Parent and Family FAQ

SCSU is a flourishing community of more than 10,000 students located less than three miles from downtown New Haven, near the artsy and historic Westville Village section of the city. We highly recommend that you and your student visit our campus in person or virtual, either before applying or soon after submitting an application. A student guide will give you a tour of the campus and answer questions you may have about Southern. We also offer a virtual tour.  You'll see our academic facilities, a residence hall room, dining hall, library,  student center and more. An admissions counselor will be available to review the application and admissions process in our daily information session. Sign up for a tour right online HERE.

* The Admissions Office reviews undergraduate applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.  So the sooner an application is submitted and completed, the sooner we can get a decision back to your student!

* Early Action:  Fall 2021 Freshman applications submitted by November 1, 2020 will be considered for Early Action notification.  Completed applications will be notified on a rolling basis.

* Freshman applicants interested in our BSN Nursing major should apply by the November 1 Early Action deadline to be considered for a limited number of direct Nursing admission spots.

* If you are applying close to the start of term, contact Admissions at 203-392-5644 for details about our processing time frame.

All students are notified within their Admission Portal, with an email, and a printed letter mailed home regarding the outcome of the application evaluation. Prospective students are encouraged to check their application status online. Directions for accessing this information are emailed directly to students once they apply to the University.

No, all students are evaluated in the same manner. However, in-state and some regional students are eligible for reduced tuition

More than half of incoming first-year students do not declare a major. Two year state college graduates, however, must declare their preferred major field of concentration at the time they apply for admission to the baccalaureate program. We encourage students to begin to explore a major area of study as soon as possible. Students are not limited to any major and may change at any time.

With a students to faculty ratio of 15:1, students find it easy to keep in touch and develop strong relationships with faculty. All faculty keep office hours equal to the hours they are in the classroom. Information about the faculty member's office hours is always included in the course syllabus, and students are encouraged to take advantage of this time. In addition, e-mail and the internet make communication between students and faculty even easier.

All professors hold office hours and encourage students to both ask questions and work collaboratively amongst themselves.

Moreover our Academic Success Center is a resource for students who are having difficulty with a particular course, as well as for students who aim to maintain a high academic standing. The Center provides tutoring, information and academic enrichment for all students seeking assistance in writing, math, science, and nearly all other courses offered at SCSU. Assistance may be provided by a professional academic assistant or by a trained student tutor. All services are free and available upon request.

SCSU is committed to providing access to a quality education for students, including those with documented disabilities. Please consult the Disability Resource Center for further information.

SCSU offers an excellent value for a quality education with a reputation for excellence. SCSU establishes tuition rates and fees for all students each year in July. For the most up to date information please visit Tuition and Fees.

(FERPA answer and authorization)

Due to federal regulations, parents do not have access to their child's grades. Students may authorize the disclosure of academic and/or financial information to a parent, guardian, or other third party. This may be authorized or revoked at any time in Banner Web:  For more information please see the Release Of Records .

Southern Connecticut State University has its own police department that monitors the campus 24 hours a day. The Police Department also provides 24-hour escort services on campus. Students are assigned university ID cards and PINs that they are required to use to gain entrance to residence halls and buildings. Learn more about safety and security on campus.

Yes! You can subscribe by clicking here. You can also join the Parent/Family Facebook Group by clicking here.

Click here to view the student handbook.

There are countless opportunities for students to get involved on Southern’s campus.  From clubs and organizations, to leadership programs and service initiatives, students have the ability to engage, grow and give back.  The best place to start your search for involvement opportunities is by visiting OwlConnect, our platform for student engagement. Here, you can find information on all 125 clubs and organizations, as well as resources to help connect you to other various programs and activities.  In addition, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development is located in the Adanti Student Center, room 212. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm and employs Involvement Assistants, who are student leaders trained specifically to connect students to involvement opportunities that will help benefit their growth and development. There is something for everyone on Southern’s campus, so explore what’s offered and find the right fit for you! 

It is important for students to know there are two types of on campus positions, federal work study which will be granted and managed through the office of financial aid and a student has to qualify for that, and student employment without work study. The JOBSs portal is a great place to go to find both types of postings. Departments and offices are encouraged to post on the system but not required. We also recommend seeking out departments/ offices that students may be interested in working for and simply asking about employment opportunities. Networking and getting involved within the students first semester helps to open the door to on campus student employment, and other paid leadership experiences. We are happy to work one on one with students to begin the process of student employment.

Working part-time while attending college has many benefits, including learning the expectations of the workplace, improving your time management skills, and developing other abilities necessary for success after you graduate. Besides providing online job listings through JOBSs and assisting with your part-time job search, the Office of Career & Professional Development collaborates with the Office of Financial Aid to facilitate the Federal Work Study Program. Learn about student employment at Southern.

Visit  https://inside.southernct.edu/veterans-services  for more information regarding the Veteran’s Center

The Office of Residence Life provides on-campus housing for matriculated undergraduate and graduate students. Eligible students who meet the designated deadlines for the payment of housing deposits typically choose their own rooms from a selection of available spaces during Room Selection; building eligibility is based on credits accrued. All students are welcome to bring a car to campus but must request a parking decal from university police.

The National Student Clearinghouse is the official provider of enrollment and degree verification for Southern Connecticut State University. The official certificate can be mailed or faxed to insurance companies, employers, loan companies, etc. For more information please visit the Enrollment Verification page.

The university offers interest-free payment plans for the fall, spring, and summer terms.  For more information on accepted payment methods and payment plan enrollment please visit the Student Accounts Office. Past-due student accounts will have a hold placed restricting access to transcripts/registration/residence check in, are subject to a $50 late fee, and if applicable, the housing assignment/course schedule may be canceled.