July 2018
In This Issue
  • Family Weekend Registration
  • Talking Points
  • Moving on campus
  • Campus airport shuttle
  • Bursar's Office
  • Student Health Services
  • University news
  • Important dates
Greetings!

The university is blooming with the sights and sounds of summer. Exciting renovations and repairs are taking place around campus, while staff are beginning to plan for a great fall term.

Consider using the month of July to talk with your student about their plans for the upcoming semester. Do they anticipate any challenges with their course schedule or new living arrangements? Are they looking forward to getting involved with an organization on campus? Starting these conversations now and spacing them throughout the summer can create a strong foundation for good communication once the semester begins.

The information provided in this newsletter as well as the Parents Assistance Line are great resources for you and your family as you support your UofSC student. We hope you and your family have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Most Sincerely,
Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D. 
Associate Vice President for Student Life 


Stay updated by downloading t he Parent & Family Programs mobile app, liking us on  Facebook , following us on  Instagram, subscribing to our YouTube channel,  and visiting the  Parents & Families Gateway for more information.
Many students and families will walk through the Horseshoe gates this summer as official Gamecocks! The Office of Parent & Family Programs looks forward to meeting and welcoming the newest members of our campus community throughout orientation.
Family Weekend Registration
Registration for Family Weekend 2018 opens Monday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Families will be able to register online through sc.edu/familyweekend.

Online registration is required. To register, families must purchase a student package , as well as a family member package for each individual planning to attend Family Weekend. There are two package options for students and two package options for family members. Registration will close Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. 

Student Packages
  • Package 1 — includes access to all Family Weekend events: $25
  • Package 2 — includes access to all Family Weekend events + ticket to sit with family at football game: $80
Family Packages
  • Package 1 — includes access to all Family Weekend events: $75
  • Package 2 — includes access to all Family Weekend events + ticket to football game: $130

Family Weekend Check-In will take place Friday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There, you will receive your Family Weekend wristband, which serves as your admission ticket to all Family Weekend events. Be sure to wear your wristband to all events or you will
not be admitted.

If you purchase football tickets, you will receive an email from FEVO the week of the game with instructions to access your football tickets through your University of South Carolina account.

More information about Family Weekend and the schedule can be found at sc.edu/familyweekend . Please contact the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752 with any questions. We look forward to sharing an unforgettable Gamecock weekend!
Family Talking Points
As your student begins preparing for the start to the fall term, so should you. Whether your student is entering their first year or their fourth year, they can expect new challenges as they go through the semester.

When these challenges present themselves, your student will most likely look to you for answers, guidance, reassurance or to simply 'fix it.' Instead of jumping on your horse to save the day, consider working through the challenge with your student by asking, "How are you going to handle that?"

This phrase puts the ownership and decision-making process back on your student so they may feel empowered to solve their problem. If they get stuck finding a solution, consider reminding them of the offices available to help them here on campus. During a challenging time, it's important to support your student, while giving them the ownership and confidence to work through their own challenges.

Additional Talking Points are available on the Parent & Family Programs mobile app.
Moving on Campus
Move-In Day 2018
Incoming students can expect to receive their on-campus housing assignment July 15 in Self Service Carolina . Students will move into their residence halls Monday, Aug. 20. Please note: if your student is registered for Sorority Recruitment, they will move in Wednesday, Aug. 15. General information about Move-In and what families can expect is available on the University Housing website . Contact University Housing with questions directly at housing@sc.edu.

Shipping Packages to Campus
The Student Mail Center will begin accepting delivered packages Aug. 8 in preparation for the start to the semester. Student mailboxes are located at the lower level of the Russell House. During the summer, the Student Mail Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and can be contacted at (803) 777-4109.

Gamecock Family Roost
The Office of Parent & Family Programs will be hosting Gamecock Family Roost during Move-In Aug. 15 and Aug. 20 on Greene Street in front of the Russell House. There will be misting fans, cold water and staff to answer questions as you drop off your Gamecock to start their Carolina experience. Stay tuned to social media for more information.
Columbia Airport Shuttle Service
As you and your student begin planning flights home for fall break or Thanksgiving, consider planning them around the airport shuttle service offered by Student Government. This service is free of charge and meets students at the corner of Greene Street and Sumter Street. Reservations for fall break will be available at the start of the term.
News from the Bursar's Office
Payment Deadline for Fall 2018
The deadline for fall 2018 fee payment is Aug. 15. The mail-in payment deadline is Aug. 8 with a check or money order payable to the University of South Carolina (USC). Please mail to: University of South Carolina, Bursar’s Office, 1244 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29208. Class schedules may be cancelled for students who do not pay their fees in full.

Payment Plans
Payment plans are available for students. The plan requires an initial payment of 25% of the balance due after all financial aid (scholarships, loans, grants) has been applied, plus a $75 administrative fee, due at the time the student selects a payment plan. There are three additional payments due over the following three months, resulting in a total of four payments per term. Additionally, a late fee of $100 will be applied if payment is not made on time.

The payment plan and first payment can be made through Self Service Carolina (SSC) . A payment plan covers tuition, housing, meal plans and technology and program fees. The monthly payment can be paid in person, mailed in to the Bursar’s Office or processed electronically via SSC from a checking account or credit card. The payment plan does not carry over to the next semester.

Authorized Users
Students can assign authorized users to their SSC account . Granting this access allows the authorized user to see the student's bills, payment history, request 1098-T information, set up a payment plan and speak with the Bursar's Office about the student's account.

Direct Deposits
If your student expects to rece ive a refund, which includes excess financial aid monies, they will need to set up direct deposit via SSC.

College Savings Plan - 529
If you have a college savings plan fo r your student, send a copy of your student's bill to your plan administrator once they become available in SSC to ensure payments are received in a timely manner. Fall bills should be available by late July.
Reminders from Student Health Services
Student Health Services Summer Hours
For students staying on campus this summer, the Center for Health and Well-Being and Counseling & Psychiatry will host the following summer hours: Monday through Friday,
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Incoming Student Immunizations
Students attending the University of South Carolina for the first time this fall are required to submit an Immunization Record Form to Student Health Services. Students should plan to do this prior to attending Orientation, as they will not be able to register for classes without their immunization record on file. More information about the required and recommended immunizations can be found on Student Health Services' website . Returning students do not need to resubmit an immunization form.

Proof of Insurance
Undergraduate and graduate students who take six credit hours or more, graduate assistants and international students are required to have health insurance for 2018-201 9. Students must either:
  1. Purchase the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan provided by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina or
  2. Waive the requirement by proving that they have appropriate health insurance, whether that is under a family member's plan or a policy of their own.
Students need to visit sc.myahpcare.com where they will either select the Student Health Insurance Plan or input the subscriber info of their health insurance for 2018-2019. The information will be verified, and students will receive an email notifying them of their approval. The deadline is Sept. 15. Failure to waive will result in automatic enrollment in the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan with a premium cost of $869 for the fall term. For more information, visit sc.myahpcare.com or sc.edu/studentinsurance

The University of South Carolina is again listed as one the top
patent-producing universities in the world, a distinction it has held for six years in a row.
"Embracing ambition"

Kate Ruscher is living her dream, working in New York City in the heart of the fashion world. On her 22nd birthday, she stood beside her Tory Burch Foundation co-workers and rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
July 4 : Independence Day - offices closed
Aug. 15: Fall 2018 tuition and fees due
Aug. 15: Sorority Recruitment Move-In
Aug. 20: Move-In Day 2018
Aug. 22: New Student Convocation
Aug. 23: Fall semester classes begin
Aug. 29: Last day to drop a course without a "W" being recorded
Sept. 3: Labor Day - no classes, offices closed
Sept. 14: Deadline to apply for fall 2018 graduation
Please continue to visit the Parents & Families Gateway for information and resources at 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:  sc.edu/parents  
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752