Wildcat Wire January 14, 2013
The New Year has arrived at Northern Michigan University and with it, issue No. 4 of the Wildcat Wire newsletter. Northern students will return shortly to campus after their semester break, recharged and ready to get back to class. We hope your break was restful, and that you too have returned to school motivated for a strong finish to your senior year (or your last semester). Before your new semester gets too hectic, take a minute to read this newsletter. As an admitted student this is your chance to find out about things going on, both in and around campus. We also offer some timely tips to follow so you can be ready to join us in the Fall 2013.
First, a little history: This newsletter is sent only to those students who have been admitted to Northern. If you were recently admitted and this is your first exposure to the Wire, please visit www.nmu.edu/wildcatwire to review previous issues.
Filling out the FAFSA: Are you going to need help paying for college? Most students do receive some sort of aid, so all students should know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is required in order for you to be considered for any financial aid assistance. Talk to your parents about getting their taxes done early this year; you will use that information on the FAFSA form. If that can't be done, have them pull last year's tax return so you can submit an estimated FAFSA application. Next visit FAFSA- U.S. Department of Education and start typing. You’ll need NMU's financial aid code, which is 002301, so that your information can be forwarded to us. The target date for filing is March 1 for maximum aid consideration. If you attend our Wildcat Weekend visit day on March 23 and have completed your necessary paperwork, you can meet with a financial aid counselor to pick up your financial aid award letter. If you have any questions about the process, contact a NMU Financial Aid counselor at www.nmu.edu/finaid.
What about the costs? Talking about financial aid may cause you to ask, “Just what does it cost to attend NMU?” You can visit our cost calculator to see for yourself. Then learn more about the value you get at NMU for your tuition dollars. Grab mom and dad and visit the value website. You will see how affordable NMU is compared to other universities. Throw in the laptop computer initiative, the variety of strong programs, as well as our beautiful location, and the benefits will be easy to realize.
NMU honors MLK. Northern Michigan University will honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with events on January 21-25, including a presidential inaugural viewing, panel discussion on ethnic studies, a MLK Birthday Bash dance, and a viewing of the film " Precious Knowledge" along with a Q&A with editor Eren I. McGinnis. If you are in the Marquette area, you are invited to participate in these events. For more information on this and other events sponsored by the Multicultural Education and Resource Center visit www.nmu.edu/merc.
MUSH, MUSH! Where can you see the largest dogsled race in the lower 48 states? Well, the UP 200 Sled Dog Race happens right here in Marquette with the help of roughly 500 NMU and community volunteers. Now, seeing as we are the Wildcats, we don’t normally welcome large groups of dogs to our community (especially Huskies), but this is a little different. The start of this year’s race is on Friday, Feb. 15, and includes a weekend's worth of activities. What a great time to come up for a campus visit. Visit campus Friday, have a nice dinner in town, and then help send off the dogs with the thousands of fans that line the starting chute. On Saturday, tour the Marquette area and maybe get in a few runs at the ski hill (students who visit campus get a “ski free” pass!). Sunday morning, cheer those dogsled teams to the finish line at Mattson Lower Harbor Park on the lakeshore. To schedule your campus visit, go to www.nmu.edu/visit. For more info on the sled dog race, go to the UP 200 website.
Speaking of campus visits: Northern Michigan University is hosting its biannual Wildcat Weekend on March 23. This open house allows you experience NMU with other prospective Wildcats. You’ll have an opportunity to tour campus, meet with faculty and staff, hear from current students as a part of our panel, and participate in a session to get a feel for academic life on our campus. Go to www.nmu.edu/weekend for complete details and to register. Registration closes at 5 p.m., Monday, March 11.
Show off a little: So, you have received your welcome packet and probably toured through the housing website. While your friends are still thinking about their college choices, why not have some fun with them? Visit the Create Your Space link and “create” your own NMU residence hall room. Then e-mail it to your friends with a note about how cool your room is going to be at Northern! I’m sure you’ll get more than a few replies.
You're months away from becoming a Wildcat and we cannot wait to see you on campus! Go Cats!
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