The university continues to make every effort to provide the safest environment for your students. Here's how you can help...

COVID-19 Testing Expectations for Spring 2021 Return

Students are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine at their homes prior to their return to Starkville in January 2021. Additionally, students are urged to be tested for COVID-19 prior to coming back to campus. (If COVID-19 positive, please, please, please have your student remain at home through the isolation period.)

If your student is unable to be tested before arriving back on campus after the break, MSU will provide FREE drive-thru testing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Longest Student Health Center (LSHC):

Thursday, January 7
Friday, January 8
Monday, January 11

No appointment is necessary.

All students should be tested, especially if they have been in contact with individuals outside of their household during the winter break and have not been quarantining prior to their return to campus.
 
Students can also contact the LSHC beginning January 4 for testing before the drive-thru testing begins.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Mississippi State University expects vaccines to be available sometime in the spring semester and will distribute the vaccine similarly to our COVID-19 drive-thru testing clinics.
 
A Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and our planned distribution of it is available at COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ.
Some tips to stay healthy:

  • celebrate with members of your immediate household
  • avoid traveling, if possible
  • wear a mask
  • keep your distance
  • if around others, wash or sanitize your hands frequently if around others
My Dearest Bulldog Families,

Happy 2021 from Starkville! Phewwwww! We made it. Who was happy to exit 2020? (Insert emojis of excited woman with hand raised and lots of hearts.) As difficult as it was, honestly, we would be remiss to not mention the beauty of the year. Ever hear the term "making lemonade out of lemons?" We saw it in action, time after time, throughout the entire year. We saw it with students who were flexible and resilient. We saw it with faculty that went above and beyond. We saw it with MSU administration who worked tirelessly for the past 9 months to make sure we all stayed safe while continuing courses. We saw it with family and friends that lifted one another up. We saw it with communities that rallied to support local businesses. The list goes on and we are so proud... tell us your lemonade stories, please. We need more lemonade... sweet, sweet lemonade.

Every new year typically brings with it a New Year's resolution. A resolution to do better, study harder, meet new people, grow closer to family, etc. We hope each of you (and your student) has a refreshed soul and renewed goals. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a "clean slate" with a brand-new year, filled with opportunity... maybe this year more than ever.

While home with your student, did you have a chance to sit down to discuss what worked and what didn't work last semester? Students who struggled academically or otherwise are encouraged to access campus resources (early) during the spring semester. If your student is still at home, it is not too late to spend these last few days of the break and ask them, "What will be NEW for you this semester?"

As always, we are available to help you navigate through our many different resources.

Hail State and Happy New Year!

Dr. Cat Walker & Becky Faulk
Office of Parent & Family Services
662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu
January 1
Deadline for payment in full
or enrollment in payment plan.

Class schedules subject to
cancellation if full payment not
made or not enrolled in payment plan.

January 7
New freshmen and
transfer student orientation

January 11
Classes Begin

January 11 to March 26
Apply online via myState for May 2021 graduation - $50 fee applies
January 15
Last day to drop a course without
a grade (5th class day) 11:59 p.m.

January 18
Holiday
Classes will not meet
University offices closed

January 19
Last day to register or add a course
(6th class day) 8:00 a.m.

Last day to request undergraduate academic forgiveness by 5:00 p.m.

February 9
Deadline for undergraduate students receiving incomplete grades in a previous semester to submit the coursework
Let's be honest, 2020 was full of challenges. It wasn't at all what we expected it to be. Maybe your student's courses went from being in-person to primarily all online within a blink of an eye. Maybe there was some frustration... frustration with self, peers, or a faculty member; frustration with classes not going well, a low grade being reported, or frustrated with the semester altogether. Maybe your student felt some defeat, or a lack of motivation due to the lack of in-person communications or a delayed response to emails, class discussion, etc. And maybe there was a bit of burnout, was your student completely over the semester and ready for a fresh start? Some students were able to soar through with the adjustment while others struggled a bit.

There are obviously plenty of other factors that could have contributed to a challenging semester. Communicating with peers, faculty members, making news relationships with friends and classmates, feeling motivated to make it to the next exam, and steering away from that semester burnout are emotions new students typically go through under normal circumstances. Has 2020 been a little more difficult? Of course. This past semester has been a great learning opportunity, not just for university leaders across the country but for our students and their families.

  • How did your students handle this past semester?
  • Did your students face adversity to the best of their ability and do everything they possibly could to succeed?
  • Did this past semester help open up opportunities for improvement, provide a new sense of focus, and help your students develop a plan to succeed moving forward?

Rather than allowing current events to be the headline for how a student's semester went; "Because of COVID, my student...", it's time to let the student be the headline. As we all prepare for this new year and new semester, take a moment and fill in the blank:

"Because of my student's _____, (i.e. willingness to never give up, ability to persevere) his/her semester will be... (i.e. amazing, awesome)"
Rough start? Encourage your student to take a deep breath and figure it out. It's never good to make a quick decision to transfer, change majors, take a break from college. Use this as a learning opportunity and sit down with your student to discuss expectations and strategy, before life gets too busy:

Analyze the previous semester - Locate the "holes" by asking some key questions, such as:
  • Did study habits change?
  • Did your student reach out to campus resources timely or wait till the last minute?
  • Did your student engage tutors?
  • Are you taking the right classes/in the right major?
  • Are there personal issues that need to be addressed?

Encourage Change - Students get wrapped up in the fun parts of college and slip into bad study habits and/or poor planning. While it's important to be involved, if your student was too involved, talk about prioritizing.

Break down communication walls - Most professors are approachable. Encourage your student to open lines of communication with each professor. It's important that students have conversations with their academic advisor, too. Academic advisors are equipped with tons of resources and knowledge.

Organize - It also may be a good time to go over a few organizational skills that would benefit your student. Make a simple suggestion for them to track their assignment due dates, test schedules, end-of-semester projects, and finals on their phone or computer. Or they can always go old school and purchase a physical planner or calendar. Yes, they still exist and are great a tool for staying on task and organized. Doing a little prep work upfront may save some stress and heart/headache down the road.
(Check and double check dates.)
MSU Class Ring Days
 
The MSU ring is a time-honored tradition at Mississippi State University just like cowbells and Bully. The MSU Class Ring is reserved exclusively for the following individuals:

  • undergraduate students who have completed 60 credit hours
  • transfer students who have completed 30 MSU hours
  • graduate students who have completed all degree requirements
  • alumni who have completed any of the above requirements
 
We encourage your child to be a part of the MSU ring tradition during Ring Days February 1-5 at the Hunter Henry Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During MSU Ring Days, students will have the opportunity to view, try on rings, and be sized before ordering their MSU Class Ring. Students who order an official ring are invited to participate in the Class Ring Ceremony on April 13. Class Rings are presented to participants by MSU President Mark E. Keenum.
 
For more information, please visit alumni.msstate.edu/classring to keep “ringing” in this special tradition.  You may contact our staff at the MSU Alumni Association at 662.325.7000 or email jramsey@alumni.msstate.edu with questions.
Student Account Reminders
In an effort to foster responsible financial management and reduce student debt, we would like to remind you about important payment requirements related to student accounts.
 
Payment Plans are Available
MSU is pleased to offer payment plans that will allow you to pay tuition, residence halls, meal plans and other expenses through monthly installments. Learn more on our website at www.paymybill.msstate.edu.
 
PAYMENT Due Dates are the 1st of Each Month
Your monthly billing statement will be available around the 15th of each month, and the due date is the 1st of the following month. For example, a December 15th billing statement will have a due date of January 1st.

Bills Must be Paid BEFORE THE SEMESTER BEGINS or Your STUDENT’S Schedule Will Be Subject to Cancellation
Before classes begin, you must pay the full balance on your student’s account (net of aid) or be enrolled in a payment plan. Otherwise, your student’s schedule will be subject to cancellation, and if they are living in campus housing, they will not be permitted to move into their residence hall.

PLEASE NOTE: If your account balance is displayed in (parentheses), it means you have a (credit balance), and MSU owes you a refund. A (credit balance) means you do not need to make a payment or enroll in payment plan.

For questions concerning billing statements or tuition and fees call 662.325.2071 between 8:00 - 5:00 Monday through Friday or email studentaccounts@msstate.edu.

For questions concerning financial aid call 662.325.2450 between 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday or email financialaid@msstate.edu.
Money Matter$
As a reminder, the 2021-22 online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available to complete on October 1st. The FAFSA will ask for income data from the 2019 tax year. Some federal aid has limited funding. Therefore, to receive maximum consideration for all aid types we encourage your student to complete the FAFSA today.

Mississippi Residents can now apply for aid from the State of Mississippi for the 2021-2022 aid year by visiting the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid. Students must apply each year and be enrolled in and complete 15 hours.  

Visit Bulldog Budgets to find simple and free budget tools to help you and your student reach your budgeting goals.
MSU Partners with College Pads
In order to provide a new, off-campus housing marketplace for the Starkville community, MSU has partnered with College Pads.

Beginning January 15th, via a software hosted by Off-Campus Student Services, College Pads will provide Bulldogs with an educational tool to help them become more educated renters, compare off-campus housing options, find roommates, sublet their existing units, and much more. Current and prospective admitted Bulldogs will also get the opportunity to meet with each off-campus housing partner by participating in our spring semester Housing Fair.

More information on our spring event will be released soon, but for now, feel free to visit Off-Campus Student Services. Share with your students, please.
1098- T Form
Form 1098-T is an information tax document to aid taxpayers in determining whether they are eligible to claim a tax deduction or one of the education tax credits. The IRS requires the University to issue Form 1098-T to each student by January 31.

Forms are mailed to the student’s address on file. Students may also access this information using their myState  portal account. After logging into the portal, go to the Account Information menu, select Tax Relief Act Information, and enter the appropriate year. To access this form electronically, please visit ECSI.
Letter of Good Standing
Students enrolled in a university may need to provide proof of their academic standing. The letter of good standing is an official document prepared and signed by the university a student is enrolled in confirming the academic standing of a student's performance within each semester.

Students may obtain a letter of good standing information by logging into their myState account, clicking on the “Banner” tab, and selecting Letter of Good Standing under the “Enrollment Verification” tab. This information is available to students on all campuses, as well as all off-campus students at any time. If you have access to the Parent Portal, you are also able to obtain this document under the General Information tab.
Upcoming Career Center Events
Each semester, the MSU Career Center hosts a broad array of career events for students to participate in. These events include Co-op/Internship Info Sessions, Career Expo, Interview Days, and more. All events for the spring 2021 semester will be hosted virtually. Students can find specific details regarding each event and access to each virtual session by visiting the Career Center Events page.
The Positive Sip: A Podcast
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Office of Parent and Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu