Family Essentials

Family Ready

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Explore Family Ready to find key information and foundational resources to help you and your incoming Sun Devil make a successful transition to the college experience. Learn about items requiring immediate attention — such as immunization records and financial aid applications — how to get connected as a new ASU family member, basic terms you and your student will encounter along the way, and more.

Family Ready covers lots of information to get you and your student started on their transition to ASU. We encourage you to review all of the information below and use the Family and Student Action Item lists to keep track of necessary tasks. To quickly access a particular section, use the navigation links above.


College Basics

As you and your student navigate the transition to ASU, you’ll find college is a lot different than high school. College Basics provides you with the resources you need to support your student during this transition, including FERPA and My ASU Guest Access, the college terminology your student will be using, campus tours and student communications.

college basics

There are lots of new terms and departments in higher education. Take a look at some of the key university and ASU vocabulary used by students, faculty and staff to help you and your student prepare to become Sun Devils.

Expand your vocabulary

All students are granted privacy rights regarding educational records by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Parents and guardians are not automatically granted access to their student's information. Students can choose to share their academic and financial records with their parent or guardian in My ASU. Sharing this information is entirely up to the student and ASU faculty and staff cannot discuss FERPA protected information without student authorization in the MyASU system.

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Get acquainted with each of the ASU campus locations through virtual, self-guided tours, or schedule a socially distanced walking tour with an experienced campus guide.

Explore our campuses

Make sure your students don’t miss a thing! Have them start checking their ASU email regularly for official university communications and updates.

Student email accessible in their My ASU

ASU Health Services offers personalized health care and wellness services, from routine care to same-day visits, for students across all campus locations. Preventative care and prescription services are also provided.

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Determine your student's plan for health insurance. If they will be continuing on a family plan, contact your provider to determine if ASU Health Services is in network. ASU also offers comprehensive student health insurance and Bridge plans. You can learn more about coverage information and ASU provided plans here.

Insurance options

Parking information will be available in Summer 2024 as part of the Family Ready module.

Covered in Family Ready

ASU supports the success of more than 10,000 International Students each year. To find information on travel to ASU, student services, employment opportunities and more for International Students visit the ISSC website.

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Living On Campus

Sun Devils begin their ASU journey living on campus in a Residential College Community, a supportive, close-knit community designed to foster academic success. Your ASU student will live and learn together with classmates in the same college, surrounded by amenities, programs and events tailored to their major. All first-year students are expected to live on campus to take advantage of these benefits.

As a family member, you may want to start designing the perfect room for your Sun Devil. This step is best saved until after your student receives confirmation of their room and roommate assignment. Here are a few steps to get you started to pave the way for a successful move-in this fall. To learn more about what to expect during your student’s first year in  an ASU Residence Hall, visit our Family Connection series video The first year on campus at ASU

 

Living on Campus

The Residential College model is a unique environment that offers students access to academic support services, co-curricular programming, and traditional residential community building experiences.

Explore communities

First year students are expected to live on campus in residence with their academic peers. Living on campus provides students with immediate community along with the resources they need for success.

On campus housing

Students living on campus will have the chance to request a roommate during the housing application process. First-time freshman roommate requests must have majors in the same academic college to be honored.

Housing FAQs

Meal plans offer great value for all students on campus with dining options to satisfy their preferences. Meal plans are required for first-time freshmen living on campus, and these students will select their meal plans through the My Housing Portal.

Dining options

Living at ASU promotes creative connections and innovation both inside and outside of the classroom while providing your Sun Devil with a supportive, close-knit environment designed to set them up for success. Your student should use their asu login information to access the ASU Housing Portal to complete their application.

Fall 2024 housing application to open in Spring 2024

Financial Planning

ASU provides families and students with a wide range of resources to plan for college finances. Your student should first complete the FAFSA, with your assistance. This a critical first step in order to qualify for financial aid and scholarships.

We also encourage you to discuss finances with your student. Clearly discuss expectations and budgeting, and advise them to make use of the many tools on financial services website to help with that. Below you’ll find more information on the next steps for financial planning.

 

Financial Planning

Navigating the financial aid process is made easier with the right tools to get started. Use the link below for information on Financial Aid basics including deadlines, calculators and more.

Get started

With different options and eligibility requirements for paying for college, our Financial Aid and Scholarship Services office wants to provide as much information as possible for families to understand this important financial process.

Discover options

Students need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year to be considered for federal financial aid. Many other scholarships also require students to have an application on file. Encourage your student to complete their FAFSA by Jan. 15 to meet ASU’s priority filing deadline as aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Complete the FASFA

The Parent PLUS Loan, a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, is an option for parents of undergraduate students to help pay for educational expenses. It functions similarly to other loans available to students while still allowing for family member assistance.

Learn more

Scholarships are available for all students at all levels. There is no limit to how many scholarships a student can be awarded and they can start applying now. New scholarship opportunities are added often, so bookmark this page and visit frequently.

Explore scholarships

View options and step-by-step instructions for how to successfully make tuition and fee payments to ASU.

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Find all of the upcoming billing and payment due dates, updated each semester to help your family plan for the year.

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Prior to move-in, your admitted student should contact their Admissions Representative with any questions about their financial aid package or tuition and fees.

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Preparing for a Successful Start 

Whether it’s getting the right textbooks, learning about important deadlines, or getting to know ways to connect with new classmates, ASU offers a wide variety of resources to help your Sun Devil get off on the right foot. Explore some quick links and tools to help them make a smooth transition.

Preparing for a Successful Start

Get the latest information on important university holidays and deadlines in one convenient location.

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Easily search for and order textbooks through the Sun Devil Campus Store catalog. Students can search by course name and section number to find all required materials.

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Designed to enhance and support the student experience, the app is filled with features your student will use every day to help them stay informed, efficient and connected to all things ASU. Learn more in our Family Connection Video about the app.

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Stay up to date with campus safety alerts, report tips and connect with ASU Police and other services from your mobile device.

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Access to free, confidential emotional health and wellbeing support conveniently available 24/7 via chat, telephone and web. No matter where you go, take Open Call/Open Chat with you.

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It all starts here! Welcome activities are open to all new students to immerse them in the spirit, pride and tradition that is unique to ASU.

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Hear from ASU Faculty about ways you can help your student prepare for success in their college courses in this Family Connection video.

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With textbooks, recommended technology, Sun Devil gear and more, ASU Campus stores are here to support your Sun Devil in and outside the classroom.

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Is your Sun Devil hoping to gain work experience and get involved? Students can easily search for on- and off-campus jobs through their My ASU page.

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Transportation 

ASU students have no shortage of options for getting around campus and traveling around the greater metropolitan Phoenix area, with free intercampus shuttles, gold-level bicycle services, discounted public transit, and convenient parking all available.

Transportation

These free, connected and convenient shuttles run daily to help students travel between campuses. Check schedules and track shuttles anytime on the website.

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Daily and hourly parking options are available to students and visitors without specific permits.

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Flexible parking options are available for all types of campus residents and commuters. Students can choose their permit and delivery method through the Transportation Portal.

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ASU has been awarded by The League of American Bicyclist a gold-level Bicycle Friendly University award for the integration of bike accessibility around and on campuses.

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Public transportation options are available to students across the Valley and serve areas surrounding each campus. Discounted transit passes offer access to multiple services for commuting students.

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Sun Devils who lock their keys in their vehicle or who have a dead car battery while parked in an ASU lot may request free Motorist Assistance service.

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Student Success Resources 

ASU provides support for your first-year Sun Devil’s academic, social and emotional needs. Explore the abundance of student engagement opportunities, free tutoring, health and counseling services, and more — and encourage your student to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them for a successful first year.

Student Success Resources

From Health and Counseling services to fitness centers and campus safety programs, ASU offers a number of resources designed to support student wellbeing.

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First-year students have access to a personal success coach, free tutoring, writing centers and Accessibility services to support their ongoing academic success.

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Learn how students can make friends, expand their interests and explore new opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. From clubs and organizations to cultural and social events, there is something for everyone!

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Family Resources 

ASU Family is excited to partner with you to help you create your own vibrant ASU experience as an involved family member. We encourage you to take advantage of the array of resources available to you, including engagement, learning and involvement opportunities for every member of your Sun Devil family, tools and advice to help you support your student, and much more.

Get started now on your journey as an ASU family member and explore these many opportunities and resources.

Family Resources

Sign up to receive family communications and receive customized information specific to your student and your interests.

Select “admitted student” and your student’s admitted term when registering. Please do not select “First Year” when registering as an admitted family.

get family communication

Connect with an upper division parent or family member to ask questions, get advice or just begin expanding your ASU Family community.

Connect with a Family Guide

Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to the ASU Family team.

Contact ASU Family

Get advice and tips for supporting your Sun Devil from ASU staff, faculty, students and family members. These short videos provide a detailed look at the topics most important to ASU families. For incoming families, Transitions: The First Year of College a great place to begin the series

Explore the collection

Take advantage of campus programs and explore your own interests as an ASU Family member. Start attending programs today!

Attend events

ASU Family supports all students through scholarships, free tutoring, student crisis funds and a free Thanksgiving dinner program.

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As an ASU Family member you have access to a range of learning opportunities to support your personal and professional interests. Learn alongside your Sun Devil with ASU.

Start learning

Explore a wide variety of educational tools, enrichment programs, college preparation courses and more to ensure your students have the best opportunity to succeed.

Learn more

Welcome back to ASU! As an official ASU alum, you are invited to join a vibrant, thriving network of nearly 500,000 Sun Devils worldwide. Explore events, expand your network or discover a local chapter to join.

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Family Action Items

Complete your family to-do list to become “Family Ready” and prepare for the next phase of your student’s transition in Family Sessions.

Download the family to-do list

 

  • Join the ASU Family Hub to receive official ASU Family communications, learn about resources for you and your Sun Devil, get invites to family programs and more.  
  • Encourage your student to check their ASU email regularly. Upper-division families say this is a key skill for students to learn and helps ensure they don’t miss important university updates.
  • Sign up to attend a virtual Parent and Family Orientation session to explore next steps and key resources. Family participation in orientation has been shown to boost retention and sense of belonging among first-year students.
  • Check out our ASU Family Connection Live series over the summer. Just for the families of incoming students, virtual sessions are hosted live by university staff to explore topics such as move-in, career services, academic support services and more.
  • Get to know your ASU Family community! Join our Welcome to the Family Chat series to connect virtually with other incoming families and ask upper-division parents any questions.
  • Have financial aid questions? You can discuss them with your student’s Admissions Representative.
  • If your student will be covered under your family’s health plan, check to ensure that it’s accepted at ASU Health Services. The university also offers student health and bridge options.
  • Talk to your student about My ASU Guest Access. Through this important tool, students can choose to share FERPA-protected information such as grades or finances with you.
  • How are your student’s laundry skills? Do they know how to make a medical appointment? The transition to college is a great time for students to practice “adulting” skills to prepare for living on campus.
  • Discuss a communication plan with your student. Explore this topic and others in the first-year videos from our ASU Family Connection Video series.
  • Bookmark the ASU Family website to use as a family handbook, and check out our new ASU Family A to Z resource guide.
  • Follow @GoASUFam on Facebook and Instagram for official updates just for ASU families.
  • Register to attend our in-person or virtual Family Welcome Events during move-in and the first week of school.

     

Questions?

Contact ASU Family at [email protected] with any questions you may have, our team is here to assist! We also encourage you to follow ASU Family on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on all things ASU.