July 2026

Volume 8, Issue 12

• Academic Affairs

  Turn Summer Downtime into Career Uptime
  July is the perfect time for students to invest in themselves. With free Coursera access through KU Advance, KU students can explore topics like AI, business, leadership and technology while earning certificates that enhance their résumé and LinkedIn profile. Just a few hours of learning this summer can help students return to campus with new skills, greater confidence and a head start on their future careers.

  Handshake
  Did you know that graduates can continue using Handshake after graduation? To maintain access to job opportunities, career resources, employer connections and networking tools, graduates should update their Handshake account from their university email address to a personal email address before losing access to their school account.

  University Writing Center
  Please have your student(s) reach out to the KU Writing Center for writing help or to schedule a writing session concerning papers for any subject or discipline. Students can call 610-683-4733 or email wrcenter@kutztown.edu to set up an in-person appointment. They can also schedule an online appointment. Please see our website for additional helpful instructions/screenshots and information about writing help during summer and winter sessions, when the Writing Center is closed. Questions can be directed to wrcenter@kutztown.edu.

  Tutoring Services
  Is your student taking a summer class? Support is available for summer courses through Tutor.com, a virtual 24/7 tutoring platform. For instructions on how to use this service, please have your student visit the Tutoring Services website. We encourage students to take advantage of this free tutoring resource. Contact tutor@kutztown.edu with questions.

  KU Succeed
  The KU Succeed Program is running again for the 2026-2027 academic year. Academic difficulties can happen at any point during one's college career and it can be a struggle both in the moment and afterward. KU Succeed is designed to support students and help build or rebuild skills essential to their academic success. KU Succeed offers a structured multidimensional framework to help students stay on track via success coaching, mentorship and academically focused workshops. Over the past academic year (2025-2026), 63.2% of students who participated in the program have increased their cumulative grade point average and 54.4% have increased or maintained good academic standing. Of those participants, 67.6% re-enrolled for the following semester at KU. Those students who complete the required portion of the program are eligible for early enrollment for the Spring 2027 semester. Students can sign up for KU Succeed here or contact Dr. Austin Haytko (haytko@kutztown.edu) for more details about the program. KU offices and programs looking to refer students to the KU Succeed program should contact Haytko for the referral process. KU Succeed is free and open to all undergraduate students.

  KU in Japan for 2027
  Professors Brenda Muzeta (College of Education) and Leslie Sotomayor (College of Visual and Performing Arts) recently joined the KU in Japan program at Kyorin University in an exploratory trip as they begin leadership of the program for Summer 2027. Muzeta and Sotomayor met with faculty and students in Tokyo and made preliminary plans for site visits and expanded learning opportunities. This work was supported by allocations from Dr. Carl Sheperis and grant money from the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The program is directed by Professor Derek Mace (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).

• Administration and Finance

  Spring/Summer 2026 Balances
  Please review any balances that remain due from Spring 2026 and Summer 2026. We have many students who forgot about ID replacements or Health Center visits or received hall damage bills that are all past due and eligible for late fees or holds. We encourage students to review their accounts to ensure these are paid immediately. Unpaid Spring 2026 accounts will be placed with a collection agency by early July.

  Fall 2026 Tuition, Fees, Housing and Meals Billing
  Tuition rates have not been set for the upcoming year. This will likely not occur until mid-July. Estimated tuition rates are online. In the meantime, we do have an estimating tool worksheet that will be posted on our Financial Guide for First Time Students shortly. Students can use this to estimate their costs outside of their aid package. Email us for this worksheet at any time. This will help the student to set up a payment plan or apply for loans (double the fall amount for loans to ensure you have enough for the academic year). We hope to prepare actual statements mid-July with a due date of Friday, Aug. 7. Please note however, that this is dependent on the tuition rates being officially approved and set by our Board of Governors in conjunction with the commonwealth. Statements (bills), when produced, will include tuition, required fees, on-campus housing and meals based on the students' enrollment/selection as of that day (later changes can affect charges and aid).  Only authorized aid will reduce the amount due on the statement. Aid that is not in an authorized status (i.e. awarded aid, or loans not yet certified) may require action and will not be considered as a valid payment type reducing charges due. After we prepare the statements, students will be notified by email to their KU email account. Authorized Users on the payment dashboard will also receive an email. Billing help is found online.

  Statements
  MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Statements. There are two types of statements – static and dynamic. Static statements will be ones created at a moment in time and they don’t change. Dynamic statements are called On Demand Statements. These will update with changes in charges, payments and aid. We encourage students to use the On Demand Statements.

  Prepare for Statements Now
  Students can still take advantage of the four-payment plan through Saturday, July 4. The three-payment plan begins Sunday, July 5. Students can also use the estimating options to apply for loans as needed and complete federal loan requirements. Apply for loans if desired now, as they can take a few weeks to certify and add to the account. Fall 2026 payment plans are open now on MyKU > Student Accounts Card > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans.

  Outside (non-KU) Scholarship Awards
  Many students receive scholarships either as they graduate high school or awards that they renew each year. Student Accounts will not carry these items year to year. If you have an award that is renewed, please send an updated award letter to our office so we can add a courtesy credit to the statement that can reduce the charges due. We will only add courtesy credits for scholarships of $1,000 or more. Email these award letters to studentaccounts@kutztown.edu. Any award checks sent to you that are made payable to just the student do not have to come to our office and we don’t need those award letters. Only items that are payable to KU or KU and the student will need to come to our office.

  Student Accounts Summer Office Hours
  Over the summer, we are still available to help you. We recommend email as our preferred method of communication to allow us time to research and review the account for a good answer; however, you may always call us at 610-683-4133. We have guaranteed hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. We may be available before and after these hours as well.

  Address and Email Updates
  Now is a great time for students to review their addresses on MyKU and their personal emails. Students can update their mailing address. Home address changes must be done online with a request to the Registrar’s Office. They can update their mailing address under their profile on MyKU. The student must log in to do so. We also ask that students review their personal emails so that we have another way to reach them. High schools often disable those emails after graduation and many students forget to remove these and may miss out on critical information or outreach. Please review these today. Emails can be updated in MyKU. Remember, KU email is our formal method of notification.

  Parking Permits Available for Purchase
  Any student wishing to park a vehicle on campus during the academic year must purchase a parking permit through their MyKU account beginning in mid-July. Assignments are made based upon residency and the number of credits completed entering the fall semester. A fall only permit is $50; an academic year permit is $75. Please visit our website for more information.

  KU Card
  New students can obtain a KU Card by following the link emailed to them prior to orientation, uploading their photo and picking up their free ID from 107 Academic Forum during regular business hours. Returning students who need a new card can stop by the office to purchase a replacement card ($15 billed to your student account).

  Bear Bucks
  Why carry cash when you can add Bear Bucks to your KU Card? Bear Bucks acts just like a debit account, but with no danger of overdraft. Students can deposit money using cash, check, or a credit/debit card and then simply swipe their card at any on- or off-campus venue that accepts Bear Bucks. To add money to their account, students or family members should visit our website.

  Bear Bucks vs. Flex Dollars
  Bear Bucks, as explained above, are dollars that students add to their ID cards to use on campus and at various establishments in town, including the two major grocery stores. These do not expire. Flex Dollars are dollars that students add to their ID cards to use on campus for food establishments on campus only. These are limited and do expire. Flex Dollars are not available to purchase until mid-August. More information is online.

  Fall 2026 Payment Plans
  Payment Plans remain open for Fall 2026 semester charges. The three-payment plan open Sunday, July 5, through Friday, Aug. 7. A student can sign up for a plan now and adjust the plan balance later, once the actual bills are prepared. There is no fee to increase or decrease the plans as needed, should a surprise scholarship show up or the bill increase due to a housing change, for example. MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard > Payment Plans. Enter the amount you want for the plan as the Plan Balance > Click Update Schedule twice and proceed with the payment.

  Authorized Users – Third Party Dashboard Access
  Students can grant their parents (or other third party) their own access to the Payment Dashboard, including getting the billing emails and even billing texts (if applicable) as to not solely rely on the students to share their notice. Students go to MyKU > Student Account card > Payment Dashboard (this is different from FERPA access). Authorized Users is on the right side. This is not limited to just one. Some students set themselves up as an authorized user so they can get the notices to their own personal emails.

  Authorized Aid vs. Awarded Aid
  Once the FAFSA is completed, an aid package is prepared for a student by Financial Aid Services. This awarded aid will not reduce charges on your bill at this point. To ensure that your financial aid moves from an awarded to authorized status, students must ensure that they do not have any missing requirements. Some requirements that may prevent financial aid from being awarded or authorized may be: verification (for those selected for this process), not submitting your final high school and/or college transcript(s), not being enrolled in your courses, or for continuing students no longer meeting financial aid progress requirements. The Office of Student Accounts only considers authorized aid as payment toward the charges due. Students can check if they have any outstanding financial aid items by visiting MyKU > Student Self Service card > Dashboard > Financial Aid > Federal Tasks.

  Summer 2026 FAFSA
  The 2025-26 FAFSA closes Tuesday, June 30. No additional financial aid can be awarded as of this point for the Summer 2026 semester. Financial Aid that was awarded prior to the deadline for Summer 2026 will be processed accordingly. Contact Financial Aid Services for more information by calling 610-683-4077, emailing us at financialaid@kutztown.edu or visit our office at 209 Stratton.

  FAFSA 2026-27
  The new financial aid year begins with Fall 2026. Please have your students complete their 2026-27 FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure prompt processing of their financial aid awards. This will allow your students to have their financial aid awards reflected prior to the Fall 2026 charges that will be due in July/August.

  PA State Grant Requirement
  If you did not complete your 2026-2027 FAFSA prior to the May 1 deadline for eligibility, visit the PHEAA website for additional guidance for late applicants. The 2026-27 FAFSA covers the following semesters: Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027.

  Fall 2026 Financial Aid Loan Options
  In addition to the Federal Direct Loans offered to students, parents may apply for additional loans for the next school year in the form of a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. These loans are based on credit worthiness and should be applied for in June. This will allow your loans to reflect on the students’ account through MyKU by the due date. Please note that applying after June may cause processing delays. When applying for a loan, we recommend applying for the academic school year. Your loan period for the 2026-27 year should be as follows:

  Fall 2026 – Spring 2027
  - Start Date: August 24
  - End Date: May 8

  New for 2026-27: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) established new loan limits for the Direct PLUS Loan Program, impacting how much parents can borrow for their eligible dependent undergraduate students. Borrowing amounts are as follows:
  - Annual Limit: Not to exceed $20,000 per year per student up to the student’s cost of attendance.
  - Lifetime Limit: $65,000 total per student.

  Students and/or parents also have the option of applying for private Alternative Loans. These loans are also based on credit worthiness and have various lenders to choose from. Please research the lender that works best for you as each lender has different rates. For general questions regarding loan options, please contact the Financial Aid Services Office by calling 610-683-4077, email us at financialaid@kutztown.edu or visit our office at 209 Stratton.

• Student Affairs

  Health and Wellness Services
  Action required by Monday, Aug. 3. All KU students must either upload proof of immunity or formally acknowledge the health risks and campus exclusion practices that may be enacted should a student without documented immunity be exposed to a vaccine-preventable illness. Please visit the Clinical Services webpage for more information and instructions for uploading documentation to the Student Health Portal.

  Fall 2026 Move In
  Fall 2026 move in preparation is officially underway and excitement is building across campus as we get ready to welcome students for another outstanding academic year. Our staff, faculty and student leaders have been working hard throughout the summer to ensure a smooth and successful arrival experience for everyone. Residence halls are being prepared, campus services are getting ready to assist students and families and final touches are being made to create a welcoming environment from the moment students arrive. We are especially excited to greet our newest Golden Bears as they begin their college journey, while also welcoming back our returning students who help make our campus community so vibrant and engaging. Things for our first-year students to think about include: Virtual Summer Series for Incoming Residents, Room Selection and Residence Hall Policies. As the countdown to move-in day continues, we look forward to seeing campus filled with good energy and creating new memories at Kutztown University.

  Checking the List With Them, Not For Them
  As a preview to your Dean of Students parent/family session at New Student Orientation, you are encouraged to sit with your student and go over the new student checklist with them and have them complete the work (unless you have a student ready to do this on their own). Do not do this for them and/or without them. We'll talk more about this in July. The checklist is also featured on the parent/family page for Orientation. Nearly all items should be completed before Orientation. Put your student in charge of getting it completed and then support them in this effort.

  Cub Cab Prepares for Season 3
  We're not yet ready for a Netflix series, but the first two seasons of Cub Cab have been a great success and a ton of fun. If you are not yet familiar with these short video clips, take a look. Our Golden Bear community has not been shy about suggesting topics and themes for Season 3. Feel free to share your thoughts at deanofstudents@kutztown.edu.

  Reminders For Students Using Military and Veteran Education Benefits
  Students planning to use their military benefits (e.g., VA GI Bill, TA, EAP, MFEP) in the fall semester must submit their KU Veterans Services Enrollment Certification form after they enroll for fall semester classes. Benefits may be delayed if this form is not submitted early. Contact veterans@kutztown.edu if you have questions or need support with your benefits.

  Students Receiving Chapter 35 VA GI Bill Benefits May Qualify for Additional Funding
  The PA Educational Gratuity program provides financial assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. Payment will not exceed $500 per semester per qualified child. Visit Educational Gratuity Program to learn more.

  Veterans Affairs Work-Study Opportunity for Fall 2026
  Students enrolled for at least nine credits and using VA education benefits may be eligible for VA's Work-Study program. The VA will pay participating students a stipend ($7.25/hour, non-taxable). The Military and Veterans Services Center is a work site for the program and we are considering applicants for our team. VA Work Study students support our office, Mil-Vet students and related programming. Please contact veterans@kutztown.edu to learn more.

  Social Sorority Recruitment
  If you're looking for a sign, this is it. Kutztown's Panhellenic Social Sorority Recruitment registration is open. Women interested in going out for recruitment can sign up online. To be eligible to participate, you need a 2.5 college GPA (2.75 high school GPA). Registration costs $10 and any questions can be directed to involvement@kutztown.edu.

  Join the Kutztown University Activities Board
  Does your Golden Bear want to help plan fun events for the students on campus? KUAB, the Student Activities Board, puts on a variety of events for students, planned by the students. Events include movie nights, Make and Take Crafts, Pet Therapy days, bus excursions and more. Fill out this form to let us know you're interested and stay up to date on summer planning.

  Bear Essential Food Pantry Summer Hours
  The Bear Essential Food Pantry offers non-perishable food items, food prep tools, personal care products, clothing and shoes to students year-round. Students can shop the pantry 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Office of Student Involvement, 153 MSU. Email involvement@kutztown.edu if you have any questions.

• University Relations and Athletics

  Pennsylvania German Day June 27
  The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will host the second annual Pennsylvania German Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at Kutztown University. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead, Pennsylvania German Day will showcase a sampler of Pennsylvania German music, humor and language that will honor the Pennsylvania legislature's declaration 50 years ago for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day in 1976. Pennsylvania German Day will take place in the picturesque barnyard of the historic Sharadin Barn built and decorated in 1855 at the historic Sharadin Farmstead, 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA 19530.

  Improved Website Search
  We introduced an improved website search function in the last year. Give it a try when searching for information about KU. Access the search by the magnifying glass icon from any page on https://www.kutztown.edu, or directly from https://www.kutztown.edu/search.html.

• KU Campus Store

  Why Purchase from KU Campus Store?
  As a non-profit affiliate of KU, our priority is student success and retention. We issue full refunds for materials in original condition throughout the add/drop period. We contribute our surplus to student scholarships, activities and campus athletics. Our goal is for students to have access to the most affordable course materials available to support their academic success.

  Inclusive Access – Course Materials
  Inclusive Access is a collaboration between faculty, KU Campus Store, Office of Student Accounts and publishers to provide required course materials at a reduced cost. When a professor chooses to participate in this program, all students registered for the class automatically receive access to these materials. Benefits of Inclusive Access include Day 1 access to required course materials for all students registered in the class; Digital Access on mobile and desktop devices, print copies available for select courses; Lowest price available, even directly from the publisher; Conveniently charged with tuition, no out of pocket expense required; You do not need to source and purchase materials elsewhere. For more information, visit https://kubstore.com/access-success.

• KU Foundation

  Save the Dates for the 1866 Giving Challenge and Homecoming
  You are an important part of our upcoming eighth annual 1866 Minute Giving Challenge, Oct. 20-21. For 1,866 minutes, the KU community unites as one to support all – because together, we’re golden. The following weekend, we are delighted to welcome alumni, current students and their families to Homecoming 2026, Oct. 23-24. Registration opens Friday, July 31.

  Are You a KU Alum? Update Your Contact Information
  Stay connected with the Kutztown University Foundation by keeping your contact information up to date and sharing your latest accomplishments and life updates. We love celebrating the exciting milestones and memories that make our Golden Bear community so special.

  Follow the KU Foundation on Social Media
  Want to see the impact of philanthropy at KU? Follow the KU Alumni Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube for inspiring student stories, campus updates and behind-the-scenes looks at how donor generosity supports scholarships, programs and opportunities that help Golden Bears thrive.

• Dates to Know

  KU Central Calendar
  A full listing of upcoming events and academic deadlines can be found on KU's central calendar.
  
  

  Undergraduate Orientation Program for Transfer Students	Wednesday, July 1
  Independence Day (Observed). University Closed.	Friday, July 3
  Last day to set up a 4-payment plan for Fall 2026 semester in MyKU > Payment Dashboard (subject to change)	Saturday, July 4
  Summer Talent Academy for Rising Stars (STARS) Program supports selected incoming freshmen and is designed to familiarize them with the rigor of KU's academic experience	July 6 to Aug. 6
  Summer 2026 Session 2 Begins	Monday, July 6
  Registration closed after the end of the Add/Drop period for Summer Session 2	Tuesday, July 7
  Undergraduate Orientation Program for Freshman	July 8-11
  Withdraw Period for Summer 2026 Session 2 Courses. The last day of this period is the deadline to receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	July 8-29
  Summer 2026 Session 2 Inclusive Access Opt-Out Deadline	Thursday, July 9
  Last day to set up a two-payment plan for Summer 2026 Session 2 in MyKU > Payment Dashboard	Thursday, July 9
  Last day for Undergraduate and Graduate students to apply for Summer 2026 Session 10 Week graduation	Tuesday, July 14
  Last day for Undergraduate and Graduate students to apply for Summer 2026 Session 2 graduation	Tuesday, July 14
  Refunds for overpayments of Summer 2026 Session 2 accounts will begin no sooner than this date (subject to change).	Wednesday, July 15
  Undergraduate Orientation Program for Transfer Students	Tuesday, July 21
  Undergraduate Orientation Program for Freshman	July 22-25
  Email notification sent to students to log in and view Fall 2026 bills (approx. date). Payment due Friday, Aug. 7.	Wednesday, July 22
  Withdraw Period for Summer 2026 Session 10 Week Courses. The last day of this period is the deadline to receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Tuesday, July 28
  Withdraw Period for Summer 2026 Session 2 Courses. The last day of this period is the deadline to receive a grade of “W”. There is no withdrawal from individual courses after this date.	Wednesday, July 29