postings."

Career Fairs: Waynesburg students are able to participate in the WestPACs Career Fair in Monroeville, PA, on Wednesday, March 6 (during spring break). For more information, click here. PERC (Education Career Fair) is scheduled for March 20, and an on-campus job fair will be hosted on March 27. For more information, email pathways@waynesburg.edu.

Study Tables: A math study table is open to students every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. in Eberly Library. A nursing study table is open to students every Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the library.

Career Closet: The spring semester hours were set this week. Students can stop by for free professional clothing at any of the times outlined above.

Graduate and Professional Studies Highlight: Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation Graduate and Professional Studies Highlight: Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation There is an opportunity for our Undergraduate Students to obtain their Master of Arts in Criminal Investigation (MACI) in less than one year after finishing undergraduate coursework. This is possible through our MACI program, which enables students the chance to start taking graduate-level courses during their senior year.

Students will be able to hone their skills in advanced criminal investigation methods, crime scene management, theory, and technique. All of our coursework within this program is delivered by instructors who are experts from all levels of our law enforcement community.

A major highlight of this opportunity is it allows students to take up to two graduate courses and remain within their undergraduate tuition rate. Prospective students will need to have credit room within their academic plan to participate and should confirm their eligibility with their Advisor.

If a student wishes to wait until after they have completed their undergraduate degree, there is still an opportunity to apply. A prospective student can apply during their senior year if wishing to start right after graduation. The MACI can still be completed in a year taking classes as a full-time student or can be completed in under two years as a part-time student.

Anyone interested in learning more about this opportunity can complete the Request More Information Form or contact GraduatePrograms@waynesburg.edu.

Campus Ministry Upcoming Chapel Speakers:

Campus Bible Studies have launched and are meeting weekly.

Tuesday, February 6th – Essence Suggs, Resident Director of Denny Hall Tuesday, February 13th – Ross Owens, Junior – Children & Youth Ministry Major & President, Black Student Union Tuesday, February 20th – Nathaniel Carter (’10) – Executive Director, This Generation Cares Tuesday, February 27th – Jonathan Johnson – Licensed Counselor and Board President, The Way Community Center of Greene County

Monday – Men’s Huddle – 6 PM in the Center for Campus Ministry Tuesday – Jesus Through the Eyes of Peter & John 6:30 PM in the Center for Campus Ministry Wednesday – Women’s Bible Study 7 PM in the Burns Hall Lower Lounge Wednesday – Jesus and Culture 8 PM – On-Campus House Thursday – Maturity: Moving on In Faith 9 PM in the President’s House

WU Chapel is open to all students, faculty & staff, and meets on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. in Roberts Chapel.

For more information on campus Bible studies, email Chaplain Josh Sumpter, jdsumpte@waynesburg.edu

For more information, follow the WU Campus Ministry Instagram account or Facebook account to see regular updates, announcements or ways that students can get connected.

Commemorate Your Student’s Time at WU!

Support our 175th Anniversary Brick Fundraiser!

Visit waynesburg.edu/175 for more information or to order your brick today!

Upcoming Events: SAB FEB

FEB

FEB

FEB

21 23 27 29 Noon Tunes

Guatemala Fish Fry

Bisque & Brew

Coffeehouse

For more information, check out the Student Activities Board on social media!

The Nest nest.waynesburg.edu

Nest Spring Hours: Monday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Thursday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Friday: Noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

For more information, visit www.waynesburg.edu or click here Waynesburg University educates students to make connections between faith, learning and serving so they might faithfully transform their communities and the world. As a Christian comprehensive University, we strive to inspire and challenge every undergraduate and graduate student to a life of leadership and purpose for the glory of God.