The Laker Family Network is a resource of the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University.
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Congratulations to all of the Lakers graduating this weekend! If you want to tune into the livestream of the commencement ceremony, visit the commencement homepage and cheer on your favorite graduate.

Belonging

As Housing and Residence Life gears up for the 2024-2025 academic year, they’re excited to see the amount of interest from returning students wanting to live on campus. However, due to a record number of applicants, Housing wants to provide you and your student(s) with some important updates and information. Read on to learn more about on-campus housing for returning students.

Wellness

As students transition home for the holidays, they may miss the support they receive from their peers on campus. Your student can now connect with peers, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  The University Counseling Center has partnered with Togetherall – an online forum where students can anonymously share feelings and receive help from community members and licensed mental health professionals.  If your student is feeling isolated while on break or otherwise struggling with their mental health, Togetherall offers peer support and a wealth of additional resources, from online journals to workshops for managing symptoms or improving sleep. We encourage you to talk with your student about their mental health and available campus supports, including Togetherall. Students can visit the Togetherall website for more information or to register with their GVSU email address.

National Influenza Vaccination Week: Dec. 4-8, 2023

As the cold weather rolls along, it’s important to stay healthy. We'd like to remind our Lakers to get vaccinated, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and take antiviral medication prescribed by a doctor. For questions about the flu or vaccinations, students can visit the Campus Health Center. 

If your student is a fan of Late Night, encourage them to head to The Blue Connection and The Dish for special edition Late Night breakfasts during exam week. 

Want more Laker Food Co? Students can change their meal plan for the winter semester. Remember, Dining Dollars roll over from fall to winter semester, but not from the end of the winter semester to the fall semester. Your Laker can add Dining Dollars to their account at any time.

Academics and Careers

Winter break is a great time for students to relax and recover from a busy fall semester. However, break is also an opportunity for students to get a jumpstart in their career. Check out these tips from the GVSU Career Center and encourage your Laker to get ahead during break. 

Financial Aid

The winter semester payment deadline is next Friday, Dec. 15 by 5 p.m. Students can log into their myBanner account to view their e-bill and make a payment. For more information about payment options, visit the Student Accounts website. 

Students can also check out the myScholarships database to explore over 500 scholarship opportunities for the 2024-2025 academic year. If your Laker has scholarship questions or wants feedback on their applications, encourage them to reach out to scholarships@gvsu.edu. 

Other Resources and Reminders

Important Dates:

Fall Commencement: December 9

Classes end: December 9

Examinations: December 9 -16

Academic Calendar

Events Calendar