College Parenting Newsletter | August

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Important Dates

Aug. 19 – Dining Hall opens at 12pm for new students.

Aug. 19-20 – Welcome Week – New students need to schedule a move-in slot for the 19th or 20th through their ResLife portal.

Aug. 21 – Residential halls open for returning students.

Aug. 24 – First day of residential classes.

Aug. 28 – Last day for students to add/drop a class. Add/Drop week is Aug. 24-28.

Bookmark this year’s Academic Calendar (PDF) for important dates and events.

Family Weekend 2026 is Sept. 18-20! Registration is now open!

Visit our Family Weekend page to register and for more information. We hope to see you there!

Prayer Points for August

Moving in & moving back on campus
Establishing friendships & learning to share living spaces with roommates
Adjusting to new routines & class schedules
Balancing academics, social activities & personal time with the Lord daily
Missing home, family & friends

Ephesians 6:14-17 – For the helmet of salvation to protect their thoughts and the sword of truth to fight against lies about themselves or may believe of others
2 Timothy 1:7 – For strength in the Lord
Psalm 91:6, 14-16 – For protection from temptations that would destroy their faith
Ephesians 4:32 – For them to be able to resolve conflicts quickly and to seek harmony and understanding with others

By partnering with your student in prayer, you will give them one of the greatest supports they could hope for as they follow God’s call to be the adults that He equips them to be. Trust in the Lord to be faithful; your family will rise to the challenges. Be encouraged! We are here to journey alongside you, to pray with you, and, more valuable than that, God is with you!

2026 PFC Prayer Theme: PURSUIT

August – PURSUIT of…COMMUNITY. Healthy Friendships, Accountability, and Belonging.

Dear Father, place my student in life-giving community. Lead them to friendships marked by accountability, encouragement, and joy. Protect them from loneliness and unhealthy influences. Help them become connected to a local church and campus groups where they are both nurtured and able to serve. Amen.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:24-25

Further Scripture Readings:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Romans 12:16-18
Proverbs 13:20
Acts 2:42-47

August Tip of the Month

As your student begins their college journey, one of the biggest transitions your family may experience is with communication. Unlike high school, where communication occurred daily, college students often become more independent and may not reach out as frequently. This shift is normal, but it’s important to establish healthy communication habits early on with your student. Discuss expectations, respect their growing independence, and create space for meaningful conversations. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” As you navigate this season, let your words be filled with grace, encouragement, and wisdom, building a foundation of trust that supports your student through every challenge and success of their college journey.

Welcome Week & New Student Orientation

Welcome to the LU Flames Family!

Visit the New Student Orientation webpage for all things related to Welcome Week (Aug. 19-21). We welcome you to attend our Student Support Resource Fair as well as our Parent & Family Session to learn about all the resources available to help your student succeed. Both sessions are held back-to-back, from 2-4 p.m., on both move-in days (Aug. 19 & 20). Then join other new LU families for Prayer on the Lawn at 4 p.m., as we lift up and pray over our students, families, campus leadership, faculty, and staff for a blessed year ahead. We hope to see you there!

LU Students love Jesus and love kids, so we are asking God to provide the items needed to pack at least 5,000 boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year.

Each year millions of shoeboxes travel around the world, carrying gifts and the gospel to children (and family members) who may have never heard the name of Jesus. We are planning a massive shoebox packing party with a goal of packing at least 5,000 boxes in one night! Will you help us by supplying the items we need to fill these boxes?

We appreciate you and hope you will join us in sending the gospel to children around the world! No gift or contribution is too small! God bless you for your generosity!

Help LU Students Pack 5,000 Boxes for Operation Christmas Child!

Three easy ways to get involved:

1 – Shop Online – Use this link to order items from our Amazon wish list. All items purchased will be delivered directly to our warehouse where they will be held until our packing party.

2 – Provide a cash donation. All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of your gift will be used to purchase items for our boxes.

3 – Shop at home and send your items to Liberty with your student. We will be collecting items for the packing party in the Psychology Department throughout the fall semester.

Abigail Salmon, a senior at Liberty University, is leading our efforts. She said, “My personal experience with international missions has given me a deeper understanding of the Great Commission. I love the ministry of Operation Christmas Child because it’s a way for everyone to participate in missions. Having students work together on this project is a way to build community while serving the Lord. Each shoebox packed with gifts seems simple to us but is an opportunity to change a child’s life through the Gospel.”

Parent Resource | Eagles Scholars Program

Eagle Scholars is a two-year program designed for high-performing freshmen and sophomores of all majors, offering personalized and professional development to cultivate leadership skills that extend beyond college. Students engage in collaborative, classroom learning, fostering a strong sense of community as they grow together. The curriculum offers a meaningful challenge with a manageable workload. The program offers events and a capstone trip to Washington, DC. Program students are recruited to plan and host those events. We believe in learning by doing.

Applicants must have a minimum 3.3 unweighted high school GPA, along with a growth mindset and a desire to make connections with others. Applications are still being accepted for the new Fall 2026 freshmen cohort.

Parent Resource | Parent PLUS Loan Reminders

from: Student Financial Services Office

As was communicated earlier this spring, the U.S. Department of Education’s 2026–27 application for the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is now available for parents of dependent students. This is one option to help cover education expenses such as tuition, housing, and books.

Key features include:

Credit check required: Eligibility is determined through a credit review of the parent-borrower.
Additional borrowing option: If a parent is denied based on credit, the student may qualify for additional federal unsubsidized student loans.
Flexible repayment: Choose to begin repayment immediately or defer until after your student graduates or ceases enrollment.
Borrowing limits for new borrowers as of July 1, 2026: Eligible parents may borrow up to $20,000 per academic year with a $65,000 lifetime limit, per dependent student.

Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a PLUS loan using the steps listed below.

Sign-in with your information at https://studentaid.gov/
Select “Request PLUS Loan” from the options on the left side of the page.
Choose the type of loan you plan to apply for and complete the application.

Learn more about Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans. If you have questions or need assistance, please visit our Student Financial Services contact page. We are here to support you and your student throughout the financial aid process.

We exist to support the mission of Liberty University Training Champions for Christ by sharing timely, relevant, and accurate information with students’ family members about the resources, programs, and activities available on campus. Our purpose is to build relationships between parents and the university, promote student success, and support parents through the transition of their students being at college – all the while praying for their highest calling in Jesus Christ.