Parent, Family & Supporter Checklist

Available Now 

We want parents and families to have all the resources necessary for their William & Mary experience to be as enriching and rewarding as possible. We recognize that having a student in college can be both an exciting and challenging experience. The goal and vision of Family Engagement is to help ease the transition process for families while providing resources, student stories, opportunities for involvement and a family support network. 

From deposit to commencement, Family Engagement will be there to support YOU as you support your W&M student. 

Available Now 

Access essential information anywhere, anytime on your mobile device – available for iOS, Android and on the web at m.wm.edu. W&M Mobile provides a variety of campus information and services for the university community. 

In late-July, select the New Students & Families experience to access orientation information including move-in maps and your schedules, review key app features including Tribe Card, Transit, and Academic Tools, and receive important notifications and updates from Student Transition Engagement Programs. 

Available Now 

Connect with Family Engagement on Facebook and Instagram for student resources and reminders about upcoming dates & deadlines throughout the year. 

Available Now 

Pre-Orientation Programs are a great way for your student to learn more about themselves and their community before New Student Orientation in August! 

Hosted by offices across the Division of Student Affairs, these optional summer-time programs provide all incoming students unique opportunities to explore campus resources and meet new people. 

Available Now 

Stepping Stones are a series of virtual new student and student leader meet-ups created with the intention of easing incoming students into life as a college student within the W&M community.  

Each of the meet-ups are centered on finding an initial community within the university. Perhaps your student will find their new best friend, future roommate or a friendly face to look for on move-in day! 

Please note that Stepping Stones are for students only.

Available Now. Purchasing Deadline June 30. 

Looking to show off your Class of 2030 Tribe spirit? The W&M Family Gear Shop, run by Family Engagement, is the only place to get class year t-shirts. Grab an exclusive 2030 tee for both student and family and check out the array of W&M branded items we have. Shop before June 30; there will be no opportunities to purchase class year items beyond that date.

Available Now 

There are a variety of ways to support your student during their time at William & Mary. In the Family Resource Guide, you will find some of the systems, services and tools you will use to stay up-to-date and connected with the university, along with explanations about these key items.  

The digital PDF will be updated once per year and posted for those who wish to print out our Resource Guide. For the most up-to-date information contained in this guide, re-visit the website. 

Available Now 

Exam schedules, academic calendars, registration dates and grading deadlines are maintained by the Office of the University Registrar and posted online for the community to view. 

Review the Academic Calendar to learn about important dates in your student’s academic journey and when they’ll break from classes throughout the semester.  

Available now, due May 29

At this time, your student should open the Personal Information Questionnaire to complete the Family, Emergency, Releases, and Passphrase tabs and journey to the final tab available to hit "submit" by May 29. 

Did you know that according to Federal law, William & Mary cannot release information to a student's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) without the express permission of the student? 

What 

Passphrase is a verification system designed to verify the identity of individuals requesting information from student education records. All departments authorized to release education record data will ask callers for their unique passphrase. Even if your student has already granted you FERPA release(s), you will need a passphrase to talk with university offices over the phone. 

How 

Students are able to view their Passphrase on their personal information questionnaire. This is also where they will deploy a passphrase to parent/guardian/spouse. 

Parents and Family: Make sure your student has deployed their passphrase to you via the PIQ so that offices can verify it's you over the phone and get information to you quickly. Even if your student has already granted you the FERPA release, you will need this code-word to talk with university offices over the phone.

Open May 1-May 31 

Join your fellow Class of 2030 families with the On the Same Page book club! We will be reading Kelly Radi’s Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage. Complete with a summer workbook, webinars, and options to share your thoughts with the “class,” this book club aims to help you reflect on this upcoming transition for both you and your student.  

While supplies last, Family Engagement will ship one copy of the book to the shipping address provided in the Book Club registration form.  

Registration closes May 31st, and the book club will begin June 15th.  

For your incoming student the housing process begins with the 2026-2027 Housing Application. 

In the application, students can accept the housing contract, share their roommate preferences, and search for a roommate, all in one simple streamlined process.

Learn more about the outlined June room selection process and encourage your student to get started today! The deadline to submit their application – and to make any disability housing accommodation requests through Student Accessibility Services  or religious housing accommodation requests with the Planning, Strategy & Integrative Practices Office – is May 29. 

Review by May 15 

eServices is available to students in Banner to assist in handling their student financial account activity. eServices is where students can view their bill, set up installment plans, eRefunds, and more. 

For parents and/or others to be able to view the student’s account and eStatement, make payments online or set up an installment payment plan, the student must give access to the authorized users via eServices. 

Remember, in order to speak with a W&M representative about your student's information, including financial aid and payments, you must have a Passphrase set up. Students are encouraged to complete this by May 29.

Review by May 15 

It can be a bit difficult to remember and understand the local lingo used in the William & Mary community, but we have you covered. Review this list of terms you will hear frequently during your student’s time here. 

Review by May 18 

The information required from your student is based on Virginia State Law, William & Mary requirements, and information needed to assist in caring for them. Omission or misrepresentation of pertinent medical information is a violation of the honor system. 

Key notes: 

A physician appointment/physical is NOT necessary. 

An official copy of your student's Immunization Record IS required to complete the health requirements. All records are required to be in English and must contain the following immunizations: 

• Two M.M.R. Vaccines (after their first birthday). 
• Three Hepatitis B Vaccines (or signed waiver). 
• Tetanus Vaccine (within the past 10 years). 
• Meningitis Vaccine (after their sixteenth birthday/or signed waiver). 
• Poliomyelitis Vaccine (3 dose childhood series or 1 dose of IPV after eighteenth birthday). 
• ALL Student-Athletes must submit the required immunization records through this process, in addition to submissions to Athletic Trainers. 

Your student must submit their medical health history and immunization history forms to the Student Health Center by June 1. This information should be submitted through the Online Health Portal.   

Review by May 20, due by May 29.

Students with documented disabilities can request accommodations in housing through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Requests and documentation for housing accommodations must be received by May 29. After they register with SAS, students, should schedule a welcome meeting. SAS notifies Residence Life of any approved accommodations. After the deadline, SAS will process requests as soon as possible, but approvals may be delayed due to housing availability and other factors. 

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) works with faculty and university offices to offer a variety of services for all William & Mary students who have disabilities. SAS provides students with reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the duration of their time at the university. To ensure adequate review and consultation, new students should submit any academic accommodation requests by August 1 in order to ensure that any approved accommodations are in place at the start of the semester. 

Review by May 22 

Completing this inventory provides the Student Transition Engagement Programs (STEP) and the Advising Center with an opportunity to get to know the newest members of the Tribe so our offices can prepare the campus community for your arrival in August. 

Required responses within the inventory will be used to match your student with a pre-major advisor, a member of the W&M faculty who will work with your student until they declare a major at W&M. Your student’s pre-major advisor specializes in advising on the college curriculum and the liberal arts experience. W&M tries to match all incoming students with a faculty member in one of their areas of interest. We ask that your student provide us with information about their educational background, areas of interest, and what they want to accomplish at W&M. Advise your student to think about the questions carefully and respond honestly; this information will help faculty individualize their advising experience and enable them to make better informed decisions regarding your academics at W&M. 

Review by May 22 

In collaboration with W&M faculty, the Sharpe Community Scholars Program advances community-based research and teaching in courses with integrated, community partnering. The Sharpe Community Scholars Program is a living-learning community of first-year students interested in community engagement, social justice and collaborative research.  

Applications for the 2026-27 Sharpe cohort are due by 11:59 PM ET on May 31st.  

Review and complete by May 31 

The W&M Family Connection is the best way to learn information from Family Engagement. Through this platform, you’ll receive monthly newsletters filled with resources from campus partners and emails about upcoming dates and deadlines. You’ll even be able to register for events like Family Orientation and Family Weekend! 

Completing your profile is the first step to joining this community. 

Review and opt-in by May 31 

Do you prefer to disconnect from email on your phone? Sign up through the W&M Family Connection to receive SMS messages from Family Engagement! You’ll receive messages about upcoming deadlines, special event registration and reminders about ongoing events.  

Registration closes on May 31 

Last chance! Join your fellow Class of 2030 families with the On the Same Page book club! We will be reading Kelly Radi’s Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage. Complete with a summer workbook, webinars, and options to share your thoughts with the “class,” this book club aims to help you reflect on this upcoming transition for both you and your student.  

While supplies last, Family Engagement will ship one copy of the book to the shipping address provided in the Book Club registration form.  

Registration closes May 31st, and the book club will begin June 15th. 

William & Mary views our relationship with you and your student as a partnership. Through this partnership, we seek to create the optimal support system for every student. Our relationship begins at Family Orientation (Friday, August 21) where you will gain helpful information to support your student during the critical first year. 

Registration 

Registration for Fall 2026 Family Orientation is now open. Please do not register your students for Family Orientation. Students are required to participate in their own New Student Orientation upon move-in to campus. 

Review by June 1 

"From a parent perspective, packing for the freshman voyage is a tangible way to send your child off on the right foot. It may be easier to let go if you feel they are prepared and have the items needed to function." Kelly Radi, Out to Sea: A Parent's Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage 

 Summer is just around the corner and your student may have already started "the pile". Inevitably you, or your student, will pick a spot in the home that becomes the repository of all the things they plan to take with them to college. From comforters to shower caddies, laundry necessities to important documents, it is never too soon to prepare for the big move ahead. 

Before you make too much progress on "the pile" be sure to review Residence Life's Packing (and Not Packing) Suggestions list. 

Review by June 5 

Proxy Access provides students with the ability to grant permission to their parents or guardians to view certain pages of information currently available in their student's Banner account, primarily academic information. The student manages the creation of a proxy and the pages they can view. 

The student manages the creation of a proxy and the pages they can view by navigating to my.wm.edu and navigating to Banner. Once they have added you as a Proxy, your student will need to go into the Authorization Tab in Parent Proxy and click the boxes next to the pages they want to display in your account. 

Review by June 10 

At William & Mary, we expect all incoming students to have a notebook computer. A laptop makes it easier for your student to stay connected with classmates, professors and administrators no matter where they might be on campus.    

All computers should have the below specifications (at a minimum):   

• Intel i5 processor or higher  
• 256GB hard drive or higher  
• 8GB of RAM or higher  
• the latest Windows or Mac operating system 

Academic programs may have different computer requirements, including both undergraduate and graduate programs in the School of Business, which recommend PCs with the latest Windows Operating System instead of Macs.  

Chromebooks are not recommended. They likely do not meet academic computing requirement needs, especially as it pertains to the installation of software. 

Review by June 10 

Should your student need to acquire additional funding to fulfill any balance owed on their eBill, consider seeking out funding from either private sources or the Direct Parent PLUS Loan program. Please note that your student MUST have a current FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office before they will certify a Parent PLUS Loan. 

• For Parents borrowing the Federal Parent PLUS loan – you must complete their Master Promissory Note by signing into the Parent’s account at www.studentaid.gov. 
• Parents planning to use the PLUS loan options for their new W&M student should be aware of new legislative restrictions on the amount of annual borrowing. 
• For students/parents seeking private educational loans, please make sure to decline or accept existing Federal Financial Aid Offers (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Work-study) that the student may or may not have been offered in their award. 

If your student was granted College Work-Study, please note that Work-Study awards have not been deducted from the bill as they represent potential student job opportunities and are not intended to be used to pay tuition. 

Any balance not covered by financial aid must be paid in full by the due date on the billing statement or scheduled through the W&M Tuition Payment Plan. Payment Plans open in July. Unpaid balances will result in late fees, registration holds, and holds on transcripts.  

For questions about your student’s Financial Aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wm.edu or 757-221-2420.

Available June 10

With the spirit and history of self-determination, our on-campus  communities engage with the learning strategies listed above to exercise and  develop a unique sense of self and have clarity of beliefs, identity and social  relationships within the context of community. 

Review by June 15, Due August 7

Your student's Tribe Card is the official form of university identification for students, faculty and staff, and an essential part of their life on campus.

The online submission process is mandatory. To receive a Tribe Card, both a ribe Card Photo and Photo ID must be submitted through the portal for indemnity verification by the deadline.

Coming Soon

Mobile Tribe Card is a free, digital option for using a Tribe Card on campus. Students will be able to access their official university ID, campus buildings, meal plans and more directly on their mobile device. 

Why choose Mobile Tribe Card?

• Added Security – built-in biometric or passcode features keep student data secure and prevent unauthorized usage.
• Sustainability – reduce plastic use on campus and never worry about needing to replace a lost card.
• Easy Access – simply tap the mobile device to make purchases or open doors.

Students can choose between a mobile or physical card.

The photo submission guidelines are the same for both versions and are required by August 7 for availability at the start of the semester.

More information about how to add a mobile device wallet will be sent to students closer to launch.

Review by June 19 

Fall Semester course registration for new incoming students begins mid-July and is finalized in August, once they are on campus. Review the Plan & Prepare section to get a sense of the steps your student should follow for their initial class registration window this summer. Familiarize yourself with the registration process and PATH, the course registration system.

Encourage them to seek advice from their summer support resources if they need additional guidance. 

Review by June 26 

All new students who have accepted an offer of admission and made a tuition deposit will be enrolled into an online module known as College Studies.  

• July 14: Deadline to complete Part 1 of College Studies (required to participate in the summer registration process) 

• August 1: Deadline to complete Part 2 of College Studies (required to participate in registration during Orientation) 

Completing College Studies is an important step in understanding academic expectations. Part 1 of the course provides your student with information that is essential for understanding the Liberal Arts and the W&M College Curriculum, planning your schedule, and preparing for registration. Part 2 teaches your student the fundamentals of information literacy, introducing them to the concepts and skills they need for a successful transition to college-level work. 

Review by June 26 

Textbooks can be ordered online through the W&M Bookstore at bookstore.wm.edu once your student completes their course registration process. The W&M Bookstore, offers new, used, rental and digital options and orders are fulfilled locally and delivered to campus within two business days for in-stock orders. They even offer a price match program to ensure your student receives competitive pricing for their course materials. 

Review on June 30

Meal plans are required for all undergraduate students residing in campus managed housing and are accessed using your Tribe Card (student ID). Meal plans come with a combination of meal swipes and Dining Dollars. Meal swipes can be used in residential dining facilities and Dining Dollars are used as a cash equivalency at all dining locations. 

All residential students are required to purchase a meal plan but options are based on a student's class year, or how many semesters of full-time study a student has completed post high school. All incoming residential students have been defaulted to the All Access meal plan. 

Closes June 30

The W&M Family Gear Shop (not to be confused with the Spirit Shop!) is closing its doors on June 30. Grab your gear beforehand; there will be no opportunities to purchase class year merch beyond this date. 

The W&M Family Gear Shop is the exclusive home of the class year tees, so get yours while they last! 

Review by July 1, complete by July 31

William & Mary requires all full-time undergraduate and graduate students and all F-1 and J-1 international students to have adequate health insurance coverage throughout the school year as a condition of enrollment. Every academic year, these students must either elect to enroll or waive the W&M-sponsored Student Insurance Plan to comply with this requirement. Falsifying or misrepresenting insurance information is a violation of the Honor Code and will be reported. 

The university sponsors a comprehensive Student Health Insurance Plan, provided by UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, that is Affordable Care Act compliant and is categorized as a Gold level plan. 

Students who neither elect nor waive coverage by July 31 will be enrolled in the Student Insurance Plan and will be financially responsible for the Health Insurance Policy charges posted to their Student Account.  

Review by July 1 

As per the current course catalog, your student should fulfill their Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement in their first or second year at the university. Only students interested in registering for certain language classes must take placement exams by July 7.

Please review detailed information about our Foreign Language Proficiency Requirements to determine if your student needs a placement exam. concerning placement, please contact the Placement Coordinator of the appropriate program. 

Complete by July 3 

For parents and/or others to be able to view the student’s account and eStatement, make payments online or set up an installment payment plan, the student must give access to the authorized users via eServices. Once the authorized user has been given access, they will receive automated email messages when the eStatement has been generated when the eStatement is due, and concerning any installment payment plan payments that are due. 

eServices is available to our students in Banner to assist in handling their student account activity. 

Need Help? 

If your student has any difficulties accessing their account, paying their eStatement, or setting up an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Review by July 3 

Your student must accept any financial aid or student loans in order for them to show against the first billing statement.

For questions about your student’s Financial Aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wm.edu or 757-221-2420. Remember, you must have a Passphrase in order to discuss your student's financial information. 

While May 29 was the deadline to request housing and religious accommodations, August 1 is the due date for requesting academic and non-housing related accommodations, like transportation or dining accommodations.  

Your student can register online with Student Accessibility Services and submit a form outlining their request. Once SAS receives completed registration and documentation information, SAS will reach out to students to schedule a welcome meeting. SAS will process requests received after the deadline as soon as possible, but approvals may be delayed.

Reasonable and appropriate accommodation is often determined through a flexible, interactive process involving the student and SAS staff. Final responsibility for selection of the most appropriate accommodation rests with the university. Early consultation regarding accommodation is essential whenever questions of compliance and/or funding for accommodation are involved.  

Any questions about the process can be directed to SAS at sas@wm.edu or 757-221-2512. 

Available July 6 

The campus move-in process is one of the most highly orchestrated events during William & Mary's academic year. Every residence hall is assigned a color-coded and/or named route to be followed as exactly as possible.  

Stay tuned for route details! 

Available mid-July 

The Installment Payment Plan is a way to spread the cost of tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and incidental charges on the student’s account each semester (fall and spring only). The payment plan is unique to each semester and split into four installments, which are due monthly during that semester. Students and authorized users can both set up the installment payment plan via eServices. 

Monthly installments may be scheduled and automatically withdrawn from the designated checking/savings account. The student or authorized user can log into the system monthly and pay online via electronic check or credit card. Monthly installments may also be mailed directly to William & Mary each month. The installment amounts will change as new charges and/or payments are posted to the student account. For this service, there is a setup fee of $50.00. 

Need Help? 

If you have any difficulties accessing your account, paying your eStatement, or setting up an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Available July 15 

Family Weekend (Sept. 18-20, 2026) features events and special programs designed to showcase life at William & Mary. Learn about world-class faculty and their work both in and out of the classroom, experience special performances from our many talented student groups and connect with families from across the nation. 

Whether you are with your student or on your own, Family Weekend is a great opportunity to connect to the William & Mary community, and we can’t wait to see you there! 

Review by July 15 

The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement is here as a partner in the educational process for your student, empowering them to explore possibilities and navigate their lifelong career development. Staff in the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement are dedicated to helping your student attain career readiness and to be successful in their professional endeavors as alumni. 

Available July 21

William & Mary is a musical campus - and the Department of Music is the heart of that. Majors and non-majors are welcome to audition for departmental ensembles and partake in private lessons (for an additional fee). Most auditions are held at the beginning of fall semester, but students should consult the webpages of each ensemble or contact the ensemble's conductor for more details. 

Review and complete by July 22

"Take time to discuss your expectations - but with the understanding that your student may need to pull away a bit in order to fully engage in college life. Together, set some agreed-upon rules about how and when you'll stay in touch." Kelly Radi, p. 125 Out to Sea: A Parent's Survival Guide to the Freshman Year 

The communication worksheet walks families and students through a conversation around frequency of communication. The first step is for the student and the family member(s) to fill out the top part with their ideal preferences separately. Then, in the bottom part, they come together for a conversation to formulate a compromise that works for all parties. This worksheet can be completed with each family member or have one document for the entire family. We recommend revisiting the worksheet periodically to see if it is still appropriate for your family.

Available July 24

Student Leadership Development is here to support meaningful involvement and leadership development. Being involved has been a part of your student’s educational experience for many years and that won’t change once they arrive at William & Mary! 

We encourage students to consider the QUALITY of involvements vs. the QUANTITY of involvements. With nearly 500 student organizations and involvement opportunities, it can be very easy for a student to overcoming. Rather than being overcommitted and overwhelmed, we hope that students will choose meaningful involvement. 

As your student thinks about how they want to get involved, some effective reflection questions include: 

• What do you care about? (People, places, causes, events, trends, cultures, etc.) 
• What skills, knowledge or interests do you want to develop? 
• What energizes you or restores your well-being? 
• What is something new and interesting that you would like to explore? 
• What is something that might advance your academic or professional interests? 

After reflecting on these questions, encourage your student to look at TribeLink; this online resource includes an events calendar and the directory of student organizations. They can search TribeLink to identify events and organizations that align with their interests. 

Review Now by July 24 

Financial literacy is more than just knowing how to balance a checkbook or being smart with your money. It is about knowing and understanding personal financial matters such as real estate, retirement, investments and – in this case – college. And while we understand that paying for college can be a larger undertaking, it is a worthwhile and sound investment in your student's future. 

Over the course of the summer as your student completes Personal Finance 101, you are going to get to know the students who created the presentation(s) and run the Financial Literacy Program, sponsored by the Boehly Center for Excellence in Finance at the Mason School of Business.

Available July 20, due August 1

All incoming students are required to complete Student Ally training. This self-paced program covers important topics like sexual violence prevention, Title IX, hazing prevention, student conduct, alcohol awareness, and campus expectations, helping us build a safer, more respectful community.

To begin their training, students can download the Student Ally app or access it online and log in with their W&M credentials. 

Review by July 24 

As your student prepares to join the William & Mary community, all new students should complete the introductory first two (2) lessons of Perspectives, an online education platform developed by the Constructive Dialogue Institute.  

Constructive dialogue is a form of conversation in which people who have different values, beliefs, and perspectives seek to build new ways to understand and interact with each other, even as they sustain commitments to their own principles and perspectives. The format is ideal for discussing important, complicated issues that can divide people. 

Review by July 24 

All new students who have accepted an offer of admission and made a tuition deposit will be enrolled into an online mini-course known as Healthy Mindset. This course contains two modules provided by W&M Health & Wellness regarding sexual violence prevention and alcohol and other substance education.  

These reality-driven courses are designed to educate students about alcohol and sexual violence and provide successful strategies for how to handle dangerous situations and reduce harm. Sexual violence prevention and alcohol and other substances education modules can be completed at their own pace. 

Available July 24, review by July 28

The Civic Action Scorecard offers 80+ ways for your student to flex their civic muscles at William & Mary and earn recognition and rewards for their civic  leadership. The scorecard is hosted on GivePulse, our campus platform for  civic and service opportunities. Students can log in using their W&M credentials, explore the actions and register for at least two they plan to complete in their first semester. Students can subscribe to the weekly Civic & Community Engagement newsletter to have actions and opportunities sent straight to their inbox. 

Available July 22, due August 9

Students should self-enroll in this required online short course in Blackboard. The deadline to complete this course is August 9, and the course is required to complete course registration during New Student Orientation.  

In this short course, students will develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed to make informed and responsible choices about AI use during their time at William & Mary.  

Review by July 29 

Here at William & Mary, we are grateful for the service of our nation's military veterans and their families. Our mission is as simple as it is important: We ensure that all services to our military veterans and their families are commensurate with the character of their service to our nation. If your student chose to attend William & Mary, they will have every chance to develop all the necessary components to thrive and succeed academically and beyond. 

The Military & Veterans website provides several layers of resources dependent on your student's status within the community: from prospective to alumni! 

If you have questions about using the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and other veterans' educational benefits, please contact Carolyn Ward, the veterans' benefits coordinator in the Office of the Registrar. 

Review by July 29 

Being a family member of a first-generation college student is an exciting and unique journey. At William & Mary, we understand the importance of your role in supporting your student as they navigate their college experience.   

The Office of First-Generation Student Engagement is dedicated to supporting first-generation undergraduate students with tailored resources, guidance and community-building opportunities. The office empowers students to thrive academically, socially and personally through advocacy, engagement and belonging. 

Due August 1 

The Fall eStatement that you were able to view in July, if given permission by your student, is now ready to be paid. If you are an authorized user, both you and your student will receive an email with instructions on how to pay the bill online.  

If you have any difficulties accessing the bill, paying the eStatement, or becoming an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Available August 1, due August 26 

By August 26, your student should set up a route of direct deposit in eServices.  eRefund eliminates the potential delays of paper refund checks.  

Any W&M Student Account credit balance refunds will begin on the first day of class.  

A Request Refund Form must also be submitted online if the refund is not a result of federal financial aid. 

New Student Orientation occurs immediately prior to the fall semester to introduce all new students to the many aspects of William & Mary, including student life, academic policies, and the honor code. The goal of each orientation program is to make our students feel right at home from the moment they set foot on campus. Review the orientation website to learn how your student will be exploring the community in their first few days on campus.

For lingering questions about New Student Orientation, join STEP and Family Engagement at the Move-In and New Student Orientation KBYG webinar on August 6 at 12 PM ET. 

Review by August 2 

To avoid any student account holds that would prevent completion of the semester course registration process, your student should ensure they have their account settled by August 11. If they need to set-up a payment plan or secure additional loans, they should make sure to complete those processes well before their arrival to campus for New Student Orientation. 

Available August 3, due August 14

Earlier this summer, your student should have completed the Family, Emergency, Releases, and Passphrase tabs of the Personal Information Questionnaire. Now, they should reopen the questionnaire and complete or affirm all other tabs available to them by August 14.

Ensure your student hits "submit" on the final page to confirm their information. 

Review & discuss by August 7 

The Emergency Evacuation Plan is a key piece of the Personal Information Questionnaire that your student should complete by August 14.  

In the event of certain emergencies – an outbreak of pandemic flu or a hurricane, for instance – W&M will close and evacuate all residence halls. As such, your student is required to develop and document two Emergency Evacuation Plans. It would be a good idea to discuss these possibilities with your student, as the plan asks if you or your student are able and willing to transport and/or provide temporary housing to other students. 

Review by August 7 

The “See You Later!” moment refers to the time you say “bye for now!” to your student and part ways to allow them to dive into their first experiences as a college student with their peers. It won’t be forever – Family Weekend and the school breaks will arrive before you know it! 

It may be a good idea to discuss how your family will handle the “See You Later!” moment to ensure everyone is comfortable and your student feels prepared to make new connections on campus afterward. 

Be on the lookout for the Family Orientation schedule in order to plan when your individual 'See You Later!' moment should occur.

Recommended Deadline: August 7 

William & Mary views our relationship with you and your student as a partnership. Through this partnership, we seek to create the optimal support system for every student. Our relationship begins at Family Orientation (Friday, August 21) where you will gain helpful information to support your student during the critical first year. 

Registration 

Registration for Fall 2026 Family Orientation is now open. Please do not register your students for Family Orientation. Students are required to participate in their own New Student Orientation upon move-in to campus. 

Review by August 11, due by August 26 

Following room selection, room and board fees will be applied to the eStatement. Your student should check their eStatement frequently throughout the summer to ensure it is settled by August 26.  

 To avoid any student account holds that would prevent completion of the semester course registration process, your student should ensure they have their account settled by August 11. If they need to set-up a payment plan or secure additional loans, they should make sure to complete those processes well before their arrival to campus for New Student Orientation. 

 If you have any difficulties accessing the bill, paying the eStatement, or becoming an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Review by August 11, due by August 26 

This is another reminder that by August 26, your student should set up a route of direct deposit in eServices.  They can also view their eStatement in eServices and pay any bill that is not yet settled.  

To avoid any student account holds that would prevent completion of the semester course registration process, your student should ensure they have their account settled by August 11. If they need to set-up a payment plan or secure additional loans, they should make sure to complete those processes well before their arrival to campus for New Student Orientation. 

If your student’s account is charged new charges during the semester or their balance is unpaid, a monthly eStatement will be generated on the 10th of that month, to be paid by the 1st of the following month. Any authorized users given access by the student will also receive an email when the eStatement has been generated. 

Review by August 19

As the semester begins, campus becomes truly alive with athletics, research, lectures and other events and activities. Check out the W&M Events Calendar to keep up with campus life! You’ll definitely be able to pass along a recommendation for your student to participate in. 

Review by August 19

The Reves Center is not requiring an in-person International Student Orientation. However, they plan to offer optional in-person activities during the summer to help students settle in such as, help with opening bank accounts, shopping trips, events for family members, etc. Your international student should check their W&M email regularly for updates! 

Each dorm has a specific Move-In Route to follow. Throughout this route, your student will show their Move-In Appointment QR code to check in and will receive their room key.  

If inclement weather occurs, we will pause the check-in process temporarily until the weather passes for the safety of our staff, residents, and families. Once the weather has cleared, we will continue the check-in process as normal. If we are only experiencing rain, we will continue check-in as normal. 

Both you and your student should regularly check email for detailed information on move-in.

Welcome to the family! Family Orientation is the time where you’ll meet many of the campus partners you heard from over the summer, as well as gain helpful information to support your student during the critical first year. 

Stay tuned for updates on the day’s schedule, lunch options in Williamsburg, and how to use the W&M Mobile App to your benefit.  

Continuing a tradition that was reinaugurated during the university's tercentenary in 1993, William & Mary begins each fall with our Opening Convocation to celebrate the start of the academic session. Early in the evening on the first day of fall classes, faculty, staff and students gather at the Sir Christopher Wren Building to signify the beginning of the academic year and to officially welcome all of our entering William & Mary students. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony each year, the official party leads those in attendance around the building to the opposite side. According to our tradition, all students who are new to W&M remain at the ceremony site with the university President. Then, at the tolling of the Wren Building bell, the President leads the group in a special procession through the portico of the building to the other side, where the new students are warmly welcomed by current members of the faculty, staff and student body. A festive campus-wide celebration follows for the entire campus community.  

Opening Convocation is livestreamed for the viewing pleasure of parents, families, supporters and other community members. 

Due September 1 

The eStatement is a convenient and reliable way for your student to access their bill online through Banner. We do not mail paper statements. 

If your student’s account is charged new charges during the semester or their balance is unpaid, a monthly eStatement will be generated on the 10th of that month, to be paid by the 1st of the following month. Any authorized users given access by the student will also receive an email when the eStatement has been generated. 

Need Help? 

If you have any difficulties accessing your account, paying your eStatement, or setting up an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Available September 10 

The eStatement is a convenient and reliable way for your student to access their bill online through Banner. We do not mail paper statements. 

If your student’s account is charged new charges during the semester or their balance is unpaid, a monthly eStatement will be generated on the 10th of that month, to be paid by the 1st of the following month. Any authorized users given access by the student will also receive an email when the eStatement has been generated. 

Need Help? 

If you have any difficulties accessing your account, paying your eStatement, or setting up an authorized user, contact Student Accounts at (757) 221-1220 or email bursar@wm.edu for further assistance. You may also visit the eServices website for detailed information, tutorials and videos. 

Attend September 18-20 

Family Weekend (Sept. 18-20, 2026) features events and special programs designed to showcase life at William & Mary. Learn about world-class faculty and their work both in and out of the classroom, experience special performances from our many talented student groups and connect with families from across the nation. 

Whether you are with your student or on your own, Family Weekend is a great opportunity to connect to the William & Mary community, and we can’t wait to see you there!