Resources For You
Investigate
Can My Student Afford College?
College is an investment with a lifetime return on investment. A college education provides your student with exponential opportunities, as they embark on their personal and professional goals. Of course, the earlier you start saving the better; but, there are also multiple financing options available. Not to mention financial aid, investments, loans and scholarships. Regardless of your financial position, it is possible to make your student’s dream a reality.
See how you can afford college
See Why Your Student Belongs Here
Our goal is to assist you in helping your student navigate their college journey. We know the only way you can truly inspire confidence in your student is to feel confident in us. That’s why the best thing you can do is research and explore all the resources available here:
Visit Campus
Come see for yourself why U.S. News & World Report ranks Kent State as one of the top-tier Best National Universities. Schedule your visit to campus today. Take a guided tour that gives you an insider perspective on campus life, academic programs, residence halls and research opportunities. Plan to explore Kent State’s 824-acre campus today.
Explore Study Abroad
To help students gain experience abroad, we offer international study opportunities in more than 60 study-abroad locations that provide eye-opening educational experiences through experiential learning. Discover opportunities for your student with The Office of Global Education.
Stay Connected
Social Media
You want to stay in the know. We can help. In fact, it is now easier than ever to keep in touch with your child (and with us). Kent State extends its campus community to the world of social media.
Connect with Kent State and feel free to share your thoughts, make connections and see what is happening on campus. Here are just some of our social spaces:
What’s Happening?
See what’s going on. There are always multiple events and activities on campus to choose from, including Kent State Welcome Weekend, a weekend packed full of fun activities and events in August.
Each year, we invite family members to share the Kent State experience by joining your student for Parents and Families Weekend. This is your opportunity to interact with faculty and staff. We invite you to attend special events and activities including receptions, campus tours and a tailgate party followed by a football game in the fall.
Oh, and don't forget, Lil’ Sibs Weekend hosted by Kent Interhall Council (KIC) is in the spring.
View the Kent State Calendar First Year Families Newsletter
Important numbers
We have gathered important phone numbers you may need to reference from time-to-time while your student attends Kent State. If you can't find the number you are looking for here, you can also search for a faculty or staff member and search the departmental directory.
Send a Hug
We know you might want to surprise your students with a bit more than a phone call or email at times, especially for special occasions like birthdays or during particularly stressful times, such as midterms or finals. We have provided a few ways for you to remind your students that you are thinking of them.
Parents & Families Association
We know you are excited about your student’s experience. Do you also feel the need to create your own connection and communication with campus? We understand. That’s why we invite you to become members of the new Parents and Families Association and build your own network with other Kent State parents.
We welcome all parents, grandparents and guardians to get involved. Your support will always be the best way to promote your student’s success.
September: Parents and Families Day
Share in the Kent State experience as you spend time connecting with your student, interacting with faculty and staff, and experience what makes being a Golden Flash so special.
View the Parents and Families Day Schedule
alumni ASSOCIATION
Kent State is recognized as one of Ohio’s best colleges and universities for many reasons. We are accessible — financially, academically and geographically — to a diverse student body, with proximity to major metropolitan areas.
Upon graduation, your child will join Kent State’s worldwide alumni network of more than 200,000 graduates … and counting.
Student Media
Find out what is happening on campus through Kent State’s nationally recognized, award-winning student media outlets:
Show Your Spirit
Show off your Golden Flashes pride with Kent State gear available through the University Bookstore. Once you have the gear, you will need some sporting events to wear them to.
Tickets are available online, you can order your tickets through Athletic Services.
- Purchase Tickets
- View Schedules
- Get Your Gear On
- Download Kent State Wallpaper
- Order your Kent State License Plate
Be Informed
GETTING STARTED
After your child makes the decision to become a Kent State Golden Flash take advantage of the checklist for newly admitted students. This list will help you both stay on track with important information pertaining to things like:
- Registration
- Finances
- Parking
- Alerts
- Grades
First-Year Students
Welcome to the Kent State family network. From day one, we want to help your student stay on track and keep you informed. Be sure to review the Parent Welcome Packet that includes important information about your student’s next steps in the enrollment process, following their admission to Kent State.
Destination Kent State (Freshman) and Transfer Student Orientation offer registration and advising sessions that will help your student become oriented with campus.
Take the First Step Transferring for Success
Health
Your student’s health is important to us. Non-emergent outpatient care is available to eligible students from University Health Services located in the Deweese Health Center.
Experienced board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners provide a range of health services, including:
- Treatment for acute illness
- Minor injuries
- Immunizations
- Allergy injections
- Women’s health care
- X-ray
- Physical therapy
- Counseling and Psychological services
- Onsite pharmaceutical care
Review Health Info Suicide Prevention
Safety
Your student will be in good hands at Kent State. Kent State University continues to be one of the statistically safer college campuses when compared with others with similar populations and geographic areas. Kent State University Police Services was the first university police department in Ohio accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. (CALEA) and it is the only university police department in the country to receive Flagship status by CALEA a record three times. The university is proud to be a model for innovative safety education programs, including a residential security program with a student security escort service.
We use Flash ALERTS as our official emergency text-message notification system. Your student can enroll multiple phone numbers, so that you can be included in the alerts.
Campus escorts are always available to your student, and residence areas are locked 24-hours a day.
In an effort to combat abuse, the Office of Sexual and Relationship Violence Support holds programming and presentations to raise awareness about assault, in addition to providing a safe space for students seeking help.
Locate Safety Resources Safety Bulletin
KSUview
Your student can now share access to academic information with anyone they identify as a designee using KSUview, including financial aid, their class schedule, grades and more.
KSUview gives designated individuals access to view selected student information online. However, it doesn't allow other people to discuss student information with university representatives. To have those conversations, your student must give you Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) authorization.
Dictionary
The universal language of the university can be, at times, confusing. We have put together a dictionary that defines everything from the FASFA to credit hours and more, to get you your answers quickly.
Preparing Your Student
Academic Resources
Kent State is dedicated to every student’s success. We provide many ways for your child to get help with their studies on campus. From the Writing Commons to tutoring services and student note takers, resources are readily available. Kent State has been recognized for providing high-level support to students with disabilities through assistive technology, scholarships and more. We pride ourselves on providing equal opportunities, so that everyone can benefit from all the university has to offer.
Student Conduct
We encourage you and your student to communicate with each other about the Kent State Code of Student Conduct. Developmentally, college is both a time for exploration and testing. It is our hope that you share our goal of creating self-sufficient individuals through setting realistic expectations with adult consequences for your student. Your supportive role as parents and family is a key component to their accountability while in their role as responsible, good citizens at Kent State.
Campus Living
The Kent State campus is a vibrant, learning community. Our collaborative academic efforts extend beyond the classroom and reach into our state-of-the-art residence halls. Your student’s FlashCard functions as a photo ID and works like a reloadable debit card for their dining plan. It’s also your student’s key to our Student Recreation and Wellness Center, where they can borrow a bike for the day via Flashfleet, our bike-sharing service.
Commuter & off-campus living
Of course, we realize that not all students will live on campus. We also have special resources available to our commuter and off-campus students, that make up 80 percent of Kent State's student body.
Choosing a "Major" Career
The Career Services Center at Kent State is dedicated to helping students make the right choice the first time. You can support your student with their decision making on both a major and career by learning more about how to initiate the important Career Conversation as well as encourage them to visit our office and/or website.
Graduation
As you prepare to watch your child walk across the stage at commencement, know this: Your support has brought them here. This is a milestone achievement for both of you. Your student’s experience at Kent State was a shared journey.
As you prepare for Kent State Commencement, access key information about seating, directions, lodging, parking (all lots are free on Commencement Day), tickets, flowers, video and more.
Working on Campus
Did you know that more than 6,000 students work at Kent State University annually? And there are so many benefits to working on campus, including a supportive environment, flexible scheduled, developing critical skills, clarifying academic and career goals and much more! Don’t wait, learn more about on-campus job opportunities.