kennesaw state service members guide

The Secret’s Out

SERVICE MEMBERS GUIDE

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

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The secret’s out! At Kennesaw State University, we are excited about the opportunity to assist you in furthering your education. Whether you are just beginning your journey in the military through the National Guard or Reserves, are getting ready to EAS/ETS, or are already discharged, we are committed to making the transition to higher education as seamless as possible. With current and former military personnel on staff, we are well trained to understand your needs and will work with you to help you achieve your educational goals.

The Secret’s

Out WELCOME TO KENNESAW STATE

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We are proud to say that Kennesaw State University is the third-largest university within the state of Georgia with over 25,000 students. As a public institution, we pride ourselves on being an affordable option while providing quality education in over 100 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Please use this Service Members Guide to help you through the enrollment process here at Kennesaw State, including admissions, JST transcripts, VA benefits, housing, and much more. Please contact us if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in Owl Country!

WELCOME TO KENNESAW STATE

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Kennesaw State has been heralded as a “Military Friendly School” by G.I. Jobs Magazine and “Best for Vets” by Military Times. We recognize the veterans and military men and women striving to receive their education.

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) helps smooth the transition from a past military lifestyle to a university environment.

The VRC maintains and distributes information about local military support and VA facilities, as well as offers a multitude of resources for military veterans, spouses and their dependents.

WE’REMILITARY FRIENDLY

Secret#4

Some of our on-campus services and resources include:• Benefits Advising• Fee Waivers and Reimbursements• VA Work Study Program• Transition Assistance• Peer-to-Peer Mentorship• Yellow Ribbon Program• Psychological Counseling• Student-Veteran Advocacy• Veterans First-Year Learning Community• Computer and Study Labs

Veterans Resource Center Location:

Building 23, Willingham Hall, Room 200470-578-2970

[email protected]

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At Kennesaw State University, you have options that allow you to choose the right academic path for you. Nursing, business, education, criminal justice, communication, biochemistry, culinary sustainability and hospitality … we have more than 100 degree programs to choose. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 21-to-1, your professors will not only know your name, but they care about your success in the classroom and beyond. Our unique programs combine real work experience, research and application inside and outside the classroom that will help you set yourself apart.

Go find your passion.

kennesaw.edu

“The secret is out about our wonderful professors.

I really feel like they work with students and want

us to succeed.”– Cashe Harris

Major: Communication

UNIQUEPROGRAMS ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING

Secret#10

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It’s no secret that job hunting isn’t an easy task. Where do you start? How do you write a resume? Career Services is here to guide you through that process from start to finish. Workshops devoted to resume building, expansive career fairs and internship opportunities, along with mock interviews to get your jitters out, are only a few of the services they offer. Heard of Home Depot? Coca-Cola? Chick-fil-A? All are based in Atlanta, and they are salivating for Kennesaw State graduates.

Who will you become?

careerctr.kennesaw.edu

“Career Services looks at your resumes, gives

mock interviews and tips on networking. It’s a

great resource.”– Nakia Daniels

Major: Information Systems

DON’T FIND A JOB… DISCOVER A CAREER

Secret#5

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Did you know that you are only 20 minutes from one of the most exciting cities in the country? Atlanta is a dynamic metropolitan center full of vast opportunities and offers an invaluable part of the Kennesaw State experience. You can swim with sharks at the Georgia Aquarium or sample soda from all over the planet at the World of Coca-Cola. Concerts from renowned artists and exquisite art exhibits are in abundance. Bonus: Being this close to Atlanta allows students to commute back and forth for internships and co-ops.

The options are limitless with the bright lights as our backdrop.

“Kennesaw State’s location is prime for me. We

have our own little community, but there’s so much

around us too that’s bigger and more city-like.”– Kate Engelmaier

Major: Undeclared

WE’RE CLOSE......VERY CLOSE

Secret#9

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The secret’s out: Our student life is far from average. At Kennesaw State, we’ve got you covered. Interested in skydiving? Take the leap. Ready to be a Greek? Bring it. Running for office? Go right ahead. We have more than 200 student organizations, or you can start your own. Don’t just go to class and go home … get involved! This is your chance to make your mark on Owl Country.

Find your voice.

kennesaw.edu/student_life

“Getting involved is so important. All of the

organizations that I’m a part of, we’re family.”– Aaron Roberson

Major: International Business

CHOOSEYOUR ADVENTURE...OR START YOUR OWN

Secret#27

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Perhaps you haven’t heard, but pigskin is on its way to Kennesaw State. In 2015, football will kick off as our 18th NCAA Division I sport. Are you ready to be a part of the next step in the evolution of Kennesaw State University? Not many students have the opportunity to boast that they were on the cusp of the newest athletic tradition in the Owl Nation. Poised to add to our six national championships and 17 conference championships, cheering on the Owls at home or away is a staple of life at Kennesaw State University. We bleed black and gold.

It’s as simple as that.

ksuowls.com

“When I say I bleed black and gold, it’s true. You

develop a sense of pride when you go to school

like Kennesaw State. It’s our time as a school.”– Kate Engelmaier

Major: Undeclared

FOOTBALLSATURDAYS ARE THE NEWNORMAL

Secret#15

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Think you know how college food is supposed to taste? Here’s a hint: We don’t open a can and pour it on your plate for lunch. Our student dining hall, The Commons, is ranked #4 in the country for most delicious college food. We tantalize your taste buds by serving up nine unique culinary experiences that change on a daily basis. Add that to multiple hydroponics and three farms off campus growing a wide array of vegetables and herbs, and you have a recipe that is both nutritious and positively delectable.

Who’s hungry?

kennesaw.edu/dining

“The Commons is probably my favorite part of

campus. They have an awesome dessert bar and an

even more awesome taco bar. It’s a different menu

every week. You hardly ever have the same thing.”– Erica Moody

Major: Economics

NATIONALLYRANKED DINING HALL?YOU BET.

Secret#12

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GETTING INUNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

REQUIREMENTS

FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER FRESHMEN

Freshman – You are a freshman if you have never attended another college and have graduated from high school within the last five years.

Transfer Freshman – A transfer freshman graduated from high school in the last five years, has attended another college, but has earned less than 30 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of transferable college credit.

• 2.5 GPA in 17 units of college preparatory high school coursework

• 950 SAT (Critical Reading and Math scores combined) ■ SAT Critical Reading score of 450 ■ SAT Math score of 450

-Or-• ACT Composite score of 20

■ ACT English subscore of 18 ■ ACT Math subscore of 18

FRESHMEN AND TRANSFER FRESHMEN - ARCHITECTURE DEGREE PROGRAM

• 2.5 GPA in 17 units of required high school coursework as recalculated by KSU

• 1000 SAT (Critical Reading and Math scores combined) ■ SAT Critical Reading score of 450 ■ SAT Math score of 450

-Or- • ACT Composite score of 21

■ ACT English subscore of 18 ■ ACT Math subscore of 18

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August 1Online application for admission opens for Fall 2015

November 3Priority application and document deadline for Fall 2015: students who submit all documents by this date will have early access to University Housing, Financial Aid and Orientation

May 8Application and document deadline for Fall 2015 freshmen and transfer freshmen

Documents Required: Application; official high school transcript; official SAT/ACT scores sent from the testing agency; official transcripts from every college attended (if applicable)

TRANSFER

If you have earned 30 semester hours, or 50 quarter hours, of college credit that will transfer to KSU, you are a transfer student.

• 2.0 GPA on all college coursework attempted• 30 semester or 50 quarter hours of transferable credit

You can view a comprehensive database containing the Kennesaw State University course equivalencies for colleges and universities nationwide through our registrar’s website at http://transfer.kennesaw.edu.

Documents Required: Application; official transcripts from every college attended


November 7Application and document deadline for Spring 2015

April 3Application and document deadline for Summer 2015

June 19Application and document deadline for Fall 2015 Transfer and all other classifications

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NON-TRADITIONAL/ADULT LEARNER

Non-traditional adult learners graduated from high school more than five years ago. Applicants in this category may have attended another college, but have earned less than 30 semester hours or 50 quarter hours of transferrable college credit.

Documents Required: Application; official high school transcript or GED; official transcripts from every college attended, if applicable.


November 7Application and document deadline for Spring 2015

April 3Application deadline for Summer 2015

June 19Application and document deadline for Fall 2015 Transfer and all other classifications

*Military documentation is not required as part of the admissions application and need not be submitted to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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COMPASS Testing

COMPASS is a comprehensive, untimed, computerized exam used to evaluate student’s skills in math, reading, and writing for the purpose of placement. If required to take the COMPASS test, please log on to Owl Express at http://owlexpress.kennesaw.edu to sign up. COMPASS testing is an admission requirement and must be complete in order to receive an admissions decision. Students must achieve qualifying scores to be admitted.

For more information about the COMPASS test, please visit http://sss.kennesaw.edu/testing/compass.php.

MILITARY TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY

Military Transfer Credit may be awarded for undergraduate students accepted to Kennesaw State University who have served in the U.S. military and who desire to have their military training and experience considered for transfer credit. Students may have the option of accepting or declining up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate elective transfer credits towards a degree program, if applicable.

Veterans of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps must submit official JST transcripts and the Military Transfer Credit Agreement Form to the Office of the Registrar Graduation, Audit, Transfer, and Evaluation Services (G.A.T.E.S.) prior to the last day of drop/add during the student’s first term of enrollment at KSU. Please contact [email protected] or visit http://transfer.kennesaw.edu/military for additional information.

• Once a decision has been made, it cannot be reversed because the amount of transfer credit determines financial aid eligibility, including both federal and state aid

• For more information or to access the Military Transfer Credit Agreement Form, visit http://registrar.kennesaw.edu/veterans/transfer_credit_policy.php

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VA EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

After applying for admission to Kennesaw State University, students should complete the Veterans Enrollment Data Sheet available online through the registrar’s website at http://registrar.kennesaw.edu/veterans/educational_benefits.php.

This form is to be completed and returned to the VA Certifying Official in the Office of the Registrar. At a minimum, a certificate of eligibility from the VA must accompany the Veterans Enrollment Data Sheet. You will be notified if any other paperwork is required for your specific educational benefit.

Application for VA Benefits must be completed through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VONAPP can be completed by visiting www.vabenefits.vba.va.gov.

First Time KSU Applicants:• Complete FORM 1990 if you have never used your

education benefits before• Restarting or changing training sites? Complete Form

22-1995Survivor or Dependents’ Benefits:• Complete Form 22-5490 if you have never used your

education benefits • Restarting or changing training sites? Complete Form

22-5495

LIVING ON CAMPUS

The secret is out that living on campus in your first year improves your likelihood for success in college and beyond. Students who live on campus will tell you – and research supports – that the benefits really add up. Living on campus makes it easier to meet people, helps you transition from high school to college, and can actually help you achieve academic success and graduate on time. Now that we know the facts, it just makes sense – beginning Fall Semester 2015, Kennesaw State will require all traditional, first-year, full-time students to live on campus.*

Visit www.kennesaw.edu/housing to learn more.

* Pending approval from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in January 2015

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TUITION & FEES

Per Year

Georgia ResidentNon-Georgia

Resident

Tuition $4,078 $14,394

Mandatory Fees $1,834 $1,834

Housing and Meal Plan Average

$10,000 $10,000

Total $15,912 $26,228

*Tuition and fees are based on 2014-2015 rates for two semesters of 12 credit hours and are subject to change. Please visit kennesaw.edu/finance/bursar/tuitionfees.html for a complete list of current rates.

Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for Post 9/11 GI Bill is $1,326 for every full month a student is enrolled at KSU.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Tuition and Fee WaiversTuition and fee waivers are available and may be granted to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria. To determine your eligibility, please contact the Tuition Classification Officer at (470) 578-3251.

HERO ScholarshipHERO Scholarship applicants must meet Student Fee Waiver criteria and submit the application and DD-214 each semester to Financial Aid.

Orientation Fee ReimbursementReimbursement for Ignition, our student orientation, is available for veterans and service members if paid online and requested within 30 days. Students must attend the Ignition session to be reimbursed.

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Veterans Housing BlockKennesaw State University offers a 16-room Veterans Housing Block with units specifically designated for veterans, including a monthly payment plan developed to coincide with the monthly stipend of GI Bill. More information can be found by calling University Housing at (470) 578-4388 for current residence rates.

Yellow Ribbon ProgramKennesaw State is a participant of the Yellow Ribbon program. All applications should be submitted to the Veterans Resource Center.

ROTCKennesaw State offers Army ROTC on campus and Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force ROTC through a partnership program with Georgia Tech.

KSU Army ROTC1200 Chastain Rd NWBuilding 300, Suite 311Kennesaw, GA 30144www.kennesaw.edu/rotc/

ONLINE VETERANS INFORMATION SESSIONS

If you would like to learn more about the admissions and enrollment process specifically for veterans, we invite you to attend our one of our Veterans Events. Hosted once a month by the Veterans Admissions Counselor, visitors will have the opportunity to meet our VA Certifying Official and representatives of the Kennesaw State Veterans Resource Center. These individuals can assist you with applying for your VA benefits and start you on the path to earning your degree at Kennesaw State.

Register online at http://visit.kennesaw.edu.

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UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS

College of the ArtsArtArt EducationArt HistoryDanceMusicMusic EducationMusic PerformanceTheatre and Performance Studies

Michael J. Coles College of BusinessAccountingEconomicsFinanceInformation Security and Assurance (Online or On Campus)Information SystemsInternational BusinessManagement (Online or On Campus)Marketing (Online or On Campus)Professional Sales

Leland and Clarice C. Bagwell College of EducationBirth through Kindergarten EducationElementary and Early Childhood EducationSecondary and Middle Grades Education

College of Science and MathematicsApplied Computer ScienceBiochemistryBiologyBiology EducationChemistryComputer ScienceMathematicsMathematics Education

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College of Humanities and Social SciencesAfrican and African Diaspora StudiesAnthropologyCommunicationCriminal JusticeEnglishEnglish EducationGeographic Information ScienceGeographyHistoryHistory EducationInternational AffairsModern Language and CulturePhilosophyPolitical SciencePsychologySociology (Online or On Campus)

University CollegeIntegrative Studies (Online or On Campus)

WellStar College of Health and Human ServicesCulinary Sustainability and HospitalityExercise ScienceHealth and Physical EducationHuman ServicesNursingSport Management

Pre-Professional TracksPre-DentalPre-ForestryPre-LawPre-MedPre-OptometryPre-PharmacyPre-Veterinarian

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ONEWORLD- CLASSUNIVERSITY

Secret#1

Based on action by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia and pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University will consolidate in January 2015 to become Kennesaw State University.* The consolidated institution is estimated to enroll more than 30,000 students and include programs in engineering, architecture and software development.

For details and updates regarding admissions, please visit the KSU/SPSU Consolidation FAQ Webpage at http://admissions.kennesaw.edu/consolidation.

Colleges to be added by Consolidation:

College of Architecture and Construction Management*

College of Computing and Software Engineering*

Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering & Engineering Technology*

*Kennesaw State University is consolidating with Southern Polytechnic State University to form a new university in 2015. The consolidated institution, named Kennesaw State University, is expected to include these three colleges, pending approval in January 2015 by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia.

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QUICK FACTS

FALL 2013 FRESHMEN CLASS AVERAGES

ENROLLMENT

1100SAT Score

24ACT Score

3.2GPA

undergraduate

23,000

graduate

1,600

female

58%

Student/Faculty

21:1

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VETERAN APPLICATION CHECKLIST

☐ Meet with the Veterans Admissions Counselor

☐ Meet with the Veterans Resource Counselor

☐ Learn about your VA educational benefits

☐ Determine your term of entrance (Fall, Spring, Summer) to Kennesaw State University and the deadlines associated with that term

☐ Submit the online application available at http://admissions.kennesaw.edu

☐ Submit all required documents, depending on your admission classification (Freshman, Transfer Freshman, Transfer, Non-Traditional/Adult Learner)

☐ Submit the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) if requesting to receive financial aid other than VA Education Benefits

☐ Check your application status online using your KSU# sent to the email address listed on your application at http://admissions.kennesaw.edu

*Please allow up to six weeks for receipt and processing.

“My experience coming into Kennesaw State was

the smoothest process as far as transitioning to be

a civilian. Getting out is a time-consuming process,

it gets very stressful and Kennesaw State’s

Veteran’s Resource Center made it that much

easier because it was one less issue I had to worry

about. Once I had my DD-214 in hand and my

certificate of eligibility, I took it into their office,

and they took care of everything else for me.”

– Ryan Turnage

Major: Business

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CONTACT US

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Mailing Address: 3391 Town Point Drive, MD 9111Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591

Office Address: 3391 Town Point Drive, Suite 1000Kennesaw, Georgia 30144-5591

Websitehttp://transfer.kennesaw.edu

[email protected]

Phone770.423.6300

Social Media

Facebook.com/kennesawstateuniversity

@KennesawAdmit

KennesawStateUniversity

Kennesawstateadmissions.blogspot.com

Kennesaw State University, a unit of the University System of Georgia, is an equal opportunity institution, which does

not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin or disability.

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