Helpful Information for Future Bearcat Families
Choosing a college is a big decision for the whole family. As you explore Northwest, you may have questions about your student’s academic experience, paying for college, where they’ll live and how they’ll adjust to campus life. Northwest offers helpful information and resources for guardians and parents of college students, as well as other family members, as you support your student through the college search. Together, you can help them prepare to join a community where they’ll be supported, challenged, celebrated and prepared for what comes next.
When students start college, the role of their parents and families changes, but it doesn’t disappear. You still want to help your student make informed decisions, stay on top of important details and deadlines, and know where to turn when questions come up. Northwest offers support for parents of college students by providing answers to your family’s questions, access to campus resources and practical information that helps you prepare for your student’s transition to college.
College costs are often one of the biggest questions families have during the search process. Northwest helps you understand expenses such as financial aid, billing and other important details so you can plan ahead for your student’s education.
A visit can help your family picture what life at Northwest could look like. When you come to campus, you can explore residence halls, ask questions about academics and scholarships, and get a feel for the community your student may soon join.
As parents of college students, you may want a better sense of what life at Northwest could look like day to day. From living on campus to health and safety, Northwest offers information that can help your family get a clearer picture of the experience that awaits your student.
Explore Your Student’s Experience
If your student has been accepted to Northwest, congratulations – and welcome to the Bearcat family. As you prepare for this next chapter, Northwest offers helpful information on move in, orientation, important dates and what to expect before classes begin, along with answers to common questions.
Bearcat Family Connection gives parents of college students at Northwest access to important news and deadlines, personalized newsletters, email and text updates, and an easy way to share updates with friends and family.
Sign Up for Bearcat Family Connection
Stay involved through Northwest’s signature family events, such as Move-In Day, Family Weekend, Homecoming and Commencement. These family-focused events can help you stay connected to campus and celebrate important milestones with your student.
“Northwest genuinely cared about my children as students, not just academically, but as people. The professors were approachable, and the support was always there when needed. As a parent, it was reassuring to know they were in an environment where people wanted them to succeed.”
Angela Simon
Falls City, NE | Mother | Jarrot, 2024 grad and Ella, 2026 grad
“The immediate immersion of our daughter into the education program was transformational. She had dreams of teaching one specific area, but after spending hours of observation in that area, she realized perhaps she was a better fit in another area of education. The fact that she figured this out as a freshman, through real hands-on experience, transformational.”
Jill Brown
Mound City, Mo | Mother | Mackenzie Brown, a current student
As your student prepares for college, we know you have questions. Here are a few that parents of college students often ask. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, browse our full parent and family FAQ page for answers about housing, safety, billing, academics and campus life.
Paying for college looks different for every family. Whether your student receives scholarships or financial assistance such as grants, work-study or loans, the process starts with the FAFSA for parents and students. From there, you can explore your options for covering remaining costs, which may include parent loans for college.
The FAFSA for parents is the parent contributor portion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for dependent students. In that section, you provide financial and personal information that helps determine your student’s eligibility for federal aid, such as grants, work-study and loans. You may need your own StudentAid.gov account to complete your part of the form. Completing the FAFSA is an important first step if your family is exploring parent loans for college.
Parent PLUS Loans are federal loans that can help you pay for your student’s education. How do Parent PLUS loans work? You borrow in your own name, and you are responsible for repayment. You can begin making payments shortly after the loan is disbursed, or you can request to delay repayment until after your student leaves school.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is the federal law that protects a student’s education records once they begin college. FERPA for parents means you may not automatically have access to information such as grades, billing details or class schedules unless your student gives permission.
If you’re like most parents, how to prepare your child for college is likely top of mind. At Northwest, we encourage families to start by reviewing important dates, housing information, orientation details and what to expect before classes begin. With helpful resources and support for parents of college students, Northwest can help your family feel ready for the transition to college.
Yes, Northwest absolutely offers support for parents of college students. We help parents and families find answers to questions about academics, campus resources, student life, key dates and what to expect throughout the college experience. That way, you can better understand how to support your student and where to turn when questions come up.
