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Parents & Family

Welcome Parents

Dear Parents and Family Members,

We are excited that a member of your family will be a student at New York City College of Technology (City Tech), beginning their classes in just a few days. This year, due to COVID-19 we had to make all orientation programming available online. A few weeks ago, we launched the virtual New Student Connection orientation experience for all incoming students. Now it is your turn.

At City Tech, we recognize the important role that healthy family involvement and understanding play in students achieving academic success. We also know that the start of college is not only an exciting time for our new students, but for their parents and family members as well. We know that students can be more successful when their networks of support - including their parents and family members - help them navigate the challenges of college life.

The entire team in the division of Enrollment and Student Affairs are deeply committed to the belief that students are responsible for their educational experience; at the same time, we know that the stronger the partnership between our students' families and the college, the more successful students will be on their journey to self-reliance and independence.

Logging in to our self-guided learning experience "Parent and Family Welcome and Orientation" is City Tech's virtual opportunity to welcome the families of our incoming students, to introduce you to the many services and programs available to your student and will be a vital step in assisting you as you support your new City Tech student. This important program is one of the first steps you can take to learn about campus resources, to understand the options available for paying college tuition and fees, and the steps City Tech is taking to ensure a student experience that supports the academic, professional and personal development of your student. We encourage you to participate in our online "Parent and Family Welcome and Orientation" as part of the exciting journey your student is just beginning.

Use this link to participate in your welcome and orientation and please feel free to contact us at esar@citytech.cuny.edu if you have additional questions or concerns.

Welcome to the City Tech family!

Warm regards,

Michel A. Hodge,
Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs

Parent & Family Orientation

For the Fall 2020, Parent and Family Orientation is a virtual program geared towards meeting the needs of our incoming students' families. We strive to not only answer questions and provide guidance but to connect family members with key resources in our City Tech community.

Presentation on finances, health and wellness and safety are coupled with sessions featuring current students. These sessions will familiarize you with university resources and help provide guidance on what your students will go through during their time as a City Tech student.

Access to Virtual Orientation

Virtual Orientation is supported through Zoom. You will receive access details and instructions via email one week prior to your session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Parent and Family Orientation is an optional one day program for parent and family members who wish to connect and network with fellow family members while also getting information from various City Tech departments and offices.

Yes. However, certain sessions are geared toward the parents and families of particular students (for example transfer parent and family programs and international parent programs)

Accessing Student Information

Students are encouraged to maintain an ongoing, open dialogue with parents throughout their careers at City Tech about academic progress and personal development. Most student difficulties are resolved at City Tech without involving parents. The University does recognize, however, that there are some exceptional situations where parental involvement may be appropriate to assist a student through a difficult circumstance. Under those circumstances, City Tech may (but is not required to) choose to disclose information to parents if permitted by law.

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), City Tech is permitted to disclose information drawn from education records to parents if one or more parent claims the student as a dependent for federal tax purposes. Some laws, especially those relating to medical and mental health care, prohibit the disclosure of information without the student's consent, even where the student is a tax dependent.

To read more about FERPA, please visit the college's Legal & Compliance page.

Helpful Tips


Financial Aid

If you are assisting in paying for your student's tuition and fees, you will likely have some questions about the processes involved. There are several types of federal aid a student can qualify for and use to finance their college education at City Tech. To determine the amount and type of aid that a student qualifies for, they must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is recommend that a student complete this form each year to determine eligibility for financial awards. Students can complete a FAFSA at studentaid.gov.


Student Health

Becoming a college student is a significant transition for young people and for their parent and family members as well. Whether living on or off campus, students can struggle with many issues — fitting in, making friends, finding social outlets, or missing family and friends back home. Parents can play a role in helping students adjust while also checking in on emotional wellness and what's happening in your student's social scene.

More Tips.


Student Success Tips

Here are some of the top five skills that employers value:

  • Ability to communicate verbally with persons inside and outside the organization
  • Ability to work in a team structure
  • Ability to make decisions and solve problems
  • Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work
  • Ability to obtain and process information