Friends & Families
I am a Titan Supporter!
Titan Supporters are the family and friends of CCBC students, and the encouragement you offer makes a real difference.
Students whose families understand the changes ahead tend to begin college with more confidence and stay on track toward graduation. Knowing what’s normal, what tends to be hard and who on campus can help puts you in a good position to support your Titan.
This guide follows the same path your student is on: Start Strong, Stay Strong, Finish Stronger.
Friends & Family Newsletter
Three times a year we send a Family and Friends Newsletter with important information you may want to know! If you are not already receiving the newsletter, sign up now!
Start Strong
The first few weeks matter. Your student is building new routines, meeting new people and getting a feel for what college asks of them.
What the first few weeks look like
Expect a few bumps. Second thoughts, nerves about meeting new people, disappointment over a first grade and shifting relationships at home are all common early in the semester, and they rarely mean anything is wrong.
Students who settle in quickly tend to do four things: set clear goals, treat college as a chance to explore what comes next, manage their own time and use campus resources early. You can help by reminding your student what they’re good at and talking through problems as soon as they come up. If something can’t be solved at home, there are plenty of people on campus who can.
A heads-up about FERPA
How can students give family and friends access to their education records?
Student privacy is very important, and it’s protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). It doesn’t mean you can’t get access to students information; it just means there are steps that your student needs to take to grant you access.
Students can complete the FERPA waiver electronically through MYCCBC. Please log in to http://my.ccbc.edu/ics/ and click the Student Tab, and then e-forms.
High School vs. College in short
| High School | College | |
|---|---|---|
|
Your time |
Attendance is mandatory. Your day is structured by other people. |
Attendance is voluntary. Students manage their own time. |
|
The calendar |
One 36-week year; most classes run the whole way through. |
Two 15-week terms, plus 10-week, 7-week, winter mini-mester and summer options. |
|
Scheduling |
A counselor schedules most classes. Requirements are the same for everyone. |
Students build their own schedule with an advisor. Requirements vary by major, so check the degree audit in MyCCBC. |
|
Instructors |
Teachers remind students about assignments and due dates. |
Professors expect students to read and keep the syllabus, which spells out what’s due and how it’s graded. They also expect students to come to office hours. |
|
Studying |
Maybe 0–2 hours a week, often right before a test. |
Two to three hours outside class for every hour in class. |
|
Testing |
Frequent, usually covering a chapter or unit, with review sessions. |
Infrequent and often cumulative, sometimes only 2 or 3 tests all semester. |
*Assignments can be due during the first week of classes, so it helps to mention that before the semester starts
Stay Strong
Support from the sidelines
One of the hardest parts of supporting a college student is watching them struggle with something you could fix in five minutes. Real growth happens when students work through their own roadblocks, and that’s where confidence, resilience and independence start to build.
The next time your student asks you to do something an adult can do, or you feel the urge to solve a problem you’re not directly part of, it’s worth pausing on the difference between empowering and doing.
When they do want to talk through a rough class, useful questions include: Have you talked to the professor? How much time are you putting in outside class? Where and when are you studying? Have you tried an Academic Coach or a study group? Is there one specific thing tripping you up?
“In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.”
-Abraham Maslow
Getting Involved
Students who feel like they belong on campus tend to do better academically and are more likely to graduate. Encourage your Titan to join something that fits their interests, and help them build a schedule that leaves room for it.
You’re welcome on campus too. Community Day, Titan Trick or Treat and home athletics events are all open to families.
Where Students go for Help
Academic Coaches
Free one-on-one and group tutoring in math, accounting, English and science, plus help with time management, note-taking, test prep and writing.
Learning Resources Center, Building 9
Mental Health Counseling
A counselor is available at no charge for confidential conversations about anything getting in the way of school.
Student Resource Center
Home of the Wellness Store: non-perishable food, personal hygiene items, school supplies and clothing, available to any CCBC student.
Access-Ability Center Coaches
Accommodations for students with disabilities, and support for students who speak English as a second language. Documentation from a licensed professional is required.
Act 101 & Keys
Pennsylvania programs that connect students with advising, career planning, tutoring and mentoring. ACT 101 serves students who meet academic and economic guidelines, and KEYS supports TANF and some SNAP recipients.
Veterans Services
Support for military and veteran students, whether they’re serving now or transitioning to civilian life.
Library
More than 37,000 titles, research databases, major newspapers, bookable study rooms, a makerspace and a podcast studio, plus access to 12 county libraries.
MyCCBC
Registration, tuition payments, financial aid status, grades, the Student Handbook, RAVE alerts and the graduation application are all in one place. If your student only bookmarks one link, make it this one.
Help Desk
Our Help desk is here to assis students with any technology needs. Accessing Blackboard, My.CCBC, passwords or other computer trouble.
Learning Resource Center, Building 9
Contact: helpdesk@ccbc.edu
Finish Stronger
Careers, transfer plans and the day your student walks across the stage.
Career and Transfer
Career Coach is a free online tool for every CCBC student. If your Titan is still deciding, it starts with an assessment. If they already know the direction, it helps narrow a program choice and build a résumé. Students sign in with their CCBC login.
Planning on a bachelor’s degree? Transfer Services can help map which credits carry over, ideally before your student registers.
After the Degree
Graduating makes your Titan a CCBC alum for life. The CCBC Foundation is where alumni stay connected, and where scholarship support for future Titans comes from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I view my student bill?
Bills are no longer mailed. To access a bill, students must log into myccbc.edu and click the “student” tab to access their bill, schedule, and more.
How do I find out about Supportive Services?
Visit www.ccbc.edu/wellness for a list of services we provide.
How does my student get their ID?
ID’s will be given to all new students who attend NSO in-person. Everyone else may visit www.ccbc.edu/student-ids.
Do I need to reapply for the FAFSA?
Yes, the FAFSA covers 1 Academic Year. An Academic year is Fall, Spring, Summer
I need more loans than the government will allow. What other options do I have?
You can look for an alternative/private student loan source. You can use this site to compare loan servicers: www.elmselect.com and where it says to search school type in Community College of Beaver County
How do I know how much Financial Aid I am receiving? Do I get an offer letter?
You can view this information on your CCBC Financial Aid Portal (You must have a CCBC username and password) to access https://login.microsoftonline.com/dba82949-dcf9-4fe3-b3f2-0a1a54d4a927/saml2
How much is this going to cost me?
We have a Net Price Calculator that you can use that will help you determine your cost of education per semester, year or even the whole program based on the information that you provide. Community College of Beaver County | Meadow Net Price Calculator
How would we find out if we qualify for the work study program?
You can find more information about our work study program on our Career and Transfer site. Work Study – Community College of Beaver County
How do I set up an appointment for tutoring?
To best fit your needs, we offer appointments with academic coaches, as well as an after-hours online service. You can find complete details here: Academic Coaches & Tutoring | Student Success | CCBC
My child had an IEP in high school, can they get help at CCBC?
Yes, they can bring their IEP into our Access-Ability Center located in the library and meet with staff. They can also call 724-480-3502 or email access.ability@ccbc.edu.
We're Here to Help You Stay Strong!
Office of Student Life
- 724-480-3630
- Student.life@ccbc.edu
- Lower Level, Building 1 - SSC (Student Services Center)
- Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
