FAQs

Online registration or mailed registration must be received no later than June 1st to guarantee participation in the Reader's Workshop . Students registering after June 1st will be required to pay the full amount at the time of registration. Applicants for financial aid must apply by May 15th to be guaranteed consideration for financial aid. Applications for financial aid received after May 15th will only be considered if funds are available

The workshop welcomes and looks forward to working with students of every level of ability and interest and registration will be first come first served. Applicants must be entering grades 9 - 12 in the Fall to be accepted. 

An automatic email will be generated at the time of registration indicating that the student has been registered in the workshop. This email will include basic information about your registration and function as a receipt.  In June you will receive further information about the workshop and a request that you complete and return the health form if you have not already done so.

$575 for Resdient

$475 for Commuter

Residential students will receive three meals per full day, served in Lottie Nelson dining hall.

Commuter Students will receive lunch and dinner in Lottie Nelson dining hall.

Meals are through lunch on Thursday, Day 5. A presentation of your work with a reception for students and parents will include light refreshments on Thursday afternoon.

Students will live in air-conditioned residence hall rooms shared with one roommate of the same sex. Males and females will be located on separate floors and will have a dorm counselor to supervise activities.

Students will have access to Messiah University's facilities and scenic grounds including the tennis courts, outdoor fitness course, volleyball courts, library, computer facilities and outdoor athletic facilities. Due to athletic camps, students will not have access to the indoor gym and pool.

Students will be provided with necessary books and materials to use during the workshop.

A limited number of need based full and partial tuition scholarships are available. Students interested in a scholarship should complete the online application.  Registration must be completed to be considered for a scholarship.

Cash is not absolutely required and students are encouraged to limit the amount of cash they bring to campus. However, there will be opportunities to spend money during the course of the workshop and students will likely feel they need some cash on hand. They will have access to Messiah University vending machines and to the bookstore, as well as to the coffee shop on campus.

You may pay either the full amount or a $50 refundable deposit at the time of registration.

• You may pay online by credit card, or by check through the mail.
• The full balance of the registration fee is required by June 1st to guarantee participation.
• If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be provided instruction to mail the remaining balance due (online payment will not be an option for scholarship recipients).

Full refunds are available until June 1st. After June 1, full or partial refunds will be available only in cases of documented medical or family emergencies.

You will be notified in the event that your child falls ill or is injured. If your child falls ill and requires medical attention, the staff of the Readers' Workshop will follow the instructions that you provide on the health form you will submit before the workshop begins. Public safety staff members on campus are trained in basic emergency procedures and can transport students to nearby medical facilities in cases of emergency.

The dorm counselor will collect for safekeeping medications that you specify on the health form. The dorm counselor will distribute medications to students per the instructions given on the health form.

Please be sure and inform us on the health form if your child has a disability that requires any kind of special accommodation. Messiah University is a disability-friendly campus. The buildings that we will be using as part of workshop are designed to be accessible. We will not have staff specifically trained in dealing with students with disability, but we are committed to making sure that all students experience a safe, fun, and productive learning environment, and will do all in our power to ensure that such an environment is created.

Students are welcome to bring their own sporting equipment; however, skateboards and in-line skates are prohibited on campus.

All students should bring writing tools such as pen or pencil.  We will provide you with a journal, but you are welcome to bring additional notebooks or journals if you wish.

Students are not required to bring laptops.  If you do bring a laptop, you are responsible to keep it secure.

Sheets, a blanket, towels, and a pillow will be provided. A pillowcase is not provided.  You may bring your own from home if you prefer.  You will also need a bathrobe and shower shoes for the dorm showers. 

The campus bookstore sells basic amenities for students' toiletry needs.

The workshop is designed to accommodate both residential and commuter students

At the orientation on Sunday (Day One) you will be given a time and place to drop your commuter student off.  They should plan to stay on campus throughout the day. Commuter students may choose to leave any time after the end of the afternoon session. However, please note that the program is designed with planned evening activities. To receive the full benefit of the program, commuter students should plan to stay through the end of the evening activities, typically slated to end by 9:00pm and no later than 9:30pm.

Commuter students with cars and licenses may drive to campus, though we encourage students to leave their cars at home. Students who drive themselves should park in the visitor’s parking lot between the Eisenhower and Old Main buildings. Students who drive are prohibited from giving rides to residential students, and may not drive during the course of the day unless parents provide instructions to allow this for special purposes such as doctor appointments. Failure to abide by this condition may result in dismissal from the program at the discretion of the director.