ACADEMICS

My student is not doing well academically. How can I help?
Students, particularly freshmen, can encounter academic difficulties. First-year students often face difficult transitions and adjustments to college, including separating from family members, adjusting to new living arrangements, and accommodating the University's higher academic standards.

The Center for Academic Success offers free tutoring to LSU students. CAS also offers suggestions and online resources for achieving academic success, tutoring opportunities, GPA calculator, and more.  Encourage your student to visit or contact CAS to learn how they can help.

How can I obtain a copy of my student's grades?
The easiest way for you to receive a copy of your student’s grades, current financial information, and other student information is for your student to log on to their and then have your student share this information with you. Midterm and final grades can be viewed by clicking on the Student Services tab.  Additionally, faculty members often post grades on Moodle. Financial Information can be found on the Financial Services tab.  Your student can also visit the Registrar’s Office.  Students can have the information printed at this office and pass it on to you. Students must bring their LSU ID (Tiger Card) to receive the information.

Note: The University is prohibited from releasing certain information to parents without permission of the student including grades. By federal law (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act—FERPA—also known as the Buckley Amendment), students over the age of 18 are considered responsible and are allowed to determine who will receive information about them.  Learn more information about FERPA.

Where can I get proof of my student's enrollment and grade point average for my insurance company?
Enrollment verification is easily accessible via PAWS account.  Have your student log on to his or her account, click Student Services, and then click on Enrollment Certificate. 

How can my student buy course books before classes start?
Students may buy course books at the LSU Bookstore or online from their website at any time after registering for classes, as long as the instructor has identified the required textbooks. 

Have your student visit their PAWS account, click on Registration Services, then Personal Schedule.  Select the appropriate semester and academic year.  This will bring up the student’s schedule for the selected semester.  At the bottom of the screen, click on the button that says “Order Textbooks from the LSU Bookstore.”  This will bring you to a new page that has displays a customized list of textbooks for your student.

TUITION & FEES

How does my student register for classes?

All students are encouraged to visit an academic advisor at least once per semester in order to ensure they are following CATS (Comprehensive Academic Tracking System) and on track to graduate.  Advisors can help students in creating their schedules each semester as well.

Students schedule their classes via PAWS by clicking on Registration Services, then Schedule Request.  Students should select the appropriate semester they want to schedule for.  Then, on the next page, students will enter the Department, Course Number, Course Section, and Credit Hours for each course one at a time.  To see a list of course offerings for each semester, click on Registration Services, then Registration Information, then Course Offerings.  Be sure to select the appropriate semester for an accurate listing of classes.

How do I pay fees and tuition?

Fees and tuition are payable prior to the start of each semester.  There are a variety of ways to pay fees.  To see fee bills, have your student log on to his or her PAWS account and click Registration Services, then Fee Bill.  Learn more about fee payment and tuition at the Bursar's Office under the "Important Registration Information" tab.  Parents can gain access to view/pay their students' fee bill via PAWS through myProxy.

Where can I view estimated costs of attendance for LSU?

Our Office of Budget & Planning has posted estimated costs to attend LSU by year, as well as comparisons between LSU and our peer institutions.

HOUSING, PARKING & DINING

When should my son or daughter start looking for housing?

As soon as possible! Housing both on and off campus is in high demand and goes quickly.  Students interested in living on campus are encouraged to apply for housing as soon as they are admitted to LSU.  Learn more about LSU Residential Life and check out a quick snapshot of housing at LSU at Housing At-a-Glance.  For students who are planning to live off campus, check out the Off Campus Living and Off Campus Housing websites for tips, information, a housing locator, and much more.

How can my student get a parking tag for parking on campus?

Students can order parking passes through Parking, Traffic & Transportation by logging on to PAWS and clicking the Additional Services link. Students will also be prompted to choose a parking pass when scheduling online each semester.

Who is required to have a meal plan?  Where can I learn more about meal plans?

First-year and Second-Year students living on-campus are required to have a meal plan.  Meal Plan requirement does not apply to 2nd year students in East Campus or West Campus apartments. Visit the LSU Dining website for information on current meal plan options and rates.

There are meal plan options for all LSU students, whether living on or off campus. Most meal plans are made up of both meals and Paw Points in varying amounts.  Paw Points are “dining dollars” that can be used at various on-campus dining locations.  Meals are served at LSU’s two recently renovated, on campus dining facilities, The 5 and The 459 Commons. Learn more about meal plan options from LSU Dining.

Where can I go to learn more about TigerCASH, Paw Points, Meal Plans and dining?

LSU Dining has much more detailed information about these items in their FAQ.  You can even find out what's on each day's menu at places like The 5, The 459 Commons, and the Magnolia Room.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

I'm trying to plan my student's visits home.  When are school breaks, so I can plan travel arrangements?

The academic calendar outlines each year's official LSU holidays, breaks, and other pertinent dates.

Does LSU offer a special shuttle to the airport during holidays?

Yes!  A Holiday Shuttle is offered each year for both Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks and is sponsored by the LSU Family Association and Student Government. Look for information on our website and in our email updates each fall for registration information. 

If you’re looking for an airport shuttle at other times of the year, there is a service available not affiliated with the University called Tiger Airport Shuttle.  You can also check for other ground transportation options through the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport. 

FAMILY WEEKEND

What are the dates for Family Weekend?  When can I register?

We host LSU Family Weekend each fall.  We typically firm up dates for the event during the summer and post up-to-date information both on our website and in our monthly email updates. Registration generally opens six (6) weeks prior to the event and information regarding registration is also sent out via email updates, so we encourage you to sign up to receive them as soon as possible.

Do you have hotel recommendations?

Check our Visit Campus resources for more information and enjoy your visit!