Frequently Asked Questions
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Housing
- Technology Checklist
- Medical Services
- Freshman Activities
- Student Life
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Q: How do I apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships?
A: Submit the FAFSA. Scholarships and grants are given to qualified students after acceptance to the College.
Q: What is FAFSA?
A: FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Any student who would like to receive financial aid must complete the FAFSA online.
Indiana Residents: To be eligible for state aid, the FAFSA must be received at the federal processor by March 1st.
For more FAFSA information click here.
Q: What is the Saint Joseph's College FAFSA Code?
A: The SJC FAFSA school code is 001833.
Q: How are Academic Scholarships determined and when will I be notified?
A: The Scholarship Committee awards academic scholarships based on reported GPA and Critical Reading and Math SAT scores or ACT test scores taken before mid February of your senior year. Your notification will come approximately one week after your acceptance.
To learn more about scholarships and grants click here.
Q: What is a Performance Scholarship and how can I qualify?
A: Performance Scholarships are available at SJC in the following areas: Band, Cheerleading, Choir, Color Guard, Dance, Radio/TV, Student Athletic Training, Student Team Managing, or Theatre. Interested students must "perform" in their chosen area while a student at SJC. There is only one Performance Scholarship per student, and students who receive Athletic Scholarships may not receive Performance Scholarships. If you did not indicate an interest in a Performance Scholarship on your application for admission, please contact your admissions representative.
To learn more about scholarships and grants click here.
Q: When will I be notified about my Financial Aid Package?
A: In the middle of March, Financial Aid Packages will begin to be sent to new students who have been accepted and from whom we have received a valid FAFSA form.
Q: How do I qualify for an Athletic Scholarship?
A: Athletic Scholarships are awarded to qualified students by the head coach of each sport. Please contact your respective head coach to learn more.
Housing
Q: Can I have a phone in my room?
A: Yes, telephone jacks are located in individual rooms in all residence halls. Complete instructions are listed here.
Q: Do I need an answering machine?
A: No. You will receive a campus phone extension with free voice mailbox service. You can use your voice mail to create a personal message for callers from on/off campus.
Q: Can I make long-distance calls from my room?
A: Yes. You will receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to make long-distance calls from all campus phone lines. These charges will be billed to your student account each month.
Q: Is off-campus housing available?
A: Only commuter students with a primary residence within 60 miles of the College are allowed to live off campus.
Q: How are the residence halls secured for the evening?
A: Locked entrance doors secure the residence halls 24/7. Residents are provided keys to gain access only to their specific building.
Q: If I want a particular person to be my roommate, what do I do?
A: For new students, you and your desired roommate must indicate each other's name on the Housing Preference Form and submit both applications within one week of each other.
Q: When will I find out who my roommate is?
A: New students who submit their completed Housing Preference Form by the second week of June will receive their housing assignment and roommate during the first week of July. All others will be mailed out as assignments are made.
Q: Is on-campus married-student or family housing available?
A: No.
Q: Are the residence halls co-ed?
A: While we say that some of our residence halls are co-ed, men and women do NOT share floors or bathroom space. They may live in the same building, but there are locked doors between them.
Q: Does each student have a desk?
A: The standard set up for the rooms of our new students consists of two desks and two chairs.
Q: Are students allowed to have pets in their room?
A: No, with the exception of fish (10-gallon tank or smaller).
Q: What appliances are not permitted in the Residence Halls?
A: Open heating elements, including but not limited to: toasters, hot plates, broilers, space heaters, ovens, kerosene heaters, toaster ovens, electric grills, electric fry pans/skillets, or outside antennae.
Q: How are the bathrooms arranged?
A: All of our traditional residence halls have community bathrooms (one per floor), and there are several showers available. Each shower is enclosed with a curtain.
Q: Should I bring all of my belongings at once?
A: We encourage you to contact your roommate prior to moving to campus. Discuss who will bring the items you want in your room. This avoids taking up precious space with duplicate items.
Q: How can I insure my belongings at school?
A: In some cases, your homeowners' insurance may cover any items you bring to school, so please check with the insurance company. If you wish to purchase separate insurance, you may want to contact National Student Services, Inc.
Q: Do the residence halls remain open during breaks and holidays?
A: Although residence halls close during the Thanksgiving, semester, and spring breaks, a student whose permanent address is 300 or more miles from campus, may request break housing in Schwietermann Guest House (or other designated break housing) during these breaks. As semester room rates do not include break periods, there is a $15.00 per night charge for break housing. A student in need of break housing should contact the Provost's Office not less than one week in advance of the start of the vacation period.
Technology Checklist
What you will need:
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What you will not need:
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Additional information:
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For more information visit the Computer Center home page.
Medical Services
Q: What medical services are available at Saint Joseph's College?
A: The Johnson Health and Wellness Center, located on the first floor of Schwietermann Hall, is available to students with general health concerns or who may require routine nursing care. The services of the Health and Wellness Center nurse carry no charge. Contact the Health and Wellness Center Nurse, Jennifer Chandler LPN, at (219) 866-6121.
Q: What medical services are available in Rensselaer?
A: Students who need medical attention beyond that provided by the College nurse are referred to area physicians in private practice, or to Jasper County Hospital (Rensselaer). Students are encouraged to maintain a connection to their family physicians at home and/or establish a relationship to one of the numerous physicians who practice in Rensselaer.
Q: What mental health services are available to Saint Joseph's College students?
A: Saint Joseph's College provides mental health counseling by an Indiana Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). Mental health counseling is available off campus in Rensselaer at Wabash Valley Hospital Outpatient Services, 131 West Drexel Parkway, (219) 866-4194.
Q: What immunizations do I need to attend Saint Joseph's College?
A: Newly enrolled students are required by the College and by Indiana State laws to file a record of all immunizations mandated for attending a postsecondary school.
Saint Joseph's College requires:
- Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR): two doses are required
- Tetanus - Diphtheria: a booster is required within ten years
- TB Mantoux test: within one year
- Polio: dates of original series
- SJC agrees with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation that students be vaccinated for Hepatitis A & B, as well as Varicella (chickenpox).
Q: Do I need to immunization against Meningitis?
A: Indiana legislation now requires that all students either be vaccinated or sign a waiver indicating they have received and read a Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Information sheet.
Q: I require frequent medical treatment for a chronic illness. Can I receive these treatments on campus?
A: Students who need medications administered by a physician (or under the supervision of a physician) or need medical attention for chronic conditions should contact a Rensselaer physician and make arrangements for care.
Q: Does Saint Joseph's College offer student medical insurance?
A: No. Saint Joseph's College does not provide student insurance. Families whose student participates in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) should familiarize themselves with the limits of coverage for both routine care and emergency care while the student is living outside the provider network.
Q: What if I cannot afford a necessary prescription while at school?
A: The College has an arrangement with the Rensselaer CVS Pharmacy that allows students to charge their prescriptions to their College accounts. Additionally, Walgreens offers a nationwide "Express Pay" program in which parents can leave a credit card number with any Walgreens location and students can charge their prescriptions to that card.
Freshman Activities
Q: When do I choose my classes?
A: Students attend Early Registration in the spring and summer to select their classes for fall. You might change your mind about the direction you want to take after you have registered. Changes to your schedule may be made when you arrive on campus in August and through the first week of classes. If you have questions: call your admissions counselor.
Q: What is Early Registration?
A: Early Registration days are for new students to meet individual appointments with their Freshman Advisor to register for classes. On this day, you may meet other new students, make preparations for other campus life necessities (e.g., housing), and have other questions answered.
Q: How do I choose my classes?
A: In your meeting with your Freshman Advisor, you will discuss the best choices for you. If you are still deciding which areas to explore, you and your Advisor will determine which introductory courses will help you examine your options. All students register for Core and Freshman Seminar.
Q: When do freshmen move in?
A: New students move in on the Thursday before classes begin and orientation activities begin later that afternoon. (Students participating in some fall sports, specifically football, soccer, volleyball, track, and golf arrive on campus earlier. Early arriving athletes participate in all freshman orientation activities.)
Student Life
Q: How diverse is your typical freshman class?
A: On average, nearly 70% of entering freshmen are Indiana residents. While most out-of-state students came from surrounding states (MI, OH, KY, IL), there are students from as far away as Arizona, California, Oregon, Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Maryland. 16% of the freshman class are multicultural (non-caucasian).
Q: Can I study abroad?
A: Saint Joseph's College students are encouraged to study abroad when possible. If you would like to learn more about this program, check out the study abroad Web page.
Q: Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus?
A: All students are allowed to have cars on campus with the proper parking permits. Parking permits are $25 each.
Q: Can my friends visit me on campus?
A: Visitation hours are campus wide and regulate when students can have guests in their residence halls. Visitation hours for SJC students are Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Same-sex visitors are allowed to stay overnight with a guest pass from a Residential Assistant.
