By now you’ve hopefully gotten all the celebrating out of your system, because now that you’re officially a Hesston student, you’ve got some work to do. Not bad work, good work… but work nonetheless.
Basically, you need to get some things done, and the best way to go about it is to know what you need to do before you arrive at Hesston, and what to do after you arrive. This will make your transition to the Hesston community as smooth as can be.
Before you arrive…
- Applying for Financial Aid
- If you haven’t already applied for financial aid, you’ll need to as soon as possible. A good place to begin is by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- Sending in Your Photo and Deposit
- Once you’re accepted, you’ll need to send us your photo, and your $150 deposit. The deposit is refundable upon request until May 1, and if you’re planning to live on campus, one third of the deposit will serve as a room deposit and is refunded when you leave Hesston (assuming your room is in good condition). The rest serves as a tuition deposit and is applied toward the first term tuition expenses.
- Complete Your Housing Application
- After you’re accepted you’ll receive a housing application (41KB pdf), as well as a health form (83K pdf). If you have any food allergies, please also complete the food allergies form. If you don’t receive these immediately after you’re accepted, don’t worry, they’re coming. Both of these must be completed and sent back to us before you move in. The housing application will help us determine your lifestyle standards and preferences, to make the best possible roommate assignment (if you haven’t already requested a roommate). A letter from our student life office containing your roommate assignment and other pertinent information will be mailed to you in May or when we receive your completed health form.
- Register for Classes
- A registration packet will be mailed to you upon your acceptance, and will outline registration procedures. Again, we send these things out en masse, so if you don’t get it immediately after your acceptance, relax, it’s coming. You will have the option of registering in person on campus or by phone. Your schedule will be mailed to you in July.
- Order Your Textbooks and Supplies
- Once you have registered, you can step to the front of the line and order your textbooks and supplies online. This is the way to go, especially if you want to purchase used textbooks to save a few dollars. (The bookstore fills online requests for used textbooks before the store opens in the fall.) Our bookstore staff will have your order–the right books for all your classes–boxed and ready when you arrive on campus
After you arrive
- Opening Weekend
- Opening Weekend is when the entire Hesston campus community comes together to usher in the new academic year. It takes place over a weekend in early- to mid-August, and includes an opening convocation, campus picnic, orientation sessions, games, and the ever-popular Mod Olympics.
- Moving In
- You’ll move in on the Friday morning of Opening Weekend, and join the other students in your “mod”—our very cool version of residence halls. Each mod consists of five to eight rooms, with a total of nine to 15 students. You can either choose your own roommate, or we’ll line one up for you.
- What to Bring
- You’ll want to bring your own linens, towels, blankets, hangers, wastepaper basket, alarm clock, and pillow. Other things students typically bring are computers, bikes, touch-tone phones, irons… and anything else you’ll need to make it feel like home.
- What Not to Bring
- Sorry, but we ask that you not bring halogen lamps, guns of any sort (including bb and paintball), pets (other than fish), fireworks or explosives, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
- The Ins and Outs of Hesston
- Hesston, Kansas is a community of around 3,500 people. We’re about 10 minutes away from the city of Newton, and about 30 minutes away from Wichita. Students often gather at Drubers and Newell in Newton, and take advantage of the attractions, concerts, cultural events, museums, restaurants, shops, sporting events, and festivals that take place throughout the year in Wichita.
- Exploring the Bookstore
- You’ll find everything you need at our bookstore, located at the west end of Erb Hall… books, software, supplies, backpacks, Hesston apparel, art supplies, greeting cards, gifts, snacks. It’s a one-stop shop. The bookstore is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and is closed weekends, except for special occasions. Oh, and Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express are accepted for any purchase.
- The Student Handbook
- This is a pretty important little friend that you will receive when you arrive on campus in August. Your student handbook will fill you in on everything you need to know as you get settled in here at Hesston.