The Laker Family Network newsletter is a resource of the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University. You are receiving it because you have either opted in to receive this newsletter or because your student has provided your contact information. To ensure continued delivery of this newsletter to your inbox, please ask your student to keep their Banner Self Service account up to date with your preferred email address.

Spring Break is right around the corner, and when your learners return to class, the pace will pick up as we race toward final exams and Commencement. As they plan for the busy months ahead, we have numerous services available to support your learner. If your student needs support with their classwork, GVSU’s Tutoring Center is here to help your learner succeed. Whether it’s help in a challenging course, guidance on study strategies, or boosting confidence before exams, the Tutoring Center offers assistance through free one-on-one tutoring, group study sessions, and online resources. Encouraging your student to take advantage of these services can make a big difference in their academic journey.

And once the classes and exams are done, it will be time to honor the approximately 3,000 Lakers who will graduate this semester! Commencement is fast approaching, and we know this is an exciting time for families of graduating Lakers. We have all the details (keep scrolling for important info below!) to help your grads prepare. From ordering their cap and gown to understanding the ceremony schedule, we strive to ensure that this momentous occasion is as seamless and memorable as possible.

Of course, our graduating Lakers would not have gotten to this point without the support and work of our outstanding faculty. We are proud of our classroom leaders, who are committed to teaching and supporting the entire student to help them at this key point in their lives as they acquire the skills and thinking that will carry them forward. If you’d like to learn more about our faculty, check out our new GV Faculty Focus podcast! Each episode features a short but focused conversation with a faculty member who shares how they uniquely connect to students and why they do what they do. It’s a great way to stay connected with the academic excellence happening at GVSU.

There’s so much to look forward to this season at GVSU, and we’re grateful for your continued support in helping our students thrive.

Philly,

Philomena V. Mantella, President
Grand Valley State University

Join our Winter 2025 graduates to celebrate their accomplishments during Commencement 2025! There will be 3 ceremonies: Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Graduates are assigned to a specific college per their major. For our Winter semester graduates, the colleges are assigned to specific ceremony dates. Find out when your Laker will walk across the stage!

We recommend that students submit an application for graduation during the semester prior to when their degree will be complete. Once they've applied to graduate, they'll receive an official invitation to attend the Commencement ceremony. The deadline for students to RSVP to their ceremony is March 30. Please remind them to check their inbox for this important invitation!

Graduates are encouraged to check out the "What to Expect" webpage for all the details they'll need to know for the big day!

Guests and supporters are invited to learn about the ceremony, parking, mementos, and more on the Commencement website.

It’s time to begin the job search! Whether your student is entering the workforce or looking to gain experience with a summer internship, applications for May 2025 and beyond are already live. Encourage your Laker to apply early, and don’t forget to remind them that they can snag 30% off professional attire at the JCPenney Suit Up event for their next big interview!

FAFSA
If your student hasn't yet completed their FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year, please ensure it’s submitted before the March 1 priority deadline! If there are any outstanding requirements, your student should follow the instructions in the email we sent or reach out directly to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for assistance.

It's Scholarship Season!
Most scholarships have a deadline of March 1. Apply today online. If you have questions or need assistance with your scholarship search, we're here to help! Please email scholarships@gvsu.edu for guidance or to schedule an appointment with a counselor.

GVSU MoneySmart Lakers
The GVSU MoneySmart Lakers program is in full swing this semester with appointments to help your student understand their finances or build a monthly budget. If your student is graduating soon, please encourage them to meet with us to discuss loan repayment. They can sign up for an in-person or zoom appointment on our website.

Spring/Summer Semester Financial Aid
If your student is planning to attend the spring/summer 2025 semester, please have them fill out a spring/summer financial aid application. This lets us know they plan to attend spring/summer classes and would like to have their financial aid account reviewed.  We can then award whatever remaining financial aid eligibility they have for the 2024-2025 academic year for the upcoming spring/summer semester.  This short application is available on our website now.

Spring Break is a great opportunity for students to hit the “reset” button on their homework and study habits. Be sure to remind your student about all the tutoring resources available to them, including: 

- One-on-one appointment tutoring 

- Drop-in tutoring  

- Structured Learning Assistance (SLA)  

Learn more about all tutoring support, including locations and hours on the Tutoring and Reading Center website.

You have supported your Laker in countless ways throughout the years. For GVSU’s Day of Giving, you can join us and help every student succeed. A generous gift of $30 or more gets you a pair of exclusive Grand Valley socks! Make your gift early and inspire others to do the same.

Nominations due Sunday, March 23 | 11:59 p.m.

The well-being of students is important to everyone at Grand Valley, especially to their professors. Encourage your Laker to nominate a professor for a Well-being Award! This award recognizes professors that have made an impact on students by incorporating wellness in and outside of their classroom. 

Spring Break: March 2-9

Exams: April 19-26

Commencement: April 25 and 26

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