As you continue to plan for classes, we encourage you to utilize the following helpful resources

• What's Next Guide
• New Graduate Student Checklist
• Financial Aid Information

FALCONlink is Messiah University's student portal, where you will find your Messiah email, register for classes, provide emergency contact information and sign up for Messiah’s text alert system (only used in cases of emergency). 

There are many other important items in FALCONlink so be sure to check it out. To access FALCONlink, you must first activate your Messiah University Login.

Messiah partners with Slingshot through our Campus Store to provide required course materials via our textbook subscription service, Slingshot Choice. As a new graduate student, you are automatically opted into Slingshot Choice with a Rent textbook preference and a Mail delivery preference. This means your required course materials will be ordered, fulfilled, and sent to you 1-2 weeks prior to the start of each course with no action necessary on your part. Your textbook expenses will be billed to your Messiah student account so you can conveniently apply financial aid. 

After you register for your first class, you will be able to access your Slingshot Student Portal and manage your preferences. Please use your Messiah credentials to login. You may update your textbook preferences to Digital, Buy Used, or Buy New and/or choose Pickup/Local Delivery to pick up your order at the Messiah University Campus Store. Your Slingshot Student Portal is also how you access your digital course materials, purchase optional books ala carte, and track your textbook transactions. You can find information in FALCONlink for your convenience. Just type "Slingshot" in the search field. We recommend bookmarking your Slingshot Student Portal for easy access.

Check out this Slingshot Choice Flyer for a more detailed overview and an FAQ. If you still have questions, please contact the Messiah University Campus Store for assistance.

All graduate students must complete an orientation module(s) in Canvas. Canvas is the learning management system Messiah uses for orientation and online courses. Canvas can be accessed by searching for "Canvas" in FALCONlink.

After submitting your enrollment deposit, watch your Messiah email for a "next steps" email that includes orientation information. Important Note: Please wait 24-48 business hours after you have paid your enrollment deposit to access Canvas.

Visit the Canvas: Quick Link for Students page on the ITS blog for an overview on navigating the system.

Please review the Information Technology Services website for a detailed list of computer recommendations and requirements, as well as information regarding technology support.

Virtual Course Technology and Information:

• Zoom will be used for virtual classes and a headset and webcam will be required. For troubleshooting or questions, please email Technology Support or call (717) 796-5039 or check out Messiah's Technology Support Blog.

On-Campus Printing

• Pre-loaded funds to a Student ID can be used to print directly to Messiah’s on-campus printers
• Access the eAccounts Portal Card in FALCONlink to load funds onto your Student ID for printing

Murray Library

• Serves undergraduate and graduate Messiah students
• Provides services for online students 
• Offers research services and assistance
• Contact a librarian in person or via chat, email, phone and text.

Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)

• Offers an array of services tailored to aid graduate students in their career advancement
• Provides personalized career coaching sessions encompassing resume and cover letter crafting, interview readiness, and effective job hunting techniques, both in-person and virtually.
• Offers programs such as employer briefings, access to job listings, and utilization of CPDC resources and tutorials.
• Contact Meg Jones Hoover with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Writing Support

• Partnership with Heartful Editor provides writing and editing support using the guidelines in the 7th Edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association
• Contact Heartful Editor to learn more or to schedule an appointment. They will respond to your request within 2-3 business days.

The Office of Academic Accessibility (OAA)

• Provides accommodations for students with disabilities
• If you require accommodations in classes, programs or services, you can arrange for accommodations through the OAA. Students are required to:
  • self-identify
  • present current documentation of eligibility (generally no older than 3-4 years)
  • specify any needed accommodations. 
• An accommodation profile is developed following verification of eligibility.
• Contact Deana Baddorf or call 717-796-5382.

Payment, or arrangement for payment, will be due in full before classes begin. The following forms of payment are accepted:

• Echeck/ACH: Enter bank routing and account numbers to deduct the payment from a US bank account (no fee and very secure)
• Credit/Debit Card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover (a small processing charge will be added)
• Flywire: Allows international students to pay from most any country and any bank
• Check by mail: checks should be made payable to “Messiah University” and mailed to Messiah University, Falcon Exchange, One University Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (please write your ID# in the memo line)
• An in-person payment can be made at the Falcon Exchange, located on the first floor of Eisenhower Campus Center
• Monthly payment plans may be set up for a nominal fee

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you are planning to use federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and/or the TEACH grant. Students will need to create an FSA ID in order to submit the FAFSA. If you have previously filed a FAFSA, you will need to use your orignial FSA ID. 

Note: Messiah University's Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003298.

Visit Cost and Aid for Graduate Programs or contact Graduate Financial Services if you have billing or financial aid questions.

All graduate students are required to complete the Financial Responsibility Agreement (FRA) before registering for courses each semester. By signing the FRA, each student is acknowledging they are fully responsible for paying their educational costs while enrolled at Messiah. When registration opens each semester, there will be an FRA hold automatically applied to a student’s account. Students can easily remove the FRA hold by signing their Financial Responsibility Agreement.

Note: You will be required to log-in using your Messiah University credentials to access your FRA.

Use FALCONlink and search for ID Photo Uploader. Follow the instructions to upload a photo for your student ID photo, or you may have your photo taken on campus at the Falcon Exchange Office in the Eisenhower Campus Center. If you are planning to attend an on campus intensive course, you can also get your Student ID at that time.

Graduate students who may be visiting campus during the traditional academic year or are part of a residential program may obtain a commuter student parking permit free of charge by registering their vehicles with the Box Office Exchange. Graduate students attending summer intensive courses are permitted to park on campus without obtaining a parking sticker/hang tag.

Graduate students in residential programs are responsible for their own housing. We recommend nearby Oakwood Hills apartment community, and sites such as zillow.com, rent.com and apartments.com have listings that are easily sorted by location, cost and amenities. There are a wide range of housing options in the communities surrounding Messiah University (main campus and Winding Hill campus).

Our region also provides numerous resturants, shopping and other attractions. Check out our area guide for recommendations from students, staff and alumni to discover great spots to eat, places to shop and things to do.