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Parents

As a parent, you know that education will be the most important asset for your son or daughter in the years ahead. Our degree programs – which include top-notch offerings in humanities and social sciences, languages and communication, business, education, engineering, health sciences, and the applied sciences – have been developed in partnership with industry and government leaders. This ensures that our graduates have the knowledge and skills they need to make it today and to grow into new opportunities tomorrow.

Want to know more? Check out the Parents' Guide to UA Fort Smith.

• What is the current enrollment?
  Fall 2008 enrollment was approximately 6,800 students.

• What types of scholarships and financial aid are available?
  UA Fort Smith offers a competitive scholarship program for qualified students based on academic excellence and leadership potential. Vocal and instrumental music performance, cheerleading, and athletic scholarships are also offered on an audition/tryout basis. Students who wish to apply for grants, loans, and work-study must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Copies of the FAFSA are available in high school counseling offices or online. UA Fort Smith priority financial aid application deadline for the fall semester is April 15. In addition to scholarships and grants, students may finance their education through on-campus employment or student loans. For information regarding these options, contact the Financial Aid Office at 479-788-7090.

• When will my son/daughter register for classes?
  New students participate in New Student Orientation (NSO) during the summer. During NSO, students meet with academic advisors, select and register for classes, get a student ID card, learn how to Web register for future terms, obtain access to e-mail, and find out about campus activities. There are several NSO dates from which to choose, but students who attend early registration dates have the best class selection.

• Do you offer online classes?
  UA Fort Smith is one of Arkansas' largest providers of real-time, Web-based courses. We offer a variety of alternative delivery methods to meet the growing needs of our diverse student population, including e-mail, Internet, telecourses, evening and weekend courses, and distance education options. Many of our general education classes are offered via the Internet. Please note, however, that alternate delivery classes are often the first to fill, so students should register as early as possible!

• Are there graduate assistants in the classroom?
  No. All of our classes are taught by professional faculty. Our professors maintain scheduled office hours so that they can assist students outside the classroom. And since we’re a learning-centered rather than research-driven institution, the number one priority of faculty is to ensure that UA Fort Smith students receive a quality education.

• Are campus tours available?
  Personal, student-led campus tours are given at noon and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. and noon on Friday. To schedule an appointment, call Admissions and School Relations at 479-788-7120 or toll-free at 888-512-LION. Be sure to mention the program your son or daughter is interested in, and we'll set up a personal visit with a faculty member as part of the tour.

• How large is UA Fort Smith?
  Fall 2008 enrollment was approximately 6,800 students. Our 123-acre campus houses 20 modern buildings and features the largest free-standing bell tower in the south central United States.

• Is there housing available?
  Yes. An exclusive community for UA Fort Smith students, Sebastian Commons Apartments offers one-, two- and four-bedroom floor plans. Apartments are fully furnished and provide private bedrooms with study desks and locking doors, full kitchens with appliances, and high-speed, wireless Internet access. Sebastian Commons is a gated community with 24-hour safety patrol and unit intrusion alarm options. Tours are available Monday–Saturday. Please contact the leasing center at 479-783-7577 to schedule your tour of Sebastian Commons Apartments. The University will also soon offer an entirely new dormitory building! Check back for more details as the 2009-10 school year gets underway.

• Is the campus safe?
  Absolutely! Officers of the University Police Department patrol campus buildings and parking lots 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. The department also provides, by request, a security escort for students who are walking alone on campus at night or a jumpstart should students need assistance with their vehicle. Both services are available free of charge.

• What is there to do on campus?
  Whether students choose to take in a Broadway show, watch a battle between two nationally-ranked teams, or just relax with friends at a movie, campus life at UA Fort Smith offers something for everyone. Our athletics program, features men's baseball, women's volleyball, and men's and women's basketball, cross country, tennis, and golf. UA Fort Smith has more than 50 student organizations, including an active Campus Activities Board and Student Senate. Our students perform throughout the semester in the jazz band, concert chorale, vocal jazz, symphonic band, and drama productions.

• What's the best way for my son or daughter to meet other freshmen?
  Cub Camp, UA Fort Smith's three-day, two-night experience for first-time, full-time freshmen, affords new students the opportunity to learn more about UA Fort Smith and to make new friends.

• If my son or daughter needs help in a class, are resources available?
  There are a variety of services available to help students succeed in the classroom. Our Learning Assistance Center (LAC), located in the Vines Building, provides a variety of free services including math labs, a writing center, group tutoring, and computer support programs for a wide range of courses. The Freshman Center, located in the Campus Center, provides assistance specifically for first-year students, including an information and referral service, student mentors, and discussion groups. Additionally, instructors are available for assistance during scheduled office hours.

• Do I have to pay all my son or daughter’s tuition and fees at registration?
  No. Payment is due after classes begin, not during registration. For a nominal fee, students may arrange to pay for tuition, fees, and books on an installment plan.

• Do you provide job placement services?
  Yes. The Career Services Center provides UA Fort Smith students and graduates with a full range of services, including full- and part-time jobs, internships, resume and cover-letter writing, interviewing skills, and job-search strategies. Additionally, the center offers career exploration testing services to help students determine their interests, choose a major, and define their career goals.

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