Dear Aggie Parent
Welcome to Utah State University, Home of the Aggies.
Thank you for supporting your child’s decision to come to USU Blanding. USU Blanding is committed to providing your student with a high quality education. They will have the opportunity to learn from outstanding faculty, interact with their peers, and engage in personal and professional growth opportunities.
Here on the USU Blanding campus we see you as an important partner in helping your student reach their educational goals. Thank you for supporting and encouraging their choice to pursue a college degree. As an important partner, we are offering you this guide. The guide will provide you with resources and information you can use to support your student while they are attending USU Blanding.
We are excited to have a whole new group of students join us at USU Blanding. To stay up to date on what is happening at the university please subscribe to the Aggie Parent Newsletter. You can sign up by going to the Parent and Family Connection page.
Welcome to Utah State University Blanding and to the Aggie Family
Kristian Olsen
Vice President of Residential Campuses
USU Parent & Family Programs
As a supporter of a USU student, you play a vital role in their college journey. As they navigate new experiences, achievements, and challenges, your guidance will be invaluable. Parent and Family Programs are here to support you in this role—keeping you connected to the university and providing the essential information you need to help your student succeed.
At Utah State University, “family” is defined broadly to include anyone who supports a student’s success. Family members may include parents, legal guardians, siblings, grandparents, cousins, extended relatives, and close friends. We are committed to embracing all definitions of family and are excited to partner with you as you support your student throughout their journey at USU.
Parent & Family Outcomes
To empower parents and families to navigate this new part of their student’s life
To understand the structure and mission of the university.
To assist parents and families in helping their students become a learner.
To learn best practices and behaviors to support their student.
To discover the resources that are available for parents to help their student succeed
To help parents and families become part of the Aggie Family.
Parent & Family Big Questions
No matter what stage of the journey youand your student are on, it’s natural to have questions, like:
1. How can a university education translate into success for my student?
2. How can I intentionally engage in ways to help my student be successful?
3. How should my student and I take advantage of resources available?
You can find the answers to all this and more in this handbook or at statewide.usu.edu/blanding/nasnti/parent-family
Table of Contents
A Breakdown of USU Blanding's Resources
Student Services
Parent and Family Orientation
Stay Connected
Join Parent & Family Connection to receive customized, timely communications about news, deadlines, campus resources, and more.
Advice for Aggie Parents & Families
Some basic facts parents should know:
- Financial difficulties are the number one reason students drop out, according to self-reported data.
- Nationally, less than 60% of students who begin a 4-year degree complete it within 6 years.
- Students who feel a connection to campus and engage with co- and extra-curricular activities are more likely to graduate.
Encourage Students to do the following:
- Enroll in USU 1010: University Connections.
- Meet with an advisor to create an academic plan.
- Complete the FAFSA each fall, even if they don’t think they are Pell-eligible. (Most scholarships require a completed FAFSA.)
- Go to USU Scholarships each December to find and apply for scholarships
- Get involved with co- and extra-curricular activities (this includes clubs, intramural sports, research with faculty, leadership, etc.).
- Create a 4-year financial plan.
What USU is doing to help students graduate:
- The University Catalog has suggested 4-year plans for each major (see catalog.usu.edu)
- USU ABLE helps students do more than just survive. This includes a media library full of stories of persistence.
- USU has a variety of resources found in this guidebook. Student fees help pay for these services, so students should use them.
- For more tips on helping your student succeed at every stage in their college career, visit usu.edu/parents/tips.