- Register for Family Weekend
- Talking Points
- UofSC Welcome
- Student Mail Center
- My Carolina's Student Network
- Fall bill payment
- Student Health Services
- CarolinaCard
- Answering your questions
- University news
- Important dates
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Greetings!
The start of classes is always an exciting time at the University of South Carolina. There's renewed energy from students to make this a great year filled with growth and learning.
Encourage your student to take advantage of the many opportunities during the first weeks of the semester to meet with campus offices, connect with new organizations and create a path for an unforgettable year.
Carolina Welcome takes place Aug. 19-31 and will provide your student an opportunity to get to know more about the South Carolina community, or just welcome them back after some time away.
A favorite tradition during Carolina Welcome is First Night Carolina on the historic Horseshoe. New students will take part in their first official GAME-COCKS chant while dancing to the sounds of a live DJ and enjoying the tastes of South Carolina with a food truck rally. It's sure to be a fun start to their time in Columbia.
Do you have questions or concerns as your student starts their semester? Please don't hesitate to contact the
Office of Parent & Family Programs by replying to this email or calling the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752.
I wish you and your student a great month as we head into the new academic year!
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Anna C. Edwards, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
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Members of the Class of 2022 enjoy First Night Carolina in 2018.
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Purchase your Family Weekend packages today!
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A beloved UofSC tradition,
Family Weekend brings together families from all class years, across the country, and around the world to celebrate the spirit that is Gamecock pride. Join your student and the South Carolina family for a fun-filled weekend of academic receptions, tailgating, Horseshoe tours, service projects and much more.
Online registration for Family Weekend is open through Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. (EDT). A package is
required for each family member and UofSC student to attend the events. There is also an option to purchase packages with football tickets so you and your student can cheer on the Gamecocks together!
The weekend's events will
begin mid-morning Friday, Sept. 27 and conclude in the early-afternoon Sunday, Sept. 29.
The Family Weekend Schedule of Events is available on the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
with new programs added each week, so check back often to see what's new!
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August Family Talking Points
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August is here and students are making their final preparations before moving into their residence halls and apartments to start the fall semester. If your student is feeling overwhelmed, helpful packing lists and moving tips are available on the
University Housing and
Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations
websites. Additionally, encourage your student to go green as they pack up their beloved items with these eco-friendly moving tips:
- Instead of cardboard boxes, students can pack items in suitcases, bags or collapsible storage totes. These can be used for years to come.
- Wrap breakable items in sheets or towels to limit plastic and bubble wrap waste.
- When purchasing new school supplies or apartment decorations, look for those made with recycled materials.
- Consider renting or using digital textbooks to save money and trees, rather than buying new.
- Make as few trips as possible to move in. This will save money on gas and car mileage, while helping the environment.
Students interested in going green in all aspects of their lives can learn more about the eco-friendly clubs on campus at the
Student Organization Fair
taking place Aug. 28 on Greene Street.
Additional talking points and tips for supporting your student are available in the
Parent & Family Programs mobile app
. Be sure to review the "Conversation Kick-Starters" tab for discussion ideas before your student packs up and heads to Carolina.
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Move-In
University Housing's Official Move-In Days for 2019 are Monday, Aug. 19 and Tuesday, Aug. 20. To have the best experience possible, students should review their community's
Move-In guide prior to packing and traveling to campus.
Assigned times and roommate pairings are available on students' Self-Service Carolina accounts.
Live updates for Move-In traffic, parking and building information will be available beginning Aug. 14 for approved early arrivals and continuing through Aug. 20. Questions about Move-In and housing assignments can be directed to University Housing at 803-777-4283 or by emailing
housing@sc.edu.
Carolina Welcome
As students return to life at South Carolina, many fun activities are planned for the first week of classes. Highlights of the week's events include:
- First Night Carolina - Aug. 21, 7:30 - 10 p.m., Horseshoe/Greene Street
- Discover Columbia - Aug. 22, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., Greene Street
- Opportunity Knocks Job Fair - Aug. 23, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Russell House
- OMSA Carnival - Aug. 26, 5 - 8 p.m., Russell House Ballroom
- Night at the Fireflies - Aug. 29, 7 - 11 p.m., Segra Park
Encourage your student to coordinate with their roommates/hallmates and join in the fun together!
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Student Mail Center - Fall 2019
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Shipment of Packages
The Student Mail Center will begin accepting packages Aug. 7 for students residing on campus this fall.
Fall Move-In Package Pick Up
Temporary package pick up for Move-In will take place at 718 Devine Street in Columbia during the following times:
- Aug. 14: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Early arrivals)
- Aug. 19: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Move-In)
- Aug. 20: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Move-In)
The above location is only for picking up packages during Move-In. Regular operations for package pick up will resume Aug. 21 in the lower level of the Russell House University Union.
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My Carolina's Student Network
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A 40+ year tradition,
My Carolina's Student Network strives to connect students with alumni, build a stronger campus community, prepare students for their careers, and develop the next generation of leaders.
Student members are able to attend networking events throughout the year with prominent alumni and community members. Students can also take advantage of the material benefits of membership, like spirit T-shirts, water bottles, decals, and a discount on the official Carolina ring.
Students can learn more about getting involved with My Carolina's Student Network by visiting
their website or looking for them at the Student Organization Fair.
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Bill Payment and Financial Aid
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Fee Payment Deadline
Fall 2019 tuition and fee bills are available on
Self Service Carolina and should be
paid by Aug. 14 or students risk having their course schedule dropped. The mail-in payment deadline is Aug. 7 and checks can be made payable to the University of South Carolina and mailed to:
University of South Carolina
Bursar's Office
1244 Blossom Street - Suite 128
Columbia, SC 29208-0001
Payment Plans
Payment plans are available for students and require an initial payment of 25% of the balance due after all financial aid (scholarships, loans, grants) has been applied. There are three additional payments due over the course of the semester, resulting in four total payments per term.
A payment plan can be selected when making the first payment through Self Service Carolina (SSC). The payment plan covers tuition, housing, meal plans, and technology and program fees. Monthly payments can be made in person, mailed to the Bursar's Office or processed electronically via SSC from a checking account or credit card.
Please note that past payment plans do not carry over from semester to semester.
Authorized Users
Students can
assign authorized users
to their SSC account to allow parents and guardians to view student bills, payment history, request 1098-T information, set up a payment plan and speak with the Bursar's Office about their student's account.
College Savings Plan - 529
If your student has a college savings plan, you will need to send a copy of your student's bill to your plan administrator as soon as possible to ensure payments are received in a timely manner.
Direct Deposits
If your student expects to receive a refund from excess financial aid or loan monies, encourage them to set up their direct deposit account through SSC. This will expedite the process for receiving those refunds.
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Student Health Services News
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Student Health Services Hours
- Through Aug. 9: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Starting Aug. 12: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday Clinic Hours
- Starting Aug. 25, the Center for Health and Well-Being will be open 2-8 p.m. on Sundays to see students and schedule appointments.
Proof of Insurance
Students who take six credit hours or more are required to have health insurance for 2019-2020. Students must either:
- purchase the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan or
- waive the requirement by sharing proof of their own appropriate health insurance, whether under a policy of their own or a parent's plan.
Students need to visit
sc.myahpcare.com
to select the Student Health Insurance Plan or input their subscriber information to waive the fee. Information will be verified and an email will be sent to the student notifying them of approval. Failure to waive will result in automatic enrollment in the university-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plan. Visit
sc.edu/studentinsurance
for more information.
Measles Prevention
Student Health Services is encouraging all students, faculty and staff to know their immunization status for the measles as soon as possible.
The lab can perform a blood test to determine immunity or the immunization department can provide the MMR vaccine. The blood test is $29 and the MMR vaccine is $75. Students can contact the lab to schedule a blood test at 803-777-3958 or the immunization department to receive the vaccine at 803-777-9511.
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CarolinaCard Office Reminders
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Meal Plans
Students looking to change or upgrade their
meal plan can do so by visiting
Self Service Carolina and making edits under the Account Information tab. Aug. 22 is the last day to make changes to meal plans.
Meal Plan Dollars vs. CarolinaCa$h
Meal plan dollars are tax free dollars that students can only use at dining locations on campus. These funds must be used by the end of the semester and cannot be added unless a new meal plan is purchased. In comparison, CarolinaCa$h can be used throughout campus and
with local vendors. It can also be added at any point and CarolinaCa$h rolls over until a student graduates from the university.
Adding CarolinaCa$h
Students and families can download the GET mobile app available for iOS and Android phone or visit
GET.cbord.com/sc or
carolinacard.sc.edu to add CarolinaCa$h to their student's account. Parents, guardians and other relatives will need the student's full name, VIPID (i.e. 00123456) and their birthday to add funds online or by calling the CarolinaCard Office at (803)-777-1708.
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The Office of Parent & Family Programs is your resource for supporting your student during their time at South Carolina. To better assist you, we are sharing one question every month from a fellow family member in the Family E-News.
My student is completing an internship in another city this spring. Is there a way for them to sublease their apartment during that time? It is common for UofSC students to study abroad or complete an internship away from campus. If your student is in an apartment community, encourage them to speak with their property manager about their options. Otherwise, the
Office of Off-Campus Living & Neighborhood Relations
provides
message boards
for UofSC students to connect with each other about finding a roommate, subletting an apartment and more. Staff in Off-Campus Living are also available to answer questions about that process by emailing:
saocss@mailbox.sc.edu.
Have a question?
Contact the Office of Parent & Family Programs at 1-800-868-6752 or
scparents@sc.edu,
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for assistance.
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"President-Elect: Robert L.
Caslen, Jr."
Robert L. “Bob” Caslen Jr., a retired lieutenant general and the former superintendent and president of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, has been named the 29th president of the University of South Carolina.
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"Students work year-round to pull off annual fundraiser"
They’ve raised more than $2 million in the past two years for the kids at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. But just like the dancing at their annual Main Event, the work never stops for UofSC Dance Marathon.
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Aug. 5:
Sorority houses open for residents
Aug. 14:
Fee payment deadline
Aug. 14:
Sorority recruitment move-in and orientation
Aug. 19-20:
Move-In
Aug. 21:
First Night Carolina
Aug. 22:
Fall semester classes begin
Aug. 28:
Last day to change/drop a course without a "W"
Sept. 2:
Labor Day -
no classes, university offices closed
Sept. 9:
Last day to register for Family Weekend
Sept. 16:
Fall 2019 graduation application due
Oct. 10-11: Fall Break -
no classes
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Please continue to visit the Parents & Families Gateway for information and resources at
sc.edu/parents
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Office of Parent & Family Programs
University of South Carolina
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
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