Saint Mary's Newsroom

Student Voices 2021

One out of three college students in Minnesota receives need-based grants paid for by the state government. These Minnesota State Grant awards are critically important now, with so many families hit financially by COVID-19.

That’s why the university is asking students to help make sure Minnesota lawmakers understand how important these grants are. We’re working with the Minnesota Private College Council to ensure students’ voices are heard. The first step? Answer a few quick questions at mnprivatecolleges.org/voices. Then, you’ll be invited to take some simple steps, including writing notes, recording a video, or being on a Zoom call with your lawmakers.

It is vital that lawmakers hear from students. While in-person visits aren’t possible, the council will offer interested students other ways to connect, including Zoom calls with the lawmakers that represent your hometown. Please consider getting involved in the Council’s Student Voices 2021 effort.

Background

In 2018-2019, over 350 students at our university received a State Grant award. The average grant for those student was $4,771. Those grants have such a big impact for so many students, which is why it is important that we help lawmakers understand the importance of investing in the Minnesota State Grant Program. And we will ask them to make the grants larger.

You can’t make the trip to the Capitol to meet in-person with lawmakers, as you have in the past. But you can still ensure your voices are heard. By signing up for Student Voices 2021, you’ll be invited to reach out to lawmakers, including through writing notes or sending a video. You’ll hear more about the issue and the challenges we’re facing in St. Paul. And you’ll likely be invited to join in Zoom calls with your hometown lawmakers, meaning those who represent the communities where you grew up or if you’re not from Minnesota, where our campus is.

Act now

Think about the impact of need-based grants in your own life or for students you know. Then sign up for Student Voices 2021. Minnesota’s lawmakers need to hear the perspectives and experiences that college students like you can share. Students from 16 other private colleges and universities will be taking part as well. Sign up online at mnprivatecolleges.org/voices.

Take this step in the next two weeks. The council will be setting up Zoom meetings for students with their lawmakers. Scheduling can’t start until they hear from you.

Chartwells now utilizes touchless ID scanners to help mitigate the spread of germs. To get your new student ID card, stop by Campus Safety when you return to campus. You’ll need your new ID in order to eat on campus.

Campus Safety is working to have all student IDs printed ahead of time so it is a quick exchange. The current ID cards will continue to work for door access and library checkout but will not work at Chartwells.

Dropping/withdrawing from courses and tuition refunds

The last day to drop your term 1 courses in the student portal was Jan. 10.

Tuition refunds for dropping courses is dependent on percentage of semester or term completed. View the course drop/withdrawal tuition refund policy.

On-ground students: Since the course drop period has passed, all course drops and withdrawals must be requested by filling out the Course Drop & Withdrawal Request Form located on the left side of the student portal homepage. Students must be logged in to their Saint Mary’s email in order to complete the form; otherwise they will not be granted access.

Distance learning students: If you need to drop a course, please contact your online Student Services specialist.

Tuition due dates and statements

Billing information and tuition due dates can be found on the “My Bill” page in the student portal.

You will receive a monthly reminder from Student Central to check the “My Bill” page. We recommend you check the student portal throughout the semester for updates.

Term 1 tuition due date: Courses beginning Jan. 4 will be due Jan. 21.

Term 2 tuition due date: Courses beginning March 1 will be due March 15.

Deferred tuition due date: Tuition will be due on May 15 for all students receiving employer tuition reimbursement or military benefits.

The university applies the $10 finance charge balance of the student’s account monthly until the balance is paid in full. Students may pay the balance in full at any time. Accounts are delinquent when the payment terms on a student’s account have not been met. When an account becomes past due, a past due notice will appear on the student’s billing statement.

Financial aid

Students who have accepted financial aid in their student portal and completed all required documents should have began seeing student loans applied to tuition accounts on Jan. 12.

If you are expecting a financial aid refund, this will be processed within 10 business days after the disbursement date. The “My Bill” page will be updated in the student portal when your aid is applied and when your refund is processed.

If you have not set up direct deposit for a financial aid refund and would like to do so, you can add banking information in the profile section on your student portal.

Should you have questions on financial aid, contact Student Central for assistance.

Student Central

Temporary hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 612-238-4566 or email studentcentral@smumn.edu.