As you will recall from your own college search, the most influential person you talked with during your college visits were current students. The interaction that you have with prospective students and family members will impact their future interest in Drake and ultimately play a significant role in the student’s decision-making process. 

The goal of the Office of Admission is to articulate and communicate Drake’s mission statement which serves as a promise. As a representative of Drake, it is critical that you know, understand and communicate the tenets of the mission of the University through information and stories. As a member of Cole-ition you will provide tours to families, interact with prospective students, meet Drake staff and students, get service hours, develop speaking skills, and have a great resume builder!

If you are interested fill out this form with your information:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe2jSVnZdysnZkexJTxJPoIDL6qv3DqpPzft26VCVz6OUmn-A/viewform?fce_id=bd75ed72-d919-4544-b0eb-3c0e94ce726b

An informational session will be held on Friday, Sept. 29, from 1:30–2:15 p.m. in Sussman Theatre.

For questions, email admissioncoleition@drake.edu.

— Reed Nenonen, Senior, School of Education

The release of the 2024-2025 FAFSA will be delayed until December 2023 (exact date TBD). The delay is due to the implementation of changes required by the FAFSA Simplification Act. The 2024-2025 FAFSA is the application for need-based assistance and federal student loan programs for the summer 2024, fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters. It is available to students who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens.

The delayed release for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is a one-time occurrence. We expect that future FAFSA releases (2025-2026 year and beyond) will return to an October 1 release date. When the exact release date for the 2024-2025 FAFSA is known, an update will be provided.

The changes include modifications to the formula that calculates the Student Aid Index (SAI) (previously known as the Estimated Family Contribution, or EFC). We anticipate that some students’ financial aid eligibility for 2024-2025 will be impacted by these changes. Therefore, we encourage students to use the Federal Student Aid Estimator (available now) to determine how their estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) for 2024-2025 compares with their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) for this current year (2023-2024).

The Financial Aid Office is committed to helping students understand and plan for any changes in their financial aid eligibility.

— Ryan Zantingh, Director of Financial Aid

If you’ve been considering the idea of studying abroad next Spring, the deadline for the DU Spain program in Seville has been extended until Sept. 15. This unique semester program includes a cohort of Drake students with Faculty-in-Residence: Prof. Matthew Hayden. He will be teaching Cultural Diffusion: Values in Art and Architecture.

INFORMATION SESSION: To meet Professor Matthew Hayden and to learn more from the Global Engagement Office, attend one of two information sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 12-1 p.m. or 4:30-5:30 p.m. in Cowles Library, Room 201.

In addition, students will learn alongside peers from Spain and other countries at a local university. Take coursework in English, Spanish, or a combination, depending on the program you select. You can earn credit toward your major(s), minor(s) and AOI(s)! Students will have the opportunity to live with a Spanish family at their Seville home or live in a Residencia (similar to an apartment). Learn more here or start an application in Terra Dotta.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement

Are you unsure what the difference is between your Dining Dollars and Bulldog Bucks?  Dining Dollars are funds that are a part of your meal plan.  They are intended for on-campus dining.  You can use these funds at the Olmsted Starbucks, Hubbell Dining Hall, Spike’s Convenience Store (Lower Hubbell), the Library Cafe (in Midnight Hall), or at Concessions in the Knapp Center.

Dining Dollars are loaded at the start of the fall semester, and will carry forward to the end of the spring semester.  You’ll want to use these funds before you leave for home in the summer.

Bulldog Bucks are an optional account, also on your ID card, that you (or your family) load funds to as desired.  These funds carry forward from year to year until you leave Drake, and can be used both on and off campus.

Bulldog Bucks can be used for any on campus dining location (listed above), and can also be used at the Drake Bookstore, at campus printers, in the campus mailroom, at participating off campus locations, and on the GrubHub app.

Funds can be added online in the myDrake portal, or at www.acceptinglocations.com/drake.  You can also see the participating off campus merchants at this link.  Please note that the off campus merchants cannot take your Dining Dollars, they can only take Bulldog Bucks.

If you have any questions about your Dining Dollars or meal plan, feel free to contact dining@drake.edu.  If you have any questions about your Bulldog Bucks account, contact studentservices@drake.edu.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

Golf: For Business & Life is back. The class is designed for students to learn the basics of golf.  For more information, visit: www.drake.edu/recservices/golfforbusinessandlife

Register by Sept. 7 at: https://forms.gle/LnMgvW413t4xfxay7.

For questions, contact Lisa Murphy at lisa.murphy@drake.edu.

— Lisa Murphy, Rec Services

You can get textbooks and course materials quickly with free two-day shipping to the Bulldog Shop when you order online at drake.ecampus.com.

Need quicker access? Go digital! Choose an eBook option at checkout and easily access everything in your personalized Digital Bookshelf.

Don’t want to commit to something permanent? We’ll save you up to 80% on textbook rentals. Amazon no longer offers rentals, but we do! Drake University’s Online Bookstore has the guaranteed right books that your professor chose.

Need help ordering? Follow our 6-step instructions guide HERE to get started.

— The Bulldog Shop

A new, special event is happening this fall called “A Room Full of Sisters.” It is being held Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Olmsted and is open to undergraduate women+ students (the plus indicates any students who identify as or have been socialized as women).

This event will provide resources on navigating a PWI (predominantly white institution), relationships, finances, graduate school, and intergenerational conversations among women. Guest speakers will feature faculty, staff and students from Drake. It’s a wonderful opportunity to grow and learn ways to strengthen your relationships and future.

This event is free, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. A limited number of spots are available. Register here.

Sponsored by the Dean of Students Office, Broadlawn’s Counseling Center, Office of Community Engaged Learning & Service, and Office of Campus Equity & Inclusion.

— Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning & Service

The deadline to apply to study abroad for Spring or J-Term 2024 is Friday, Sept. 1. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend a life-changing semester in one of the numerous destinations Drake students can study.

To explore what exciting opportunities are available, check out the Study Abroad Fair happening Thursday, Aug. 31. Join us in Olmstead at the Pomerantz Stage area from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to explore programs, ask questions, and hear from other students who have had life-changing experience while studying abroad. There will be snacks & an opportunity to take photos. Be sure to sign in when you arrive to be entered for a chance to win Bulldog Bucks!

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement