November 2024 Newsletter

Featured Stories

Thank you

Family Weekend Recap

This past weekend we had over 4500 attendees for the 2024 Fall Family Weekend. Check out photos from the weekend and be sure to submit your feedback by November 29.

Division of Financial Aid (DFA) FAFSA updates

Current students interested in receiving financial aid (including federal educational loans) at Purdue University for the 2025-2026 academic year must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Due to ongoing changes with the implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act the 2025-2026 FAFSA release will be delayed to December 2024.

The 2025-26 FAFSA will look two years back at 2023 tax data. This will allow most students and their family contributors to have their income information downloaded directly into the FAFSA from their already completed 2023 IRS tax records. For maximum aid consideration, students/family contributors should complete a FAFSA by Purdue’s April 15, 2025 priority filing date, using School Code 001825. Students/contributors submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov/. Dependent students and at least one parent must each have a Federal Student Aid Account (FSA ID) to complete the FAFSA process. Learn more about creating an FSA Account and other helpful hints at Federal Student Aid.

tree lighting poster

Purdue's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

The holidays are just around the corner! Celebrate the arrival of the PMU tree on Friday, November 22 between 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Families are also invited to join Purdue’s beloved tradition as we light up the Memorial Union’s tree on November 25th. Come out and enjoy an unforgettable evening of celebration and community as we kick off the start of the holiday season!

Purdue trustees approve 2025-26 housing and dining rates with a continued focus on affordability, flexibility and sustainability

Recognizing the continued strong demand for affordable, on-campus room and board, the Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Oct. 4) approved housing and dining rates for the 2025-26 academic year. Trustees approved a tiered increase in housing rates, with 79% of beds increasing by less than $50 per month. Rate increases allow for continued reinvestment in student support, enhanced facilities and common spaces, residence hall wireless Internet upgrades, and sustainable increases in future capacity. Read more.

New music rehearsal space opens for students

The Hall of Music Productions and Purdue Convocations teams have opened a new ensemble rehearsal space, known as JamSpace, that is now available to registered Purdue students. With the goal of supporting the local live music scene’s growth, the Hall of Music has conducted the initial transformation of a former video studio and band instrument locker space in the lower level of the building to become a rehearsal home for musical ensembles. The space is outfitted with guitar and bass amps, a keyboard, drum kit and a small PA system. Read more.

Purdue best globally ranked university in Indiana in latest Times Higher Education rankings

Purdue University’s research prowess and enhanced global reputation continue to earn recognition. Purdue rose to No. 79 globally and No. 32 in the U.S. in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, released Oct. 9. Improving seven spots worldwide from the 2024 rankings, Purdue also matched an all-time high by coming in at No. 13 among all U.S. public universities. Read more.

Executive in Residence spring break trip leads to summer internship

A spring break trip might not be the first place one would think to find an internship, but a trip to San Francisco with University Residences’ Executive in Residence provided the connection Purdue sophomore Laju Eribo was looking for to obtain her summer internship. Read more.

Host-A-Boiler 2024 for Thanksgiving Break sign up is open!

The Host-A-Boiler program provides the opportunity for international students who will be in the local area during Thanksgiving or winter break to be hosted for a meal or other activity by a community resident. Purdue faculty, staff, community residents, and international students may sign up for this program. Interested students will be matched with local hosts, and the hosts will provide one-time meet ups for a cultural or family holiday event or meal. The date and location will be determined by the host. Hundreds of students have participated in Host-a-Boiler, and we hope you can join us too! Registration for Thanksgiving Break will close on November 15. Registration for Winter Recess Host-A-Boiler will open in December.

Don't miss Winter Session Registration

Registration is open for Winter Session, running from Monday, December 16, 2024 to Friday, January 3, 2025. All courses will be offered online asynchronously, with no on-campus classes.

Winter Session is a great opportunity to earn three credits in just three weeks. This will lighten your student's spring course load, work toward completing a second major, minor or certificate. Students may take one 3-credit course during this term.

Students are encouraged to discuss winter course options with their academic advisor during their spring registration advising appointment. The Winter 2024 schedule of classes is in their myPurdue portal.

For more information, visit the Winter Session website.

Commencement Corner

As a reminder, there is a dedicated website for Purdue Commencement providing Key Dates, Ticketing Information, Parking Information and many other helpful tips as your student prepares for Commencement

Winter 2024

Division I -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET

College of Agriculture (including Agricultural and Biological Engineering)
College of Health & Human Sciences
College of Pharmacy
College of Veterinary Medicine
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business

Division II -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. ET

College of Education
College of Liberal Arts
College of Science
Polytechnic Institute

Division III -- Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET

College of Engineering (excluding Agricultural and Biological Engineering)

Dates

November 27-30, Thanksgiving break

December 9-14, final exams

December 14, fall term ends

December 15, winter commencement