Family Ties

Division of Student Success

July 13, 2026

Welcome to the Special Shopping Edition of Family Ties! Getting ready to join the WashU community is an exciting adventure, and shopping for your student's new home can be part of the fun. To help you make the most of it, we've gathered a collection of great deals and helpful tips to guide you as you prepare for your student's next chapter.

Before your student start shopping, check out our suggested packing list. It includes helpful ideas for what to bring to campus, plus a list of items to leave at home. Reviewing it now can make packing easier and help your student feel more prepared for Move-in Day.

We encourage you to take advantage of Missouri's tax-free weekend, which runs from August 7-9, 2026. Certain back-to-school purchases such as clothing, school supplies, computers and other items are exempt from sales tax. 

The First-year Startup Grants are created to aid students in their college experience and help to cover expenses associated with necessary school items, including but not limited to school supplies, residential hall supplies and winter clothing. 

If your student is receiving the First-year Startup Grant, we strongly encourage them to enroll in direct deposit with Student Accounting through Workday. This is the fastest way to receive funds.

If they prefer to receive their startup grant funds by check, they can do so by picking up their check from Student Financial Services when they arrive on campus in August. 

The Campus Store, located in Mallinckrodt Center, is the main store on the Danforth Campus. It carries officially licensed university apparel and provides many options for textbook purchasing, including digital books, used course books, rentals and much more.

The Student Enterprise Program (StEP), overseen by the Skandalaris Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, provides students with the unique opportunity to own and operate their own businesses on campus. Student owners augment the business and entrepreneurial skills they learn in the classroom with real-world experience and responsibility, all while serving the WashU community. 

As part of First-year International Orientation, international students will have an opportunity to board a shuttle to several nearby businesses on August 14. This convenient outing helps make your transition smoother, easier, and more comfortable.

Circularity Center Move-In Sales: These sales offer a variety of donated dorm/apartment essentials to students. Find affordable furniture, kitchen items, home goods, and much more while furnishing your home sustainably. 

SWAP Move-in Sale: SWAP's Move-in Sale is an annual event on the Swamp featuring affordable secondhand dorm supplies. Students can find organizers, mini fridges, mirrors and more.

Note that specific sale dates will be released in August. 

RSVP for Parent & Family Orientation closes July 26 at 11:59 p.m. CDT. To register guests for PFO, students must login to their Housing Portal and select the "Move-in Day Guest Registration" form. They should enter the names of all guests who will attend move-in. This will also register them for PFO. 

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