We are thrilled to be welcoming our Bengals to the spring 2022 semester! Students’ minds are occupied with book purchases and class loads, finding classrooms or login information…or a parking space as close to a warm building as possible…but remind them that now is also the time to be thinking about financial aid and scholarships for the 2022-2023 year. In your conversations with your students, ask them if they’ve completed their FAFSA or checked out new scholarship opportunities on our online scholarship system. We know that paying for college can be a challenge, so let us help you and your students connect to resources as quickly as possible.
The Scholarship Deadline for new incoming (first time) Idaho Residents, Non-Residents, and Transfer students is February 15, 2022. Students must be fully admitted to ISU by this deadline in order to be considered for these scholarships. This will impact students that plan to start at ISU Fall 2022 ONLY. Visit Scholarships | Idaho State University
ALL current and new incoming students should be applying for scholarships now in the Bengal Online Scholarship System (BOSS) for Fall 2022. We encourage all students to be very active in BOSS from the months of January through April. Students should watch their ISU e-mail for new scholarship opportunities for which they may be eligible for as well as if they received any scholarship offers. They can visit the webpage at Sign In - Idaho State University Scholarships or contact the Scholarship Office scholar@isu.edu or 208-282-3315.
It’s also important to talk to your student about completing a FAFSA. Why? Let’s ask Lily, a current Idaho State student: “I think it's important to complete a FAFSA because you never know what you might qualify for. You might not qualify for grants, but perhaps a work study position on campus, and this is a great opportunity you may not have been aware of. Completing a FAFSA is smart and allows you to figure out the unknown.” Caitlin, another ISU student also weighs in with good reasons to complete the FAFSA: “Filling out a FAFSA is one of the most important and easiest ways to help yourself out financially. Filling it out gives you access to grants, work study funds, federal grants, and even state based aid. This is beneficial because you may find you are eligible for work study or subsidized loans where the interest is deferred or even grants to help you pay for college and which won't need to be paid back. The worst that can come from filling out your FAFSA is either you find out you aren't eligible or are only eligible for unsubsidized loans, in which case you are no worse off than you started. There is literally nothing for you to lose from filling out the FAFSA…only the chance for you to gain!”
Students who are attending Summer 2022 who want to be considered for federal financial aid, should complete their 2021-2022 FAFSA (if they haven’t already) and will need to submit the Summer Supplement form that will be available on the Financial Aid website beginning March 1: Financial Aid | Idaho State University. Students must be registered for summer courses prior to submitting this form.
Students are encouraged to complete their 2022-2023 FAFSA by March 1, 2022. 2020 tax and income information will be used to complete this FAFSA. Students should watch their BengalWeb and ISU e-mail for correspondence regarding their financial aid for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students can visit the webpage at FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid. They may also contact the ISU Financial Aid Office at finaidem@isu.edu or 208-282-2756.
Finally, remember that the Office of the Dean of Students houses our Student Care and Assistance services, including emergency funds, resources to address food and housing insecurity, and more. If your student has a need of any kind, and you’re not sure where to look for help, reach out to us at (208) 282-2794 or bengalfamilynetwork@isu.edu. We’ll get you—and your Bengal—connected to people who can help!
Sincerely,
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
and Enrollment Management
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Winter Wellness & Hot Cocoa |
Wednesday, January 12, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Pond Student Union (across from Einstein’s) - Pocatello Campus
Students can stop by to warm up with free hot chocolate and learn some strategies from Counseling and Testing Service for staying well this winter. Students can also enter a drawing for giveaways from the Craft Shop, Wellness Center, Game Center, and Outdoor Adventure Center!
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CATS (Counseling & Testing) Connections groups bring individuals together who may benefit from learning with and supporting others who share similar aspects of identity. All students are welcome. Meetings are held weekly for one hour. Check out our Connections groups for graduate students, international students, students on the spectrum, survivors of suicide loss, students with chronic health issues, and a group interested in resiliency training.
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Talk Saves Lives - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Workshop |
Thursday, January 20, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Talk Saves Lives is the American Foundation for Suicide Preventions' standardized, 90-minute program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention and what individuals can do in their communities to save lives. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide and how to keep themselves and others safe. Topics include
- Scope of the Problem: the latest data on suicide in the U.S., worldwide, and at ISU
- Research: information about what causes people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical, and environmental factors that put individuals at risk
- Prevention: an understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care
- What You Can Do: guidance about warning signs and behaviors to look for and how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis
Registration required. For questions or to schedule a Talk Saves Lives workshop for your department or group, please contact Susan MaComb at macosusa@isu.edu or by phone at (208) 282-2130.
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Online Mindfulness Meditation |
Every Friday through April 29th, 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Upon registration, you will be emailed a Zoom link that will enable you to participate.
There is no better time to start a meditation practice than now! Meditation is an evidence-based practice for stress management, improving focus, and improving overall health. The demanding times in which we are living provide yet another reason to begin this wellness practice. No experience necessary, it’s free, and all are welcome! Online Mindfulness Meditation is open to all students, staff, and faculty.
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Intervene Bystander Intervention Training |
Monday, January 31, 12:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom
Students are invited to participate in Intervene Bystander Intervention Training, a 60-minute workshop that features a 20-minute video of scenarios demonstrating ways in which student bystanders can successfully intervene in problematic situations, followed by a facilitated discussion about the content. Seven different situations are addressed, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (emotional abuse), hazing, alcohol emergency, emotional distress, and bias. Characters in the film represent the diverse identities of college student populations including race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. The workshop provides an opportunity for students to reflect upon the attitudes and behaviors that influence the process of intervening as an individual or with assistance. Students must register to receive a Zoom link for their session.
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Looking Ahead: How to Build Healthy Friend and Roommate Relationships |
Wednesday, February 16, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Rendezvous Building, Stes. A & B - Pocatello Campus
This workshop is a product of the One Love Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving relationship health. The workshop will review healthy and unhealthy aspects of friend and roommate relationships, sharing insights about how to form healthy connections. Students may click to RSVP.
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Application for Spring 2022 Graduation Deadline - February 1 |
Students planning to graduate in Spring 2022 need to submit a Graduation Application by February 1, 2022. To apply to graduate, log into BengalWeb and choose the Academic Tools icon, then see Apply to Graduate. Please apply early! All students wishing to have a degree or certificate awarded in Spring must apply. |
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New Option for Learning (or Refreshing) Fundamental Research Skills |
In December, our Idaho State Libraries announced that they have initiated a Moodle-based “Badges” program to help students learn (or refresh) the “basics of college-level research expectations, defining and refining a topic, using the library’s OneSearch bar, using the internet, and citing sources.” Moodle is the learning management system used by ISU. It provides an online site where instructors and students may interact or post class content. If your student is going to be tackling research assignments at an entry level (first or second year, for example), or if they would just like to review those skills, they can ask their instructor or the library staff about Moodle Badges. Read the full announcement.
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We wanted to share with you some exciting news about an event coming up in April. Idaho State University has been selected from universities across the nation to be one of only four campuses to host an in-person “It’s On Us” training. In fact, Idaho State will be the first in the entire western half of the U.S. to receive this training. It’s On Us.org was founded in 2014 “following recommendations from the White House Task Force to Prevent Sexual Assault that noted the importance of calling everyone into the conversation on sexual assault prevention.” In 2020, It’s On Us and Yves Saint Laurent partnered to develop the “Abuse is Not Love” Awareness Campaign. The It’s On Us training, scheduled for Monday, April 11, 2022, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., will be open to all students, staff, faculty, and to the community, so watch for updates, including the training schedule, as we roll them out over the next few months.
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Thursday, February 3, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Pond Student Union - North Fork Room (3rd floor)
Losing a loved one to suicide can be a profoundly painful and isolating experience. The complexity of the emotions can feel overwhelming and often survivors struggle to know who to talk to for fear others won't understand. In this Coping with Suicide Loss presentation we will discuss some of these factors, normalize reactions, and engage in a discussion designed to help participants gain greater understanding and support. understanding and support. For questions please contact Susan MaComb at susanmacomb@isu.edu or by phone at (208) 282-2130.
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NSE Information Sessions - Spring Semester, 2022 |
The National Student Exchange (NSE) provides accessible collegiate study away to undergraduate students at member colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Three information sessions will be held in the spring 2022 semester.
January 26, 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Career Center Classroom (4th floor Museum Building)
February 1, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Bengal Welcome Center
February 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the Career Center Classroom
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Love the Outdoors?
The Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) has some activities coming up that you may want to check out. Please note the pre-event sign-up dates!
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Avalanche Awareness Workshop |
January 13
Meet at the OAC at 5:30 p.m. in the Wood River Room, Pond Student Union Building
Have you been skiing backcountry terrain? Perhaps you ride a powder sled and enjoy high marking. Maybe you’ve been lucky enough to find an avalanche transceiver in your Christmas stocking, or you just want to brush up on your avalanche skills. Spend an evening learning the basics of avalanche awareness and companion rescue. Contact the OAC to reserve a spot in advance. Space is limited.
Group Size: 25
ISU Students: FREE
ISU Affiliate FREE
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Snowshoe & Cross-Country Ski at City of Rocks National Reserve |
January 22
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.
Last sign-up date: January 20
Nonrefundable deposit/cancellation fee: cost of trip
A great way to explore City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park is on snowshoes or cross-country skis. Routes are not groomed, but there are miles of trails available for the adventurous winter traveler. Hiking trails are open to skiing and snowshoeing, plus most of the camping road loops remain un-plowed and make ideal ski and snowshoe routes. Trip fees cover equipment and transportation.
Beginner friendly.
Group size: 10
ISU Student: First trip is free, Second trip $15
ISU Affiliate $25
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West Yellowstone Cross-Country Ski |
January 29-30
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.
Last sign-up date: January 26
Pre-trip: January 26, 5:30 p.m. at OAC
Nonrefundable deposit/cancellation fee: $50
Don your skis and ski along the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park or the groomed trails of the Rendezvous Ski Center in West Yellowstone. The group will spend the night at a local bunkhouse. Dinner will be at a local restaurant in West Yellowstone. Trip fees cover transportation, equipment, ski pass and bunkhouse.
Beginners welcome!
Group size: 10
ISU Student: First trip is free; second trip $60
ISU Affiliate: $75
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February 5-6
Departure time: 1:00 p.m.
Last sign-up date: February 2
Pre-trip: February 2, 5:30 p.m. at OAC
Nonrefundable deposit/cancellation fee: cost of trip
The Mink Creek yurt is located about 25 yards from the parking lot, which will simplify access. Come and enjoy the yurt experience with all of the luxuries of car camping plus a wood burning stove. The Mink Creek Nordic Center has around 10 miles of groomed trails for XC skiing and snowshoeing. Fees cover transportation, yurt rental, dinner, and fuel.
Group size:10
ISU Student/HOG: $10
ISU Affiliate: $20
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