The Madison Family Newsletter is created each month by the Office of Family Engagement in partnership with many members of the JMU community. For more family resources, visit our website.
In This Issue:
- A Letter from Dr. Miller
- Save the Date for Family Weekend: October 2–4, 2026
- Fall 2026 Enrollment Is Coming: How Your Student Can Prepare
- Course Enrollment FAQs
- How Families Can Support Student Advising & Enrollment
- Helping Students Find Low-Cost Textbooks
- JMU Dining
- Women for Madison Rally
- Summer Unpaid Internship Scholarship: Supporting Career Experiences for All Students
- Senior Candle Lighting & Alumni Connections
- Senior Class Gift
- Residence Hall Move-Out
- Loan Repayment and End of the Term/Year Deadlines
- Introducing the Tidewater Current Bus Route
- CMSS 40th Anniversary
- Arboretum's Spring 2026 Plant & Tree Sale
A Letter from Dr. Tim Miller
Hello JMU families,
Spring is finally here, and it’s been fun to see everyone out and about. Those who always wear shorts are finally dressed for the weather again! I loved getting around to so many events this weekend, including Parents Council, Club Soccer, Club Track and Field, Club Lacrosse, Dukes Against Childhood Cancer, JMU Softball, and Dogpile Fest to close out Saturday night. It was a weekend full of energy, competition and fun all over campus.
Updates
Last month’s newsletter included information about a great new initiative from Off-Campus Life called Madison Money Mentors. Many students will find this is a good time to get some advice from trained peers, so I hope they take advantage of this.
For our students about to graduate, starting April 18, we are hosting a series of events and opportunities dedicated to the Class of 2026. Please encourage your Duke to watch their email for more information about this and other important commencement information!
Reminders
April is full of events, and this year we have even more with the Inauguration of President Jim. Please remind your Duke to read their Dukes Weekly email every Monday at 1 p.m. to learn about everything happening on campus.
Events
Here are a few of the events for President Jim’s Inauguration:
- Installation Ceremony | April 8 | 2 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center | Registration required
- All Dukes Welcome | April 8 | Following Installation Ceremony until 5 p.m. | Festival Lawn
- The Madison Promise in Action: Student Organization Performance Showcase | April 9 | 7:30–9 p.m. | Festival Grand Ballroom
- Growing the Madison Promise Through the Arboretum Living Laboratory | April 10 | 1–3 p.m. | Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
- Motivating Madison into Motion: An Inaugural Wellness Experience | April 10 | 5–7 p.m. | UPark
And here are some other important events this month:
- Dukes Remembrance Day Ceremony | April 14
- Purple Reign | April 18
- JMU Spring Football Game | April 25
Questions to ask your student
Do you know when your final exams are scheduled?
Tip: Encourage them to plan out that week – schedule times to study for each exam, as well as time to eat, sleep and get some exercise. They should also make time to pack and get ready to move out so you aren’t waiting for them to do this when you arrive on the day they will move out.
What are your summer plans?
Tip: This is the time to confirm if and when they’re coming home, job/internship expectations, if they are going to take some classes, and talk about family vacations. You can avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings by talking this through now.
Share your feedback
I hope these messages are helpful to you and help you feel connected during your student’s time here at JMU. We truly value your partnership. If you have any feedback for us, we’d love to hear it! It can be about content or layout of these messages, our student messaging or anything else on campus that you’d like to share. Please email my office so we can follow up as needed.
With gratitude
Thank you to everyone who contributed to Giving Day and supported JMU throughout the year. The Jones Miller Student Emergency Fund received almost $33,000 thanks in part to a significant gift from Jamie’s parents, Mark and Bobbie Jones. These funds will continue to help students stay at JMU and manage life’s unexpected financial challenges. Your donations and support make an impact on our students every day, and we hope you know how much they mean to all of us here.
Have a great month and Go Dukes!
Dr. Tim Miller
Vice President for Student Affairs
Submitted by: Office of Family Engagement
Join us for Family Weekend, October 2–4, 2026! Accommodations in the Harrisonburg area fill up fast, so be sure to book a place to stay soon. Check back for the schedule coming later this summer.
Family Weekend tickets will be available on June 29!
Submitted by: Office of the Registrar
Your student will begin enrolling in Fall 2026 classes on April 10, 2026. We know the enrollment process can feel stressful, and a little preparation can go a long way. Below are a few tips we’ve found helpful when talking with students about enrollment:
- Log in early. We recommend that students log into MyMadison a few days before enrollment opens to make sure their password is up to date.
- Resolve any registration holds. While in MyMadison, students should check for any holds that could prevent enrollment and resolve them as soon as possible. These are two of the most common and preventable enrollment issues.
- Plan ahead. Students should identify the courses they need to stay on track toward their degree and connect with their advisor(s) if needed.
- Check requisites. Before enrollment, students should confirm they meet all prerequisites and corequisites for their planned courses by reviewing the class information in the class search.
- Build in flexibility. While many students have an ideal schedule in mind, it’s not always possible. We encourage students to prepare multiple schedule options so they can pivot easily if a class or section fills.
Your student’s advisor(s) are the best resource for discussing course options and degree progress. If your student is unable to schedule an appointment with their advisor, Madison Advising Peers (MAPs) are another great support option. More information about MAPs is available on their website.
Submitted by: Office of Family Engagement
Preparing for Fall Enrollment comes with many important steps. To make the process easier, we’ve gathered key resources and information in one place—designed to help Parents & Families best support their Duke.
Submitted by: Emily Blake, Assistant Director of Communications & Marketing, Libraries
Is your student worried about the cost of textbooks? With enrollment approaching, this is a great time to remind them that they can use the filter in MyMadison to find classes with low-cost or no-cost course materials.
If the total cost of textbooks for a course is $40 or less at the JMU Bookstore, instructors are asked to add this information to the JMU system so students who need courses with affordable textbooks can find them more easily.
This is just one of JMU Libraries’ 10 tips for finding affordable textbooks.
MyMadison Shows Courses with No-Cost or Low-Cost Course Materials.
Submitted by: Heather Holsinger, Marketing Manager, JMU Dining
Dining Dollars
Don’t let your student's Dining Dollars go to waste! The semester is already past the halfway point, so now’s the perfect time for your Duke to check their balance and use up what they have left. Remember—any unused Dining Dollars expire at the end of the semester!
Off-Campus Resident Meal Plans for 2026-2027
Mark your calendars—meal plans for the 2026–2027 school year drop on April 20! Off-campus students who pick their plan between April 20 and July 3 will be entered to win incredible prizes, including electric scooters, Washington Nationals/JMU night tickets, Fantastic Feast tickets, and more. Encourage your Duke not to miss out!
Need help choosing? Your student can stop by Dining HQ on D-Hall’s first floor or try our online Find Your Fit tool.
Quick heads-up: Flex is not a meal plan, and meal plans can no longer be converted to Flex. Ask us about a Dining Dollars Gold account for extra savings and flexibility.
Check out our website or the BeInvolved App for fun Dining events throughout April!
Submitted by: Madison Watts, Social Media Manager, Women for Madison
Step into a space designed for collaboration and inspiration—a gathering that feels like a big circle where everyone connects, shares ideas, and grows together. At the heart of it all will be an energizing keynote by the CEO of YWCA, Rupa Murthy ('99), that will be sure to spark conversation. Join us on April 16, 2026, for an evening of connection, inspiration, and collaboration with Dukes from all generations! Registration is now open!
Submitted by: Carlos Yanez, Communications Coordinator, University Career Center
Is your student completing an unpaid internship this summer? The University Career Center (UCC) offers the Unpaid Internship Scholarship, providing up to $4,000 to select students to support them as they gain valuable experience, regardless of financial background.
Scholarship Details:
- Eligible internships must be unpaid, for-credit, and last at least 8 weeks (minimum 240 hours). Open to all majors
- Funds can be used for living expenses, transportation, and other internship-related costs.
- Completed during the summer semester (May-August)
- The offer must be secured prior to applying (an employer verification form is a required part of the application)
- You must have defined duties and a specific supervisor
- Virtual internships are eligible
Why This Matters for Your Student
Internships help students build skills, expand networks, and improve job prospects, but unpaid opportunities can present financial challenges. The Unpaid Internship Scholarship lessens this challenge, helping selected students pursue career-building experiences without financial stress. Whether in non-profits, government, or startups, this scholarship provides the support needed to make those experiences more accessible.
Application Deadline & How to Apply
To be considered, students must meet all scholarship requirements and submit their completed application materials by April 20, 2026. For full details, visit UCC Unpaid Internship Scholarship.
Encourage your student to explore this opportunity and take a step toward their career goals!
Senior Candle Lighting & Alumni Connections
Submitted by: Paula Polglase, Director, Alumni Relations
We are excited to invite you to share with your students the upcoming Senior Candle Lighting Ceremony on May 13, 7:00–9:30 p.m. on the Quad with the ceremony at 8:00 p.m. This cherished tradition has deep roots in JMU’s history and is a beautiful way to celebrate our students as they near the culmination of their academic journey.
The Senior Candle Lighting ceremony, which originated in the very first commencement exercises of 1911, is a meaningful tradition that marks the next chapter for our graduates. This year we are returning to the Quad and inviting parents to join us in raising a glass to the Class of 2026 at the culmination of the ceremony with a Senior Toast. Senior Candle Lighting is free for graduating seniors, and $10 for parents and guests participating in the toast.
Submitted by: Elijah Keyes, Assistant Director of Campaigns, Office of Annual Giving
The Class of 2026 is supporting the Dukes Pay It Forward Scholarship, a need-based scholarship for current and future Dukes to ensure they receive the full Madison Experience that your Duke has come to love.
By making a gift of $10 or more, your senior will receive a green, senior philanthropy cord to wear at commencement, and you support future Dukes at the same time. By indicating who you're making a gift in honor of, the graduate will be able to receive their cord at the Senior Candle Lighting Ceremony in May.
Residence Hall Move-Out
Submitted by: Sydney Wood, Social Media and Marketing Manager, Residence Life
The end of the year is quickly approaching, and that means it's time to start thinking about moving out of your student's residence hall! We encourage students to move out as soon as possible after their last exam but before the final closing.
Residence Halls officially close on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at noon.
Students who need to stay after this time will need to fill out a request (emailed to them soon) and have it approved by Residence Life.
Loan Repayment and End of the Term/Year Deadlines
Submitted by: Colleen McAvoy, Associate Director of Loans, Financial Aid and Scholarships
End of 2025-26 Loan Dates and Deadlines
Federal Direct Loans must be processed by the end of the spring 2026 term. This means:
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans should be accepted in MyMadison by May 12, and Parent PLUS Loan applications must be submitted by May 11, to guarantee processing. Federal student and parent loans cannot be processed after May 13.
Private loan processing takes several weeks, and timing varies by lender; submit applications to your lender as quickly as possible to ensure timely processing.
Loan Repayment
Graduating seniors and students considering reducing their enrollment to less than half-time (6 hours for undergraduates) should prepare for repayment. All federal loans and many private loans have a grace period, typically 6 months after graduating or enrolling in fewer than 6 credits per term. Take the necessary steps today to prepare:
Federal Student Loan Borrowers
First, log in to the FSA website, studentaid.gov. You’ll find loan repayment information such as:
- How much you owe and how to calculate your monthly payment
- Who your current loan servicer is and their contact information
- Repayment plan options
- How to get support from FSA and your loan servicer
- Exit Counseling: an education tool providing details of all of the items listed above
Next, contact your loan servicer
- Go to their website and create an account if you have not already done so
- Ensure your contact information is updated so your servicer can contact you easily
- Link your payment information and set up automatic payments. This will ensure you never miss a payment and may allow for a slight interest rate benefit.
Private Student Loan Borrowers
Contact your lender(s). This is the company you originally applied with, and you will repay your loans through them or through their loan servicer. Some students may have more than one lender; repayment will be coordinated directly with each lender. Go to their website(s) and create an account, if you have not already done so. This will allow you to:
- Determine how much you owe and how to calculate your monthly payment
- Learn when repayment begins and if you have any repayment options
- Link your bank account information and set up automatic payments
Both Federal and Private Loan Borrowers need to remember: not repaying their loans has a significant impact on their credit and financial future. If you're facing or anticipate repayment challenges, contact your lender or servicer immediately to discuss your options. By creating accounts with lenders, keeping your contact information updated, educating yourself about your loan amounts and repayment options, and initiating conversations with your lender early, you can position yourself for success when it comes to repaying your loans.
Borrowing in Future Years
Recent federal regulations impact federal education loans. For more information about those changes, please see our One Big Beautiful Bill Act page.
Submitted by: Valerie Kramer, Alternative Transportation Manager, Parking and Transit Services
We’re excited to share great news with the JMU community: Virginia Breeze is launching a brand‑new route, the Tidewater Current! It starts right here at JMU’s Godwin Transit Center and goes to Virginia Beach!
The Tidewater Current will offer one trip each way per day, giving students, faculty, staff, families, and visitors a convenient new travel option across Virginia. After departing JMU’s Godwin Transit Center, the route continues to: Staunton, Charlottesville, Richmond Main Street Station, Richmond International Airport, New Kent, Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach.
Whether you’re heading home for the weekend, traveling for a break, or exploring destinations across the Commonwealth, this new service makes it easier than ever to get where you’re going.
Tickets are now on sale, and the first trip begins April 20.
Buy your tickets today!
We can’t wait to see JMU riders aboard the newest Virginia Breeze line.
Submitted by: Rebeca Barge, Associate Director, Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS)
Center for Multicultural Student Services (CMSS) is proud to celebrate 40 years of commitment to community, culture, and connection. This year, we’re honoring our history and uplifting the voices of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members through our 40 Years & 40 Stories campaign.
Join our fundraising campaign as we seek to mobilize students, alumni, community members, businesses, friends, and partners to invest collectively in the future of CMSS. Funds raised will be directed to the CMSS Foundation account to advance departmental priorities aligned with the 40 & Forward vision: A Commitment to Community, Culture, and Connection.
This campaign is designed to honor CMSS’s legacy while strengthening its capacity to serve current and future students through sustained engagement, meaningful partnerships, and inclusive philanthropy. Set up a one-time gift, scheduled payments, or a recurring commitment to CMSS.
Stay connected and follow our 40th Anniversary campaign for stories and event updates on our website, Instagram: @JMUCMSS and Facebook: JMU CMSS
Submitted by: John Wallace, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
We hope you will join us for the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum’s Spring 2026 Plant & Tree Sale, where you will find a vast selection of native shrubs, plants, trees, and houseplants for almost any botanical adventure. Arboretum Members receive a 10% discount on Plant Sale purchases and have early access to our inventory.
- Members Day: Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Public Sale: Friday, April 24-Sunday, May 2 (open every day except Sunday), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Please note: Due to construction on University Boulevard, the Spring Plant Sale will be held in a new, one-time location at 1981 Warwick Drive in Harrisonburg, near Costco, on the corner of Neff Avenue and Warwick Drive.
For more information about the Plant & Tree Sale and becoming a member, follow this link.
The Arboretum also has many events, talks, walks, and gatherings this Spring.
Join 14,000+ fellow JMU parents and guardians in the official Facebook group! This group was created by the Office of Family Engagement in an effort to provide a safe online environment for parents & family members to engage with one another. Request to join the group here »
Connect with the JMU Family!
