Welcome Parents and Family!

Congratulations on your loved one’s admission to Northwestern Connecticut Community College!  We look forward to partnering with you to ensure the success of your child or family member.

Many parents and family members want to know how they can help their loved one succeed in college. Though there’s no magic “formula” for academic success, here are some suggestions worth keeping in mind.

Emphasize the Value of Education

Behind almost every successful college student is a family that values education and that recognizes its importance to the quality of young people’s lives. Remind them that their education matters as much to you as it does to them. Encourage them to make college a priority. If possible, enrolling as a full-time student is best. Students who go full-time can immerse fully in the experience, complete requirements more quickly, and potentially go on to earn a bachelor’s degree more quickly if that’s what they want to do.

Remember that College is Different from High School

For many college students, adjusting to the pace and expectations of college can be a challenge. If your loved one seems concerned about making this transition, you might suggest an appointment with our Center for Student Development.

Encourage students to make their own decisions, learn from their failures, and enjoy their successes.

As parents and family members, it is natural to want to advocate and “fix” problems as they arise in the student’s life.  The college years are a crucial time for students to develop the ability to overcome obstacles, work with others from diverse backgrounds, and build grit.  When a student does face an obstacle, be supportive by encouraging them to seek out the resources, meet with the professor, make an appointment with their academic advisor, apply for financial aid, or seek out tutoring.  A student’s ability to recognize and take actions to succeed will only help them as they transition into their career.

Encourage Career Exploration

Northwestern Connecticut Community College believes career exploration to be an important part of every student’s education. It encourages students to be open to a variety of career possibilities, to investigate areas of interest, and to participate, when possible, in career-related internships. Similar encouragement from you would also be very helpful and encourage them to visit our Career Center.

Encourage Involvement in Campus Activities

Campus activities—cultural events, lectures, and clubs are an important part of students’ college experience. They complement students’ classroom education and offer participants opportunities to learn about themselves, others, and the world at large. Encourage them to become involved in or start a Student Club or Organization.

Be Accepting and Supportive

College years are a time of change for many students. They are a time when students make decisions not only about their education and careers but about their values and beliefs. While you may not agree with every one of these decisions, it’s important that you continue to support your child or family member and remain a vital presence in their lives.

Ten Questions to Ask Community College Students

One of the tips for parents and family members is to ask students questions about their experiences at college. Even if they fail to provide satisfactory answers, the fact that you asked the question may plant a seed in their mind that the subject of the inquiry is important. The following are examples of questions that parents and family members who want to support their loved one in community college may consider asking:

#1 Are you going to class?

#2 How many hours of studying have you built into your schedule?

#3 Are you reviewing the material in each class weekly?

#4 Are you balancing study time with fun time?

#5 Do you know when the last day to withdraw from a class is?

#6 Are you starting your assignments early?

#7 Have you seen your advisor and registered for next semester?

#8 Have you gone to your professors’ office hours?

#9 Are you going to need any tutoring?

#10 Have you formed a study group? 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds from the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Schools must have written permission from the student in order to release any information from a student’s education record to the parent, including financial aid information. Students may use the FERPA Release Form if they would like to give permission for the college to release certain information to a parent.

The first step to apply for financial aid is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at www.fafsa.gov. The application is free. Please be sure to go to the official website, as there are some sites which will ask for a fee. To ensure that NCCC receives the FAFSA, be sure to add our school code 001398. In most cases, students who are under age 24 are considered dependent students, and must include parents’ information, even if they do not live with parents. The following information is necessary for completing the FAFSA:

• Federal tax return for you and your student
• W-2 forms for non-filers
• Records of other untaxed income, such as welfare benefits, social security,
• Snap, TANF
• Veteran’s benefits, or military or clergy allowances
• Business or farm records
• Permanent resident card for students who are non-citizens

Parents and student must have a PIN to sign the FAFSA. Please apply for a PIN at www.pin.gov (Opens new window). Keep this PIN, as you will use this same PIN to sign the FAFSA every year.

NCCC is committed to the full participation of all students in its programs. Students with disabilities who feel they may require specific accommodations are encouraged to contact the Learning Disabilities Specialist in the Center for Student Development, Room 211, located in Greenwoods Hall-119 Main Street, Winsted, CT.  Unlike high school, students must self-advocate and produce documentation for consideration of an accommodation.

Be sure to contact the Cashier’s Office.  Only the student can discuss billing with the cashier.  Be sure to get acquainted with the college’s Refund Policy. A student can make a payment or set up a payment plan:

• In-person, Cashier’s Office – Room 206, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm Monday thru Thursday, closed Friday.
• By mail, Cashier’s Office, Northwestern Connecticut Community College, 4 Park Place, Winsted, CT 06098
• Online, Login into your student account and pay with a credit card at myCommNet.
• By phone, Call the Cashier’s Office, Monday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm by calling 860.738.6415

There are times that a student gets sick or other extenuating circumstances that causes them to miss several classes.  If that happens, we recommend the following:

• Have the student meet with the professor to see if the work can be made up and can complete the class this term.
• If it is not possible to complete the class this term, have the student check with the professor if they qualify for an incomplete.
• If an incomplete is not feasible, have the student contact the Dean of Academic & Student Affairs via their college email to set up an appointment about a possible course waiver.

Conclusion

Starting college is a big life adjustment. If a student gets off to a good start at a community college by working hard and taking advantage of the school’s resources, they have a much better chance of completing the two years of community college and either transferring to a four-year institution or finding a good job. By showing support and encouraging independence, parents and family members can make a tremendous contribution to their loved one’s successful college experience.