Welcome to Ball State! Preparing for college is exciting and we know families play an important role in helping students through the transition. Make the most of the special resources and opportunities we offer to support your student’s journey. Once your student submits their enrollment confirmation, you’ll officially be part of our Cardinal community!
Your Family Portal
To assist you and your student in their journey to Ball State, we encourage you to access your personalized information portal. This resource will keep you updated on important next steps.
ACCESS FAMILY PORTAL
Helpful Resources and To-Dos
Find important information and links below for parents, guardians, and families of students admitted to Ball State.
Visit Campus
Plan a visit to our beautiful, welcoming campus. Interact with current students, staff, and faculty through in-person and virtual sessions and events covering topics like admissions, financial aid, housing, and more!
Plan Your Visit
NEXT STEPS CHECKLIST
We encourage you to download our Next Steps for Admitted Students Checklist. This document will help you keep track of important tasks before and after your future Cardinal confirms their enrollment to Ball State.
Download PDF
BEYOND ACADEMICS
Discover a variety of supportive resources our campus community offers to help new, incoming students fly as a Cardinal. Learn about support services, residence life, financial support, career exploration, and more.
Start Exploring
File FAFSA
File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
We encourage all students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when it becomes available. The FAFSA is the key to determining whether your family is eligible for federal, state, and institutional financial aid such as grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Even if you do not think you qualify for grants, the information you provide on the FAFSA helps determine eligibility for other aid.
To receive maximum consideration for federal aid and scholarships, students must submit their FAFSA by April 15 each year.
Paying for College
Paying for College
We know you want to be informed on your student's education and how to pay for it. Our competitive costs and generous financial aid opportunities puts a high-quality education within reach for your student.
Billing and Access
Authorized Payer
In order for you to review the current balance, transaction history, and billing statements on your student's account, you will need to be set up as an Authorized Payer by your student. Once your student provides you with Authorized Payer access, you may sign in to view their eBill and make payments online. You can also deposit funds directly into your student's Cardinal Cash account which can be used at various locations across campus, including dining locations, sporting events, laundry facilities, and select businesses in The Village.
Who Can Pay An eBill?
Please note: You will also need Proxy Access to communicate with University employees regarding your student's account information.
Proxy Access
Once your student is officially registered for classes at Ball State, their educational records are protected by FERPA. This protection prevents University staff from discussing records with anyone unless they have previously been granted Proxy Access by the student. Students commonly grant parents, spouses, or other family members access to their personal information.
learn about proxy access
Please note: eBill cannot be paid through Proxy Access.
Questions?
If you need assistance with any part of your application process, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
We’re here to help you every step of the way!