Office of Student Affairs
Daniel P. Nadler, Ph.D.
Vice President
for Student Affairs
Eastern Illinois University
1211 Old Main
600 Lincoln Ave
Charleston, IL 61920
The Textbook Rental Service fee is included in the total tuition and fees.
Can I purchase my textbooks?
Yes. Each semester/term, the Textbook Rental Service designates a specific time period for the purchase of textbooks that are currently checked out to students. In addition, the cost of each textbook, during the designated time period, is reduced by 10% each time the book is used. The price is reduced to a maximum of 50%.
Does the Textbook Rental Service provide all books?
The Textbook Rental Service provides all BASIC textbooks for courses. Workbooks, study guides, and additional consumable materials are available for purchase through the University Union Bookstore.
Are students allowed to write in, highlight, or underline in rented textbooks?
No. Students will be charged full replacement cost for textbooks which have been written in, highlighted or underlined, subjected to unusual wear, and/or are returned with visible signs of water damage.
Where do I begin to apply for financial aid?
By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a student will be given consideration for need-based, federally funded grants, loans, and employment, as well as the Illinois (if Illinois resident) State Scholarship Commission MAP award. The paper FAFSA can be completed, but it has a longer processing time. Paper FAFSA's can be obtained from your local high school, or college. The recommended method of application is the online FAFSA, which can be accessed at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is a U.S. Department of Education web site that has the information you need to complete the FAFSA. This web site also contains information about PIN numbers that can be used as electronic signatures for parents and students, and a tremendous amout of general student aid information. Once the FAFSA is processed by the Federal Processor, we will electronically receive the results and send you a Financial Aid Award Notification Letter.
What if the Financial Aid Award Notification Letter does not cover most of my college costs and I won't have the money to pay all of my bill? What other options do I have?
First, we recommend that you apply for all scholarships that may be available to you in your own community. Usually, your local Chamber of Commerce will have a list of organizations that provide college scholarships. We also recommend FastWeb, a free and reputable scholarship search located at http://www.fastweb.com. EIU has on campus regular student employment. You can contact a department directly and ask if they are hiring or you can check our web site for known job listings at http://www.eiu.edu/~finaid/text/jobs.htm. Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate (dependent) Students (PLUS) are available. You should contact our Loan Area at 217-581-3711 for information and the application. Students can apply for alternative, private student loans. Information for these loan can also be viewed on our web site at http://www.eiu.edu/~finaid/text/psa3.htm.
I received my Financial Aid Award Notification (FAN) Letter. What do I do with it?
We encourage you to read the information sent with your FAN Letter. It will explain that IF you have been offered loans and/or work, you must accpet or reject the offer, sign the FAN Letter, and return it to our office within 20 days.
My FAN Letter offers a Federal Direct Sub Loan, Federal Direct Unsub Loan. What is the difference between these programs?
The "Sub" or Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan is interest free as long as you attend college on at least a half-time basis. The interest is "subsidized" or paid by the Federal Government while you are in school. If you are offered the "Unsub" or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan, you will be responsible for paying quarterly, simple interest after the loan is applied to your student account. The federal loan servicer will bill you for the interest quarterly.
What financial aid on my FAN Letter has to be repaid?
The Federal Perkins Loan, the Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans all have to be paid bac after you graduate or drop below 6 semester hours. All three loans are Federal Title IV financial aid and must be repaid. After graduation or after you drop below 6 semester hours, the Perkins Loan Program has a 9-month grace period before repayment begins. The Federal Direct Loans have a 6-month grace period.
What is this Disbursement Authorization Form that I received with my FAN Letter?
The Disbursement Authorization Form is a federal requirement for students who receive Title IV financial aid. With your response you are informing us if you want charges other than tuition and fees and housing deducted from your financial aid before a refund is issued to you. We recommend that you do authorize that all university charges be deducted from your aid before a refund is issued because we have experienced the confusion associated with students who receive a refund check but do still owe the university money. Other university charges might include pharmacy, printing, or parking charges.
I am a veteran of the U.S. military. How do I claim my veteran benefits?
You should stop by our office or call our Veteran Services staff at 217-581-5227 to arrange a personal or phone interview.
Can I use my insurance from home to pay for prescriptions?
No. Prescriptions can be paid by cash, check or billed to the student's bursar account. A receipt will be provided that you can turn in to your insurance for reimbursement if accepted by your insurance carrier. We are unable to accept insurance or medicaid cards. There are retail pharmacies in town that accept most insurance plans.
How do I get my prescription from home filled here?
Bring in your bottle or compact with the label from your pharmacy at home and we will call that pharmacy to transfer your prescription (provided we stock that medication).
Why did I pay $5 for a prescription last week and you say this prescription will cost me $20?
Our co-pays are tiered by the cost of the medication. Our co-pays range from $5-$30.
When do immunizations need to be turned in?
Immunization records need to be turned in by the 1st day of class. They must be completed and signed by a nurse or physician. Students must also be current with the required immunizations.
What immunizations are required?
The same immunizations required for high school are required for incoming students at Eastern. Illinois law requires all persons born on or after January 1, 1957, entering four year public or private institutions provide proof of immunity for diptheria/tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella. HepB and meningitis vaccines are not required but are recommended.
What services are offered by Health Service?
The Health Service is best described as a primary care clinic. The departments within the Health Service consist of Primary Care, Women's Health, Nursing, Triage, Preventative Medicine, Lab, X-ray, Pharmacy and Health Education Resource Center. Medical treatment, exams, and consultations are provided by 4 physicians, 1 physician's assistant,1 nurse practitioner and 6 RN's and many other auxiliary and support personnel.
What do I do if the Health Service is closed?
The Health Service is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. When students are sick or need care after hours they need to decide if their condition is urgent or if they can wait to be treated when the Health Service reopens. For urgent situations, when the Health Service is closed, students should contact Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center Emergency Room, at 348-2551 for consultation prior to a visit, unless telephoning delays an urgent depature. If it is a life threatening situation, 911 should be called for an ambulance.
Where can I get over-the-counter medications and prescriptions?
The Health Service Pharmacy provides medications prescribed by Health Service providers and as well as other licensed physicians or dentists. Over-the-counter medications and condoms are also for sale at the Pharmacy. The Pharmacy provides a list of available OTCs and can help students select the best OTCs for their current health condition.
What should I do if I miss class?
The Health Service will provide verfication of a student's visit for medical treatment through the use of a verification of visit letter. Some instructors may ask that students sign an authorization for release of medical information to confirm a student's medical condition if they desire additional information. The Health Service will not justify whether or not the student's absence warrants an excuse from class. Excused absences from class are solely at the discretion of the instructor.
How do I get in to see a provider?
Just call us at 581-ASAP (2727)! Students may access our services through an online appointment system, by walking in on a first-come, first-serve basis or through a call to the Tel-A-Nurse (581-ASAP (2727)). Special clinics for some services are offered throughout the year and are advertised in the DEN and through campus flyers.
What services does the Health Ed Resource Center offer?
The HERC provides a wide variety of health education promotion and behavioral change programs and interventions. Students may receive a free dietary assessment, undergo online computerized health assessments, learn the proper method of condom use and then receive free sexual health packets, receive assistance in quitting smoking, have health-related questions answered in a one-on-one consultation, acquire informational materials through the HERC clearinghouse, or attend one of the many educational programs or lectures offered in classroom, residence hall or recognized student organizational settings.
What opportunities are there for leadership and student involvement through the Health Education Resource Center?
Students can gain and enhance leadership and organizational skills through the many groups and committees advised and sponsored by the HERC. Our BACCHUS Peer Education Group helps implement awareness tables and campaigns, delivers interactive educational programming concerning sexual health, substance abuse and stress management; and provides volunteer assistance for other HERC program initiatives. Our Student Health Fair Planning Committee develops the annual health fair theme, contacts potential exhibitors, seeks donations for goodie bags and door prizes, handles other logistics, and evaluates the overall success of the health fair. Nutrition Mission group helps deliver nutrition-related programming through interactive information tables, awareness campaigns and educational programs.
What opportunities are there for employment and internships through the Health Education Resource Center?
The HERC employs roughly 5-10 student workers a semester who help perform clerical and logistical duties for the professional and graduate assistant staff, create bulletin boards to go, and distribute publicity and promotional materials. The HERC also welcomes student interns from a wide variety of disciplines. In the past HERC interns have come from the Departments of Health Studies, Speech Communication, Journalism, Family and Consumer Sciences, Marketing, and Psychology. These interns are usually given their own specific projects to implement, as well as asked to assist the professional and graduate assistant staff with other unit activities, programs and initiatives.
How is the Health Education Resource Center related to the Health Service?
The HERC is the unit of the Health Service devoted to helping reduce health risks and preventing illnesses that interfere with the academic performance and retention of our students. While the HERC is not housed in the Human Services building, it is considered a satellite office, and reports to the Director of the Health Service. The Health Service's Assistant Director oversees the unit and its wide and varied programs and initiatives.
Don't only "crazy" people use the Counseling Center?
No way. Counseling at our Center involves the normal concerns and problems of normal college students. Common issues include relationship problems, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and academic performance. The fact that so many students (600 each year) seek our services reflects just how common these issues are.
Who's eligible for the Counseling Center services?
Services are FREE to all full-time students currently enrolled at Eastern.
Are the counseling services provided at the Counseling Center confidential?
Counseling is confidential. Even the fact that a student is being seen at the Counseling Center is confidential, and information shared during sessions will not be disclosed to anyone without the student's written consent. The only exceptions to these strict rules of confidentiality occur when disclosure is necessary to protect the student or someone else from harm.
Can the Counseling Center help me to select my classes or tell me what courses will count towards my major?
No. The services we provide deal primarily with the personal issues and problems of students, not their academic decisions. Academic Advising or the student's academic department should be able to answer this type of question.
I'm not looking for a job-I want to go to grad school. What does Career Services have to do with me?
Career Services can help you in many ways to prepare for Graduate School. Research graduate programs by using our Career Library and/or the Discover program. Attend the Graduate School Information Day where you can gather information on schools and programs, sponsored by Career Services. We also have informational handouts on the graduate school application process, counselors that can help you with your graduate admissions essays and we can assist you in preparing for your graduate school interview.
I'm an underclassman, should I come see Career Services now or wait?
It is important that you come NOW! You can make important contacts through the job shadowing program. Those contacts can help you get internships, summer jobs and a job when you graduate. You can also learn what clubs develop the right skills for each career path and learn what skills and classes are most important to different careers.
Do you have a listing of summer jobs where I'm from?
We have summer job listings from most regions of Illinois and many out-of-state opportunities also. It is important to get an early start on applications to out-of-state positions.
Can you help me choose a major?
More than that! We can help you focus on the most likely careers that you will accept upon graduation and then identify the majors and classes that best suit those careers. If you would like, we will work collaboratively with your academic advisor to ensure that you have selected the best academic offerings for your desired career.
What is a credential file?
A credential file is a record of important documents related to your academic preparation as well as your extra-curricular and personal skills related to your job search. Typical documents in a credential file include letters of recommendation, transcripts, student teaching evaluations, certifications, and samples of work. Credentials can be updated and provide an online, secure access to your job hunting support documents.
What do I do at the job fair?
You need to have a 30 second infommercial about yourself prepared so you can "sell" your skills to the employers. You are trying to impress employers at the same time that you are gathering information about them in order to determine if you are interested in their opportunities. You are always professionally dressed. Ask for business cards of the employers that interest you and follow up with an email immediately after the job fair.
Do I have to register with Career Services to use all of your services?
Most of our services are available free of charge to all current undergraduates, graduate students and alumni. Only a few services require a fee. Establishing a credential file/online resume and admittance to campus interviews require that the student be registered. There is a small fee for registration.
After I graduate, can I still use your services?
Certainly! Many alumni use their credential files and also ask our counselors for the latest information about the job market. Alumni often want inside contact names, resume reviews, and assistance with cover letters or company research.
Are underclass students allowed to bring a car on campus?
Underclass students are allowed to bring a car on campus. The permits are for underclass lots only and are designated by Underclass Permit Parking signs. Underlcass students are only able to use the Underclass parking areas.
What are the requirements for an Upperclass parking permit?
A student has to be 21 years of age or have 60 semester credit hours to be considered an upperclassman.
Are students allowed to charge their permits and parking tickets to their student accounts?
Students may charge their permits to their student accounts by checking the line on the application to bill the student account. Students may also bill parking tickets to their student accounts by coming into the parking office and filling out a form and signing it to have the tickets billed to their student accounts.
Are students allowed to register another student's vehicle?
No. If a student registers another student's vehicle (not related to them) they can loose their parking privileges for a year and receive a fine.
Are there any lots that are not ticketed?
All the lots on campus require a permit to park on campus. Daily permits are sold to visitors at the University Police Department at a cost of $1.50 a day and students and staff may purchase a permit per semester or per year.
How do I find a job in the Union?
Go to room 200, University Union and fill out an application. We employ several students every semester.
Is there a bus going to Chicago on weekends?
The University Union Ticket Office has a bus service going to the Chicago area on select weekends. Call 581-5122 for more information.
Where do I go to pay a bill for the Union?
You may pay your bill at the Union Ticket Office, located on the 2nd floor of the University Union. The phone number is 581-5122.
What is the name of the banking facility in the Union?
The name of the banking facility in the Union is First Mid-Illinois Bank. The phone number is 345-8340.
