We are so excited you are joining the Vanderbilt community! Learn more about key due dates and deadlines for parents and families, what you should be doing this summer to help prepare your student for move-in, and advice on the college transition.
This isn’t just a substantial change for your student—it’s also a major transition for your family. Vanderbilt Parent & Family Programs is here to offer support, guidance, and information on resources every step of the way. Reach out to us anytime: parents@vanderbilt.edu or at (877) 887-2736.
Parents and Family Commodore Connection Newsletters
Over the summer, the Parents and Family office will send dedicated emails to incoming families, each with valuable information about your student’s upcoming arrival on campus. Starting in October of your student’s incoming year, you will receive a monthly newsletter that goes to all undergraduate parents until your student’s graduation.
Starting in May, if you are not receiving our monthly Commodore Connection newsletters, please fill out this form or email us at parents@vanderbilt.edu and we will add you to our distribution list.
Information Sessions
Residential Colleges will host informational webinars during the summer to help families and students prepare for their arrival. Webinar information will also be shared in the Incoming Families Commodore Connection newsletters.
First-Year Families and Students
- Learn more about the First-Year Webinar Series on the Res. Colleges website.
- Watch last year's Parent & Family Orientation here
Transfer Families and Students
- Learn more about the Transfer Webinar Series on the Res. Colleges website.
- Watch last year’s Parent & Family Orientation here
International Families and Students
- Learn more about the International Webinar Series on the Res. Colleges website.
- Watch last year’s Parent & Family Orientation here
Health Care Considerations
We encourage your student to arrive to campus with an understanding of:
- Their health insurance plan, including insurance card
- Students are required to have adequate health insurance. Students will automatically be enrolled in Vanderbilt's Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless a waiver is completed and approved. Learn more on the SHIP webpage.
- Their allergies and associated reactions
- The Student Health Center can continue providing care and allergy shots to students who need it. Call to setup an appointment.
- Their medications, including doses
- How to use a thermometer (pack one for them)
Staying in Nashville
Coming to campus for Move-In or for another visit? We’re here to help. Several local hotels offer discounts to our parents and families when they come to visit their students. While there are hundreds of lodging choices in Nashville to fit multiple needs, those closest to the campus will be in the West End neighborhood of Midtown.
Connect with the Vanderbilt Community
Commodore Launch
For more than 50 years, Commodore Launch events have taken place across the country and internationally to welcome incoming undergraduate students and their families into the Vanderbilt community.
As this hallmark series offers many events across the country this summer, there’s sure to be one near you!
Vanderbilt Chapters
As the family of a Vanderbilt student, you are invited to Vanderbilt Chapter events! These events provide a wonderful way to connect alumni, parents, students, and friends worldwide in the name of Vanderbilt. Hard-working volunteers—with assistance from the Alumni Association—plan and implement a full calendar of events and programming for each chartered Chapter.
Become a Vanderbilt Parent Ambassador
Our parent community is a vibrant and critical part of Vanderbilt’s story and success. From supporting your student throughout their time here to financial contributions that help provide essential programming, our parents bolster our community each day.
By being a Vanderbilt Parent Ambassador, parents can be involved where and when they want. We have opportunities in your local area, virtually, and on campus. We hope you will join our team!
Student Account Information
- Tuition, fees, and other university charges incurred prior to or at the beginning of the semester are due and payable by August 31, for the fall semester and by December 31, for the spring semester.
- A billing account will be established through the Office of Student Accounts for each student attending Vanderbilt. The following are examples of standard charges that may appear on the student’s billing account and are payable to Vanderbilt on a per-semester basis:
- Tuition
- Student Support Fee
- Student Health Insurance
- Meal plan
- Housing
- Commodore Cash
- Invoice notifications are sent to the student’s Vanderbilt email address and authorized payer email address(es) on the first business day of each month. Payment is due by 4:00 p.m. CT on the final day of the month. Invoices are not mailed.
- Authorized Payers may be established by granting parents, guardians, or other individuals permission to view and pay the student account through the Billing Portal in YES, under the My Account section. Authorized Payers will receive billing notifications and may make payments on the student’s behalf.
- Students and Guarantors are responsible for payment of all charges not covered by financial aid, as reflected on the Vanderbilt student account statement each semester. If you wish to add a Guarantor, the authorization form can be found here.
- Vanderbilt offers a pre-payment installment plan that allows fall and spring term charges to be paid in five equal installments. Enrollment opens May 1 for the fall term and October 1 for the spring term; enrollment is available for a limited time each semester.
- If you anticipate a financial aid refund, we encourage you to sign up for direct deposit in YES for a quick and secure transfer of funds.