Michigan Competitive Scholarship or Tuition Grant reduction
As you may have seen in the news media, the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority (MHEAA) recently reduced the maximum Michigan Competitive Scholarship or Tuition Grant award from $2,100 to $1,610. This decision by the state to further reduce financial aid funding is deeply disappointing and costly to the college and to over 1,200 of our students. As a result of this budget cut, Calvin students who were initially awarded the full $2,100 as their Estimated Michigan Scholarship or Grant will see a reduction in this award to $1,610. Students who were awarded lesser amounts in this program may also experience adjustments. While Calvin would like to offset the funds that the state has unexpectedly taken away, our very tight budget cannot accommodate this.
An email with additional details has been sent to our 1,200+ Michigan students who are impacted by this. The text of that communication can be found here. Over the next several weeks our financial aid staff will make these revisions to student’s financial aid awards and will be meeting with many students to consider alternative options. Please be in prayer for our Michigan families and encourage them to contact our scholarships and financial aid office.
Thank you,
Russell Bloem
Vice President for Enrollment Management 
Calvin Symposium on Worship retelling "The Great Stories"
The Calvin Symposium on Worship will be held January 28 - 30, 2010, and is an annual worship conference on the campus of Calvin College & Calvin Theological Seminary. At this event, worshipers and worship leaders from around the world gather for a time of fellowship, worship, and learning together. Morning and evening worship services are held in Calvin's new Van Noord Arena (*please note this correction*) and are free and open to the public (no registration needed). Those worship services will feature "The Great Stories" of the Old Testament.
Thursday morning: Genesis 4:1-16 Cain and Abel: Dr. Neal Plantinga
Thursday evening: Genesis 22 The Testing of Abraham: Dr. Marva Dawn
Friday morning: Exodus 2:1-10 Moses Rescued from the River Nile: Rev. Laura Truax
Friday evening: I Samuel 3:1-21 The Call of Samuel: Dr. Frank Thomas
Saturday morning: 2 Sam 11 David, Bathsheba and Uriah: Dr. Mariano Avila
Saturday evening: I Kings 18:16-39 Elijah on Mount Carmel: Dr. Richard Mouw
There are also ten in-depth seminars on Thursday and over 70 workshops each day on Friday and Saturday, offered by more than 80 presenters. You can find out more and register on the Symposium Web site.
Siblings Weekend, February 26-28, 2010
Mark your calendar for the Siblings Weekend on February 26-28, which provides your Calvin student an opportunity to share the Calvin experience with a younger sibling, cousin, family friend, etc. The cost is $22 per guest, which includes meals in the dining halls and admission to a number of fun activities and events planned for Siblings Weekend. For additional information, visit the Siblings Weekend site which is the only way to register and pay.
Older siblings (grades 10-12) should note that Siblings Weekend 2010 is also a Fridays at Calvin visit weekend.
The January Series
For over twenty years The January Series has been the leading lecture/cultural arts series in the country. The diversity of presenters and topics has changed as the world of ideas has changed. No issue of importance to a great Christian liberal arts college founded on Reformed, biblical principles has been too controversial or too hot to handle. Why? Because at Calvin we have been taught to think with discernment and thoughtful skepticism. We know this is God's creation and each of us is created in His image so it follows we need to engage that world, learn about it, from it and in some cases confront it.
Career development office
Are you the parent of a senior student? Are you concerned about your son or daughter obtaining an entry-level position in the midst of today’s competitive job market? Encourage your student to visit the career development office. Career counselors are available to assist students develop a job search plan, create a resume, and practice interviewing skills. Students can call 616.526.6485 or stop by the career development office (372 Hekman Library) to set up an appointment. More resources are also available at www.calvin.edu/career/.
Student treat for Valentine's Day
The Valentine Treat features a BPA free 24oz stainless steel maroon water bottle, imprinted with a gold Calvin logo, and filled with treats and a $5 certificate for use at Johhny's Cafe. The treat costs $25. The Valentine Treat is included in the Year of Treats. The order deadline is Tuesday, February 2 and this gift will be delivered to students on Wednesday, February 10. Remember that you can surprise your student with the popular "Pizza and a Movie" treat ($25), which can be ordered anytime and often! "Pizza and a Movie" features a certificate for a large two-topping pizza (delivery), a bag of popcorn, and a Blockbuster® gift card! For more information please visit the Student Treats site.
ReCommend Calvin by January 15 for prizes!
Any Calvin parent who encourages a prospective student and/or parent of a prospective student to consider Calvin and records that conversation on the www.calvin.edu/go/recommend site by Jan. 15 will receive a Calvin coffee card, good for a free cup at either Johnny's, the Fish House, or the Spoelhof Cafe on campus. The list of students that have won prizes from the student-referral incentive campaign is live on the site now.
Parents who participate will also be enrolled in a drawing to win free textbooks for their son or daughter for the next semester (2 sets @ up to $450 each)! We hope this inspires you to "tell your Calvin story" and encourage other families to carefully consider Calvin. Remember, this offer is good until January 15, 2010.
Check the Parent Calendar for important dates
Bookmark the Parent Calendar page to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:
Jan. 5: Tuition, room and board payment due; on-campus housing opens 10 a.m.
Jan. 6: Interim term begins 8 a.m.
Jan. 18: Last day to drop interim courses; last day to change interim courses from credit to audit
Jan. 26: Interim ends 5 p.m. (Travel Advice)
Feb. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due (1st of each month); first day of spring semester (classes begin at 8 a.m.)
Feb. 3: ReGathering: Opening Convocation (9:50-10:50 a.m.)
Feb. 5: Last day to add full and first-half semester courses
Campus Events: You Are Invited!
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