A Parent’s Guide to Seton Hall University

Choosing a college is an important decision for both students and their families. At Seton Hall University, we partner with parents and families to support students throughout their college journey, from the first day on campus to graduation and beyond.

This guide answers common questions about academics, campus life, student support services and financial aid. It also provides helpful resources to support your student’s transition to college and their success at Seton Hall.

FAQs | Financial Aid | Next Steps | Important Dates | Parent Resources

Frequently Asked Question

Will my child receive individualized attention?

Personal attention is a hallmark at Seton Hall. We pride ourselves on small classes and dedicated faculty members who cultivate their students and help them grow. With an average class size of 21 students and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, our faculty know their students and what matters most to them. They build on their personal passions to mentor and guide students in their academic and career endeavors.

For students, this unprecedented access to faculty fosters a highly enriching learning experience where our faculty and students work together — in the classroom, in labs, in practicum and internship settings — to add real-world value to learning. As a Catholic university, Seton Hall University has provided a nurturing, caring and supportive academic community that fosters the intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth of our students. Seton Hall’s community is diverse and welcoming. We celebrate that we have students from all 50 states and from 50 different countries. We have a diverse student body, over 53 percent of which are students of color, and we welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds.

At Seton Hall, we foster the values of respect, kindness, patience and understanding. We engage our students in a dialogue about the intersections of culture, faith, reason, science, philosophy, religion and more.

How do I know my child is receiving the right academic guidance?

Seton Hall is dedicated to making a student’s transition from high school to college as smooth as possible — that’s why we offer personal, one-on-one support through our award-winning Center for Academic Success (CAS). CAS provides guidance and resources to adjust to life in college, including academic support, social opportunities, career development and study-skills assistance.

There aren’t many other universities that make this same effort to get your son or daughter off to a solid start. The Center for Academic Success (CAS) is designed to lead your child to success. At Seton Hall, your child’s CAS advisor serves as their academic advisor. Advisors get to know students personally and advise them based on their strengths, weaknesses and future aspirations. Advisors guide students in choosing the best academic road — explaining the curriculum in their major program, assisting with registration and helping select the right courses.

How will my child ‘fit in’ at Seton Hall?

At Seton Hall, we believe students feel more relaxed talking to someone their own age — someone who understands. That’s why as part of The Center for Academic Success (CAS) we assign each new freshman a peer advisor (PA), an upper-class student who has been there and done that. The number one job of the student’s PA is to help them feel comfortable the minute they arrive on campus.

Current Seton Hall student-leaders serve as PAs and help new students find their way, listen when they need advice and make it easy to get involved in University life. Furthermore, at Seton Hall students learn to put their ideas into action; discover something new; become part of our unique community; and build trust, spirit and lasting friendships. Here, students will find a compassion- ate community with activities galore! With more than 150 student clubs and organizations, there is something for everyone.

More than two-thirds of our students participate in clubs and organizations, and 50 percent participate in club or intramural sports. Not only will students make lots of new friends and have fun, but they also learn to build their leadership skills.

What academic support services exist for my child?

Our University Life Course is a cornerstone of our Center for Academic Success (CAS). This one-credit course is team-taught by the CAS Advisor and peer advisor. Each week during your child’s first semester, they meet with fellow classmates to talk about how they are adjusting to college life. In this free-flowing atmosphere, students talk about living in the residence halls; sharpening study skills; learning about internship, experiential-education and study-abroad opportunities; managing time as they learn to balance academics and a social life; taking advantage of community service; and even eating right. Outside of this course, we offer many opportunities to receive academic support.

Not only will your child’s CAS advisor be monitoring their progress throughout their first year, but students can also reach out to our Academic Resource Center (ARC) for extra help in math, science, language and writing. The ARC provides group workshops, one-on-one tutoring and online resources for students throughout their college career. Seton Hall even provides an innovative Tutors In Residence (TIRs) program. TIRs are undergraduate students who live in the residence halls with the purpose of helping students academically. Each week TIRs set lobby hours where they are available to help students (residents or commuters) with projects and course work.

How will my child access all the South Orange and New York City have to offer?

Getting around town is easy for students. Many students walk right into South Orange, just a 10-minute walk. In South Orange, students will find restaurants, salons, coffee shops, a movie theatre, grocery stores, drug stores, banks and much more. In the center of town is the train station where students can hop on a 30-minute train direct to Penn Station and take advantage of all the excitement of New York City. We also provide a shuttle service, that students can ride into town throughout the week; on the weekends the shuttle takes them to the local mall and out to a shopping center with Target and Whole Foods.

In addition, in the evenings we also provide a SafeRide van service. Students can ride from the main campus to any location in South Orange that is not on the University shuttle route. Seniors, commuters and students with special internships or practicums can have cars on campus, but many students make friends with commuters or use our local transportation and town shuttle services. Underclassmen who reside on campus can also enter into a lottery for one of 50 parking spaces allocated to each grade level. In addition, Zipcar rentals are available on campus.

I want to know that my child is healthy while at college. What types of services do you offer?

Protecting our students’ health is a top priority. To ensure continuity in the kind of care that your family physician has provided over the years, Seton Hall offers our Health Services center. The Health Services staff is dedicated to providing accessible and high-quality health care and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), a distinction earned by only four other college health services within the state of New Jersey. Services include general primary care, including sick visits, immunizations, basic lab services and men’s and women’s healthcare services.

Services are offered Monday through Friday and no copay is required for matriculated, enrolled students. With the new demands on their time and new adjustments to college, some students may have difficulty keeping their personal well-being on track. That’s why Health Services also offers a variety of wellness education workshops and group seminars on topics such as eating disorders, conflict management, stress reduction and alcohol abuse prevention. In addition, University Counseling and Psychological Services offers full-time professional counselors who are available on a one-on-one basis to help students cope with personal issues or difficulties.

What are my rights to information as a parent?

As a parent, you should be aware that for students 18 years or older there are federal regulations that limit your ability to access information about your child’s records once he/she enrolls at Seton Hall. These regulations are called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

This law means you do not have the right to view your child’s grades, transcripts or any other educational records without his/her consent. You also do not have the right to call and inquire about your child’s financial aid, tuition bill, status or activities without this written consent. We encourage you to discuss this with your child in advance to determine if he/she will consent. If consent is granted, the student must complete the FERPA Authorization Form in PirateNet under the academic tab.

To learn more, view our “How to Provide FERPA Authorization” tutorial video at www.shu.edu/welcome.

If you would like to pay your child’s bill, your student needs to login to PirateNet, go to the University Portal page, and click the Profile tab. Next, choose View and Pay My Account, and then click on Authorized Users. Once you are added as an authorized user, this will allow you to electronically access and pay the bill. This authorization does not entitle you to access to any other student records. A FERPA release is required for all other access.

How will you prepare my child for a successful life after college?

At Seton Hall, we believe in empowering all students to discover their unique calling right from the start. We do this by offering exceptional career-development services and opportunities. Through the dedication and mentorship of our career counseling staff, we start working with students in their freshmen year, identifying the best careers for our students, providing workshops, developing resumes, honing interview skills and helping students network.

The Career Center is committed to helping students find — and advance — their careers. Together with faculty, as well as employer and alumni networks, we provide a practical learning environment to ensure that our students are prepared for professional success. We offer more than 17,000 internships opportunities, and about 81 percent of our students have an internship — or two — on their resumes before graduation. And 98 percent of our internship employers say they would hire Seton Hall students if they had an opening. These are among the reasons why our employment rate is 93 percent and our alumni mid-career earnings are 50 percent higher than the national average. Because of our stellar national reputation, more than 550 employers visit campus every year just to recruit our graduates, including Big Four accounting firms, the FBI, The New York Times, Barclay’s Capital, United Nations, Madison Square Garden, Goldman Sachs, Carnegie Hall, Johnson & Johnson, Prudential and ABC.

What types of technology will my child have access to?

Our Mobile Computing Program provides each of our students with a state-of-the-art laptop computer and upon graduation, it is theirs to keep. All full-time undergraduate students are required to participate in the Mobile Computing Program and the cost is included in tuition and fees.

This program allows us to buy the latest technology at a lower cost for our students. In addition, we provide students with training on using the same technology — ensuring a shared experience. We also provide on-site support should something happen to the machine. The fee also covers the cost of expensive academic-related software that comes pre-loaded on the machine. We also provide an email account and a campus wide wireless network. Our faculty use the same technology. They integrate this technology into the classroom, helping students build the skills needed to succeed in their personal and professional lives, encouraging them to think and act critically.

How will I keep in touch with my child?

Seton Hall is a great place to visit, and Family Weekend is the perfect time! Family Weekend is a three-day event usually scheduled around mid-October. Student performances, movies, food and music are only a few of the offerings. Stay just around the corner in one of the West Orange hotels that give Seton Hall discounts. Check out www.shu.edu/visiting for hotel information and a map of South Orange. Remember, Newark International Airport (EWR) is the closest airport to campus. Of course, you can visit your child almost any time. But if you can’t make the trip, send a care package assembled by Gourmet Dining Services, our on-campus dining provider.

They’ll deliver the gift to your child’s residence hall. Or give the gift of spending money: Pirate’s Gold. Pirate’s Gold is a debit-like account your child can use to purchase items or pay for services on and off campus. From buying textbooks to getting snacks, using Pirate’s Gold is safer, easier and faster than using cash. Order a care package or deposit money into your child’s account by visiting www.shu.edu/parents. Or you can send them your very own care package direct from home. Just ship the package to your child and include their mailbox number and Seton Hall’s address, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079.

What You Need to Know About Financial Aid

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is any form of monetary assistance that helps you pay for college. This includes scholarships, need-based grants, loans and work-study programs. One of the most common mistakes a family makes is not applying for financial aid because they assume they will not qualify for any need-based grants. While this may or may not be true, it is important to remember that applying for aid is also the only way to qualify for student and parent loans as well as federal work-study.

How and When Do I Apply for Financial Aid?

To apply for financial aid, you will need to complete a form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a federal government form and it is used by all colleges across the country. It is free and available online at www.fafsa.gov. Never pay to file the FAFSA. There are some Web sites that will make you pay to file. Do not use these sites as the information is often not processed and your application is not submitted. Some schools may also ask you to complete an additional financial aid application called the CSS Profile for which there is a modest fee. Seton Hall does not require you to complete the CSS Profile. We recommend that you complete your FAFSA by November 1 of the student’s senior year. The FAFSA will ask for biographical information as well as information from your tax return. You will have the option of using the IRS data retrieval tool, which will pull information directly from the IRS database to your FAFSA. We strongly encourage you to use this tool as it will make filing easier and more accurate. A good way to get started and understand what information you’ll need is to complete the FAFSA on the Web worksheet. Visit www.studentaid.gov and search for FAFSA worksheet. If you have questions while completing the FAFSA, please feel free to call Seton Hall or the federal financial aid hotline at 1-800-4-fed-aid.

What Happens After I File the FAFSA?

The federal government may take up to two weeks to process your information. Once the FAFSA is processed, you will receive a student aid report (SAR). Your SAR is emailed to you if you provided an email address on the FAFSA. The SAR is also available at www.fafsa.gov with the PIN you created when starting the FAFSA. Once you receive your SAR, carefully review it for accuracy and correct any errors online. If you input estimated data on your FAFSA, please update it online once it becomes actual. The SAR lets you know your student aid index (SAI) and also notifies you if you qualify for federal need-based aid. The results of your FAFSA are sent to your state financial-aid authority. They will use this information to determine if you qualify for any need-based aid from the state. Please note, if you are from New Jersey, you will need to answer a few additional questions. A link to these questions can be found at the end of the FAFSA. If you do not do so, you cannot receive state aid. The results of your FAFSA are also sent to all the schools you listed on your FAFSA. Seton Hall’s school code is 002632. Schools will use this information to provide you with a financial aid package. A financial aid package tells you the cost of attendance at the school as well as how much aid you are receiving from the school, the federal government and the state. This will include all gift aid, such as scholarships and need-based grants, as well as loans and work-study programs (if you are eligible). Your child’s financial aid will not be disbursed or deducted from the tuition bill until after the add/drop period and after faculty members have verified that the student is in attendance for each course being taken. This will happen every semester and is necessary to comply with federal law. Financial aid packages from Seton Hall are usually made available in the Applicant Portal in late February. Once you receive this information you will be in a better position to assess the net cost of attending Seton Hall.

Helpful Video

Need help understanding your award letter? Watch our video that will provide a step-by-step guide through your awards. Visit www.shu.edu/aidvideo

Financial aid packages from Seton Hall are not mailed. Any updates or revisions can be found on PirateNet (if you have submitted your deposit) or on the applicant portal.

Definition of Terms

Direct Costs

These are the actual billable costs from the institution. They include tuition and fees and room and board (if living on campus).

Student Aid Index (SAI)

A number calculated by the federal government that is used by a school to calculate how much financial aid you are eligible to receive, if any. It’s based on the financial information you provided in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s not the amount of money your family will have to pay for college, nor is it the amount of federal student aid you will receive.

Financial Aid Office

800 -222-7183

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA)

This is the federal form used to apply for financial aid. You must file this form every year to be reconsidered for aid. Please file online at www.fafsa.gov.

Indirect Costs

These are additional costs for which you will not receive a bill but which you should consider when thinking about financing your education. These include items such as books, travel, supplies and room and board (if you don’t live on campus).

FAFSA filing tips

Here are some quick tips to help you complete your FAFSA and avoid common mistakes.

Enter names and Social Security numbers exactly as they appear on your Social Security card.
Do not leave anything blank; if a parent does not have a Social Security number, please put 000-00-0000.
Always round to the nearest dollar amount and never put in commas or decimal points.
Enter your income information from your tax return, not your W2.
When asked about the number of people in your household, include the student, yourself and your spouse/significant other, any siblings (under 24) and other people — if they currently live with you and you provide more than half of their support and will continue to do so.
When asked about the number in your household who will attend college, include your child and any of their siblings under 24, but do not include yourself or your spouse/significant other.
Only the student needs to be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen to file the FAFSA. Parents do not have to be.
You can list up to 10 colleges on your FAFSA. Seton Hall’s FAFSA code is 002632.
Male students must be registered with selective services to receive financial aid.
If parents are divorced, provide information for the parent with whom the student lives more than 50 percent of the time. If this parent is remarried, step-parent info must be included as well.
You must sign your FAFSA in order for it to be processed. You can do so using the PIN you created when starting the FAFSA; if you did not create a PIN, you may print the signature page from the Web site and mail it. Your FAFSA cannot be processed until the signature is received. This can cause serious delays in the receipt of your aid.
To be sure your application went through, you must wait for the confirmation page and your confirmation number at the end of the online process.

We strongly recommend that you use the IRS data retrieval tool when you file your FAFSA.

PirateNet

This is your personalized Seton Hall Web portal. It will have information such as your financial aid package, your bill, your class schedule, etc. Through PirateNet, you will also be able to pay your bill, register for classes and much more. Your username and password for PirateNet are sent to you in early February, if you have submitted your tuition deposit. To submit your tuition deposit, visit www.shu.edu/welcome.

Need

Your financial need is determined by taking your total cost of attendance and subtracting your EFC.

Total Cost of Attendance

Combined direct and indirect costs.

What’s Next: Admitted Student Enrolling Checklist

Please review with your child

Confirm Your Enrollment

Submit the $350 nonrefundable Tuition Deposit (no later than May 1) online at www.shu.edu/welcome.

Submit Your Housing Deposit

If your student plans to live in University housing, submit the nonrefundable $375 housing deposit online by May 1. Housing assignments are made in mid-July.

File the FAFSA (to be eligible for financial aid)

File the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov by November 1 and be sure to list Seton Hall’s federal school code (002632). Financial aid awards are available on PirateNet beginning in March. If you’ve already received your financial aid package, please view our “Understanding Your Financial Aid Package” video for a step-by-step guide through your awards: www.shu.edu/aidvideo.

Attend Pirate Preview

Pirate Preview, our premier accepted student event, is on March 20 and April 11. Register on our Welcome Page, www.shu.edu/welcome. Can’t make this date? Register for an Open House at www.shu.edu/visiting

Access PirateNet

Seton Hall’s online portal, PirateNet, is where you can access your placement tests, financial aid, bills, registration and more. Beginning in March, students who have submitted their deposit will receive an invitation that will include your username and password.

Confirm Your Pirate Adventure (Summer Orientation) Attendance

Once you log in to PirateNet, you can confirm your attendance at Pirate Adventure (Summer Orientation), the mandatory overnight program for all freshmen, where you will meet fellow students and your CAS Advisor, receive a student ID card, complete registration and more. Pirate Adventure dates can be found in your acceptance letter. Commuters and resident students will stay overnight in a residence hall during Pirate Adventure.

Take Your Placement Tests

Some students need to take placement tests in English, math and/or foreign language in order to be placed in the correct course level. These tests must be completed before June 1. You can view your required placement tests on PirateNet.

We will grant you college-level credit for AP exam scores of 4 or above, higher-level IB scores above a grade 5, and college-level courses in which you have earned a C or better. Seton Hall will only transfer up to a maximum of 45 credits earned while you were in high school, of which only 30 can be from examinations. Send official copies of scores and/or transcripts to Seton Hall University, Office of Admissions, 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079.

Submit Health Information

Visit www.shu.edu/health-services and log in to the Student Health Portal to submit the required health information to Health Services.

Submit Health Insurance Waiver

If you already have health insurance and do not want the Seton Hall plan, which is automatically charged to your bill, complete the insurance waiver on PirateNet beginning June.

Accept Your Financial Aid Awards

Starting in March, students who filed the FAFSA and received financial aid awards need to review and accept their awards on PirateNet. If you’ve already received your financial aid package, please view our “Understanding Your Financial Aid Package” video for a step-by-step guide through your awards: www.shu.edu/aidvideo.

Save the Dates

June (Various Dates)

Pirate Adventure Orientation

August 26-27

Move-in Day

August 28-30

New Student Welcome Weekend

August 31

First Day of Classes

For a complete enrolling checklist and to learn more about enrolling, visit www.shu.edu/welcome

Academic Calendar Important Dates

Fall 2026

August 31 Classes Begin
September 7 Labor Day – University Closed
October 12-13 Fall Break – No Classes
November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess – University Closed
November 25 No Classes
December 14 Last Day of Classes
December 15 Reading Day
December 16-22 Final Exams

Spring 2027

January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday – University Closed
January 20 Classes Begin
March 1-6 Spring Break
March 25-26 Holy Thursday, Good Friday University Closed
March 27 Holy Saturday – No Classes
March 29 Easter Monday – No Classes
May 10 Last Day of Classes
May 11 Reading Day
May 12-18 Final Exams

Important Contacts

Academic Resource Center: (973) 761-9108
Admissions Office: (973) 313-6146
Admissions email: [email protected]
Asset Management: (973) 313-6181 | [email protected]
Athletics: (973) 761-9497
Bookstore: (973) 761-9065
Bursar (billing): 1-800-222-7183
Bursar (billing) email: [email protected]
Campus ID cards: (973) 761-9771
Campus Ministry: (973) 761-9545
Career Center: (973) 761-9355
Center for Academic Success (CAS): (973) 761-9740
Center for Academic Success (CAS) email: [email protected]
Counseling and Psychological Services: (973) 761-9500
Dean of Students: (973) 761-9076
Disability Support Services: (973) 313-6003
Educational Opportunity Program: (973) 761-9161
Financial Aid: 1-800-222-7183

Financial Aid email: [email protected]
Gourmet Dining: (973) 761-9559
Health Services: (973) 761-9175
Honors Program: (973) 275-2011
Library: (973) 761-9435
Mailroom: (973) 275-5897
Main Switchboard: (973) 761-9000
Pirate Adventure (Summer Orientation): [email protected]
Office of International Programs: (973) 761-9072
Parking Services: (973) 761-9329
Public Safety: (973) 761-9328
Residence Life: (973) 761-9172
ROTC: (973) 761-9446
Technology Service Desk: (973) 275-2222 | [email protected]
Student Employment: (973) 761-9085
Student Employment email: [email protected]
Student Engagement email: [email protected]

The Seton Hall Parents Program

The Seton Hall Parents Program keeps you informed about campus news, dates to remember, resources to ensure your student’s academic success and a host of exciting events taking place on our campus. On a regular basis, you will receive the parent e-newsletter, invitations to parent-only events, as well as access to our Facebook group and Twitter feed.

In the end, The Parents Program is here to offer you support — as parents and family — so that you can, in turn, provide the necessary guidance, direction and support for your student.

To sign up for the newsletter, follow our social media channels or to learn more about our other programs, visit www.shu.edu/parents.

Planning Your Visit

Families are invited to visit campus through tours, open houses and admitted student events such as Pirate Preview. Visitors can also explore nearby South Orange and New York City.

We know that deciding where to send your child to college is a big step; we want you to know that we are committed to your child’s well-being and success. Seton Hall is a nurturing and supportive environment. If you haven’t done so already, please visit campus and see for yourself. You can come for a tour, an open house or attend Pirate Preview, an event designed exclusively for admitted students, on March 20 and April 11. You can meet faculty, staff and current students and have all your questions answered.

Want to get important information via email, prior to the start of classes, such as information about orientation and registration and more? Make sure we have your email address on file. To provide or update your email address, visit www.shu.edu/updateinfo.

If you are coming from out of town, we recommend that you fly into Newark airport. You can take a taxi from Newark Airport to the South Orange area and stay in one of the hotels closest to campus in West Orange, NJ. Seton Hall is only 14 miles from NYC, so you could stay also in Manhattan. Catch a Broadway show, enjoy Times Square or take in the many museums and cultural activities the Big Apple has to offer. It is easy to get to our campus from NYC. There is direct train service from NY Penn Station to South Orange, NJ, using New Jersey Transit. Once you get off the train in South Orange, it is a short, 10-minute walk directly up South Orange Avenue to our campus. A full listing of hotels, directions to campus as well as a mobile app with a tour of campus and the surrounding area can be found on our Web site at www.shu.edu/visiting.