Family E-News: January 2018
Greetings!

Happy New Year to you and your Gamecock family! We hope you have enjoyed having your student at home with you over the winter break!

As the semester begins, chat with your student about their goals and expectations for their upcoming classes. They can utilize resources in the University Advising Center and the Student Success Center to set the stage for a successful semester. Help your student set goals for their new classes, while giving them the freedom to choose the method to attain them.

The new year is also a great opportunity for your student to get involved in campus life. Students can cheer on our National Champion Women's Basketball team at Colonial Life Arena and join a new club at the Student Organization Fair Jan. 24.

Have you downloaded the Parent & Family Programs mobile app ? Make sure to like us on  Facebook , follow us on  Instagram  and visit the  Parent & Family Programs website  for timely posts and monthly tips to supplement this newsletter.

Pictured above: Thomas Cooper Library is the perfect setting for getting started on New Year's resolutions and academic goals for 2018. If we're lucky, we'll have a few days of shorts and T-shirt weather again this January!
Senior Awards Application Now Available
Outstanding senior students are encouraged to apply for senior awards

The University of South Carolina's Honors and Awards Commission is accepting applications for the Outstanding Senior Award . Students selected for this honor will also be considered for the university's top two undergraduate honors - the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award.

The deadline to apply online is Monday, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m.
Off-Campus Student Services
Steps for students to find their ideal off-campus home:
  1. Check out the many Student Apartment Communities that are close to campus and visit the Daily Gamecock Housing Locator for more student friendly housing options.
  2. See an amenities chart and community map at the bottom of the Student Apartment Communities webpage. Contact apartments directly to find the best rate, floor plan, amenity package and location for you.
  3. If possible, visit apartments you are considering before signing a lease. See crime trends in the areas you are considering living using the Community Crime Map.
  4. Read the entire lease before you sign it. Visit Understanding the Lease for common lease terms and tips. If anything in the lease is unclear, set up a time to speak to Student Legal Services to make sure you fully understand what you are signing before you commit.
  5. Find roommates that you will be compatible living with. Many Student Apartment Communities offer roommate matching. You can also use the USC Student Message Boards to connect with students looking for roommates. Use your USC email and password to login. Email us if you do not have a USC email account.
  6. Check out the Off-Campus Living Guide, the Find Housing page, and the Frequently Asked Questions page for more off-campus living information.
  7. Contact us at saocss@mailbox.sc.edu or (803)777-3366 if you need further assistance finding your ideal off-campus home.
Campus Resources Office Relocations
Effective Dec. 11, the Counseling & Psychiatry offices and the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention & Prevention Office have relocated to the Thomson Building behind the Russell House University Union .

Students should check MyHealthSpace or call (803) 777-5223 to see where they will meet their counselor.
FAFSA Reminder
The 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Students and families should use their 2016 federal income tax information when completing the 2018-19 FAFSA.

Students may check the status of their financial aid beginning Jan. 31 in Self-Service Carolina.
Student Leadership & Diversity Conference
The 32nd annual Student Leadership and Diversity Conference (SLDC) offers an exciting opportunity for USC students to explore important issues in diversity and student leadership while networking with students and staff from institutions across the Southeast. USC students can register to attend for $35, which includes breakfast, lunch, and all necessary conference materials. The conference is Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Russell House University Union. Encourage your student to register today!
News from the Bursar's Office
Spring 2018 Bills
Tuition bills are now available on Self Service Carolina (SSC) for students who are registered for spring semester classes. Please be sure your student reviews their bill thoroughly to ensure all charges are present and accurate. The fee payment deadline for spring 2018 is Wednesday, Jan. 10. 

Payment Plans
Payment plans for the spring semester are available through your student's SSC account. These plans will allow your student to pay on a monthly schedule, until the balance is paid in full. An initial payment of 25% of the total balance is to be paid after all financial aid has been applied, plus a $75 administrative fee in order to enroll in the plan. Three additional payments are due over the next three months, resulting in a total of four payments per semester. Spring 2018 deadlines: Feb. 12, March 12, April 10. A late fee of $100 will be applied if your payment is not made by the monthly deadline.

The payment plan covers tuition, housing, meal plans, technology and program fees. Any charges that are not captured in the payment plan, i.e., parking citations, health service charges, student conduct charges, etc., must be paid manually through the student's SSC account.

NOTE: If you were enrolled in the payment plan for fall 2017, you will need to re-enroll for the spring if you plan to take advantage of this option. The plan does not roll over from semester to semester.

Refunds
We strongly encourage students set up a direct deposit account via SSC in order to receive refunds most efficiently. When refunds are processed, they will reach the bank within 3-5 business days (estimated). Otherwise, refunds will be mailed via paper check which will delay arrival significantly depending on the mailing address.

College Savings/529 Plans
If College Savings Plan funds will be used to pay your student’s bill, please ensure these reach our office by the fee payment deadline. If you find that the payment will not arrive in time, please be prepared to enroll in the payment plan. When/if payment arrives, it will be applied to your student’s account with any overage being processed as a refund to the student. Please contact our office if you have other questions or concerns about your college savings payment. 
Gamecocks Get Hired!
The Career Center will be hosting two new jobs fairs: Jan. 23 and 24, noon - 4 p.m.
The job fairs will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Employers will be on hand both days to offer internships, co-ops and full-time jobs to students of all majors. Jan. 24 is designed specifically for students majoring in the industries of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Students can see which employers will be in attendance by downloading "The Fairs App" or by visiting sc.joinhandshake.com !
The Career Center will also be hosting Career Fair Prep Week, Jan. 17 - Jan. 22. Career and industry professionals will be on hand to review students' resumes and answer questions.

For more information, encourage your student to visit sc.joinhandshake.com or call (803)777-7280.
Greetings from the CarolinaCard Office
As the spring semester approaches, we at the CarolinaCard Office want to make sure that your student has everything they need to start the semester off right. Remember to upload CarolinaCa$h for food, printing, and school supplies around campus. Utilize your 529 plan, financial aid, or scholarships once a semester by adding CarolinaCa$h through fee payment on my.sc.edu . Throughout the year, add CarolinaCa$h using the GET App, going online to get.cbord.com/sc , or manage your account at my.carolinacard.sc.edu .

Please contact our office at (803)777-1708 with any questions. We look forward to your student returning back to campus in 2018!
The Darla Moore School of Business
Networking Receptions
The Darla Moore School of Business invites parents to join alumni, friends and corporate partners of the school for networking receptions. These receptions will be hosted in Atlanta (Feb. 22), Washington, D.C. (March 22) and Charlotte (May 17). Dean Peter Brews will deliver a brief program with an update on the school, while you enjoy beer, wine, and heavy hors d'oeuvres. Bring your business cards for networking. Admission is free, but please register so we know who to expect. Hope to see you there!
Student Health Services Upcoming Events
Winter Break Hours
Jan. 2-10, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Jan. 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., (spring semester hours begin)
Jan. 14, first Sunday clinic of the semester
 
Healthy New Year's Resolutions
Jan. 16-18, Russell House Patio Stage
Students are invited to join us as we learn how to keep our New Year’s resolutions all year long, pledge to be an active bystander in 2018 and kick off Carolina BeYOUtiful!
 
Gamecocks Eat Well
Jan. 31, 5- 6:30 p.m.
The Center for Health and Well-Being Demonstration Kitchen will be open for students to learn meals and snacks that can easily be made in a dorm room! Gamecocks EatWell Cooking Classes are free and open to any university student. A registered dietitian provides knowledge of nutrition and hands-on instruction for preparation of healthy, balanced meals.  Registration  is required by Jan. 24.
Fall 2018 Admitted Student Events
Interested in helping recruit the next generation of Gamecock families? Save the date for an admitted student event near you!

Visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions ' events page for more details as these dates approach.

Nashville Admitted Student Luncheon • Nashville, TN • TBD
Boston Admitted Student Reception • Boston, MA • TBD
Jacksonville Admitted Student Reception • Jacksonville, FL • 3.6.18
Cincinnati Admitted Student Reception • Cincinnati, OH • 2.25.18
Chicago Admitted Student Reception • Chicago, IL • 3.21.18
Baltimore Admitted Student Reception • Baltimore, MD • 2.22.18
"History Unveiled"
The names of enslaved workers and acknowledgement of their contributions at the University of South Carolina during its antebellum era are now immortalized on two bronze historic markers.
"The Big Blue Ball"
From Scotland to Singapore and Germany to New Zealand, South Carolina Honors College alumni make their homes abroad.
Important Upcoming Dates
Jan. 10, 8 a.m.: Residence halls open
Jan. 14, noon: Greek Village opens
Jan. 16: Spring 2018 classes begin
Jan. 20: MLK Day of Service
Jan. 20: AlcoholEdu part 1 and Haven part 1 due (for new spring 2018 students)
Jan. 22: Last day to drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded
Feb. 3: Student Leadership & Diversity Conference
Feb. 5: Senior awards application deadline
Feb. 20: Student Government Elections Begin
March 20: AlcoholEdu part 2 and Haven part 2 (for new spring 2018 students)
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Please continue to visit our website for information and resources at sa.sc.edu/parents . As always, we are only a phone call or email away, and we encourage your feedback!
Office of Parent & Family Programs
University of South Carolina
Website:  sa.sc.edu/parents  
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752