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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 

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

Available Now. Holiday Shipping Deadline December 17. 

Looking to show off your 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 tee for both student and family and check out the array of W&M branded items we have.

The store will be closed for the holidays from December 17 – January 5th. Beginning January 5th, shipping will reopen for gear. 

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, January 16) where you will gain helpful information to support your student during the critical first year. 

Registration 

Registration for Spring 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. 

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 

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.

Register Now. 

Spring into the Green & Gold gatherings are *optional* events to celebrate your decision to join our community and learn about what comes next within your student’s undergraduate experience. These events will be a meaningful resource for students and families alike in your successful transition into the William & Mary community.   

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 review. 

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.  

ALL transfers are welcome to live on campus based on available space. Review the process and timeline for new Spring students. If the demand for on campus housing exceeds the available inventory, transfer student housing applicants who are not required to live on campus may be placed on the Housing Waitlist and will not be guaranteed on campus housing. 

Learn more about your potential housing preference options by visiting our Upper-level Halls online! Living in campus housing is the best way to connect to the W&M community. 

Residence Life will begin emailing applicants on January 6 with housing assignment information and will continue to evaluate applications as they are submitted. 

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 January. 

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. 

Available Now 

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.

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 December 31

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. 

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 now. Due January 5.

Your student’s Tribe Card is their official form of identification and is an essential part of their life on campus, giving them access to their residence hall, dining halls, and more.  

The deadline for your student to submit a photo for their Tribe Card is January 5th. Submitting the photo past the deadline may delay production of their card. Encourage them not to wait until the last day to submit - Tribe Card Services provides photo submission guidelines on their website that must be correctly adhered to. 

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

When your student’s eStatement for the semester is ready, the Bursar’s Office will email their W&M email address with instructions on how to view and pay it. Typically, fall semester eStatements are viewable in mid-July and are due in August, while spring semester eStatements are viewable in mid-December and are due in January. 

If the account is charged new charges during the semester or the 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. If you are made an authorized users by your student, you will also receive an email when the eStatement has been generated. 

Need Help? 

If you have any difficulties accessing your account, 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. 

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 December 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. 

View the Spring 2026 course registration timeline. The first registration period will open on Thursday, January 8 at 9:00 AM ET. Additionally, you and your student can review the Add, Drop, & Withdraw website which includes tips & tricks for PATH, the registration system. 

Your student will meet with their faculty advisor during New Student Orientation to help them finalize their plans before registering again on January 20. 

Due January 10.

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 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 January 10. This information should be submitted through the Online Health Portal.   

Review by January 1. Due January 4. 

This placement exam deadline is only for students interested in registering for certain language classes.

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. 

Your student has instructions in their Tribe Guide Checklist on viewing aid and accepting any loans. For questions about your student’s Financial Aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wm.edu or 757-221-2420 

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 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 January 2.

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.  

• January 7: Deadline to complete Part 1 of College Studies (required to participate in the summer registration process) 

• January 16: 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. 

Students with documented disabilities can request accommodations in housing through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Requests and documentation for housing accommodations must be received by January 5. SAS will schedule your student for an intake appointment. 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 before the first day of class in order to ensure that any approved accommodations are in place at the start of the semester. 

Review by January 5. Due January 21.

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. 

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 become overwhelmed. Rather than being overcommitted, 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. 

Available for review January 8. Any changes due January 23. 

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. 

Available January 10. Due January 30.  

 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 February 1. 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. 

"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 

Move-in is just around the corner and your student may have already started "the pile". You may be wondering about this "pile" I am referring to. 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. You can view this list on the Residence Life website.  

Review by January 10. Due January 12.

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. 

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.

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. 

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 and complete by January 10

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 January 10.

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, Family Gear Shop re-stocks and sales, and reminders about ongoing events.  

Review & discuss by January 11. Due January 14.

The Emergency Evacuation Plan is a key piece of the Personal Information Questionnaire that your student should complete by January 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 & discuss by January 11. Due January 14. 

The Personal Information Questionnaire is an important form your student should fill out by January 14. The questionnaire holds personal information, emergency contacts, and an emergency evacuation plan. It’s also the place where your student gives permission to family members to access academic, financial, and honor/conduct information via the unique Passphrases.  

Available January 12. Due January 30.  

All new students who have accepted an offer of admission and made a tuition deposit will be enrolled into Student Ally, a required online comprehensive Title IX training by the Office of Compliance & Equity. 

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 – 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.

All new W&M students should plan to arrive at the Sadler Center on Friday, January 16 for orientation check-in. 

Students residing on-campus will select a move-in appointment with Residence Life that coincides with New Student Orientation check-in that same morning.

Welcome to the family! Family Orientation is the time when you’ll meet many of the campus partners you heard from about the last few weeks, as well as gain helpful information to support your student during the critical first semester.  

Stay tuned for updates on the day’s schedule. 

The first few weeks of the semester are filled with events that encourage your student to explore and engage in your surroundings ... on their own time table. This series highlights the opportunities that exist across the university to get involved, make new friends, and explore the values that ground our community. 

Each week comes with a theme AND a starting list of events and activities that will help them get settled into a groove that supports an overall positive student experience. 

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, operated by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, 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 with bn.com and Amazon.com to ensure your student receive competitive pricing for their course materials. 

By January 20, 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. 

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.