<p>"I realize that Harvard is following the law but as Charles Dickens famously wrote “The law is an ass…”</p>
<p>At the beginning of my son’s freshman year at Yale, student receivables sent him a letter (with a copy to us) that said “Who should we send the bill to? You or someone else?” He was very quick to fill the form out to designate us as the payer. Why Harvard can’t do this for my daughter is beyond reason. Everybody’s following the law . . . some schools just make it more difficult.</p>
<p>There is an old quote re the college: “Mother Harvard does not coddle her young.” </p>
<p>You will find this is just the first step in giving the reins to your student for control (or lack thereof) for his/her college life. Best to warn S/D to read all their H emails and deal with them. </p>
<p>As inconvenient as some of the college policies are, they are effective independence-builders.</p>
<p>^^ if I had known that accounts payable would be sending him such an email (nothing was told to us and it certainly has changed from the days I was in college…but then light bulbs were new fangled inventions…) I would have told him…but it took me to have a “Hound of the Baskerville’s” moment-- that there was no bill when there should have been one to figure out that something was amiss. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t caught the problem and he came to registration – I assume that a mad scramble to find the Ol Man would have ensued…:)</p>
<p>etondad - my daughter also deleted her first bill from Brown. Fortunately, they sent her repeated warnings - she finally asked why she “keeps getting these annoying messages from the Bursar - what’s a Bursar?” The process sounds very similar at Harvard, so I’ll make sure that I’m an authorized user on my son’s account.</p>
<p>@momofmykids–My D received an email on June 4 from Financial Aid requesting that she report any outside scholarships (she does not receive aid). The email indicated that the first invoice would be sent “on or shortly after July 11.” I did not receive the email, though my D has listed me as an Authorized Payor.</p>
<p>Did you and your daughter set up your log-in name and password at the Authorized Payor accounts site? Could your computer be blocking the message as spam?</p>
<p>Try calling the number they list, the accounts people are very responsive by phone.</p>
<p>Etondad- Yep, you would have had all sorts of communication when he would have been denied class registration!</p>
<p>I have some quick questions on shipping packages, and the move-in process. We’re planning to ship everything to the dorm instead of driving 14 hours, and just say our goodbyes at the airport. I’ve been looking at previous threads, and my impression is that UPS/Fedex no longer deliver directly to the dorm room. Is this true, and if so, is the mail center open on move-in day? Also, services like collegeboxes look a bit shady, and it seems reviews are mixed, any additional thoughts on them?</p>
<p>Yes, packages go to the mail center rather than to the Freshman dorms. And yes, the mail center is open on move-in day. They have dollies available at the mail center to help your student get their packages back to their dorm.</p>
<p>One of my son’s roommates used collegeboxes and it DID seem convenient – they do deliver right to the dorm room – though it was quite expensive. Snacksies, I would recommend sending as much as possible with your student on the plane (that is, as much as he/she can manage alone), so that critical items are sure to get there on time. Things that can wait can be shipped, and then if there’s any delay it won’t be worrisome. If you’re planning to come visit for Freshman Parents Weekend, you can even bring winter clothes/boots/outerwear with you when you come. For bedding, your S/D won’t need much more than sheets and a pillow immediately since it’s HOT in Aug/Sept. (In fact, I don’t think my S ever used his comforter the whole year – only a light blanket in the winter, since the dorm heating was so, um, effective. :))</p>
<p>Must admit we have found Harvard to be extremely efficient at billing tuition!</p>
<p>^^ Agreed. And on that subject, let me transition to financial aid. </p>
<p>Our family is still waiting to hear from Harvard about my daughter’s FA award for 2012-13. Have any RETURNING PARENTS received their child’s award yet? (My son, who is different college, received his award in mid-May, so Harvard seems a bit late this year.)</p>
<p>We are still waiting too. I am surprised that they still have not mailed out the letter by now.</p>
<p>We have not received finaid info either. Just got it yesterday from my D at Scripps so hopefully it is coming soon! On the billing issue:\ As an authorized payer, I receive a copy of each month’s statement and it has been very convenient.</p>
<p>In answer to the “shipping” question:
We live 17 hours away, and my D is a tiny little thing. I mailed ALL of her stuff up UPS, and they have dollies/carts in the science center to transport their furnishings- they are open during move in days and are quite helpful- putting each students’ stack of boxes together so they aren’t searching everywhere for one missing object. It was very efficient- and I continued to send her packages throughout the year- we had a smooth transition.
There are also lots of people around- and everyone seems willing to help those who are wheeling carts over from the science center.
Once they get their Harvard address- you just need to be ready to write it alot.<br>
The important thing to remember is to put Harvard College- then their address, then for packages- make sure you also put 1 Oxford Street before the city and state. It makes for a long address- but I am happy to say in our case- everything got there! Good luck!</p>
<p>Trying to figure out all the logistics of getting everything from CA to Harvard. Do you know how early we can start shipping things to the mail center? I was hoping I could have online purchases made this summer shipped directly to Harvard instead of taking up valuable luggage space. </p>
<p>Do most parents just come up for move in day and leave or are there a lot that stay in the area a couple days buying things their child needs for the dorm?</p>
<p>^^We hung around the area for a few days after the move-in, but that was to do touristy things for ourselves in the Boston area. Except one trip to Target the next day to buy her a bunch of stuff we left her alone after the she was moved in. Most kids seemed pretty eager to see their parents leave so they could begin their college experience, and ours was no exception.</p>
<p>Bluebird, If you want to stay around for a few days do so, how many times does your kid move into Harvard. We enjoyed moving our kids in to their dorms, meeting the parents and enjoying the moment. Its a life chip. Do what feels best for you and if you are able to stay for a day or two and savor the moment.</p>
<p>Received financial aid yesterday. It was comparable to last years aid. We will have to pay a few dollars more but tuition and R&B increased as well.</p>
<p>We stayed a couple of days after move-in too. We played tourist and enjoyed seeing all of the sights in Boston. Such a beautiful city!! We did return the day after move-in since D forgot a couple of items and we met briefly to give her the items.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>We also received financial aid letter, but parents should know that this year Harvard is not sending financial letters home; they are available as PDF’s on my.harvard.edu. Parents & guardians need to get the letter from their student.</p>