Parent and Family Connections Newsletter

Welcome to Fall 2026

Hello Hamline Parents and Families,

Fall on our campus is an amazing time. New students were welcomed by New Student Mentors, Resident Assistants, faculty, staff and returning students and they were invited to become an integral part of the campus. Returning students rekindle friendships, and all of the students have settled into their classes and schedules as well as become active in the 71 campus organizations including 6 campus recreation clubs, 22 varsity sports teams, theater, music ensembles, internships and friendships.

We know that transitions are never easy, and if you are a parent, I'm sure you have heard the challenges as well as excitement and success for both returning and new students. To assist with this, Student Affairs staff hosted events to share the resources of the campus. I want to remind you as parents about some of the resources available:

• All students have access to our counseling and health services. They are in the middle of hosting three flu and COVID vaccine clinics in October where faculty, staff, students, and Hamline community members received their vaccines.
• The Dean of Students office in West Hall is also a location for students to stop by with any questions or concerns to receive support and resources to assist in resolving conflicts.
• Student Activities is the home of the student organizations and the calendar for student events.

Please know that the Dean of Students staff is here to support both you and your student. We hope you find helpful information in our newsletter to support you and your student.

Sincerely,
Patti Kersten
VP of Student Affairs, Dean of Students, Title IX Coordinator

I oversee most of the out-of-classroom experiences while being a resource for any assistance and support for all students. I oversee 13 departments to maintain campus support for our students. In my role as Title IX Coordinator, I administer all aspects of Title IX implementation, including providing accommodations and support, and assisting university members through the complaint process and university procedures regarding sexual harassment and misconduct.

Dean of Students Office Contacts

• Carlos Sneed: Associate VP of Student Affairs / Associate Dean of Students
• Maxwell Deyo: Senior Administrative Assistant
• Phone: 651-523-2421
• Email: deanofstudents@hamline.edu
• Location: West Hall 106

Campus Events & Announcements

Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics

Location: Anderson Center 112
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Note: Vaccine availability may depend on your insurance coverage at Walgreens. Bring your Insurance Card and ID to your appointment.

• Thursday, October 8
• Tuesday, October 13
• Wednesday, October 21

Register for a Vaccine Clinic online

Voting at Hamline University

It is ELECTION SEASON, and we launched our Fall 2026 Hamline Votes Campaign. We work to engage all members of our community to vote, reminding students it's crucial that we exercise our right to vote and make our voices heard by participating in elections. Whether it's local, state, or national, each election presents an opportunity for us to shape the future of our society.

We have been reminding students: if they haven't already registered to vote, or if they have moved, now is the perfect time to do so! Options for student voting include:

• Out-of-state residents: Learn more about your home state's absentee ballot process.
• Ramsey County (Off-Campus within 10 miles): Change mailing address in WorkDay to vote with student ID.
• On-Campus Residents: Already included on voting lists for Ramsey County.

Tabling takes place the week of October 5th for voter registration questions. An early voting location is open at Hamline on Wed., October 7 from 10am - 2pm for anyone living in Ramsey county.

LiveSafe App

Download the free LiveSafe app as a family member to stay connected to Hamline Public Safety:

• Receive Hamline University Emergency Alerts
• Report tips and concerns instantly and anonymously
• Call 911 or Public Safety at the touch of a button
• Alert Public Safety to your location silently
• Get virtual safe walks with family or friends

Download the LiveSafe Mobile App

Public Safety Contact: security@hamline.edu | 651-523-2100 | Sorin 101 (24/7-365 Days/Year)

Who Are Our New Hamline Students?

New First Year Student Data

• 500 First Year Students
• 41% First Generation
• 25 States Represented
• 33% Recruited Athletes
• 51% Students of Color
• 5 Military Affiliation
• 3.45 Average GPA
• 24% Admitted to Early Honors
• 258 High Schools Represented

Transfer Student Data

• 96 Transfer Students
• 7 States Represented
• 47% Students of Color
• 42% First Generation
• 27% Recruited Athletes
• 22 Average Age

Geographic Breakdown (All New Students)

• 81% Minnesota Residents
• 66% 7-County Metro Region (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington)

Financial Aid Updates (Effective July 2026)

• Instant FSA ID Creation: Same-day FSA ID creation via real-time Social Security Administration verification.
• Embedded Fraud Detection: Identity verification on camera during FAFSA completion for select applicants.
• Streamlined Invites: Adding contributors (parents/spouses) now requires only an email address.
• Parent PLUS Loans: Capped at $20,000/year and $65,000 lifetime per child.
• Graduate PLUS Loans: Eliminated for new borrowers (3-year grandfather period for currently enrolled students).
• Graduate Stafford Limits: Capped at $20,500/year ($100k lifetime) for non-professional; $50,000/year ($200k lifetime) for professional programs.
• Borrowing Caps: Federal lifetime maximum capped at $257,500 per student.
• Schedule of Reduction: Annual limits reduced proportionally for less-than-full-time students.
• Workforce Pell: Expanded to cover short-term job training programs (8 to 14 weeks).
• Repayment Framework: Introduces Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). SAVE, PAYE, and ICR plans phased out completely by July 2028.
• Asset Exemptions: Excludes net worth of small businesses (<100 employees), family farms, and commercial fishing operations.
• Pell Eligibility Tightening: Excludes high-asset families with artificially low Student Aid Index scores. Full-ride scholarship recipients covering 100% Cost of Attendance are ineligible for Pell grants.

Hamline Specific Impacts

• Increase in Identity Verification: More students will require additional paperwork prior to disbursement.
• Schedule of Reductions: Less-than-full-time students (<12 credits) face reduced access to federal loans.
• MN State Grant Shortfall: Expected funding shortfall during the 2026–2027 fiscal year leading to reduced grant dollars.

Important Dates to Know

• 11/16/2026 – 11/19/2026: Registration opens for Spring Semester (dependent on student status).
• 11/26/2026 – 11/27/2026: Thanksgiving Break (University Closed; Dining Services closed 11/26–11/29).
• 12/15/2026: Fall Semester Classes End.
• 12/17/2026 – 12/22/2026: Final Exams (Residence Halls close 12/22 at 5:00 p.m.).
• 01/20/2027: Spring Semester Classes Begin (Residence Halls reopen 01/17 at 8:00 a.m.).
• 03/09/2026 – 03/13/2026: Midterm Break (No Classes).

Take the MN Financial Aid Survey for Students & Families

CASA & CDC: Holistic Advising in Action

The Career Development Center (CDC) and Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) have rolled out a holistic advising model aligning academic pursuits with career outcomes via The Purposeful Student Journey framework across four key phases:

1. Explore Purpose (Self-Discovery & Foundational Mapping): First-Year Seminars help students identify strengths, values, and interests through alumni informational interviews.
2. Build Purpose (Skill Acquisition & Network Integration): Translating liberal arts curriculum into marketable competencies through leadership, research, and job shadowing.
3. Experience Purpose (High-Impact Applied Learning): Credit-bearing internships, service-learning, campus employment, and creative research.
4. Launch Purpose (Narrative Clarity & Professional Transition): Personal branding, interview storytelling, and articulating their unique Piper story.

Student Spotlight: Magenta Owens

Major: Criminology | Minor: Political Analysis | Class: 2028 | Hometown: Maple Grove, MN

Campus Involvement: Lead Mentor in New Student Programs (NSP) & Piper Academic Community (PAC); Track & Field (shot-put, discus, hammer); Residence Hall Association (RHA); Rock Climbing Club; Hamline Unidos; First Gen Scholars; TRIO.

Q&A Highlights

Differences between high school and college:

"No one can hold your hand, and the only way you get better and grow is if you take a leap of faith... You have to learn to structure your own time using a planner or Google Calendar. Communication goes a long way in college."

Challenges faced and overcome:

"Acclimating to campus life was hard... I overcome this by talking to my parents and forcing myself to get out of my door and go to events. Making friends was scary, but I put myself out there by inviting people to events like 30 Days of Fall/Halloween movies."

Advice for parents offering support:

"Trust in your parenting skills... Be a safe space they can come to when things start getting bad. Call or text your child daily or weekly, check in with them, and give your child grace as they transition. Lastly, don't hesitate to share family streaming and DoorDash accounts!"

Family and Friends Weekend

Dates: November 6 and 7, 2026

Join us for academic panels, music ensemble concerts, receptions, and family entertainment!

Schedule

• Family Weekend Dessert Reception: Friday, Nov 6 at 6:00 p.m. (Anderson Center Forum)
• Family Game Night: Friday, Nov 6 at 7:30 p.m. (112 Anderson Center)
• Campus Quest Scavenger Hunt: Saturday, Nov 7 at 2:15 p.m. (Anderson Center Forum)
• Family & Friends Evening Reception: Saturday, Nov 7 at 5:30 p.m. (Klas Center Lobby)

Register for Family and Friends Weekend

TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO SSS supports first-generation students, students from low-income households, and students with disabilities on campus through holistic advising, community building, and opportunities (priority registration, study hours, laptop lending, TRIO grants).

Annual Program Commitments

• First-Year: 3 individual check-ins, 5 cohort advising check-ins, 2 workshops, 2 social events, 1 orientation/retreat.
• Sophomore, Junior, Senior: 4 individual check-ins, 2 workshops, 2 social events.

Contact: Katherine Jumbe (Director) | trio@hamline.edu | www.hamline.edu/trio | BML Suite 201 (M-F 8:30–4:30pm)