Resources, Fees, and FAQs

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**January 2020* FOCUS Fees**

First-Year and Transfer Students – $50 per student
This fee is billed as a one-time first-year programs fee on your student account for Spring 2020.

Parents/Guests – $40 per person
Paid when registering for FOCUS, this fee applies to anyone who accompanies a student to FOCUS. The last day for a parent/guest fee refund is January 2.

Fees help cover:

Materials and Resources
Orientation Housing (Students Only)
Meals
Facilities Use
Training and Program Support
Placement
Student Activities
Welcome Week

*June 2020 fees will be posted here by February 2020.

January FOCUS Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last day to sign up for January FOCUS? Please be registered for FOCUS by January 2, 2020. The sooner your do this, the more time you will have to take care of business prior to starting at Valpo so that your first weeks here are less stressful.
Am I required to have my parents attend? No. FOCUS is designed to provide the most important information both students and parents need at the beginning of your transition to Valpo. FOCUS is required for new students; Parents/guardians of first-year students are advised to attend but are not required to attend. If Parents/guardians or other guests wish to attend FOCUS, they must be registered participants. They can add themselves to your registration record by calling Student Affairs at 219-464-5413 Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-Noon or 1-5 p.m. Please note, the university is closed December 24 through January 1 for the holidays.
What should I bring to FOCUS? Bring a book bag and laptop for class registration. Please wear a warm winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and sturdy shoes or boots for walking between campus buildings. Wear clothing layers so you can adjust easily to warm indoor and cold outdoor temperatures.
Do students and parents have meetings together? Students and parents have two separate schedules throughout FOCUS because they have different FOCUS goals. Throughout the day, some sessions are attended jointly while others are held separately.
Do I need to set up an appointment with an academic advisor before orientation? No. For students, meeting with an academic advisor and registering for classes are part of the FOCUS program. We have arranged this meeting between students and advisors.
What if I am undecided regarding a major? Then you’re exploratory! It’s great to explore a variety of academic areas to try to determine what fits you best. You will meet with an exploratory advisor who can help you select classes that fulfill graduation requirements and explore a variety of interest areas. You should plan to take GS 150 – Exploratory Studies during which you’ll learn about your own skills, abilities, interests, and values and which academic areas may be a best fit.
Will my parents be with me when I schedule classes? No. Parents/guardians are not in attendance during academic advising and registration because they have their own work to do within their own FOCUS schedule. The FOCUS academic advisors are specially trained to work with a variety of students to help you select an appropriate course schedule. Our academic advisors are the people who understand the nuances of scheduling that cannot be found in course catalog lists so they are the best people with whom to work to build the appropriate schedule. Plus, every class that is available for registration at FOCUS gets you closer to graduation.
When will I receive my housing information? Students living on campus receive residence hall assignments via their Valpo email (access through gmail.com or Gmail app) starting in late-November if you have completed your enrollment deposit before then. Housing assignments continue to be sent to new students within a week after you complete your enrollment deposit through early January. Move-in for new undergraduate international students is Wednesday or Thursday, January 1 or 2. Move-in for new undergraduate domestic students is Sunday, January 5. See the Residential Life website for more details.