FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you are like most students who come to Gettysburg Seminary, you have questions. We have compiled our best list of frequently asked questions to help get you started. If your question isn't here, there is a contact email at the bottom of the list. You may also return to the web page for "New Students."

See below for questions about

Registration and related info

Where do I get information before arriving on campus?
Please go to the following link on the LTSG website-
http://www.ltsg.edu/campus/NewStudents.htm
Here you will find      
- Registration information
-Housing information
-Applying for an LTSG email account (required for all students taking at least 6 credits)
-Summer Greek Information and Forms
-Presession information

What Courses do I register for?
The academic catalog is your guide for registering for the appropriate courses.  The requirements for your degree program (and any concentration) are listed in the Degree Program section of the catalog  http://www.ltsg.edu/academics/catalog.htm.  If you have any other questions, you will be assigned an advisor prior to the beginning of the semester.

What do I do if I have transfer work from another school I would like to evaluation?
The Registrar must evaluate course work and get back to the student, preferably before they register.  Please send an official transcript from the school you wish transfer credits from to Marty Stevens, Registrar, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325. Credits must be at the graduate level at an ATS accredited school, within the last ten years, with a grade of at least C.

Where can I find the Student Handbook?
The Student Handbook can be found at http://www.ltsg.edu/campus/Student%20Handbook%202007-08.pdf

How do I make changes to my registration?
Students may drop or add classes with full adjustment in tuition and no record of the course on the student’s transcript within the first two weeks of the semester.  You can find a Registration Change form on the Registrar’s page at http://www.ltsg.edu/depts/registrar.htm. 

How do I find out what courses are being offered through the Washington Consortium?
You can go to the Washington Consortium web page to find out their course offerings at www.washtheocon.org

How do I register for a Washington Consortium Class?
To register for a WTC course, please complete a WTC Cross registration form that can be found on the registrar’s web page at http://www.ltsg.edu/depts/registrar.htm and return it via email to LTSG Registrar Dr. Marty Stevens at mstevens@Ltsg.edu. 
Contact information for the Registrar’s Office – Dr. Marty Stevens, mstevens@ltsg.edu or Julie Langas,  jlangas@ltsg.edu

Financial Aid –

What do I have to do to get money?
Apply by completing the “Free Application for Financial Aid” (FAFSA) and in-house LTSG Financial Aid Application.

Can this work for me?
Sure, with effort and commitment on your part, as well as ours.

Do you have scholarships?
Yes, you must complete the in-house application.

How much can I get?
It depends on Need, Expected Family Contribution, and a federal methodology for calculating loans after scholarships are determined.

When will the money come in?
Monies will be disbursed to your student account no sooner than 10 days prior to the start of each semester.

How do I know what lender to choose?
We have a recommended lender list on the AES website.

Do I have to pay my bill before the loans/scholarships come in?
Bills are to be taken care of BY the first day of classes, however, you can complete our Reconciliation form if loans and scholarships are not disbursed by that time.

How much is it to come here?
Page 4 of our Financial Aid Handbook lists all costs and fees totaling our full Cost of Attendance.

What if I don’t have enough with scholarships and loans?
Ask your home congregation, home synod or scholarship search engines on-line.
Contact information for the Financial Aid Director – Kelli Payne,  kpayne@ltsg.edu

Housing

Where do I find information on campus housing?
All information concerning housing can be found at
http://www.ltsg.edu/depts/housing/index.htm
Contact information for the Housing Coordinator – Wendy Mizenko, wmizenko@ltsg.edu

Food Service –

What is the Food Service plan available to students?
All dormitory students are required to purchase the lunch meal plan as determined by the fees.

Anyone not required may also purchase the lunch meal plan. This includes lunch Monday through Friday, when classes are in session.  Please see Wendy Mizenko to sign up for the meal plan.  

The walk-in price for meals during the normal academic year is $6.00 for lunch for those with a seminary I.D. and their guest.  A ten-meal lunch ticket can be purchased at the refectory and is available at 11 lunches for the price of 10. 

Information Technology -

 How do I get in touch with Information Technology Department?
You can contact the Information Technology Department at ithelp@ltsg.edu  or call 717-338-3037.  You may also use the following link to get additional information on IT at LTSG, http://www.ltsg.edu/depts/it.htm.

How do I request an LTSG e-mail address?
Go to http://www.ltsg.edu/depts/it/email.htm and complete the Student Email Application Form.

Campus Employment

Where can I find out about on campus employment?
The Seminary normally has some part-time positions available on campus for students who are seeking employment for 10 to 15 hours per week.  Students may apply for positions in the library, mail room, advancement office, AV assistants, maintenance and any others that may be available by filling out an application form and forwarding to Carol Troyer in the president’s office.  Applications may be picked up at the receptionist’s desk at any time.  You may also forward your resume and letter of interest to Carol at ctroyer@ltsg.edu.  Spouses and family members who are seeking local employment should check the local newspaper websites at www.gettysburgtimes.com or www.eveningsun.com.  There are also several employment agencies in the area, including ADECCO in Gettysburg (717-337-0060). 

Communications Office-

Where do I go to get my Student ID?
Most incoming students will receive their student ID while they are here for Summer Greek.  All other students are scheduled to have their photos taken for their Id’s during Presession on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 10:30 in the Coffee Shop.  If you need to make other arrangements, please contact Katy Giebenhain in the Communications Office at kgiebenhain@ltsg.edu.

How will the seminary communicate announcements to me?
In addition to the regular published formats of campus communications (campus mail, Redactor, etc.), students are responsible for receiving, reading, complying with, and responding to official email communication from the Seminary.  All students taking at least 6 credits are to have an LTSG email account.

It's in the Mail –

Where do I go to get my mailbox key?
Please see Susie Kowalski in the mailroom.  If you would like to make arrangements ahead of time please contact her at skowalski@ltsg.edu

Do UPS, FedEx and USPS bring packages to the mailroom and who signs for them?
All packages will be delivered to the mailroom instead of directly to your campus housing.  The mailroom manager or another mailroom assistant will be responsible for signing for the package or certified letter and can then notify the student. 

Do you send packages right from the mailroom?
Packages may be picked up for delivery from the mailroom.  UPS comes daily for a pickup.   The sender is responsible to call FedEx or DHL for a pickup.   Packages sent by US Postal Service are picked up twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  Forms (including International customs
forms, next day & second day air, certified and express mail, etc), some boxes and some packing materials are available in the mailroom. 

Do you sell stamps, envelopes or paper?
The mailroom carries all denominations of stamps, envelopes with the LTSG return address as well as padded envelopes, and some standard paper sizes and colors for a small fee. 

Where do I make copies?
There are coin operated public copiers outside of the mailroom as well as in the Library.   Some copies can be made inside the mailroom with 24 hours notice (time allowing) but will cost the normal fee.  Copies for daily chapel will be copied in the mailroom with the required 24 hour notice and a copy work order.  These will be charged to the appropriate department.

What will my address be when living on campus?
You will be assigned a campus mailbox when you arrive.  The MAILING address of the seminary is  61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325 - Please use your dorm room/mailbox number when you use this address for any mail or packages coming to you (use this address when filling out address change forms before you move). Your STREET/APARTMENT address should be used for utility hook-up or for delivery by moving companies.  In addition, please do not use the seminary switchboard for messages, use your home or cell phone number.
Contact Susie Kowalski, skowalski@ltsg.edu

Field Education -

Where will I be assigned for Teaching Parish?
On September 3, 2008 at the first class of Integrative Seminar One, you will sign up for Teaching Parish. We have congregations in the area who have applied for a student and a matching process is done by Field Education faculty and staff.  The first Sunday in a parish is September 14.

When do I learn about CPE?
On October 2, 2008 at 10:15am there will be an Orientation Session where the process on how to apply for a unit of CPE will be covered.
Contact Katie Dodds, kdodds@ltsg.edu

Bookstore -

Is the bookstore account the same account as the business office account?
The bookstore account is a separate account from the business office account.  You may pay your bookstore account with money from your business office account by requesting that at the business office.  It will not automatically happen - you have to request the transfer.

Is there a discount for students on book?
All books are discounted from the list price.  The price on the book reflects the discount.  Logoed items are discounted 25% for students all the time.

Are there enough textbooks for students registered in each class?
The bookstore staff makes every effort to have enough textbooks for each class but if registration for classes changes after the start of the semester, it may take a few more days to obtain enough books for those last registrations.
Contact Sherry Rippman, srippman@ltsg.edu

Financial Services -

Did my church/synod send a check for my account? 
You will receive written notification upon receipt of any support payments credited to your student account.

Can I send money to the bookstore from my student account? 
If there is a credit balance on your student account, it can be transferred to your bookstore account.  Please complete the “credit balance transfer form” and indicate amount to be transferred.

When will I get my refund check? 
Refund checks are issued automatically twice a year after federal student loans have been received and applied to your student account.  This generally takes place within the first 2 weeks of each semester.

How much do I owe for classes/rent? 
Monthly statements are issued to each student showing your balance due.

If I have a credit on my student account, how do I get my money?
Please complete the “credit balance transfer form” and indicate amount to be refunded.
Contact Tammy Sanders, tsanders@ltsg.edu

Transportation

How do I reserve the car/van for classes?
These vehicles can be used for transportation to classes away from the Seminary (see policy in student handbook).  Make these requests by e-mail to Raquel Rivera, receptionist. (rrivera@ltsg.edu)

Health and Wellbeing --

Where do I go to purchase a YWCA recreation pass?
The Seminary will provide Recreation Passes for all faculty, staff and students for a $20 co-pay (payable to the Seminary) for each Recreation Pass.  Applications can be obtained in the Bookstore.  These applications are then taken to the YWCA service desk to obtain a recreation pass.

Student Healthcare Information
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is happy to announce a new Seminary Student National Health Insurance Program (SSNHIP) for the 2008-09 academic year.  The new program is provided through United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR); the pharmaceutical benefits are provided through MEDCO.  United Healthcare Options Providers may be located online through the www.eiia.org/SemStudents. 
Contact Julie Langas, jlangas@ltsg.edu
Contact Tammy Sanders for insurance billing information, tsanders@ltsg.edu

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MORE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

Email Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens

Executive Director for Enrollment Services and Student Life