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Mt. Hood Community College Mt. Hood Community College Mt. Hood Community College

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  • Parent and Family Resources

  • Family and FriendsMt. Hood Community College welcomes parents and family members of our students. This page is your resource to help you understand and prepare for the experiences your student may have as they move through their time at MHCC. Graduating from college can double the graduate’s income. Support from their family can help students stay in school and finish their degree.

    It is normal to have mixed feelings when your child, spouse, or family member starts attending college. Remember that pursuing higher education does not mean that students will lose the values they were raised with. Many college students wish that their family would know:

    • The pressures and stresses of being in college. The average student needs to plan at least two hours of homework for every college credit they take. This means a full time student will be in class 12 – 15 hours per week, and have 24-30 hours of work to do (or more) outside of class each week.
    • To be supportive and try their best to understand what the student is experiencing.
    • It is important for parents/family to know how hard college is and that the student will be under stress.
    • At times, students may even feel overwhelmed. Parent and family support with words of encouragement goes a long way!

    Helpful Links for Parents and Family

    • Schedule a Tour – You and your student are encouraged to schedule a tour to get an overview of campus and see any area that may be of interest. Please complete the tour request form at least one week prior to your intended visit.
    • Registration Calendar – Here you can find out when your student’s academic terms start and end, when final exams takes place, and when registration begins for next term. We encourage students to register early every term in order to avoid wait lists and full classes.
    • Career Planning & Counseling Center (CPCC) – The CPCC offers a variety of services for students including career services and job search assistance, as well as personal counseling. Encourage your student to utilize these services!
    • Tuition and fees – Learn more about the cost of attending MHCC. FYI: students from Washington, Idaho, California and Nevada get in-state tuition rates at MHCC!
    • Apply for financial aid (FAFSA) – If your student is under age 24, not married, has no dependents, and is not on active military duty, they will probably need to provide parent information on their FAFSA application. Instructions are available in English, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese. Please note that students must keep their grades up in order to keep receiving financial aid. For best results, is recommended that students apply for financial aid between October 1 and January 31 for the following fall. FAFSA uses tax/income information from two years ago.
    • Student Code of Conduct – The Student Code of Conduct outlines the standards of behavior expected of every student at MHCC.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Student Rights and Responsibilities:

    Am I allowed to get information from MHCC about my student’s schedule, grades, attendance, or other college-related information?
    No. The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act prevents anyone, other than the student and college officials, from having access to the student’s academic record unless the student has signed a waiver stating otherwise. Please note there are separate waivers for both the Financial Aid Office and the Admissions, Registration and Records Office.
    My student earned college credits while in high school. Do those count toward a degree at MHCC and other colleges?
    If your student earned college credit for classes they took at their high school, they can count toward a degree at MHCC. If your student’s high school partnered with MHCC, the credits are already on your student’s official college transcript. The number of credits that apply toward any degree at MHCC or other colleges depends on the courses required for a specific degree. To ensure your student is taking classes that apply to the major they are interested in, they may connect with an academic adviser. Before your student can transition to a college student at MHCC, they will need to upgrade their account by completing the general admission application in May or June the year they graduate from high school. Then they should connect with the HUB to see if they need to take any portions of the placement test and what their next steps are.
    My student took AP (Advanced Placement) or IB (International Baccalaureate) classes in high school. Can they get college credit for that?
    If your student took Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses in high school, they must also have completed the exams with minimum scores in order to earn college credit. Your student must indicate when taking the exam to have the official scores sent to MHCC’s Admissions office.
    I have a student under the age of 18 that would like to attend classes at MHCC. How do we get started?
    Please see Underage Enrollment in Credit Classes.
    My student and/or I would like more information about MHCC’s rules and the student’s rights and responsibilities. Where can we find more information?
    You can review the Student Rights and Responsibilities. This page includes information about both the Student Code of Conduct and Student Complaint Handbook.

    Paying For College:

    My student applied for financial aid. How do we use their financial aid award to pay the bill?
    If your student completed all the financial aid steps, including completing the financial aid orientation form and accepting their award offer, their bill will be automatically paid the second Tuesday of the term. If there is money left over after the bill is paid, the student will receive that money to use on school-related expenses. If there is not enough financial aid to cover the bill, you can pay the remainder online, in person or by mail.
    Do you have more information about the Oregon Promise grant?
    Please visit mhcc.edu/OregonPromise for more information.
    Can my student apply for scholarships?
    Yes! There are many legitimate scholarship applications available throughout the year. The MHCC Foundation offers scholarships throughout the year. The Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) typically has a scholarship application open from November 1 until March 1 for the following fall. Fastweb.com also lists many scholarships. Just like with federal or state financial aid, students typically need to keep their grades up in order to keep their scholarship. Beware of any scholarship that charges any sort of application fee. If you have to pay money (other than the cost of a postage stamp) to get money, it is probably a scam.
    Do you offer a payment plan?
    Yes! Interest-free payment plans are available for students with a bill of $100 or higher, and a social security or tax ID number on file. Your student needs to set you up on MyMHCC as an Authorized Payer if you would like to be responsible for the payments.

    Support Services:

    What can I do if my student tells me they are struggling?
    Talk with your student about what resources are available on campus. If they are struggling with something in a class, they can (and should) utilize free tutoring services in the Learning Success Center. They can also talk to their instructor about their assignments or grade. Instructor office hours are posted on the syllabus. Please note that dropping or withdrawing from courses after the refund deadline means the student cannot get a refund for the course. Dropping after the refund deadline may also affect their financial aid eligibility for the following term they are enrolled. If your student is struggling with personal issues, they can make an appointment with one of the MHCC counselors.
    My student needs help choosing a career path. What should I do?
    We highly encourage you to support your student in making an appointment with a career counselor. Appointments are available Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. MHCC also offers several career planning courses that transfer as electives to universities.
    Is there a place at MHCC where we can come to get help with filing FAFSA, registering for classes, etc.?
    Yes! Students and their parents are welcome to visit the HUB in room AC2253. There, you can get help with a variety of issues that require a computer such as applying for admission, filing the FAFSA, completing the online orientation, registering for classes, and setting up their student email a few days after the student first registers for classes.
    We don’t have a computer at home at this time. Where can my student work on homework or print papers?
    All currently registered students can use any of the many computer labs at MHCC. Students also receive $3 in free printing on their Saints Print account every term. More money can be added to their account with a debit or credit card.
    Am I allowed to get information from MHCC about my student’s schedule, grades, attendance, or other college-related information?
    No. The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act prevents anyone, other than the student and college officials, from having access to the student’s academic record unless the student has signed a waiver stating otherwise. Please note there are separate waivers for both the Financial Aid Office and the Admissions, Registration and Records Office.