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Dearest Bulldog Families,
Studying abroad can be such a mind opening and life altering experience for many students. COVID has changed some regulations related to international travel, but we are so excited to have students travel again!
While studying abroad may not be of interest to your student at this time, it never hurts to know all that MSU has to offer. In this newsletter, we will highlight MSU’s study abroad options along with competencies gained through traveling and studying abroad.
MSU resumed study abroad travel for Summer 2021 and has safely been sending students abroad each term since. The Office of Study Abroad carefully monitors multiple regulatory resources concerning safety, security, and health-related issues to make decisions regarding student travel. Each country has specific requirements surrounding testing, vaccines, and PPE that is communicated to students participating in our programs.
Please do not hesitate to call or email us with any questions or concerns. We are available to help you navigate through our available resources.
Cat Walker & Becky Faulk
Office of Parent & Family Services
Don't forget to scroll down to check out our important announcements
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February 16
Deadline for undergraduate students receiving incomplete grades in a previous semester to submit the coursework
(30th calendar day)
February 28
First progress grades reporting deadline
(30th class day)
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March 8
Last day to drop a class with a "W" grade
(36th class day) 5:00 p.m.
March 14 to March 18
Spring Break – No Classes Scheduled
(Dates Subject to Change)
March 21 to April 1
Faculty advising for pre-registration
(Some departments advise earlier)
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FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS
These courses are designed and led by MSU faculty members where students receive MSU credit. Comprised of mostly MSU students, these courses are taught in groups abroad. Faculty-led program offerings change annually, and updated lists of faculty-led programs are usually released six to eight months prior to each program’s start date. These programs are short-term programs over the summer or spring break and range in length from one to ten weeks.
EXCHANGE PARTNERS
MSU students enroll directly at the host institution and receive transfer credit at MSU while paying tuition to MSU. Students maintain their student status at MSU during these programs. Some exchange programs are open only to students of a particular major. It is not always required to speak the language of the host country to study abroad at the host institution. Many universities have some or all coursework in English. These programs are long-term programs, either a semester or an academic year.
PROVIDER COMPANIES
These programs are organized by an outside company working directly with universities abroad. MSU partners with 6 different companies to offer an even larger selection of programs than just those through the Faculty-led and Exchange options. Programs are comprised of students from across the United States. Classes are often taught in English; however, students with sufficient knowledge of a foreign language may choose to take foreign language courses and/or courses instructed in a foreign language. Students maintain their student status at MSU and receive transfer credit at MSU for courses taken abroad. These companies have options for both short (summer) and long-term programs (semester/academic year).
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Students who study abroad experience lower unemployment rates and higher academic averages due to the numerous competences gained abroad.
COMPETENCIES GAINED
- Enhanced awareness of cultures and customs
- Adaptability
- Ability to identify and achieve goals
- General improvement in communication skills
- Increased confidence and initiative
- Greater flexibility
- Awareness of global, economic, and political issues
- Increased language acquisition
- Comfort with uncertainty
- Ability to maintain an open mind and be tolerant of others
- Clarification of goals and improved self-awareness
- Resource management
- Organizational problem solving
- Crisis management
- Listening and observation
- Increased independence and self-reliance
- Stronger time-management skills
HEALTH & SAFETY
The safety, security, and well-being of study abroad program participants are of utmost importance to MSU, the International Institute, and the Office of Study Abroad.
All students complete an application, which includes health information and emergency contact information. Students are required to complete an Outbound Orientation, purchase adequate international emergency assistance insurance, and register through the Department of State.
The Office of Study Abroad also emphasizes to students, faculty, and parents that all program participants must take responsibility for their own safety and security just as they would in their home communities.
To ensure added safety and health measures are taken, the Office of Study Abroad closely always monitors U.S. State Department (DOS) Travel Advisories and Country Specific Risk Indicators. Regular reviews of reports by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), as well as information provided by trusted security analysis services, local governments and media outlets are also made.
Rest assured; your students will be in good hands!
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SPOTLIGHT ON KENYA
Discover what it means to be an agent of change by learning about the people, planet, and profit of the African country, Kenya. This program ties together 3 different disciplines – Agriculture, Fashion Design and Merchandising, and Sociology – to bring MSU undergrad students a well-rounded cultural experience.
Students participating in the 2-week adventure of a lifetime will receive 3 course credits toward their degree. They will complete daily reflections, a group project, and a final presentation outlining everything they learned in-country. The course will integrate goals and learning modalities that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to develop Kenya’s social, environmental, and economic strategies. Additional excursions will enhance the experience while abroad.
Additional information about this life-changing program and other faculty-led courses can be found on the MSU Study Abroad Website.
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January Issue of our e-Newsletter
In our January e-Newsletter, we provided information on various topics that included:
- Academic Restart: Bouncing Back from a Tough Semester
- Campus Resource Reminders
If you would like to view the January e-Newsletter, please visit Get Connected.
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Conversation Starters
Take time this month to ask your students the following questions:
- What have you done to improve your study habits?
- How often are you reconnecting with your friends?
- What new changes are you making to be successful this semester?
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Bulldog Family Weekend
October 21-23, 2022
We are excited to announce the dates of our Bulldog Family Weekend fall event. MSU football will take on Alabama's Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, AL and we will host a tailgate and watch party here in Stark Vegas. We are working out the details, but we sure hope you will make plans to join us. It will also be an opportunity to highlight some (other) wonderful things on and off campus.
Registration will open in early June.
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Alumni Delegate Tuition Drawing
The Mississippi State University Alumni Delegates will hold its 17th Tuition Drawing in April! Any students returning for the fall 2022 semester are eligible to enter. The winner of the drawing will receive one in-state semester at MSU paid in full. Tickets can be purchased online through the Alumni Association by March 25. The winning ticket will be drawn on April 7 and the winner will be announced on the MSU Alumni Association’s social media accounts (@msstatealumni) following Prize Patrol the week of April 11.
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MSU Class Ring Days
We encourage your child to be a part of the time-honored MSU ring tradition during Ring Days February 22-24 at the Hunter Henry Center. 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 at the Chapel of Memories on May 3rd. Class Rings are presented to participants by MSU President Mark E. Keenum.
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Upcoming Events
Health Promotion and Wellness Focus Group
Thursday, February 3 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
1st Floor Student Union - Dawg House
Health Promotion and Wellness wants to hear from students about how they can best serve them this semester! Students are invited to share their experiences regarding past events and brainstorm ways the Health Promotion and Wellness team can help improve our student's overall health and well-being this semester. Food will be provided!
First-Gen Game Night
Thursday, February 3 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
2nd Floor Student Union - Ballroom S and U
The First-Gen Game night is an opportunity for first-gen faculty, staff, students, and alumni to connect for a night of engagement and fun! This is a great opportunity for students to network, make connections with new people, reconnect with someone they've already met, and enjoy a night of fun.
Unified Kickball Game
Thursday, February 3 | 6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Mississippi State University Unified Sports will be holding their first kickball game of the semester. All students are welcome. We encourage any student interested to bring a friend and prepare to have fun and hopefully leave wanting to return. Such a great opportunity to connect with other Bulldogs, too!
Sports Trivia Night
Saturday, February 5 | 8:00p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
1st Floor Student Union - Dawg House
Do you have a student that knows everything about sports? Encourage your student to join the Center for Student Activities for a night of sports-themed trivia. The top three teams will each receive a prize basket and a set of Amazon gift cards! Free food and novelty items will be provided.
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More details and registration information about each
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Student Counseling Services - Group Services
scsgroups@saffairs.msstate.edu
662.325.2091
What is Group Therapy? is a free service provided by the Student Counseling Services (SCS). It is a form of psychotherapy in which individuals share and grow amongst others with similar concerns. For many presenting concerns, research has shown that group therapy can be as effective as individual therapy. Group therapy also offers a key component that is not available in individual therapy, social support. Group therapy can help reduce stigma, isolation, and feelings of alienation.
Each group has a different meeting schedule, but typically groups meet once weekly for between 6 and 14 weeks. This schedule will be shared with you by the group facilitator at the time of or after group screening. All groups will meet virtual during the spring 2022 semester due to COVID 19.
What types of groups area offered? SCS has a different menu of groups each semester, and we are open to creating new groups to meet student need and interest. Groups offered this semester are listed below:
- Dealing with Distress - Manage chronic negative emotions and/or behaviors through distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and mindfulness skills.
- Journey to Wholeness - This is a skills-based group that will help survivors of sexual assault or abuse cope with symptoms of trauma, feel empowered in their relationships and receive support from fellow survivors.
- ACT UP - A group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, questioning, or other students coping with coming out, adjusting to campus, relationships, or other concerns.
- RISE - Respect, Inspire, Support, and Empower. This group will assist survivors of emotional, physical, and/ or verbal abuse to cope with their experiences by learning coping skills and connect with a community of other survivors.
- Tabletop Talks - Travel to strange places. Meet interesting people. Fight unspeakable horrors together. Members of this group will engage in weekly installments of the tabletop role play game “Monster of the Week”, followed by a process discussion regarding their interactions in the game setting.
- EMERGE - Experiencing, Making sense, Equipping, and Reinvesting after your Grief Exposure. This group will provide a place to explore, along with others, your grief experience as you work toward acceptance, healing, and wholeness after the loss of a significant person in your life.
Is group therapy confidential?
Group facilitators guarantee their own confidentiality, with an exception if the facilitator has sufficient reason to believe that someone is in danger. In this case, the facilitator has a professional obligation to take direct action in order to keep everyone safe. Each group has its own rules and guidelines, but all groups have the rules that group members will keep what is shared in the group by other group members and the identities of other group members confidential.
To speak to a clinician about your interest in group therapy, please visit our website counseling.msstate.edu and click on Mississippi State Virtual Waiting Room, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 4 pm. Group screening with the group facilitator(s) is required before group involvement can begin, to ensure that the group is a good fit for your concerns. |
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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 by visiting the Office of the Controller and Treasurer.
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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 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.
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Tradition Keeper Medallion
Your student is an essential part of carrying on time-honored traditions that we hold true at MSU. By completing 30 traditions, they could earn the official Tradition Keeper Medallion for a little extra swag to wear at graduation. For more information, visit our website at the MSU Alumni Association.
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Graduation Trip
For 2022, the MSU Alumni Association is offering graduating seniors the opportunity to go on a grad trip to Europe! This excursion lasts from May 23 to June 7 and will take the new grads to some of Europe’s must-see destinations. Guided by a professional Tour Director and surrounded by their peers, graduates can travel safely with flexible and informal programming. For more information, please visit MSU's Young Alumni Travel Program or contact our staff at the MSU Alumni Association at 662.325.7000.
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Scholarship Reminders
Students with scholarships are encouraged to review the guidelines of their scholarship to maintain their awards by logging into their MSU Scholarship Portal.
The scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 Academic Year opened on October 1, 2021. Current students may apply for competitive, private, and departmental scholarships by completing the General Scholarship Application. The departmental scholarship application and other applications can be found under their Recommended Opportunities. The priority date for submitting these applications is March 1, 2022.
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Money Matter$
As a reminder, on October 1 the 2022-23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) became available to complete. Students can complete the FAFSA online. 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.
Students who are receiving Title IV federal financial aid must maintain satisfactory academic progress. For details on the satisfactory academic progress policy as it applies to Mississippi State University, please visit Mississippi State Student Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress guidelines.
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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 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.
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Would you like to make an impact on your student's Mississippi State experience and represent Bulldog Families just like you?
We would like to personally invite you to become an inaugural member of our Maroon Family Alliance. The Maroon Family Alliance will financially support programs and events that enhance your student's experience and our campus community as a whole.
The Maroon Family Alliance will meet on a Friday afternoon in both the fall and spring semesters. During these meetings, members will tour some of Mississippi State’s top facilities, learn about innovative programs, hear from dynamic faculty and administrators. Most importantly, members will decide as a group how Maroon Family Alliance funds will be used to strengthen Mississippi State University and its Division of Student Affairs. It is a special way for parents and families to become connected with key University members and other Bulldog families.
You can be a part of the Maroon Family Alliance by following the “JOIN NOW” link below to make your annual contribution of $2,500. You may also call Jana Berkery, Director of Development, at 662.325.9129 to make your contribution by phone.
Visit MFA.MSSTATE.EDU for more information and we look forward to working with the new Mississippi State Maroon Family Alliance!
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Make sure you mention #MSStateFamily when you make a post.
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Office of Parent and Family Services | 662.325.3611 | family@msstate.edu |
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