The parents and families of new Carleton College students often have as many questions as their students! We hope that the information on this page will be useful.
Staying in Touch
New Student and Parent Mailings
In mid to late May, two paper mailings will be sent from Carleton: Mailing #1 (for Students) and Mailing #2 (for Parents). Information about these mailings can be found on the Checklist and Deadlines page.
Sign up to receive Summer Email Newsletter
Sign up to receive courtesy copies of the messages your student will be receiving this summer about class registration, residential life, and other news relevant to their first year at Carleton.
Confirm your contact information so we can stay in touch with you
Most updates and campus information will be sent by email, so please let us know how best to reach you. This form also includes a questionnaire where you can share your interest in being involved as a volunteer. Carleton parents and families can be extraordinary resources of knowledge and talent for our students.
Finances and Transportation
Student Accounts and Tuition Information Guide
Links to “Paying for Carleton”, expenses/special fees, loan information, etc.
Student OneCard Information
Once at Carleton, your student will receive a Onecard onto which money can be added for purchases on campus (and some places downtown). Parents can also deposit funds into their student’s account (see “Add funds to your Onecard)“.
Transportation
Getting to and from MSP airport, Carleton fleet vehicles, rental cars, etc.
Resources for Families
Parent/Family Gateway
A quick-reference guide to web content of interest to parents, including Carleton calendars, campus offices, and the archives of parent/family newsletters and webinars.
Family Guide
The Family Guide supports the relationship between parents, students, and the College by providing easy access to helpful information for parents and families.
Connecting with the Carleton Community
Summer Send-Off Events
Meet other students and parents in your area in the Class of 2026! See the list of event dates and locations.
Parent/Family Orientation
During New Student Week, we invite parents and families to some informal orientation activities to learn more about the offices and services available at Carleton.
Family Weekend
Each fall we invite parents and families for a weekend to get a taste of what campus life is like for your student.
Carleton Parent-to-Parent Email Group
Carleton maintains an email discussion list for current Carleton parents, where you can get answers from other parents to questions about campus life, supporting your student, coping with Minnesota winters, and more.
Parents Advisory Council
Parents serving on the PAC serve a vital role in examining and advising on College programs and procedures.
NOTE: Basic logistical information for Move-In Day is available now on the New Student Welcome page.