August Orientation for parents and family members of first-year students will take place Thursday, August 13, 2026 and Friday, August 14, 2026. Attendance is mandatory for students and highly recommended for parents and family members. Family Orientation runs in conjunction with the student program and is designed to introduce families to the academic programs and special services available at NC State.

Day 1: Thursday, August 13, 2026

• Family Orientation: approximately 3 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
• Student Orientation: approximately 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Day 2: Friday, August 14, 2026

• Family and student programming will take place from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lunch will be provided for up to two guests attending Family Orientation

Family Orientation is designed for those who will serve as a student’s primary support throughout their transition to the university. During the program, attendees will:

• Get better acquainted with the academic programs and campus services offered to your student
• Gain insights into the potential adjustments your new college student and your family will face
• Meet NC State staff, current students, and other Family Orientation attendees

Can children or young adults attend the program? Children and young adults are welcome to attend Family Orientation, but the majority of the sessions are presented in a lecture format and may not be engaging for them. Please note: Children and young adults in attendance should be supervised at all times by their family members while on our campus for Family Orientation.

Will students and guests be together during the program? Guests should not expect to be with their student throughout the entire program. Some sessions of New Student and Family Orientation will overlap, but the majority of presentations and activities are separate.

The cost of attendance is included in the mandatory, non-refundable First-Year Student Fee charged to all new first-year students.

• This fee covers your student’s attendance and the attendance of up to two guests, which includes your materials and lunch tickets (up to two per family) for Fountain Dining Hall.
• This does not include overnight housing for family members. A comprehensive list of area hotels that offer discounts to NC State family members is available on the Parents and Families Services website. 
• No payment is due to New Student Programs. The First-Year Student Fee will be included in your student’s fall tuition bill.

Registration for Family Orientation is tied to the student’s registration for orientation. Therefore, the student should register guests for Family Orientation at the same time that the student registers for New Student Orientation. They can find instructions on the Student Orientation webpage.

Once registered, a confirmation email will be sent to the student’s and family member’s email addresses. Please keep a copy of this email for your records.

Only students who have been accepted to NC State and have paid their advanced enrollment deposit can register for orientation. 

Check-in will take place at Talley Student Union, and the days are as follows:

• Day 1 of the Orientation program will run from approximately 3 p.m. to 5:40 p.m.
• Day 2 of the Orientation program will last from approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Orientation check-in will be from 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Talley Student Union. We will have staff on-site to direct families and students to their check-in locations.

Resources that will be covered at Family Orientation include:

• Dining, Bookstore, and Student ID Card
• University Police
• Your Student’s Academic College or Program
• Campus Health
• Cashier’s Office
• Living at NC State

For an idea of what to expect, view the 2026 First-Year August Orientation Schedule.

On-campus housing for families is not available during August Orientation. Instead, you can find a list of area hotels that offer discounts to NC State family members on the Parents and Families Services website. Note: NC State does not endorse any particular entities that are not part of NC State. The University has no responsibility with respect to any entities, or the housing or services they offer.

ORIENTATION PARKING (THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 14):

Due to University Housing Move-In, a virtual parking permit is not required for August Orientation. 

Students and families attending August Orientation should park in long-term parking areas, which include the upper levels of the Coliseum Parking Deck, Dan Allen Deck, West Lot or West Deck, and some portions of other residential lots. We recommend parking in the Coliseum Parking Deck for easiest access to Orientation sessions at Talley Student Union by using the directions below.

• Directions to the Coliseum Parking Deck (201 Jensen Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607) can be found using this Waze Link or on the NC State Campus Map interactive website.
• Visit the University Transportation website for road impacts from Move-In and construction.
• Please do not try to enter campus via Dan Allen Drive from Hillsborough Street. The road is gated and not accessible to campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Please allow extra time to get to campus as it will be busier than normal due to Move-In traffic.

For more information, visit the Transportation website or University Housing Move-In website.

In compliance with the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the New Student and Family Orientation program, please contact Laila Mohamed at [email protected] or 919.515.1234 during business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST as soon as possible or at least 10 working days prior to the event.