Accelerated students
Accelerated students at Messiah University
Students enrolled in an accelerated program at Messiah University often have questions about how their student status affects housing, dining, financial aid, and campus services. The information below is designed to help you navigate this unique transition as you move from undergraduate to graduate status.
Please review each section carefully and refer to the provided links for detailed instructions and policies. If you have additional questions, contact the appropriate office listed within each topic.
Accelerated Undergrad v. Grad Status
Utilize degree audit (available in FalconLink → Self-Service → Student → Student Records). The student level appears in the top section of the audit.
Housing
Yes, view our On-campus timeline and process page beneath the heading “Accelerated Students Desiring Undergrad Housing” for the complete process.
Yes, view our On-campus timeline and process page beneath the heading “Undergraduate Students Enrolled as Messiah Graduate Students” for the complete process.
Yes, once you are full-time grad status, you can request to live in on-campus graduate housing. You can read more about the timeline and process on our On-campus timeline and process page.
Dining
Yes, see more details on our Dining page.
Yes, and full-time graduate students who purchase a meal plan get 10% off all campus dining purchases. You can read more on our Dining page.
ID Card & Printing
Not once you become full-time grad status – you will need to exchange your undergraduate ID card for your graduate ID card (if your status changes between fall and spring semester, you are strongly encouraged to do this before leaving campus for Christmas break). See additional information on the Falcon Exchange site.
While you are still undergraduate student status, yes. Once you are considered a full-time graduate student, you will need to exchange your undergraduate ID card for a graduate ID card (if your status changes between fall and spring semester, you are strongly encouraged to do this before leaving campus for Christmas break). See instructions on the Falcon Exchange site.
Yes, Winding Hill has Messiah provided printers. Students can upload money onto their ID card to print. Note: graduate students are not given pre-loaded money on their ID cards like undergraduate students are. Printer locations can be found on the Messiah Press site.
Parking
Messiah students can only be issued one parking permit location at a time. If you are undergraduate status, or are a graduate student living on main campus, you should obtain a main campus parking permit at the lot for which you register. If you are living off-campus and attending classes only at Winding Hill, you should request a Winding Hill parking permit. Find additional information and register for parking here.
Student Financial Services
Until you are officially a full-time graduate student, your undergraduate financial aid continues. Once you are a full-time graduate student, your graduate financial aid applies (so long as your FAFSA has been updated to reflect that you are a graduate student).
No – your aid is delineated either undergraduate or graduate (i.e. an undergraduate student taking graduate classes versus a full-time graduate student).
No - if you completed the FAFSA as an undergraduate student and during the same academic year become a graduate student, you will need to update your current FAFSA to show that you are now a graduate student.
As a graduate student, by completing the FAFSA, you could qualify for a Federal Unsubsidized Loan (which can be used toward cost of living expenses, such as rent, food, car expenses, etc.). Be sure your FAFSA specifies that you are a graduate student (this does not happen automatically). The eligibility requirements for receiving federal financial aid can be viewed by visiting StudentAid.gov.
Academic Accessibility
Not automatically. You will need to reach out to the Office of Academic Accessibility via email (oaa@messiah.edu) letting them know that you are now a graduate student at Messiah and requesting for OAA to send you a letter to share with your graduate faculty members. Additionally, you’ll schedule a meeting with Graduate Student Services to discuss academic accessibility resources in graduate school. Email sgpsstudentservices@messiah.edu to schedule.
Follow the helpful steps provided on our Academic Accessibility resources page.
Chapel
Yes, during the semesters where you have undergraduate status – the exception would be if you are enrolled in a graduate course that conflicts with the time of chapel. If there is a class conflict, complete the chapel petition form. Students who are full-time graduate student status, do not have a chapel requirement and are encouraged to attend the optional grad chapels held five times per year at Winding Hill and online.
Club Sports
Yes, both undergraduate and graduate students are invited to participate in/try out for club sports.
Writing Supports
While undergraduate status, the writing center remains available to you. Once full-time graduate status, you are then to utilize graduate writing help.