For families

Congratulations on your student’s success and welcome to RISD! We look forward to getting to know you better over the coming years and urge you to start to get to know us better by reviewing the information on this site.

Stay on top of things

There's a lot your student needs to do before they arrive and many ways you can help them transition to life at RISD. Remind them to check their email frequently (for updates from welcome@risd.edu) and the incoming student portal (to complete required forms) and refer to this site for the bigger picture regarding upcoming events, next steps and information about life at RISD.

Tuition + student accounts

Student Financial Services supports your family in making the best use of all resources available to help finance the costs of attending RISD. Students can view charges, review financial aid and schedule payments through the Workday system and selecting options in the Student Accounts header. They can also provide access to friends and family within the Workday system that will allow them to view their account. Once granted access, friends and family within the Workday system will receive monthly reminders to review the account in addition to important billing reminders. For more on financial services, please review our tuition and aid information.

Shipping and moving in

As you’re helping your student prep for their move, please take a look at our information on packing and shipping, getting to RISD, housing and dining and exploring Providence.

For various shipping and move-in dates, please refer to our first-year, transfer and Brown | RISD Dual Degree incoming student calendars. Specific times for moving in to RISD Housing will be specified as part of the detailed orientation schedules (and will be shared in the summer).

Accommodations in Providence

If you’re planning to travel to Providence, be sure to consider booking your accommodations through RISD’s travel portal where you'll find discounted rates for RISD affiliates. Additionally, be sure to check out our guide for traveling to and around Providence.

Info for international families

If your student is coming to RISD from overseas and you have questions about visas and travel, please be sure to review our information for international students.

RISD Families Association

As a family member of a RISD student, you are also a member of the RISD Families Association. Welcome! There are many ways to get involved—from volunteering to giving to advocacy. Regardless of how you participate, you play a pivotal role in shaping the RISD experience.

Reach out to our Institutional Advancement team about additional opportunities to join the Leadership Council or serve on committees focused on international family engagement, life after RISD, etc.

“Summer Welcome” events around the word

This summer, the Families Association, in partnership with the RISD Alumni Association, will be welcoming incoming students and their families into the RISD community. We hope you will join us for a reception near you.