U-Mary Parent and Family FAQs provide a short response to questions often asked by parents and families.

Enrollment Campus Community   Admissions What should we focus on during the application process? Completing the college application process can be overwhelming, for students and parents alike. Our admissions staff is here to answer any questions you may have during this process. When selecting a college, we recommend the following: Visit campus - You can learn a lot by spending a few hours on campus, including whether or not U-Mary feels like a good "fit" for you. Talk with faculty and your son's or daughter's personal admissions representative about how they might pursue their interests at U-Mary. Advising and Support What resources are available if my student encounters problems? Through the Student Accessibility Office we have a free tutorial service on campus, so all your son/daughter needs to do is ask for help. In addition, students with disabilities can be afforded opportunities to assist their specific needs through this office as well. The Student Accessibility Office works as a mediator on student's behalf to ensure that they have the best chance to be successful in the classroom. If students have issues or questions they can also utilize the Advising Center on campus to drop in or make an appointment. Here students can look at major and minor options, discuss grades, and get linked to all sorts of other departments based on need. Because we're not a research and development school, our professors' office hours tend to be more open and flexible, meaning that your son/daughter will feel much more comfortable approaching their professor. Finally, students that qualify can take advantage of Student Support Services. This is a state grant funded program offered to first generation students. A feature of the program is that students may be eligible for a book grant. Also, students have access to one individual that will assist them through their four years to ensure students continue on their track for success. Financial Aid and Tuition What are the costs? Before financial aid, the 2010-2011 total cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students at the University of Mary is approximately $18,325, without books. More than 90% of students receive financial aid. At $12,800, tuition is among the most affordable in the country for a school of our kind. U-Mary also offers a "Finish in Four" guarantee that, following simple guidelines, first-year freshmen can graduate in four years with a declared major, or the fifth year is free-making the cost of not just attending, but of earning a degree even more competitive. On average, U-Mary students are 24.3% more likely to graduate in four years than at other universities in North Dakota! How does financial aid work? Students must apply for financial aid every year. The best time to apply is as soon as possible after January 1 and before the end of March for the following award year (summer, fall, winter & spring terms). The best way to submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is on the Internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. U-Mary's federal code is 002992. If you have a pin number from the Department of Education, you can do a renewal FAFSA on the web. You can request a pin online at www.pin.ed.gov. Study abroad What resources are available for students who want to study in the Rome campus? During their sophomore year, students have the option to study and travel in Italy for a semester or a 5-week program - the choice is theirs! And the best news is that the cost of tuition, room and board on the Rome campus is the same as the Bismarck campus. Does financial aid apply toward study abroad? All scholarships and financial aid apply toward studying abroad at our campus in Rome.