Starting the College Experience
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Leaving home to attend school is both exciting and challenging. Homesickness is very normal and is experienced by the majority of students who leave home for the first time. Even if your student has spent time away from home previously, they are not immune from the loneliness, self-doubt, concentration difficulties, and preoccupation with home that characterizes homesickness. Here are some basic strategies which have proven effective for many students:
- Remember, homesickness is usually temporary - remind your student to give themself time to adjust.
- Encourage Involvement (with other students, classes, and student activities). The sooner the student adapts to their new surroundings, the less intense their feelings of discomfort will become.
- Call or write to them, but advise against trips home every weekend. This is especially important during the beginning of the school year when many clubs, organizations and activities are just getting started. This is the student's opportunity to make new friends, many of whom are in the same boat.
- Advocate to share their feelings with a counselor, friend, or resident assistant. Allowing the student to put a voice to their feelings can sometimes provide a new perspective and create a sense of relief.
If your student is transferring or commuting to campus, these helpful tips still apply.
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Counseling Center Resources to Help
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While most students will develop homesickness or other emotions and move past it, in some cases, it can develop into something more extreme. Seek guidance from the Counseling Center, they can help your student assess the situation and make a plan to move forward. All services are free.
Contact the USI Counseling Center at 812-464-1867 or visit the
Counseling Center website
for
self-help
resources for your student such as how to transition to college, mental health information, and more!
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- Make sure your student's basic needs are met this includes getting enough sleep, eating enough food, drinking enough water, exercising when they can, and keeping personal hygiene in mind.
- Recognize the sources of stress encourage your student to eliminate unnecessary stress, face stress head on in a positive manner.
- Ditch technology for a day - it can truly clear your student's head!
- Overcome creative block through self-care, tell your student to take a cognitive break and just walk away, remove distractions, change their scenery, do something that inspires them.
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Student Alcohol and Drug Use
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- Despite the myth of "all college students drink", according to university data, 73.8% of USI freshman report NOT drinking when hanging out with friends. USI's policy prohibits alcohol and drugs on campus.
- Students who choose to go out and drink should do so in a responsible manner. Students are encouraged to eat before and while drinking, go out with trusted friends, and make plans to get home safely. Use USI's SAFE Ride if you need to get back to campus!
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Welcome to Screagle Nation!
The Bursar’s Office is a student’s one stop shop for billing and payment options. If you have any questions, visit the
Bursar’s Office website
for more information about our payment plans.
1) Fall 2020 tuition and fees are now viewable in TouchNet.
TouchNet is portal available through a your m
yUSI
that gives a student access to their billing statement, sign up for eRefunds (direct deposit), pay their bill, enroll in a payment plan, and view their 1098T form. Students may also create authorized users who can access TouchNet through a separate login. Authorized users may view a student’s billing statement, pay on a student’s bill, or enroll in a payment plan.
2) Authorized Users
We understand many parents are financially supporting their student through their higher education. To help simplify the process and communication, we encourage students to add their parent(s) or guardian(s) as authorized users in TouchNet.
3) Billing Statements
Billing statements will be sent on August 3,
which will have the student’s tuition, housing, meal plans, and financial aid itemized.
The Fall payment is due August 28, 2020.
4) Payment Plans
Students and authorized users may enroll in the Fall 2020 estimated payment plan now. This payment plan allows students to begin paying on their account with a minimum of $200 and divide their remaining costs into five monthly installments.
Deadline to enroll is July 31.
Beginning August 3, the payment plan will require 20% down with four monthly installments or eight bi-monthly installments. There is no enrollment fee or interest on any of our payment plans.
Deadline to enroll is August 28.
5) eRefunds
Sign up for eRefunds to ensure your refund is processed safer and faster. Log into TouchNet and click on Direct Deposit to enroll today.
Bursars (Student Payment Center) Contact Information
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Student Financial Assistance
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Student Financial Assistance is dedicated to helping University of Southern Indiana students and their families navigate the financial aid process and educating them in making the best use of all resources available to help finance the cost of their education. The majority of USI students receive some form of college financial aid, so our financial assistance counselors are experts at navigating the financial aid system.
Check Financial Assistance Status
Students can check the status of their financial aid and any outstanding documents by following these steps:
- Log in to myUSI
- Select the “Self Service” Eagle App
- Select “Financial Aid”
- Check on status of outstanding documents by selecting “Eligibility”
- Check financial aid package by selecting “Award” and then “Award for Aid Year”
Student Financial Assistance Contact Information
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Student Financial Success Center
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The Student Financial Success Center (SFSC) is here to help you answer these questions and walk with you through this exciting time. The SFSC provides virtual peer-mentoring and support services to advance financial literacy and wellness among students and to promote their retention and success.
The SFSC seeks to empower people with the skills and strategies that they need to transition from financial stress to financial success. To make your first move toward financial freedom today visit SFSC online to learn more.
We look forward to walking with you towards a lifetime of financial wellness and success!
Student Financial Success Center Contact Information
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Watch the Orientation Series College Finance Replay
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Watch the Orientation Zoom Series College Finance Replay, which covers student financial aid, billing and payment processes, and student support for financial planning.
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Working
on-campus
can help students feel connected to USI, meet new people, and feel a part of something. Most on-campus jobs understand you are a student first and offer flexibility. The location is also a perk. Instead of commuting to a job, you can reduce travel time and costs by working on campus. There are two types of on-campus positions:
Student Worker
and
Federal Work Study
.
Working
off-campus
is another option. Working off-campus offers more job options and often higher wages. However, you will spend more time off campus and the employer may not be as understanding that you are a student first. Make sure you factor in travel time when looking at off-campus jobs.
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1) Enroll in Classes
Submit your Personalized Enrollment Form received via email. If you cannot locate your email, complete
this form
to begin the enrollment process.
Please email your advising center with questions or call and leave a voicemail. A staff member will respond in one business day. If you are unsure of your advising center,
check here
.
2) Complete New Student Online Orientation
3) Participate in Virtual Orientation Meetings and Programs
USI is offering a variety of virtual orientation meetings and programs to prepare new students and their families for the upcoming school year. These activities will give you the opportunity to get to know other students and our orientation leaders, hear from faculty and staff, and get your questions answered.
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Campus Office Information
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Check out the following offices for new student and campus information:
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Virtual Camp Eagle: August 7-8
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New students are invited to participate in Virtual Camp Eagle on August 7-8. Join us in our fun and interactive online adventure on Zoom and participate in challenging team-building activities, educational sessions, and learn more about USI. It is free to participate. Limited spots are available. Learn more and register online at
USI.edu/campeagle
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More Information Coming Soon
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Student Spotlight - Tobi Clark
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Welcome Screagles! My name is Tobi Clark and I am a sophomore undecided major. I grew up in Mt. Vernon, IN, which is about 15 minutes from Evansville. Growing up I always dreamed of going to college far away and getting out of my little town, but something changed when I went on my first tour of USI. I had grown up on the USI campus, both of my parents were alumni and my sister a cheerleader, so my family was always on campus going to basketball games and other events. When I got to campus for my official tour, something felt different. I immediately had a feeling of home and knew it was where I was meant to be.
Choosing USI was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Not only is the campus beautiful and well taken care of, but the community at USI is what makes it so special. Everyone on the campus is cheering you on and wants you to succeed. The professors are always there to help you and see you as more than just a name on the attendance sheet. They truly care about all of their students and want to get to know you and help you in any way that they can. Not only is the staff a great part of the community, but the student body is also what makes it so special. The students at USI are some of the kindest and most supportive students you will meet. They are the kind of people who help when they see you struggling or stop you on your walk to class just to give you a compliment. The community at USI is so welcoming and truly makes you feel like you belong.
If I could give you any advice, it would be to put yourself out there and try anything and everything. As someone who is undecided on a major, I decided to take classes I never would have dreamed of taking. Some classes I was not a fan of, while others I ended up loving, but by taking different classes I was able to narrow my career choices. Having the future be unknown can be scary sometimes, especially when it seems like everyone around you knows what they’re doing with their lives.
But in the end, you’ll figure it out and everything will be just fine. Don’t only try new classes, but make sure to try out clubs and events on campus and get involved. USI has something for everyone
,
including intramural sports, academic clubs, sororities and fraternities, and everything in between. Getting involved on campus and trying new things truly shaped me into who I am today and allowed me to meet so many new, amazing people along the way.
I know transitioning into college can be scary, but by putting yourself out there and trying new things, you are going to make so many new friends and a lifetime of memories. I can’t wait to see you all on campus and I know you’ll all have a great time here at USI. Welcome home and go Screagles!
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