Dear PLU parent and family members,Now is the time to begin preparing for your son or daughter's enrollment at PLU for the coming year! It is true that our nation’s current economy is impacting college students and their families. That’s why PLU staff members are prepared to personally help students complete the steps needed to continue their PLU education in the fall. There is a lot that can be done right now to prepare for next year. So don’t wait. Encourage your student to take these action steps to jumpstart his or her fall enrollment today.
Complete Your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Today!Students cannot be considered for need-based financial aid until results of the FAFSA have been received from the Department of Education. Go to
www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your FAFSA today. For more information on PLU financial aid for continuing students go to
www.plu.edu/financial-aid/newsletter.
Complete a “Letter of Special Circumstance”If someone in your family has recently lost a job or your household income has been dramatically impacted by the current economic recession, you are encouraged to submit a “Letter of Special Circumstances” to the PLU Office of Financial Aid. This will allow Financial Aid counselors to better understand your family’s current financial situation. Go to
www.plu.edu/financial-aid/specialcircumstances to learn more.
Manage your AccountIf your son or daughter has an owing balance on his or her PLU student account as of the first week of March, 2009, a financial hold will be placed on the account and your student will not be able to register for summer or fall 2009 classes. Call the Student Services Center at 253-535-7161 or 800-678-3243 to personally work with a counselor who will help you to consider a variety of options to address your bill prior to registration week.
Consider a Monthly Payment PlanHundreds of students each year use PLU’s monthly payment plan services in order to manage their costs throughout the calendar year. PLU’s monthly payment plan allows families to balance their total costs over an eight, nine, or ten month period. For more information on PLU’s monthly payment plans, contact the Student Services Office at
ssvc@plu.edu or call 253-535-7161. Toll free at 800-678-3243.
Summer Jobs and Work StudyEncourage your student to find a great summer job by contacting prospective summer employers early this sping. PLU students get a jump start on all those students in the public institutions who don’t finish the spring term until later in June! Also remember to talk to PLU campus employers before you leave for summer break in order to secure a work study job next fall. Find more information on work study at PLU at
www.plu.edu/~stuemp or call 253-535-7459.
PLU’s Ongoing Commitment to StudentsLast month's passage of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 by the United States Congress validated our country’s commitment to college students and families. This new legislation increases the funding of the Federal Pell Grant by $17.1 billion, Federal Work Study programs by $200 million and provides a new $2,500 tax credit to the families of college students. The PLU Financial Aid staff will be utilizing these funds when awarding financial aid for the 2009-20010 award year.
In the 2008-2009 academic year, PLU has committed over $33 million dollars of university scholarship and grant dollars to eligible students in order to preserve access and affordability of a PLU education to all who qualify. The university remains committed to offering students the highest quality college experience at an affordable price.
Sincerely,
Karl A. Stumo
Vice President for Admission and Enrollment Services
