Leaving for college comes with so many new things, but handling their own money can be one of the scariest. Learning about Banks is very key. We have all kinds of suggestions regarding Working While in College, Budgeting 101 even the Best Credit Cards for College Students, but this blog is all about banking. I, personally, find it best to have an account for my daughter at the same bank as mine. It makes it easy to slide money over whenever I need to.

FAU’s banking partner is PNC bank. They have an office on campus and several locations in South Florida and across 20 states. There are many ATMs on campus such as the lobby of the Student Support Services Building, the lobby of the Administration Building, Breezeway Food Court and several branches nearby.  They also offer a Virtual Wallet option which allows you to keep track of your money.  If they ever need cash this is helpful, although few students seem to use cash these days.

The PNC Virtual Student Wallet has a spending account (primary checking account), a Reserve Account (Interest-bearing checking account) and a Growth Account (Long-term savings account). Students obtain all three with this option. With this virtual wallet, students are provided with tools to help manage spending and saving. Parents can also receive the same account alerts as students when balances are low if they are enrolled.

Students obtain a PNC Visa debit card. Students also are able to enjoy benefits for up to six years which include:
· No monthly service charge
· reimbursement of the fee for the first two domestic or international non-PNC bank ATM transactions made on the spend, reserve, or grow accounts per statement period
· five-dollar reimbursement of other financial intuitions ATM surcharge fee per statement period
· One automatic courtesy refund of any overdraft item or refunded item fees associated with the first overdraft event
· One incoming domestic or international wire transfer per statement period at no charge

Apps like Venmo and Zelle are just more convenient.

Banking and how our students can access money is something you will undoubtedly want to figure out before day one.

The following banks are on or near campus:

PNC (On Campus)

Bank of America (2000 Glades Road)

TD Bank (2301 N Federal Highway)

CitiBank (4055 N Federal Highway)

Chase (1850 N Federal Highway)

Regions Bank (2250 Glades Road)

Wells Fargo (3601 N Federal Highway)

SunTrust (4899 N Federal Highway)

BB&T (701 N Federal Highway)

Bank United (5295 Towncenter Road)

Amtrust Bank (5550 Glades Road Suite 100)

Our interns are big fans of Venmo. They don’t recommend getting the Venmo card but find it convenient for just about everything. Roommates send each other their portion of the rent or electric bill, or their share of last night’s Uber, right through the app. Some parents prefer this method of sending money. There are no fees if you link it to your account instead of a credit card.

Credit Unions and Investment  Companies

South Atlantic Federal Credit Union is located at One West Camino Real in Boca Raton.

Schwab is a great option because one of the perks of having a Schwab account is that you can use any ATM and the ATM fee is later refunded. Schwab is located off of 150 E Palmetto Park Rd Ste 100

Next step…budgeting!

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com. Are you new to HaveUHeard? Here is how to best use the site.

The post Banks and Credit Unions at FAU appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

When it comes to voting, your vote counts! Voting is important so we want you to be prepared when election day rolls around, here is how to register. Absentee ballots are easy, any Florida resident has the ability to apply for one and vote by mail. This is conducted before election day, and you may return the ballot either by mail or in person. This way of voting should be used when you are unable to be present at the polls.

You can register to vote through the FAU website if you are not already registered. FAU is part of the Voter Friendly Campus designation. FAU’s website ensures students have a better understanding of the voting process so you can make an informed decision when it comes time to cast your vote! The website helps with voter registration, voter education, voter turnout. In addition, the FAU website provides information to students wishing to become voter advocates.

Find your state’s requirements. To register to vote in Florida, you must fill out a new registration form online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov, by mail or in person. If you prefer to fill out the form in person, there are more places than you think to grab one. It’s available for download or available at any County Supervisor of Elections (Palm Beach County for FAU), any local library, or any entity authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to issue fishing, hunting, or trapping permits.

An absentee ballot, or a “vote by mail” ballot is an option for those who aren’t or don’t want to register to vote in Jacksonville. The vote by mail ballot allows voters to receive their ballot by mail instead of having to go to the polls and vote in person. There is a deadline to request an absentee ballot, so this is an option for anyone looking to take care of their vote ahead of time.

The deadline to request the ballot be mailed to you is no later than 5 pm on the 6th day before the election, and the ballot must be received back no later than 7 pm on Election day, or else the vote won’t count! We did hear of many college students whose absentee ballots did not get counted in the last Presidential election. We do not recommend waiting too long to request an absentee ballot and mail it back. Absentee ballots can be requested on the county Supervisor of Elections website, in writing, by telephone, or in-person to the Supervisor of Elections.

Early voting is also an option for college students. Florida Atlantic University is one of several early voting locations. FAU makes it easy for students to engage in the early voting process. Early voting is accessible at the Housing and Residential Education building. This allows students to have a very convenient place to vote.

Many counties open up early voting locations so if your students will be home during this period of time, they can cast their votes there. For students registered in Palm Beach County, there are several early voting sites:

• Florida Atlantic University
• Supervisor of Elections Office
• Acreage Branch Library
• Belle Glade Branch Library
• Boca Raton Downtown Library
• Gardens Branch Library
• Hagen Ranch Road Branch Library
• Jupiter Community Center
• Lantana Branch Library
• Ezell Hester Community Center
• South County Civic Center
• Wellington Branch Library
• Wells Recreation and Community Center
• West Boca Branch Library

You also have the ability to view your precinct information below. Through voter resources, here are links that will take you to your particular county and from there, it will provide you with all the information you need regarding voting in your area.

Please click the links below to access each Florida county’s Board of Elections:

In the past, FAU has held workshops for students in the hopes of helping students become more informed on who to vote for in the voting process. This provides students with help and information that students need in order to make smart, knowledgeable decisions when they cast their votes at the ballot box. FAU is holding these invaluable information workshops again this year so make sure you go out and get informed!

If your student is studying abroad, they should request their absentee ballot several months in advance. For assistance in requesting that information for Florida. For those residing in another state, use the Usa.gov website.

Voting is important when it comes to making a difference. Every vote matters and believe it or not, your vote can determine the outcome. You have the ability to make an impact in the world. So don’t hesitate to cast your vote and allow yourself to have a part in the upcoming election! Register now, do your civic duty, and make your vote count!

If you want to sport a VOTE necklace, you can purchase one from BYCHARI which is expensive, have a custom one done on Etsy , or look at the one sold through Uncommon Goods.

Madeline Gilligan, FAU intern

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Register to Vote FAU appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

The important contact info you need to have. Over the years there have been only a few times that I, as a parent, have felt the need to call the campus to resolve an issue. Generally, I try to get my kids to handle it themselves. However, knowing where to call for whatever the issue can be daunting. For instance, trying to decipher how rush works or even having financial aid issues.  Be aware though that, unless your student has given you permission to call or is sitting with you, some departments won’t speak to you, the parent.

Check out our blog What You Should Do Before Leaving For FAU to download different legal documents.  These documents give parents’ permission in different medical and legal scenarios.

President of FAU: John W. Kelly, Ph.D.  His office is located at Florida Atlantic University
Administration Bldg., Room 339, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431. 561-297-3450.
Email president@fau.edu or jkelly@fau.edu

We realize that finding the right place to call isn’t always so simple so we have listed several of the offices and what they are used for to make your navigation simpler. Many of our blogs address issues that you may be looking for guidance about too so we have linked those too.

FAU Police Department

If a student sees and wants to report suspicious persons, incidents, and unsafe conditions, they can report it to (561)297-3500. If an emergency occurs, dial 911. Sean Brammer Chief of Police, Florida Atlantic University Police Department Phone: (561) 297-1377. sbrammer@fau.edu

Department of Emergency Management

This is the department that coordinates FAU’s emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities to protect the students, faculty, staff, resources, and infrastructure.

Director: Jaeson Eber, 561-297-4587, em@fau.edu

Student Health Services

Located in Bldg. 8W, Room 240, 6424, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL 33431, the offices of student health services are an easy and dependable resource for students since many do not have their own doctor. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. They can also be reached via phone (561) 297-3512, or email the Director of Student Health Services, LeAnn Gutierrez, Ph.D., MBA Director Student Health Services, at lgutierrez@health.fau.edu.

The office asks that if you need to contact student health services for a medical need or question to please call the clinic. Email-only with non-medical concerns such as billing or immunizations, and to please not email staff with any medical questions or concerns because they are not actively monitored for medical issues. Other than routine appointments, they offer after-hours nurse advice and health information. Students can call the FAU SHS number to be connected to the after-hours nurse line.

The FAU After-Hours Nurse Line is staffed by registered nurses who can assess a student’s symptoms and help them determine how to get the most appropriate care. The nurse may recommend a variety of care options, including home treatment, follow-up with a physician or immediate visit to the closest Emergency Room or Urgent Care Clinic.  Note: If your student has not filled out forms prior to your call; they will not release any information about your student. Make sure your student has signed these forms.

See our blog Sick at School for more information.

Dean of Students

Dr. Larry Faerman is the Associate VP & Dean of Students, lfaerman@fau.edu. Susan Fulks is the Associate Dean of Students – Email sfulks@fau.edu. Student Services Building (SS #8), Room 226, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991, 561-297-3542.  The Office of the Dean of Students works collaboratively with other offices on campus to enhance the quality of a student’s life and members of the FAU community.

Financial Aid Office – One Stop Student Services.

The office is located at 777 Glades Road, Bldg SU80 Rm 233 Boca Raton, FL 33431 Tel: (561) 297-3530 Office Hours: Monday – Thursday – 8:00am – 6:00pm Friday – 8:00am – 5:00pm.  Tracy Boulukos Assistant Vice President for Financial Aid & New Student Initiatives, tbouloko@fau.edu 561- 297-3531.

FAU Office of Information Technology

For students who are having technical difficulties with their FAUNet account and its surrounding technologies, this is the place to get in touch with. Here is our blog on Technology Services at UNF and one on Computer and Phone Repair.

Help Desk support is available in person (check their hours here) and 24/7 via phone (561) 297-3999 and submit a ticket.

FAU Housing

Phone: (561) 297-2880

The Housing Office is open Monday-Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. If your student is having problems, they should contact their  Resident Assistant or Area Desks. Information regarding residence halls and staff can be found here. The Executive Director of Housing and Residential Education is Raymond Gordon. You may email him at raymondgordon@fau.edu.

If your student is having issues with laundry, pest control, cleaning issues, plumbing leaks, doors, locks, air conditioning, Cable, Internet, Furniture, they can contact the FAU Maintenance Department and submit a request.

Student Accessibility Services –  For students that have any type of disability that requires special accommodations, campus accessibility, sponsored courses, course substitutions, this is the office you will want to be familiar with. The Director of the staff is Michelle Shaw. Email mshaw@health.fau.edu  (561) 297-3880.

Here is our blog on Student Accessibility Resources.

FAU Parking and Transportation Services –  The Director is George Androuin, gandroui@unf.edu

If your vehicle gets towed from FAU’s property, then the student will want to contact the Transportation office at (561) 297-2771. Tickets can be paid any time online.  Click here for online payment information.  If students need to go to FAU’s parking services here is their address: 777 Glades Rd., Building 80 (Student Services), Boca Raton, FL 33431.

Students may appeal their citations here. If you wish to appeal the citation it must be completed and submitted online. Appeal requests must be submitted online within 14 calendar days from the date of the citation. An individual charged with an infraction must either pay the prescribed fee or appeal the citation within 14 calendar days of issuance of the citation. If payment of the fine is not received in the Parking and Transportation Services Office within fourteen (14) days, a $25.00 late fee will be imposed. Any student with an unpaid parking or other citation will not be permitted to register for classes nor receive a transcript of academic achievement, grades or a diploma until all fines and fees are paid in full.

If you are a guest at FAU, an email will be sent to the email address reflected on your original appeal with the date and time of the scheduled hearing. Parking citations issued by Parking and Transportation Services can be appealed if you feel that the citation was issued in error or that there were extenuating circumstances associated with the citation. The appeal for the citation must be submitted within fourteen (14) calendar days of the issue date of the citation. Appeals for citations are submitted online through your Parking and Transportation account. Tow fees and Boot fees are not eligible for appeal. To pay or appeal a citation, click here. If your first appeal is denied then you have the opportunity to file a second appeal. The second appeal is filed the same way you filed for your first appeal. By filing a second appeal you will have the chance to meet with the appeals board on an appointed date to have your appeal reviewed again. Second appeals are scheduled in advance and you will be notified via email of your scheduled hearing time and location. Your attendance at the Second Appeal Hearing is encouraged by not required. Please note that the decision of the Board is final; no further appeals are permitted.

Department of Human Resources

Perhaps you have a student that works at FAU. The Department of Human Resources is the first point of contact for questions regarding employment, benefits, compensation, payroll, employee/labor relations, and classification. The office may be reached at (561) 297-3057. The office is located at building 4 (directly across from Chick-Fil-A) first floor
777 Glades Rd., P.O. Box 3091, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

Assistant VP of Human Resources is David Tomanio – tomaniod@fau.edu (561) 297-3076

Senior Associate Director for Human Resources – Marie Mascaro mmascaro@fau.edu (561) 297-3074

Asst. Director for Human Resources (Classification & Compensation, Benefits & Retirement is Michael Davis  mdavi145@fau.edu (561) 297-3026

Other HR staff can be found here.

Because dealing with stress can sometimes require a little extra help:

FAU  Counseling and Psychological Services– FAU is on top of it, offering various programs, workshops, training, and suggestions; most of which are free to our Owls. Attached is our blog on stress at college at FAU.  At the FAU Counseling Center, your student has access to free wellness programs addressing stress management, relaxation strategies, sleep habits, study skills, eating habits and exercise.  They also have an online community to help discover ways to move well, eat well and be well. The Counseling Center is located at the Student Services Building

SS-8 Room 222, (Second Floor above the Breezeway Food Court). The Interim Director is Dr. Courtney Weaver. (561) 297-1048, cweave15@halth.fau.edu

For emergencies regarding your student, all 911. Urgent services are available 24/7 to students who need immediate attention. If a student is having an urgent mental health need, they are welcome to walk into the Counseling Center Monday – Thursday from 8-6, Fridays 8-5 If the urgent need is happening after-hours or during weekends, support is available via phone at 561-297-0500

Other resources for helping a friend include:

Victim Services 561-297-0500 (24 Hours)

Equal Opportunity Programs 561-297-3004

Dean of Students 561-297-3542

FAU Police Department 561-297-3500

Counseling and Psychological Services 561-297-3540

Owls Care Health Promotion 561-297-1048

Sexual Health Education 561-297-1048

Health Services 561-297-3512

Student Night Owls Escort Service 561-297-6695

Student Accessibility Services 561-297-3880

Military and Veteran Affairs 561-297-3547

Victim Services

If students or someone they care about that has been a victim of a crime, confidential support is available and they can talk with someone about their options. There are several options if students are a victim of crime beginning with the FAU Police Department’s Victim Advocate. The Victim Advocate is available Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, is on-call for emergencies 365 days a year and responds as needed on evenings, nights and weekends. All services are free of charge and available 24 hours a day. 561-297-3500

The Victim Advocacy Center is currently located in the library on the Boca Raton Campus. (S.E> Wimberly Library, Room 156), 561-297-4841. Dr. Larry Faerman Associate Vice President & Dean of Students lfaerman@fau.edu, Associate Vice President & Dean of Students Affairs Office Student Services Building (SS #8), Room 226 777 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991 Phone: 561-297-3542

For anonymous or online incident reporting, click here.

Student Accessibility Services– Students must register for support services using their FAU NetID to complete the online application. Call for living/learning accommodations, extra time on exams, etc. The Director of the staff is Michelle Shaw. mshaw@health.fau.edu (561) 29-3880. SU 133 777 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33431

Safety Escort: The NightOwls Program is a student ran evening escort service. FAU students who need a ride to or from class, the library, residence halls, parking lots, or any other location on the Boca Raton Campus can call the NightOwls for a free ride. Call (561) 297-6695 for a ride. FAU Police officers are full-service, certified, sworn state law enforcement officers. They patrol the campus in a number of ways (car, bicycle, on foot, etc.) 365 days a year 24 hours a day.

FAU Dining Services: From meal plans to on-campus restaurants, students have many options. The Resident District Manager is Chris Valdes, Phone: 561-297-2562 Email: chris.valdes@compass-usa.com, Director of Operations is Ridwan Himawan, 561-297-3296 fau.rhimawan@fau.edu, the Sr. Director of Resident Dining is Carlos Dias, fau_cdias@fau.edu, 561-350-7728

Sorority and Fraternity Affairs – Both Panhellenic (PC), Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) fall under the Division of Student Affairs. Sorority and Fraternity Affairs is the office of professional staff that provides guidance, education, and support to the Florida Greek community. To contact SFA, call (561) 297-4924 or email fslife@fau.edu. They are located at FAU Student Union – (UN Room 204), 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.

For basic questions, we have listed the emails below. Should you need to speak with someone in administration, you can contact the following:

Rafael Zapata, Director, Sorority & Fraternity Affairs, zapatar@fau.edu

Elaine Jahnsen, Associate Director, ejahnse1@fau.edu, 561-297-3269

Panhellenic:  For our sorority rushing blog, click here.

Questions regarding the Panhellenic Council at large: Kristine Coleman, President, panhelfaupresident@gmail.com

Questions regarding recruitment: Carmella Keim, VP of Recruitment, panhelfaupr@gmail.com

Questions regarding Panhellenic activities:

Questions regarding the Judicial Board and/or conduct:

Interfraternity Council:  For our fraternity rushing blog,  click here.

Questions regarding the Interfraternity Council: Camilo Restrepo, President, fauifcpresident@gmail.com

Questions regarding recruitment: Steven Herndon, VP of Recruitment, ifc.vpr.fau@gmail.com

Multicultural Greek Council – The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is the governing body for the culturally-based fraternity and sorority chapters at FAU.  The MGC currently consists of three organizations, one fraternity, and two sororities, that are culturally-based and diverse in nature. The primary purpose of the MGC is to unite its member organizations in order to share ideas and provide a support network for students. Members of the MGC experience Greek life in a unique way, as our chapters relatively small (10-25 undergraduate members) in size, which fosters strong, lifelong bonds between members and alumni.

FAU Individual Colleges – It is always good for your student to follow the chain of command if they are having an issue within their college. But, should following that chain not work, here is the contact information for each individual college.

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters

Dean: Michael J. Horswell, Ph.D. (561) 297-3863, horswell@fau.edu
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

College of Business

Dean: Dean M. Gropper, Ph.D. (561) 561-297-3635 dgropper@fau.edu
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

College for Design and Social Inquiry

Interim Dean:  Naelys Luna, MSW, Ph.D. (561-297-4169) ndiaz10@fau.edu
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

College of Education

Dean: Dr. Valerie J. Bristor, (561) 297-3357 bristor@fau.edu
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Dean: Stella Batalama, Ph.D. sbatalama@fau.edu, 561-297-3400
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road EE 308
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Interim Dean: Dr. Tim Steigenga, tsteigen@fau.edu, 561-799-8610
Wilkes Honors College
Florida Atlantic University
5353 Parkside Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458

Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine

Dean: Phillip M. Boiselle, M.D., pboiselle@health.fau.edu, 561-297-4828
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Dean and Professor: Safiya George, Ph.D., APRN-BC,  FAANP, sgeorge@health.fau.edu, 561-297-3206
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Dean: Ata Sarajedini, asarajedini@fau.edu, 561-297-3035
Florida Atlantic University
Science Building (SE-43), Room 256
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431

Finally, to read the 2019-20 Student Handbook and Planner, click here.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com. New to HUH, here is how to use the site.

The post Who You Going to Call… appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

Everyone should get to at least one Owl football game. Or, perhaps you want to get season tickets. In the past few years, Owl games have proven to be pretty exciting. One of the keys to making it great, however; is knowing where to sit. For instance, the blazing sun can make a big difference in the fun factor of a game. Here are some thoughts about the best seats for football games.

Premium seating options: All great options if you want shade, however, they are more expensive than regular seating. These are some of the best seats to watch the football game and beat the heat as well.

Suites: includes 20 tickets, 6 reserved parking passes (which is always a plus to have at FAU), ability to build your own menu with food and alcohol so you never get hungry while watching the game, two TVs, 12 stadium seats, 4 high top chairs, and 4 lounge chairs. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Field Cabana: Includes 12 tickets, 4 reserved parking passes, the ability to stock your own food and alcohol, and is only 10 feet from the end zone. Good option if you are looking for a great place to watch the game as well as a shady area by the field.

Four and six-seat loge boxes: (A new option) Private seating area, new countertops, 4-6 comfortable chairs, complimentary buffet and soft drinks, and access to Acura club which is an indoor shaded area. Loge boxes offer a combination of suite-type benefits and privileges with a private open-air experience.

Acura Club: Biggest indoor area. Must donate in order to utilize this area. One of the best options for shade and a good view of the game.

There are also the premium Delray Hyundai deck sideline seats which range from $330 – $510. These seats are shaded by the press box tower and suites and are some of the best seats to watch the football game as well if you are not looking for as steep of a price as the options listed above. Contact Ryan Alpert Sr Associate Athletics Director at 561-297-3199 or via email at ralpert@fau.edu.

Student Section is being moved right behind the visitor’s bench along midfield at the FAU stadium. This will be by the 50-yard line. Our guess is that this will create more distraction to the opposing team and perhaps cause them to be off their game.

Along the same line of thinking, the band will also be located behind the visitor’s bench.

It gets incredibly hot during afternoon games so the sun typically hits all sides of the stadium. If anyone would like to have shade but does not want to spend too much for one of these options, then they should sit just below the suite level and press boxes located on the West sideline. Good shade is provided by the suites and press boxes above. Sitting underneath the video scoreboard provides some shade as well.

You may want to peruse a few of our other blogs pertaining to football, because, frankly, seating is just one part of it. Check out Are You Ready for Some Football or Where to Pre-Game. And if you choose not to buy seats that come with parking, you will definitely want to read our Parking blog.

Now that you know when the games are, where to pregame and where to sit, don’t forget your gameday attire. We’ve got great suggestions from our interns and FAU mom bloggers (because who wants to wear what our kids wear?).  Click here for student gameday outfits and here for us parents.

Madeline Gilligan, FAU Intern

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Football Seats FAU appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

The best feeling for any college student, particularly if you’re an Owl, is waking up knowing it’s game day! There is so much preparation that goes into game days: where to tailgate, who to squad up with, and what to wear. Showing up to tailgates and games is more than just rocking your school colors, it is showing your spirit and how much you love your school. It almost feels like a school-wide competition: who can get the most spirited? With this list, you’ll be sure to place in first!

It is important that whenever you are shopping for game day attire, you strictly look for your school colors. You don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb wearing the one color that doesn’t match with everyone else. As Game Day gets closer, FAU will announce what colors students are expected to wear. For example, they may announce that a game will have a “white-out” or a “blue or red-out.” This means students should wear a blue, red, or white outfit! If you are on a budget, then definitely stick with the basics: plain colored tank tops and t-shirts that match your school colors. Denim is always the move for game days, especially ripped shorts or overalls from American Eagle. If you want to get a little more decked out in spirited gear, then you can choose from face stickers, headbands, and fun socks to add a bit more fun to your outfit. Wearing colorful, tinted sunglasses have been really popular, so get a pair that sports your school colors!

Your t-shirt is one of the things people notice the most, so it needs to make a statement. Most girls like to show off fun DIY cut up t-shirts. They can turn t-shirts into crop tops, tank tops, halters, and more! The options are endless and always make an outfit. If you want to test out your DIY skills, you can get awesome shirts from places like Target or Walmart for a great price.  If you are confident in your DIY skills, try acid-washing your shirts! You can also leave it to the professionals and order your custom cut or dyed shirts here. Some other favorites for tailgate outfits include Tailgate Tailor , By Gabby , Game Day Couture Social House and Custom University.

Or check out Hype & Vice for some game day tops, cheerleading skirts, and accessories all in the colors you need to show your Owl spirit.

If you’re feeling like a team player, then we have something for you, too! Wearing your team’s oversized t-shirt is one of the best ways to show off your love for the team. Girls usually wear an oversized tee so it even looks like a dress! To top off your look, accessorize with a clear bag from Score Gameday bags. Use the code HUH15 for a 15% discount. Most stadiums implement a clear bag policy, so why not have a clear bag that still has style? Both guys and girls can also be seen wearing blue and red striped overalls. I personally love the overalls because not only do they look cool, it is a funny and goofy look for a day of cheering on our favorite team. HaveUHeard that American Eagle now has a collegiate collection so you can grab their plush tees, hoodies, and more for both men and women?

Perhaps you are more about repping the school’s colors. We love, Show Me Your Mumu’s line of cute and trendy gameday outfits

Guys have it a little easier and stick to a more simplified look. Dry fit and polo tops are the go-to for most as long as it has their school logo. You can check out a bunch of options on Fanatics. To protect from the hot sun, guys also love to sport a school baseball cap. Regardless of your style, don’t forget sunscreen and lots of water. Game days are long and often hot so be sure to stay safe and hydrated. When it starts to get a bit cooler in the season, a lot of fans wear school-spirited sweatshirts. Tailgate leggings are even better when you’re cold and need to cover up yet still want to show your team spirit!

There is always so much anticipation when it comes to football season, so enjoy it while it lasts! Deck yourself out in all things that represent you and your university. Show off your colors all day, every day! Your team will thank you!

Go Owls!

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Wake Up Owls, It’s Game Day! appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

When you decide to have kids, your first thought is not how am I going to pay for college, but it might be your second. I made a decision when they were about 5 to buy a Prepaid Florida Tuition Plan which is one type of plan, locking in a Florida college. The 529 Savings Plans, or what is also known as a Qualified Tuition Plan (QTP), is a saving was fairly new and I chose not to invest in a 529 savings plan.

I wish I had not overlooked this type of tuition plan or had asked their grandparents to invest in a 529 Savings plan, as opposed to gifting them money for birthdays and holidays. Since 1996, 529 plans are a way of saving for college for your student. If you had such a qualified tuition plan or a relative set one up for you, then you and your student are now eligible to access the funds. Lucky you. The funds from your 529 plan can be used not only to pay for higher education (starting in 2018 for elementary or secondary school tuition up to $10,000) but for room and board as well.

The SECURE Act signed into law on December 20,2019 expanded the benefits of 529 plan including adding student loan repayments and the costs of apprenticeship programs as qualified expenses for distributions made after December 31, 2018.

If you received refunds from your students education institution, you should contact your plans administrator as failure to re contribute the refunds may result in taxable income if not returned within 60 days of receiving the refund.

Tuition and Equipment

Tuition and fees, books, supplies, and equipment. Expenses for special needs services needed by a special needs beneficiary must be incurred in connection with enrollment or attendance at an eligible postsecondary school.

The purchase of a computer or peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services if it’s to be used primarily by the beneficiary during any of the years the beneficiary is enrolled at an eligible postsecondary school. (this doesn’t include expenses for computer software for sports, games, or hobbies unless the software is predominantly educational in nature).

Room and Board

There are special rules that apply to room and board. Expenses for room and board must be incurred by students who are enrolled at least half-time.

The allowance for room and board, as determined by the school, was included in the cost of attendance (for federal financial aid purposes) during a particular academic period and living arrangement of the student. The actual amount charged if the student is residing in housing owned or operated by the school.

You may need to contact the eligible educational institution for qualified room and board costs. A student who lives off-campus can include in qualified higher education expenses the reasonable room and board costs as determined by the QTP, up to the federal financial aid allowance (as per above).

If your student is living at home, then your student should make actual room and board payments to their parents. Receipts should be well documented and you need to spend the money in the same calendar year as the withdrawal, not the school academic calendar year but the actual 12 month calendar year.

In addition, you should check with your financial advisor as there should be coordination with college tax credits. If you pay for tuition and required books with the 529 plan funds, they will disqualify those expenses from the tax credit. Read our Tax Time blog here.

Any change in the designated beneficiary of an interest in a QTP isn’t treated as a distribution if the new beneficiary is a member of the family of the old beneficiary. The change in beneficiary rule gives parents, or other donor’s, flexibility to use the funds for any family member who needs them most. For example, if a designated beneficiary decides not to attend college, or receives a full scholarship, another child can be named as long as the new child is a member of the family. Or if funds remain in the QTP after a child has finished school, a younger family member can be named to use the balance. For more information, you should contact the custodian of your 529 plan.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com. Are you new to HaveUHeard? Here is how to best use the site.

The post The ABC’s of 529 Savings Plans FAU appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

For students heading to Grad School, finding an apartment if they are going to a different university entails completely different criteria. My niece and our interns all recently switched universities from where they went for undergrad. Grad School housing comes with its own unique challenges. With expensive tuition and long study sessions, the last thing they need to worry about is finding an apartment near FAU.

If you will be attending FAU for graduate school, you probably want to know your options as far as living arrangements go. Graduate school consumes a lot of time and money, so you want to make sure you’re living in the right place.FAU does offer Innovation Village Apartments as well as University Village for graduate students, both of which are on-campus housing. If you’re looking for a place that’s right on campus, one of these would be a great option. The one thing to consider is that many undergraduate students live in these housing options as well, so you might want to find a place that’s still close to FAU, but provides a little more of a quiet, apartment feel.

Another option for graduate students that are off-campus is University Park. This is more of an apartment feel, but still has the close proximity to FAU. There are application fee discounts, and the rent is not too bad ranging from around $1,010 – $1,145 a month. It even offers amenities such as a study room with Wi-Fi, computers, a printer, and six individual lab rooms.  This apartment complex was designed specifically with college students in mind. Many undergraduate students do tend to live here as well, however, and the pool can become a bit of a party scene. So if you’re still looking for something a little more subdued, you might want to keep searching.

Another great place for graduate students to live is Vie Villas at Boca Raton. This apartment complex is within walking distance to FAU and provides a shuttle to FAU. The monthly rent for this complex ranges from $1,010 – $1,250 per month. The buildings are townhouses that give it more of a luxury feel and each unit has a two-car garage as well. If you’re looking for a place that is close to FAU but gives off more of an adult feel, this could be the place for you. We would recommend this place the most out of all of the options when it comes to graduate students.

No matter where you choose, Boca is a beautiful place to live. There are many apartments to choose from and price ranges that can fit any budget. Whether you’re looking for a place that’s close to school, a place that’s quiet, a place that has a single room, or a place that has all four, there are many options for graduate students.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com. New to HUH, here is how to use the site.

The post Graduate School Housing is More Grown Up! appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

If you’re looking for advice, then you’re looking for one of the most popular locations on campus, the Office of Advising Services at FAU.  It is essential to have a strong relationship with your advisor to ensure that you do not miss any requirements for your major and graduate in four years. While it may be difficult to get an appointment at busy times of year (the busiest times are the beginning and end of the semester), FAU offers several options to meet with an advisor.

As an incoming freshman, the advice is key and every student will meet with an academic advisor to select their courses for the following semester during their orientation. These advisors will be located in the University Advising Services Building. (SU-80)  The advisors that a student sees here will be able to offer general advising and information for general education classes. Students will not be assigned, specific advisors. However, if you are fond of the advisor you meet with, you should grab their card. I did this my freshman year and I was able to make appointments to see the same advisor every time, I really liked their advice. This was particularly helpful because I was already familiar with their advising style and they were knowledgeable of the courses I needed to take to pursue my major. Once you get the contact information of your advisor, you will be able to contact them via email. This is sometimes the quickest way to get answers if you cannot get an appointment.

Wondering about College level exam scores and University Course equivalents? Check out the equivalency for AICE, AP, CLEP, DSST, CAPE, and IB.

As you move into your junior and senior year, students will begin to see an advisor associated with the major and college of their choice. Although you do not get a specific advisor for your last two years, you can apply the same method you did in freshman/sophomore year and find a good fit with one advisor for the rest of your college experience. I have done this in the school of business and now I only see one advisor. I just make sure they are in when I want to come before I go to the office.

To make an appointment with an advisor at FAU, students can log into their success network account and create a new appointment. All Owls should be aware of walk-in only days. During busy times of the semester, the beginning and the end, University Advisors will only offer walk-in appointments. The lines for advising can get extremely long; arrive early to avoid long wait times.

Commuter and evening students can also take advantage of Get Wise: Advising on the Go.  These advising one-stop shops can answer any general questions and are located in the security building of Parking garage 1. The hours vary from semester to semester.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource here. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Need Advice? appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

It’s a Good Idea!

Students who attend FAU quickly discover that college isn’t all fun and games; success in the classroom requires dedication. At the same time, there are many other opportunities to get involved and enjoy these four years including football games, Greek life, and outdoor activities. A student needs to be able to balance all of this, which can prove daunting to many; however, tutoring is a great option to provide a little extra help. Tutoring isn’t just for classes a student may be struggling in; peer groups are beneficial to students who enjoy studying together or working through problems together.

But Just In Case, Get a Tutor

If your student mentions that they are having difficulty, there are many places they can turn including speaking with their professor and/or teacher assistant. There are also peer study groups. FAU offers many options for students to help them succeed in their classes. The Center for Learning and Student Success or CLASS is a great place to start if your student finds that they are struggling in a class. CLASS offers information on various programs found around campus including SI instruction, tutoring, and E-tutoring. SI instruction is a supplementary instruction program run by peer tutors. These sessions are available weekly for classes that are historically difficult for students to pass. For example, science courses tend to have large and well attended SI sessions. The availability and schedule for the SI session are available online at the beginning of each semester. For a more one-on-one experience, students can seek out a tutor. FAU has private tutoring or small group sessions. The tutors are peers who have received a grade of an A or higher when they completed the course. Tutoring appointments are booked online and usually is held in the math or writing learning center on the second floor of the breezeway. To find available appointments, use this online booking portal.

FAU also offers walk-in tutoring in the General South building. They have tutors in every subject. All a student needs to do is sit down at a table, sign into the database using their student ID and a tutor will walk up to you when they are available. They also have tutors there for a specific class (they have signs on the table) where you can meet one-on-one or do a group session depending on availability. HaveUHeard t recommends that appointments are preferred especially for the math and writing sections as around finals, they get busy and there is no guaranty of getting help if you walk in. You should go in during the morning to beat the lines and try to get personal attention? Also, there are many tutoring sessions that happen in the dorms. Students can ask their RMs or ask the desk staff about when certain sessions are.

FAU also has tutoring programs available to students who take online courses. E-tutoring makes it easy for distance learners to get help. E-tutoring is often done over Skype. Finally, the most immersive form of extra help available is in FAU learning communities.  FAU learning communities are available to first-year students only. The groups are comprised of 20-25 people that all have the same major, these groups allow for students to make friends and form study groups easily.

Textbook rental and purchase company Chegg offers Chegg Study is a great tool for help with homework. Learn from step-by-step solutions for 2,500+ textbooks in Math, Science, Engineering, Business, and more. Also, students can get answers in a pinch from experts and subject enthusiasts for your courses, 24/7, and stay ahead in their classes with Chegg Study for $14.95/month or $99.95/year.

Fiverr is an online marketplace for freelance services that started in 2010 and got its name from the original price of jobs being $5 per task. This is a great place for students to list services they offer (or parents) or even find inexpensive tutors.

EasyBib by Chegg – With EasyBib Plus, students can use the plagiarism checker to find missing citations, and fix them before submitting their paper. Also, easily catch writing style and grammar errors with easy-to-understand explanations on how to improve their writing for next time. No matter what citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago etc.), EasyBib Plus will help create the right bibliography. Right now, students get a 3-day free trial of the product

And, students also speak highly of the Knack App, a peer-to-peer tutoring approach that allows students to find peers through the app that have done well in particular courses and schedule on their time. They offer package pricing but it equates to approximately $25/hour. They do offer discounts for higher hour packages including a semester pack and a yearly pack. Of course, even with great tutoring, it always helps to have a great place to study.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Tutor appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.

There are many reasons that a student receives a package. Whether it is just their usual Amazon delivery, a care package for midterms or because your student is under the weather; there are a few things that will make package delivery simpler. If your student lives on campus you should be happy to learn that Upark has a central mailing system. The process is as follows: The mail goes to the leasing office in the lobby. They should then receive an email letting them know they have a package. The email will contain a verification code which they will need to retrieve the package.

The student mailroom department is open Monday through Friday from 9-6 pm and Saturdays from 11-3 pm. Times vary in the summertime. USPS deliveries are accepted Monday through Saturday.

Should you need to reach the mailroom to check on a package,  the number and extensions are: Central Mail Room extension: 561-297-3172

Local Mail Room extensions:

IVA EXT 75741

HPT EXT 75205

PH EXT 75790

You will need the tracking number of the package(s) that you are trying to locate.

All FedEx, UPS, DHL packages are delivered straight to the residence halls. The central mailroom receives and processes USPS packages and letters. We actually recommend using UPS (or FedEx) in comparison to USPS as it is just timelier, especially for in-state shipping. Typically, if you are sending packages from one Florida location to another, it arrives in one day at no additional fee.

Packages are delivered as listed below:

IVA holds packages for:

980 N University Dr

990 N University Dr

PAR holds packages for:

1700 St Lucie Ave S

1880 E University Dr

HPT holds packages for:

815 Indian River St

921 Indian River St

1800 Brevard Ct

1900 Dade Ave

For more information about FAU mail and packages, click here.

Students must use the assigned address to their dorm. The only variable number is the box. This is the correct format to be used for student mail is

Student Name

Box #

Street Number, Street Name

City, State, Zipcode

Below are the dorm addresses:

GPT – 921 Indian River St, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IRT 815 – Indian River St, Boca Raton, FL 33431

HPT – 1800 Brevard Ct, Boca Raton, FL 33431

UVA – 1880 E University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IVA SOUTH- 990 S University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

IVA NORTH- 980 N University Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

PH – 1700 St Lucie Ave S, Boca Raton, FL 33431

ALGOQUIN RESIDENTS – 1900 Dade Ave, Boca Raton, FL 33431

If you are sending packages through Amazon, you might want to consider having them sent directly to the Amazon Locker that is located at University Commons, 1400 Glades Rd, at Whole Foods. Sometimes picking it up from Amazon is easier than having to navigate the package delivery to dorms or even apartments.

Adding another level of convenience, CVS is now an Access Point Location for UPS.  Find your UPS Access Point Location here. Just click on the link for some great suggestions.

The hall receptionist will accept delivery on the student’s behalf and will email residents through their FAU email address when deliveries arrive. For food orders (i.e. pizza), students should provide the name of their residence hall. Food delivery drivers should be able to get to the main door of the residence hall where vendors have access to the outside phone. Students must come downstairs to pay for and pick up their orders. For local food deliveries, each dorm has a specific address to provide to restaurants.

You may find those addresses here. You may want to take a look at some of our Care Package blogs for ideas on what to send and when.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

The post Sending a Package? appeared first on HaveUHeard.com.