Frequently Asked Questions

The following are "frequently asked questions" regarding Welcome Week at SMSU.

General Questions

Q:

When should I buy my books?

A:

The Barnes & Noble Campus Store will be open during Welcome Week for new students to purchase their books. Students may rent or buy new or used books from the Barnes & Noble Campus Store, and digital books may be available. The bookstore will match BN.com and Amazon prices. (stipulations apply)

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Q:

How do I use my Mustang Money?

A:

You can now load Mustang Money on your Mustang ID card and use it just like CASH to purchase anything at the Barnes & Noble Campus Store, The Mustang Zone, all campus food venues, including the restaurant, Coffee House and convenience stores, even snack vending machines. You can also increase your print quota at the TRC, which can be used at the Cashier’s Window. Mustang Money is the easy way to make purchases on campus without carrying cash. For more information or to add more Mustang Money, visit www.smsu.edu/mustangcard

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Q:

Are there things to do on campus after Welcome Week?

A:

Yes! Welcome Week is just the beginning! Different groups will offer programming throughout the year, ranging from concerts to game nights to service projects. Your RA will also host programs in your Residence Hall, and you’re invited to attend programs in other halls as well. Don’t be afraid to try something new!

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Q:

When do we need our parking permit? What is the cost, and where can we purchase it?

A:

Starting in Fall Semester 2023, parking permits will no longer be required in most parking lots on the SMSU campus. Parking permits will be needed for the Foundation Residence Apartments (FRA) Lot E and for reserved parking spaces in each lot. Students looking to purchase a parking permit for the FRA Lot should go to the Cashier's Window.

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Q:

How and when do we get our student IDs?

A:

Students can come to campus anytime between now and the start of class to get their Mustang ID. Call (507) 537-6573 to see how you can get your Mustang ID mailed to you. Once on campus during Welcome Week, at the Mustang Card Center (Student Center) and a second Mustang Card station (Conference Center), the student will need a form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, high school ID, or passport, to verify their identity.

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Q:

What are the definitions of delivery methods?

A:

Students should go to the class descriptions in e-services and read what each class is for. To find definitions of each delivery method, go to: https://www.smsu.edu/campuslife/registrationrecords/registration/index.htm.l.

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Financial Aid Questions

Q:

How to find a job on campus?

A:

First, check whether you have been awarded work-study, which is granted through the FAFSA. You can find your award letter under the “Financial Aid” tab on e-services. Campus job openings for both work-study and regular pay will be posted on the Financial Aid website. It is up to you to contact the departments or areas of interest and ask whether they have any jobs available. Check the SMSU Dining Services website for additional job opportunities.

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Q:

How do I get paid for the work-study hours I work?

A:

All student workers are paid via direct deposit into their bank accounts. You will receive a direct deposit every two weeks for the hours you worked. Most students work an average of 8-10 hours per week and get paid $10.00 per hour.

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Q:

When will the overage from my financial aid become available?

A:

All financial aid funds will be applied first to the charges on your account. Students who expect an overage are encouraged to submit their Direct Deposit information online. Any remaining funds will begin being directly deposited into your bank account (savings or checking). If you did not sign up for Direct Deposit, a printed overage check will be mailed from SMSU to your school address on file. Return to Top

Q:

How do we know if we have met the minimum payment criteria for the fall semester?

A:

The minimum payment criteria must be met. If a student has a FAFSA on file, a scholarship accepted, a payment plan in place, or a down payment, the minimum criteria have been met.

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Q:

Can we charge the cost of books to our financial aid?

A:

We encourage students to order their books at any time. Books can be charged to their financial aid or student account after a date to be announced near the start of the semester. Go to https://smsu.bncollege.com/shop/smsu/page/find-textbooks to order books through Barnes & Noble. The final day to charge books to your financial aid will be announced as well.

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Dining Questions

Q:

When do meal plans start?

A:

Meals from your dining plan can be used in the Residential Restaurant located in the Student Center. The meal plan week runs from Saturday through Friday. Your meal plan will start over each week. Your meals do not carry over from week to week.

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Q:

Can I change my meal plan if it is not right for me?

A:

YES. Meal plan changes for the spring semester can be made during the last two weeks of the fall semester through the first two weeks of spring classes. These requests must be submitted in writing to the Mustang Card Center on the second floor of the Student Center.

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Q:

What are Dining Dollars & how do I use them?

A:

Dining Dollars is the money associated with the meal plan that allows you to use your meal plan allocation outside of Residential Dining. Dining Dollars can be used at all food service locations, both retail and Residential Dining (however, meal plan swipes will be used in Res Dining before Dining Dollars). Dining Dollars roll over from the 1st to the 2nd semester, are tax-free, and can be added to your account at any time.

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Housing Questions

Q:

When do we move in, and where do we go?

A:

Students will receive an email in their smsu.edu account with a link to choose a move-in time. The smsu.edu email accounts should be checked often, as updates will be posted as soon as they are available. Temporary parking is available on Birch Street as you move in. To accommodate all students moving in, please move your vehicle once it is empty. You can park in the lots located on the East and West ends of campus. Please be sure not to park in a “Reserved” spot.

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Q:

How often will the residence halls/campus buildings and bathrooms be cleaned?

A:

The residence halls and other campus buildings are cleaned and disinfected once per day, and restrooms are cleaned and disinfected twice per day, in accordance with MDH and CDC guidelines. A CDC-approved quaternary disinfectant is applied during sanitization. Bathroom cleaning is the residents’ responsibility in Sweetland and Foundation Residence Apartments. All public spaces, such as lounges, laundry facilities, hallways, etc., will be cleaned by SMSU staff.

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Q:

What can we bring to our residence hall room?

A:

A list of items to bring is provided. Please go to: https://www.smsu.edu/resources/webspaces/admission/images/reslife_moveininfosheet-3-20.pdf

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Q:

How do I find information on lofting my bed?

A:

Residents in Sweetland Hall, El Dorado, Kamasutra, Sirius, and Titan need to contact the Housing office.

Students in all other traditional halls need to contact College Products https://www.collegeproducts.com/store/smsu/

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