Issue 4 of 11 | April 15, 2024

In This Issue:


Meet Healthyhorns


FAFSA/TASFA Information with Texas One Stop


New My Financial Aid Student Portal with Texas One Stop

Important Dates & Reminders:


April 1-30

Remind your student to review the Pre-Orientation Checklist.


April 15

The next round of housing contract offers for on-campus residence halls and Dobie Twenty21 are emailed to students.


Reminders

Registration is now open for all Family Orientation and New Student Orientation sessions. Register for Family Orientation here..


Encourage your student to register for New Student Orientation. Space is limited and filled on a first come first serve basis.


IMPORTANT- student and family orientation programs require separate registration systems


The sign up portal for supporting membership in Texas Parents Association is open. Consider signing up for a one-year or four-year supporting membership.


You can view the list of upcoming important dates anytime on our Next Steps eNewsletter hub....

Hello Longhorn Family!


Welcome back to another issue of Next Steps! We hope that as time passes this spring, you're getting excited to join us on the Forty Acres this summer for family orientation. In this issue, we will give you information about the financial aid process from Texas One Stop, clarifying next steps and previewing the upcoming My Financial Aid student portal.

 

It is important to familiarize yourself with the services offered by the University to ensure your student's well-being. Acquainting yourself with these services will provide reassurance that your student understands how to access resources that will aid them in thriving at UT Austin. In this issue, we will highlight Healthyhorns and the support available to your Longhorn's physical and overall well-being.


Additionally, understanding campus safety resources are important for students' overall well-being. Your student's safety is one of our top priorities! We want to make sure that you learn about the ways that UT focuses on safety. In our next issue of Next Steps, we will share campus safety information provided by UT Police Department (UTPD) and the Office of Emergency Management.


Hook 'em!

Healthyhorns

University Health Services, the Counseling and Mental Health Center and the Longhorn Wellness Center

Action Items:

April 1-31

Remind your student about complying with the immunization and medical clearance requirements prior to coming to New Student Orientation. To find additional information on requirements visit https://https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/.

Healthyhorns is the umbrella brand encompassing University Health Services (UHS), the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) and the Longhorn Wellness Center (LWC). Together, their mission is to enhance the health and well-being of students’ bodies, minds and lives in support of their academic and personal goals. Information about each of the departments is listed below.

 

University Health Services is an accredited oncampus medical facility serving the students of UT Austin. Staff provide healthcare, public health leadership, and other services designed to protect and advance the health of students and support the well-being of the campus community. Learn more at https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu and see their page for parents at https://https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/parents.html.


The Counseling and Mental Health Center is an accredited oncampus mental health clinic serving our students. The CMHC provides support through assessment and referral, group and individual counseling, psychiatry and well-being services. Learn more at https://cmhc.utexas.edu and see their page specifically for parents at https://cmhc.utexas.edu/parents.html.

 

The Longhorn Wellness Center creates a culture of student and campus well-being through programs, education, health messaging, student engagement and collaboration. Learn more at https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/lwc.

Texas One Stop

Registration, student records, financial aid and billing services, all in one location

FAFSA Now Available:

Students are now able to apply and submit the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting the Student Aid website. Significant changes include replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI), modifications in how a student’s family size is determined, expanding access to Federal Pell Grants, and streamlining the overall form.


Already submitted your FAFSA?

The University of Texas at Austin began receiving FAFSA applications on a rolling basis from the Department of Education in mid-March. Students will receive an email from the Department of Education once their FAFSA has been sent to UT Austin and we will email them with more information once we process their application.


Next Steps

  1. Calculate your cost of attendance using the Net Price Calculator. This tool provides personalized estimates of financial aid eligibility, offering guidance while FAFSA applications are being processed.
  2. Search for scholarships. Longhorns can search for additional scholarships via the Longhorn Awards and Student Scholarships Opportunities (LASSO) portal.
  3. Check the status of your aid. Beginning April 18, students will be able to view the status of their award and any required steps in the new My Financial Aid student portal. Visit My Financial Aid for details about this portal before it goes live.

 

Need Help Regarding FAFSA?

Students needing support should attend a FAFSA workshop hosted by Texas One Stop and Texas Financial Wellness. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships or contact Texas One Stop for answers to specific financial aid questions.   


NEW My Financial Aid Student Portal (Live April 18):

Beginning Fall 2024, students will have a new way to review and accept financial aid. An enhanced student portal titled "My Financial Aid" will replace The University of Texas at Austin’s existing financial aid portal, Check Aid Status Here (CASH). Students will use My Financial Aid to review and accept financial aid offers for Fall 2024 and onward. Stay updated on the launch here.


Texas One Stop Social Media:

For more updates readily available, follow Texas One Stop on social media.

Facebook: Texas One Stop

Instagram: texasonestop

Texas Parents Association

Join a community of Longhorn parents/families who will be your support system

A special message from the Director of Texas Parents


Hello Class of 2028 Parents and Families,


In the last issue of Next Steps, I talked about the importance of community, both for your student on the Forty Acres and for you, as your parental community changes from a K-12 model to a collegiate one.


You’ve been introduced to the Texas Parents Association and how to sign-up for the membership category that best suits your family. You’ve learned that our office oversees the Association and in this issue, I’d like to share the Association’s history and expand on how it looks today.


Click here to continue reading.

Next Steps eNewsletters Hub Reminder


The Next Steps eNewsletter hub serves as a valuable resource for you and your family as your student transitions to The University of Texas at Austin. You can view the list of upcoming important dates and/or review past issues anytime. Additionally, this is where you can reference key campus departments' contact information. The Next Steps eNewsletter hub can be found here.

University Federal Credit Union


Open a Free Checking account and be entered for a chance to win $1,000!

  • Instant-issue VISA® Debit Card
  • Online Banking and Mobile app
  • No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees
  • Four convenient campus-area branches 
  • Over 25 campus-area ATM locations

Federally insured by NCUA. Click here to learn more about UFCU.


Visit UFCU.org/Promo for current sweepstakes rules and details. 

Traditions Corner

Orange and white were first used as UT colors in 1885, when two students on their way to a baseball game stopped at a general store to get ribbons for the crowd. The most plentiful colors in stock were orange and white. After experimenting with gold and white and even orange and maroon, UT officially adopted orange and white as its colors in 1900. Over the years, the shade alternated between bright orange and burnt orange. Football Head Coach Darrell Royal revived burnt orange as the preferred shade for good in the early 1960s, abandoning bright orange for a hue that more closely matched that of a football. Speaking of football, the annual Orange-White spring practice game is happening soon on April 20!

What to expect in the next issue of Next Steps



  • Texas One Stop In-depth
  • Staying Connected with Texas Parents
  • Reminders from Healthyhorns
  • Meet UTPD and the Office of Emergency Management
  • Family Orientation Registration Reminder
  • University Housing and Dining General Info

You can always review the full academic calendar to get more information on academic and tuition-related deadlines coming up.


2024-2025 Academic Calendar

registrar.utexas.edu/calendars/24-25

Our Website
Facebook  X  Instagram