Parents

Q: Can you please talk about support services you have on campus for freshman?

A: There are a number of campus resources, offices, and organizations for students and the NJCU community available including counseling services, career support, and Veteran services and support.  Here is a listing of services to aid your student along their educational journey through graduation.

Q: What do you mean by student engagement opportunities?

A: As a part of the Division of Student Affairs, The Center for Leadership and Engagement [insert link] serves as a centralized connector, convener, and collaborator to provide students with the resources needed to improve in the areas of leadership development and engagement on and off campus.  

In addition, Community service provides opportunities for faculty, staff and students to use their time, energy, skills and abilities to work with, for and on behalf of individuals in their communities. Although the primary goal of community service is to make a difference, many students have found that volunteer work expands their perspectives, broadens their understanding of community issues and creates practical applications of their education. While there is a multitude of ways to serve the community, NJCU offers a formalized program through The Center for Community Engagement.

Q: What is block scheduling and what are learning communities?

A: The General Education Learning Communities (GELCs) are course pairs and clusters taken together by a cohort of students for all incoming freshman. Professors work together to integrate courses, align teaching strategies, and build joint assignments and assessments. This encourages students to make connections among linked courses and learn from relationships among course content and modes of inquiry. It also provides a great opportunity for students to build relationships with peers taking two or three courses together in the same semester.  In the Gen Ed Learning Communities, students take two or more linked courses together, learning about fascinating topics from diverse disciplinary perspectives. Students gain knowledge through study and experience; they discover and pursue their chosen areas of interest in courses that explore distinct approaches to intellectual inquiry. Academic study becomes an integrative exploration of oneself and the world.

Q: Should my commuting student be expected to keep hours like in high school?

A: No.  Do not expect students to come and go just before and after class.  Often times there is outside group work and study that needs to be accomplished by the student.  They may need to be at the library.  They may need to meet with a tutor.  There are also ample opportunities for students to be engaged in student government, clubs and organizations, leadership and community service opportunities, attend athletic events, and utilize the athletic facilities on campus.

Q: My student is registered for an online course.  How do they sign up and receive information?  

A: Learn is the learning management system utilized by NJCU to deliver web-based instruction. Since the system is totally web-based, you do not need to have any special software installed on your computer to use it. All communication with your professor and classmates occurs within your Blackboard course which you can access anywhere and anytime you have access to the Internet and a supported browser.  More information is available here.

Q: Will students get feedback on how they are doing?

A: Yes.  Students do receive midterm grades so they know how they are progressing and have time to improve their earned academic performance over the remaining time in the semester.

Q: What is the coordinated care network?

A: The coordinated care network is a group from services across the university that meets to make sure identified students are adequately connected to academic affairs, enrollment management, student services, and student affairs resources.

Q: Will our children have access to any financial literacy courses and resources?

A: Yes.  Among several offered, CashCourse is a FREE web based, self-directed financial literacy program that provides students with financial information, tips, and skills necessary to be financially successful. The interactive format helps students connect with realistic content that relates to their everyday college experiences and helps them successfully navigate the world of money. Students have online access to important financial information throughout their academic careers to reinforce time and financial management skills beyond higher education. 
 

Q: Can my student ask for financial help if special circumstances arise?

A: Yes.  Have them begin by going to the financial aid office and meeting with a financial aid counselor, describing their individual circumstances.

Q: What is the Federal Work-Study Program?

A: The work-study program is a federally funded program administered by NJCU to promote access to on-campus employment to help offset educational expenses. Work study students may work part-time during the academic year and full-time during the summer sessions.

Q: How do students apply for the Federal Work-Study Program?

A: Students who wish to be considered for the academic year or Summer Federal Work-Study Program must file their FAFSA no later than April 15 of each year and must indicate their interest in the program on the FAFSA application. Students will be considered for Federal Work-Study on a first-come first-served basis. Students apply for the Federal Work-Study program by completing the FAFSA each year.  Question 31 on the FAFSA asks, “Are you interested in being considered for work-study?” The student needs to check off yes. If a student does not receive a Federal Work-Study Award in their initial award package, they should email seo@njcu.edu with their resume (see resume template on this page) to be placed on the Federal Work Study Waiting List. As positions become available, students on the waitlist will be selected to participate in the program. Students who are awarded FWS are NOT guaranteed a job as they must interview and be hired by the assigned department.

Q: How many hours per week of student campus employment are available?

A: Students may work up to 15 hours per week during the academic year and must be enrolled at least half-time during that time. If there are funds available for the summer term, students may also work up to 30 hours during the summer sessions. Please note that these are the maximum hours permitted, not the number of hours the student must work as part of the work-study program.

Q: What is FERPA?  How can my student give me permission to discuss their record with NJCU?

A: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act transfers control of the student's educational record to the student as college students are considered responsible adults who determine what personal information will be released to whom.  The simplest way for parents to receive information about the student's grades, financial statement, or other student information is for the student to provide it. Students can look up information online, print it, and provide a copy to their parents.  Students can grant parents access to their educational record by submitting "The Release of Information Form" to the Registrar's Office.
 

Q: Where is public safety and what types of services are offered?

A: The Department of Public Safety offers comprehensive safety and security services to all valued members of our community. We work vigilantly with our municipal, state and federal law enforcement and fire safety partners to ensure the safety and security of our community. You can help in a couple of ways: first, by being aware of your surroundings and belongings; secondly by reporting unusual or suspicious behavior.  Public Safety is located in Rossey Hall, Room 115, Available 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week.  The phone number is: (201) 200-3128 or DIAL 55 Emergency.  E-mail: publicsafety@njcu.edu. 

Q: Are security officers armed?

A: Our security officers are not armed.

Q: How many security cameras do you have?

A: We have 300 cameras which is the same number the Jersey City Police Department has for the entire city.

Q: What email address does the university contact students on to communicate?

A: Their njcu.edu email address.  All reminders about registration, financial aid, signing up for graduation, advising, and school closings are sent to this official student email.

Q: What is the commute between the main campus and the School of Business?

The School of Business is located on the second floor of the Harborside Plaza II building. Look for the New York Sports Club (NYSC) and the main entrance to the Harborside Plaza II & III to the north of the gym (all glass entrance with flags).  The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail is currently under construction but you can take a shuttle from West Side Avenue to the light rail and exit at the Harborside stop. 

Q: What are the public transportation commuting options available to students?

A: NJCU's main campus in Jersey City is easily accessible via car or public transportation.  The University offers a range of parking options for students commuting by car.  NJCU Students are eligible for a 25% off discounted NJ Transit Pass!  Here are several options and information on how to sign up for the discounted pass. 

Q: Is it seamless for students to get back and forth from west campus to the main campus?

A: Yes.  It’s a short walk or students can take one of the campus shuttles.  

Q: What are the different parking rates for commuters versus on campus students and are flat rate plans available?

A: See the parking page for more information.

Q: What is move-in for the residence halls like?  When is it?

A: Approximately 300 new students will be moving into NJCU residence halls on the same day, which makes check-in exciting and very busy.  Students will receive a move-in time with their housing assignment based on their room location.  Here is the link to important dates for on campus housing .  

Q: If they live in the dorm what does the meal plan cover?

A: All students living in the residence halls are required to be on a meal plan.  Information about meal plans are available at Campus Dining.