Family Resources
At the University of Mary Washington, we understand that navigating the collegiate experience isn’t only a student experience–it’s a partnership between family, student, and institution. It is our collective goal to ensure that students have not only the resources that they need to be successful, but also that they develop the skills that they need to navigate college life more autonomously. On this page, please find some resources that might be helpful as you support your student through their transition to the University.
Help Your Student Get Ready to Become an Eagle
Orientation Registration: Once new students have paid their deposit, they will need to register for their orientation, a mandatory introduction to the University. Registration will open in mid-March for all incoming students who will be enrolled in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025 classes.
Health History & Immunization form: This is a required form that you’ll want to make sure your student completes prior to arrival on campus.
Eagle Essentials: An easy guide for your student to help explain what to expect and what he or she can look forward to upon their arrival on campus.
Financial Aid: Visit this site if you need to accept a loan or find out more about Financial Aid.
Housing Information: Students new to campus for Fall 2025 can find out more information regarding housing with this link. For help supporting your student’s residential experience after the school year begins, click here!
Student Accounts: Get your questions about billing of tuition, payment plans, housing fees, dining charges, and other University fees answered here!
Resources You Can Use
EagleOne: The student’s EagleOne Card is their official UMW ID card. They’ll need it to do just about anything on campus. Find out more about it here!
FERPA and Educational Records: Find out what the University can and can’t talk with you about unless your student signs a release.
Pay Your Students’ Bill: Learn more about EaglePay and how to have your student sign up to make you an Authorized Payer.
Buy Textbooks: The University of Mary Washington Bookstore makes it easy to find the exact textbooks students need for every class!
Academic Calendar: Dates that will be important to your student. You should keep an eye on these, too!
Get Involved!
Looking for ways to connect to the University of Mary Washington? Explore the different opportunities to support your student below:
Family Weekend is an annual event that takes place each fall at the University of Mary Washington. Friends and families of UMW students are invited to visit the campus and get a taste of student life.
Stay current on what’s going on at the university by signing up for the parent newsletter at umw.campusesp.com.
Additional Information for First-Year Families
- If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please feel free to reach out to us at orientation@umw.edu or 540-654-1061!
- For the most up-to-date information on what’s going on at the university, sign up for our parent and family newsletter at umw.campusesp.com!
- Summer Orientation – the Family Program
- *Please note: Orientation schedules are subject to change. You will receive an up-to-date and descriptive schedule upon Orientation Check-In and more details will be posted to this site in April. Please use the following times to help plan your travel schedule.
- Students and their families are separated for some portions of the First-Year Orientation experience. This gives us the opportunity not only for students to get to know each other, but for us to talk to families directly about what it means to have a student at UMW! Expect sessions that cover what resources are available for students regarding academics, mental health, and student activities, milestones and hardships your student will likely experience, and even some time to get to know fellow incoming family members. Please find a brief overview of the family schedule below:
- Day One: Begins at 9 am (Check-In will begin as early as 7:30 am).
- Families and guests will have the opportunity to learn about the course registration process, student life on campus, student accounts, request of information, and financial aid while students learn real world skills to assist in their collegiate success.
- In the afternoon, families and guests will have the opportunity to explore educational sessions with their students. The day will conclude with a dessert reception for guests at 6 pm. Students will move into an evening of on-campus programming designed for students, by students, to prepare them for life at college.
- Day Two: Begins at 7:45 am for students, 8 am for guests.
- Students will learn more about life at UMW, meet with academic services and faculty to prepare for July advising, and register for courses.
- Families and guests will learn what to expect in their students’ first year and find out more about safety on campus, resources available to support physical and mental health, and how to best support their students through the first year. The day will wrap up at around 12 pm. Residence halls will be available to tour from 12:15-1:30 pm.
- Lodging and Accommodations: Are you planning to stay overnight during Orientation? All students, regardless of if they will be living on or off campus in the fall, will be staying overnight in a campus residence hall for orientation. Families and guests are welcome to stay in one of the several hotels in the Fredericksburg Area! Please find a list below:
| Hotel | Address | Telephone | Web and Rates | |
| Hyatt Place Fredericksburg at UMW | 1241 Jefferson Davis Hwy | 540-654-3333 | Hyatt Place | |
| Best Western Fredericksburg | 2205 Plank Road | 540-371-5050 | Best Western | |
| CourtyardBy Marriott | 620 Caroline Street | 540-373-8300 | Courtyard Marriott | |
| Fredericksburg Hospitality House | 2801 Plank Road | 540-786-8321 | Fredericksburg Hospitality House | |
| Hampton Inn & Suites | 1080 Hospitality Lane | 540-786-5530 | Hampton Inn & Suites | |
| Hilton Garden Inn | 1060 Hospitality Lane | 540-548-8822 | Hilton Garden Inn | |
| Homewood Suites | 1040 Hospitality Lane | 540-786-9700 | Homewood Suites | |
| Inn at the Olde Silk Mill | 1707 Princess Anne Street | 540-371-5666 | Inn at the Old Silk Mill | |
| Kenmore Inn | 1200 Princess Anne Street | 540-371-7622 | Kenmore Inn | |
| Quality Inn | 2310 Plank Road | 540-371-0330 | Quality Inn | |
| Richard Johnston Inn | 711 Caroline Street | 540-899-7606877-557-0770 | Richard Johnston Inn | |
- How Can I Get Involved?
- Looking for ways to connect to the University of Mary Washington? Explore the different opportunities to support your student below:
- Family Weekend is an annual event that takes place each fall at the University of Mary Washington. Friends and families of UMW students are invited to visit the campus and get a taste of student life.
- Find additional resources here: Parent and Family Resources