Senior Resources
Welcome to the Class of 2013! The purpose of this page is to provide the senior class with useful information about class-specific activities as well as information about transitioning from college after graduation.
What you can find on this page:
- Bookstore and Stag Spirit Shop
- Career Planning Center
- Commencement Information
- Financial Aid and Student Loan Repayment
- Senior Class Gift
- Senior Survey and Institutional Research
- Senior Week
- Student Achievement Awards
- Transitioning Tools
Bookstore/Stag Spirit Shop
Visit the online bookstore to see the wide variety of gifts available to graduating seniors!
Career Planning Center
Does the thought of what you're going to do after graduation keep you up at night? The Career Planning Center (CPC) is here to help seniors who are searching for a job, applying to graduate/professional school, or applying for a post-graduate service program.
Specifically, CPC can help with resumes, cover letters, personal statements, interviewing skills (including mock interviews), networking, developing you personal brand/digital identity, and can help you learn how to find jobs, graduate programs, and service opportunities. You can set up an appointment by calling (203) 254-4081 or if you have a quick question you can stop by drop-in hours Tuesday-Friday from 1:30-4 p.m. We want to help you, so please visit us! You should also follow us on Twitter: @FairfieldCPC, like us on Facebook: FairfieldCPC, and read our blog for helpful tips.
Visit our Classroom to Career Senior Year website! Also, you can also check out our #Seniorproblems Seminar Series where we will cover finding an apartment in NYC, how to analyze benefits & salaries, and a networking event with young Fairfield alumni.
Commencement Information
For information related to Commencement, please visit our Commencement 2013 website.
Financial Aid and Student Loan Repayment
Student Loan Repayment Information
- Are you graduating with federal student loans? If so, you will be required to complete Direct Stafford Loan Exit Counseling. This process will review your loan history, rights and responsibilities as a borrower, and detail loan repayment information.
- Complete the required Exit Counseling here: www.nslds.ed.gov. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the Department of Education's main database for all student loan information. You can access all of your federal loan records here. It will be important to have your FAFSA personal identification number (PIN) prior to logging in and creating your NSLDS account. If you can't remember your FAFSA PIN, request a duplicate here: www.pin.ed.gov.
- Get more information on managing your federal loan payment and choosing the repayment plan that fits your budget.
- It is very important to repay your loans, even if your financial situation becomes difficult over the repayment terms. If you are unable to make a payment at any time, contact your lender immediately! Read more about deferment or forbearance options that may help to reduce or postpone payments during challenging financial times.
- Timely loan repayment helps to build your credit score, which in turn creates great opportunities when applying for jobs, mortgages/leases, cars and other credit. Stay current on your loan payments!
- Are you graduating with alternative student loans? If so, contact your alternative loan lender for more information on repayment. You can review your loan history in my.Fairfield and look up your lender's contact information if you do not have it already. Once logged into my.Fairfield, click on the Services tab, scroll to the Financial Aid link and select Award for Aid Year or Award History. If you have questions about your alternative loan lender, please contact our office at (203) 254-4125 or finaid@fairfield.edu.
- Are you planning on going to graduate school? That's great!! You have the option to elect to defer your loan payments while you are enrolled in graduate school. Some schools have enrollment requirements of at least six credits, but be sure to confirm the enrollment requirement with your desired school. In order to defer your undergraduate loan payments, you must contact all of your lenders (federal and alternative) for an In-School Deferment Form. Both you and your graduate school must complete the form prior to sending it to each lender, where in-school loan deferment of your payments may be confirmed. Learn more about deferment for your federal loans.
Federal Perkins and Federal Nursing loan Exit Interview
This is two parts:
- Contact Karen Hira (Bursars office) ext. 2236 to make an appointment to sign your repayment schedule.
- Google: mappingyourfuture.org, click on Counseling; if you have a Perkins Loan do the Perkins Exit, if you have a Nursing Loan do the Nursing Exit.
Once completed the hold will be taken off your records.
If you have other questions about your loan records at Fairfield University, please contact your financial aid counselor:
Financial Aid Counselor |
Last Name Begins With and/or Student Group |
Contact |
Maura Hegley |
A-C, X, Y, Z |
|
Shirley Klein |
D-H |
|
Colleen Barker |
I-M |
|
Kimberly Droniak |
N-Q |
|
Ellen Gilmore |
R-W |
|
Diana DeVellis |
Second Degree Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice |
Senior Class Gift
What would your life be like without Fairfield University? From new friends, to memorable lectures, to weekend retreats, Fairfield has made an indelible impact on your life. Now, as you become alumni, it's your turn to give back - pay it forward - and ensure a positive impact on future Fairfield students for generations to come. The Senior Class Gift perpetuates this important tradition of giving back. The Class of 2013 will vote to decide what your legacy gift to Fairfield University will be.
Your participation counts. Get involved today!
Senior Survey Institutional Research
Please complete the annual College Senior Survey.You must complete the Senior Survey in order to receive your cap and gown for graduation. The survey closes Wednesday, May 1. Complete the survey now at fairfield.edu/seniorsurvey.
Senior Week
Senior Week is a week-long program organized by members of the junior and sophomore classes. The week offers the graduating class opportunities to strengthen friendships, reflect on their years together at Fairfield, and to celebrate their accomplishments as they prepare for the future. The week consists of seven (7) different events that happen both on and off campus.
Senior Week events include:
- The Senior Week Soiree is a reception with Fairfield University's Jesuits, staff, and faculty. This is a time for members of the Fairfield University Community to say goodbye to the graduating seniors. It also provides an opportunity for the graduating students to thank those who have positively impacted their Fairfield experience!
- The Brunch is a time for the class to come together for one last meal in the Main Dining Room of the Barone Campus Center.
- Pub Night provides a venue for the students to celebrate their time together at Fairfield. Entertainment, food, and beverages are provided.
- The Commencement Ball is a formal event that takes place at an off-campus location. It is a night full of dinner, dancing, and celebration!
- The Senior Picnic is a day trip to an off-campus location that consists of recreational activities like canoeing, swimming, rock climbing walls, softball fields, pools, a BBQ, ice cream truck, entertainment, and so much more!
- The Casino Trip is an annual outing that the Senior Class takes to Mohegan Sun Casino. The trip includes a $10 meal and a $10 betting voucher.
- The Family Dance is the night before Commencement. It is an event for the whole family with four floors of food, dancing, and live entertainment.
For up-to-date information please check the Senior Week website at fairfield.edu/seniorweek
Student Achievement Awards
The Division of Student Affairs and the Student Awards Selection Committee thanks all members of the Fairfield community who nominated graduating seniors for the St. Ignatius Loyola Medal, William J. Kramer '60 Humanitarian Award, and Student Achievement Awards. The recipients are honored at an annual awards dinner. In addition, the Loyola Medal recipient is formally recognized at Commencement. The 2013 ceremony and dinner will be held on Monday, April 29.
Transitioning Tools
As you enter the "real world" into your desired career, in possibly a new city or state, and with a different financial status than you may have experienced in the last four years at Fairfield, you might find some of these tools beneficial. Visit the sites below for more information regarding credit, money management, job searching, identity theft, planning for retirement, etc. Good luck!