A Parent’s Guide to Saint Joseph’s

Mother and son on campus in fallAll you need to know about life on campus for your student — from the first year to graduation.

Parents of the incoming first-year students, make sure your child signs up for New Student Orientation

Our Orientation page will also help you keep track of what is needed (Plus later you'll find the move in weekend schedule there.). Please encourage your student to log into the student portal to complete his or her forms, if they have not done so already. 

Why choose SJC?

One big reason to choose Saint Joseph's is that faculty members here are accomplished, yet accessible. Their attitude is student-oriented and they will go the extra mile for your child. Your child's educational outcome will reflect that personal attention. Beyond academic excellence, other big reasons to pick Saint Joseph's are location and community. Campus is safe and friendly. Everyone knows everyone, and the location couldn't be more stunning. Need more reasons?

Paying for college

Blue calculatorWe offer many scholarships to  help students pay for their education, as well as grants, and state and federal funding programs. You may want to check out our two cost calculators. We offer numerous work-study jobs, if awarded, and on campus jobs. Learn more about  financial aid at Saint Joseph's.

Should your child go to a state college or a private college?

At Saint Joseph's we're competitive with state colleges because we commit more than $10.8 million of our own resources to assist students with the cost of going to college. Each student’s eligibility is different – maximize your chances by meeting our priority deadline.

Our financial aid packages can include:

  • scholarships to help students pay for their education
  • grants (you don't need to pay these back)
  • state and federal funding programs
  • loans
  • work-study jobs, if awarded (We also have on-campus jobs, though these aren't part of our award package.)

To be eligible, make sure your child fills out our necessary financial aid forms and FAFSA by our priority filing date of March 1 for new students or April 15 for current students.

Is your child graduating soon?

When your child graduates he/she will be required to complete an exit interview (if they've taken out federal loans).

Learn more about financial aid at Saint Joseph's.

800-752-1266 or  207-893-6612
FAX: 207-893-6699
finaid@sjcme.edu

What to expect during college

Going off to college is a big adjustment for you and for your student. Learn what to expect, how it will impact you as a parent and what you can do about it.

College will offer new opportunities and challenges not only for your student, but also for your relationship. Below are some examples of what your student may experience at college. They will help you understand the changing nature of your relationship with your student. In college, your student may experience:

  • new demands on his/her time,
  • encouragement toward independence and an increase in freedom,
  • full responsibility of their own education,
  • frustrations with administrative details,
  • differences in course scheduling (not in class all day or every day),
  • desire to try something new or radically different,
  • significant differences in relationships with instructors and their expectations,
  • necessity to actively manage (and increase) study time to achieve the same grade,
  • new anxieties about their abilities or future,
  • less interaction with you,
  • changes in classroom, testing, and grading procedures, and
  • social adjustments required by living with a roommate.

These new experiences are a normal part of your student’s development and because of them, the nature of your relationship with your student is likely to change. While each relationship is different, you might be aware of some of these changes:

  • As Saint Joseph’s encourages independence and deals directly with your student as an adult, you can expect to be less directly involved with the school.
  • As your student begins to become more independent, you may experience strong negative reaction to parental suggestions.
  • As your student faces new challenges or defeats, you might see a need for more verbal reassurance.
  • In adjusting to the demands of college, you might see differences in your student’s involvement at home and with family.
  • As your student finds his/her own way, you may also experience an unusual mixture of emotions: fear, pride, frustration, abandonment and joy.

Despite all the changes your relationship may experience, your student needs your continuing love, respect, and support. The challenge will be to discover new ways to let the love and respect come through:

  • It may take your student time to adjust to new academic demands. Be patient and assist in problem-solving as they are ready.
  • Encourage your student to discuss the decisions they face.
  • Allow student to make their own decisions and be supportive even if results are not ideal.
  • Try to take a “wait and see” attitude toward any new venture.
  • Support and encourage good study habits without being too directive.
  • Help your student view this time of life as a discovery phase.
  • Give freedom to learn how to cope with all that is new.
  • In the face of frustrations, give encouragement and support to keep trying.
  • Encourage your student to be involved in a few leadership roles.
  • Encourage your student to network with a variety of people.
  • Know the relationship is shifting, and your best intentions to help your child grow and take responsibility may sometimes overstep the line or be ignored. The goal is empowering your college student — which involves caring and compassion as she or he learns to solve their own problems.

Some of the information was adapted from Louisiana State University at Shreveport.

How Saint Joseph’s helps students to succeed

We have many programs to  help your child succeed at college — first-year program, writing center, tutoring, internships and career services, to name a few.


Helpful Names and Numbers

Quick Links

Contacts

Financial Aid

Office of Financial Aid
800-752-1266
207-893-6612
finaid@sjcme.edu

Billing

Office of Student Accounts
207-893-7732
FAX: 207-893-7678
studentaccounts@sjcme.edu