Copy
THE ARCH | summer HERE. the world AWAY.
Spring Term Preparations | December 7, 2020

Memorandum
The Arch Semester Away Selection »
Semester-Away Selection – December 11, 2020

Beginning December 11 when you log into SIS, you will be prompted to choose your semester-away preference for your junior year; fall 2021 or in spring 2022. You will not be able to access SIS features until your selection has been made. Review The Arch Institute Policies section to discern if your specific major has a pre-designated semester-away term.

Once your selection is complete, you will receive an Arch notification confirming your semester away. Please be advised that your preferred semester-away selection may be switched if you are a pre-designated major and have selected the wrong term. You may also voluntarily switch the away term, provided it meets the criteria for change according to the guidelines outlined in the
 Semester-Away Changes. If there are any questions, please email thearch@rpi.edu for further assistance.
 The Arch Q&A Session »

Arch Q & A Session
December 8, 2020
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

WebEx: https://rensselaer.webex.com/meet/jacksd5
 
Student Transitions will be hosting a WebEx Q&A session for any sophomore student who has questions pertaining to preparation for The Arch. During this Webex, students will receive a detailed discussion about the following:

  • Current deadlines in place for the spring term
  • Planning for the summer term
  • Planning for your semester-away term
  • Registering an experience in SIS
  • General Q&A
 The Arch Exception Process  »
Arch Exception Review Opens - December 11, 2020.

Please be advised that submitting an Arch exception for review does not automatically grant an exception. If you do receive an exception, it does not remove the away-term requirement. You are still required to complete the away term as a graduation requirement. Please connect with your academic department or the Office of Undergraduate Education at OUE@rpi.edu for more information.
 The Arch Exploration and Planning Course  »
All sophomores will be required to complete the Exploration and Planning course during the spring 2021 term. Any student who receives an Arch exception is still required to complete the course. All students will have access to the modules and instructions at the start of spring term. If there are any questions related to the course, please email CCPD@rpi.edu .

Course Objectives:
Throughout this non-credit course, you will complete a series of assignments. Academic performance will be based on a "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" grade. 
  • Away-semester search strategies
  • Effective resume writing
  • Employment correspondence
  • Interviewing
  • Intentionality with curricular and co-curricular experiences
The Arch Financial Preparations  »
Students receiving need-based grants from Rensselaer and/or any Federal Student Aid Program funding must file a renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each year of enrollment. The FAFSA online application system opens for future year applications on or near October 1 each year (i.e., October 1, 2020 for the 2021-22 academic year which begins with summer semester 2021). We encourage you to file your renewal FAFSA for The Arch summer semester accurately and in a timely manner once the FAFSA online application is available.

Students are asked to file their renewal FAFSA for their Arch year by December 31 of their sophomore year (i.e., December 31, 2020 for the 2021-22 academic year). This will ensure sufficient application processing time so that your anticipated financial aid will appear on The Arch year summer semester initial billing statement in April.

Unless your demonstrated financial need is reduced based on your FAFSA filing, you can expect to receive the same total Rensselaer funded gift aid for two semesters of full-time enrollment during your Arch year. The summer term will be one of the terms, and the other will depend on your student-specific enrollment pattern. Your eligibility for Federal or State grant funding will depend on the results of your FAFSA and State grant renewal application.

 Important Financial Aid Dates:
  • October 1 - FAFSA renewal filing for future year opens online at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa. The FAFSA is also required for renewal of Rensselaer need-based grants.
  • December 31 - FAFSA renewal filing due for Arch students. The FAFSA is also required for renewal of Rensselaer funded need-based grants.
  • March 1 - Begin renewal awarding for Arch Students. The Office of Financial Aid's goal is to have awards processed prior to when the initial bill for summer semester is provided in April.
Billing Dates for Arch Students
  • April 1 - Student bills for summer will be issued. The due date for the bill is April 24.
  • April 1 – Payment plans open for summer plans. Payments will be due May 1, June 1, and July 1.
The Arch Housing Policy »
Living on campus is a critical component of The Arch summer experience. All students are required to live on campus and have a campus meal plan during the summer semester. No residential exceptions will be granted to live in the Greek Commons or leased apartments during The Arch summer semester. Rensselaer housing is also available for students living on campus during the fall or spring semester of their Arch year.

Within pandemic parameters for the upcoming summer term, we will communicate important transitional information from The Office of Student Living and Learning to ensure safety and security for all Arch students. If there are any questions regarding the on-campus experience, please email
 sll.rpi.edu. 
The Arch will provide additional opportunities for you to develop the leadership, real-world experience, and communication skills to be successful in our ever-increasing global economy. We'll see you at The Arch Q & A Session on December 8, 2020!
 The Arch Resources »
Academic Resources »
Rensselaer Catalog
Student Life Resources »
The Student Experience
Online Resources »
The Arch Website
The Center for Career and Professional Development 

 
Have questions? Email us at thearch@rpi.edu
Facebook
Link
Website
Copyright © 2020, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. All rights reserved.

Mailing Address:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
110 8th Street | Troy, NY 12180

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.