Parent and Family FAQ

The Learning Commons is great at helping students with their classwork and study skills. The Learning Commons offers subject tutoring, success coaching, writing assistance, and foreign language support.

Student can also sign-up for the Learning Skills Course (LNSK 103). LNSK 103 is a course that helps students develop core academic skills like managing time, studying effectively, and caring for themselves. Your student can talk to their advisor about signing up for LNSK 103.

If a student drops a course before or during the first week of the semester, they will not receive a grade for the course and will receive a 100% tuition refund based on the Refund Schedule.

If a student drops a course after the first week of classes but before the end of the ninth week of classes, they will receive a “W” for a grade which indicates a “withdrawal” from the course. Depending on when a course is dropped after the first week, there may be a partial refund or no refund based on the Refund Schedule.

See our Change of Schedule (Drop/Add) for more details.

Students are expected to attend all lectures, recitations, quizzes, and laboratories regularly. If a student plans to be absent, they should request permission for the absence from the instructor as early in the semester as possible and discuss how this absence may affect their ability to meet the course requirements.

In situations involving emergencies, personal tragedy, or mental health crises, email studentaffairs@unk.edu for a notification to be sent to instructors.

Students should meet with an advisor at least once per year, preferably once per semester to discuss course selections and make sure they are on track to graduate. A student can find the contact information for their advisor(s) via their MyBlue account.

See important dates on the Academic Calendar and more events on the University Calendar.

Students can register online for accommodations through the Disability Services for Students Office or contact the office at unkdso@unk.edu

Due to FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act), the university is limited in what information it may share with parents and family members. Students may grant parents and family members access to some information via MyBlue. Please note that grades for students do not typically appear in MyBlue until after the semester is complete. Students should keep track of their grades as the semester progresses.

See Student Accounts for information regarding billing due dates and bill availability. Payment option and plans are available, and your student must grant you access via MyBlue to view and pay an outstanding bill. Please contact the Student Accounts office at unkfinance@unk.edu if you have any further questions.

To purchase a permit, view or appeal a parking ticket, or to view their parking account, please have your student log on to their MyBLUE account. Once there, click on "Tools" then click "Police and Parking." Our Parking Division has more information and a campus map with parking lot designations.

The Office of Financial Aid offers many different types of aid that include scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. To continue certain types of awards each year, students must complete the FAFSA each year. Please contact the Financial Aid office at finaid1@unk.edu if you have any further questions.

Student Employment Services offers both on-campus and off-campus jobs. To be eligible for work study positions, students must submit the FAFSA.

Living on campus is an excellent and cost-effective option for students. Students who live on campus have a higher Grade Point Average (GPA), graduate in fewer years, and report being more satisfied with their campus experience. Students who live on campus also have multiple opportunities to be involved and utilize campus resources at a higher level. Most students choose to live on campus for two years because of the great experiences offered.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney, in accordance with the Board of Regents does have an on-campus living requirement which states “All full-time students under the age of 19 on the first day of class in the fall semester are required to live in University housing for the duration of the academic year, unless one of the qualified exemptions is met.”  See Housing Policies and Procedures for housing requirements and exemptions.

All students living on campus are assigned a mail box. Packages are delivered to their Residence Hall front desk for pick up. To send your student mail, click on their Residence Hall, then scroll down and click on the “Front Desk Information, Hours, & Mail” link. Under this link, you will find the address information for your student’s residence hall.

Employment opportunities for students are plentiful within the Office of Residence Life. Student staff positions are varied, offer flexibility with class schedules, and provide a great opportunity to develop work skills and gain experiences. Learn more about Residence Life employment opportunities. Students can sign into Handshake to see all on-campus employment positions.

UNK provides a variety of residence hall options for first-year students all the way up to graduate students. Click on each housing option to see hall information and room layout. The “Room Detail Sheet”  provides more details which is handy when shopping for room items to help your student feel at home. You may also view virtual tours of each hall.

UNK offers three different meal plans for students living on campus. Our meal plans offer flexibility that allows students to eat in both dining centers, as well as our retail operations like Starbucks or Chick-fil-a. Students may choose to upgrade their meal plan at any time during the semester; however, students may only downgrade their meal plan prior to the first full week of classes for the respective semester. See additional dining service questions.

Filling out the application to live on campus is easy. Once your student is admitted, they can log onto MyBLUE and complete the housing application. Here are more instructions.

Village Flats was opened in 2018 as an apartment option for upper division students, students with families or who are married, and students who are in graduate programs. Both one or two bedroom apartments are available for students to rent. Village Flats is close to campus and combines the perfect blend of independence and campus connection.

Student Health is a campus health clinic that offers medical care to UNK students. Walk-ins are welcome during regular clinic hours, up until 4:30. Student Health also offers Telehealth visits by appointment.

Services include:

• Evaluation for a wide variety of health issues
• Vaccinations and medications
• Simple procedures, such as treatment of warts or removal of ingrown toenails
• Physicals for sports, surgery, or study abroad
• Basic laboratory services

UNK Counseling is a mental health clinic, providing a full range of short-term professional mental health services. Services offered include personal counseling, group counseling, substance use counseling, crisis intervention, outreach programming, and consultation.

Student Health – Students taking on-campus credit hours automatically pay the Student Health & Counseling Fee for services. Students enrolled in online credit hours can opt in for services by paying the semester Student Health & Counseling Fee.

Please note: We do not process insurance, except for UNK United Health Insurance policy for students.

UNK Counseling – UNK Counseling provides brief, short-term, solution focused counseling. Students have access to three (3) counseling sessions per semester at no cost, in addition to the initial consultation. Students who would like, or need, additional sessions beyond the three covered under the student fee are charged $10 per session.

A student health insurance plan is available through United Health Care Student Resources for students enrolled in six or more credit hours in a degree seeking program. Graduate students are eligible if registered for at least one credit hour in a degree seeking program. See information on rates and enrollment dates.

Yes, your student is welcome and encouraged to use the Wellness Center, a modern 19,000-square-foot facility east of Cushing Coliseum. It includes a large fitness center and rock climbing wall on the main level and a Physical Activity and Wellness Lab upstairs that is utilized for programming and research.

UNK Students

• $0 (membership included in student fees)
• Who: Students who are currently enrolled in on-campus classes and pay the Wellness Center Student Fees
• How to Join: Just bring your UNK ID with you to each Wellness Center visit

UNK Online Students

• $57 per semester
• Who: Students who are currently enrolled in online only classes

One of the best ways to be involved on campus is to join a Student Organization. There are 150+ organizations and Student Engagement also provides opportunities to get involved on campus.

In addition to the opportunities Student Engagement offers, the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is a great place to connect with other students, be engaged, and raise cultural awareness on the UNK campus.

ODI is located in the east end of the Nebraskan Student Union and offers a study area, computer bar and printer, lounge, and a student office. ODI offers a welcoming environment where students from diverse backgrounds can come together to meet, study, relax, and plan events. ODI equips students with tools to succeed.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is home to six sororities and six fraternities that are instrumental in cultivating a dynamic and educational collegiate experience for students. Members are involved across campus, take on service projects that benefit the campus and Kearney community, excel academically, and consistently hold some of the top leadership positions on campus. Fraternity and Sorority Life helps students find connections at UNK and make their four years exceptional.

UNK understands the importance of a partnership with parents and families to support students. When you sign up for the Parents and Family Association, you’ll receive news and information to keep you better informed and connected.