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    Commonly Asked Questions

    As a parent or family member, you may have many questions and concerns about your student’s college experience, ranging from academic performance to campus safety. We understand that this can be a challenging time, especially if your student is attending college for the first time. This page is designed to provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions that parents have about their student’s college experience. Whether you are a first-time college parent or have been through this before, we hope that the information provided here will be helpful to you as you support your student through their college journey.

    How can I help my student register for classes?

    Your student can view the courses they need to complete their degree by reviewing the Degree Map for their major of interest or by reviewing their personalized DegreeWorks Audit. New students typically receive their schedule of classes at orientation. In later semesters, students usually meet with an academic advisor to ensure that they are enrolling in the required courses to remain on track for graduation.

    What you can do as a parent is talk with your student about the type or classes or major they are interested in to get them excited. Discuss class durations and course load for the upcoming semester. Remind them that while it’s important to stay on track for graduation, give yourself time and know that everyone finishes at different times. Mental and physical well-being is important, so spread out your classes if needed.

    For more information on academic advisors, visit the Advisement webpage.

    How can I get updates on my student’s grades and attendance?

    We understand that you wish to be informed on your student’s progress in school, grades and all. However, once your student turns 18 years old or attends college, the rights of access to student records is transferred to the student by FERPA law:

    The Student Records Access Policy of the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York (CUNY) provides that the University and its colleges shall be in full compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S. §1232g, and its implementing regulations, 34 CRF Part 99.

    Under FERPA, students generally have the right to review their education records and must consent in writing before certain personally identifiable information is disclosed to third parties.  These guidelines contain information about these requirements and important exceptions, as well as definitions, procedures, and the annual notification of student rights.

    For more info on FERPA policy and form, visit the FERPA webpage.

    How can I stay informed about important events and deadlines related to my student's academic progress and financial aid?

    We are unable to provide parents and families with details on your students academic progress and financial aid. However, the academic calendar is a great resource for you to stay informed on the beginning of the semester, last day to add/drop courses, final exam dates, final grades submission deadline, and financial aid logistics in refunds of a dropped course. For more information on your student’s academic progress and financial aid, kindly reach out to your student on that matter.

    To be eligible for financial aid though, be sure to fill out your student’s FAFSA with them.

    To apply for FAFSA, go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

    For more information on financial aid, visit the Financial Aid Services webpage.

    What types of financial aid are available and how can my student apply?

    FAFSA is a financial aid application form to which students must apply to for eligibility for financial aid. Additionally, TAP is another form of financial aid which you may apply to after FAFSA on the same platform. The Excelsior Scholarship Program can help cover tuition to eligible SUNY or CUNY students, allowing them to attend tuition-free. Other financial aid resources may include grants, scholarships, and loans. Financial aid is dependent on eligibility requirements and student status.

    For more information on financial aid, visit the Financial Aid Services webpage.

    What support services does the college offer for students who are struggling academically or emotionally?

    We understand that navigating through your student’s first year at college and throughout their whole college career may be challenging. We want all the success for your student and provide many resources. Baruch has a Student Academic Consulting Center (SACC) where students can book tutoring both online and in-person appointments for help in many courses. Alike, the Writing Center provides consulting in small groups or individually. The Tools for Clear Speech (TfCS) program improves the pronunciation, fluency, and pragmatic abilities of English language learners (ELLs) and non-native English speakers at Baruch College. Additionally, full-time teaching faculty are required to hold office hours. Most professors will offer times when a student can meet for clarification on topics or questions they may have about the course.

    For emotional help, we have a Counseling Center which provides free and confidential services to anyone who is currently enrolled and registered as an undergraduate or graduate student at Baruch College. Counselors work collaboratively with students to improve their emotional well-being, balance priorities, enhance interpersonal relationships, and empower them with useful coping skills to attain success in and out of the classroom.

    How safe is the campus and what measures are in place to ensure student safety?

    At Baruch we take public safety seriously and take several measures to ensure the safety of its students, faculty, and staff. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment on campus. This includes compliance training and protocols, campus evacuation procedures, campus no smoking policy, visitor policies, and more.

    For information on some of the policies on campus safety, visit the Public Safety website.

    What resources are available to help my student transition to college life and feel connected to the campus community?

    We want to make sure your student is prepared to start their college journey and get to know our Bearcat community better. FYS 1000 is designed to help new first-year students make that pivotal transition from high school to college by providing them with the necessary tools for their success at Baruch College. Transfer students can sign up for a peer mentor to help them navigate this process easier and connect with other students along the way. Parents and families are also able to attend their own orientation–separate from their student’s–to learn more about available resources.

    Getting involved is a great way to feel more connected to the campus community. We have a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate clubs and organizations for your student to find their voice and their people. Students have a gap in their schedules on Thursdays from 12:30pm-2:20pm to allow them to get involved in clubs and activities.

    For all student resources, visit the Students webpage.

    What are the career services available to help my student find a job after graduation?

    We want to create a foundation for your student to succeed through college and after. At Baruch we have the Starr Career Development Center that supports student career readiness by providing opportunities to define career goals, engage in experiential learning, and gain professional experience. The Center also develops mutually beneficial partnerships with Baruch faculty and staff, alumni, employers, and community partners, which facilitates the growth and success of a diverse talent pipeline. As a result, students can acquire the tools and the confidence to independently engage in lifelong professional development and career management in a diverse and global workforce. Overall, the center offers workshops, free resources, and networking/career fairs.

    For upcoming events, visit the Starr Career Development Center website.

    What types of housing are available for students on campus and how much do they cost?

    Baruch Housing is located in Midtown at 569 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 (on 51st Ave and Lexington). This location is easily accessible to the 6 train which takes you to Baruch campus in just a few stops.

    Housing cost is dependent on the type of room assigned. For additional information, visit the Housing & Residence Life webpage.


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