Virtual Orientation Meetings and Programs
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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 and your student the opportunity to get to know our orientation leaders, hear from faculty and staff, and get your questions answered.
All students and families are encouraged to sign up for one
Orientation Zoom Meeting
and participate in as many of the other virtual programs. Below is a description of each virtual program.
- Orientation Zoom Meetings -- New students and parents are invited to attend one of these meetings to supplement the virtual advising and registration appointments and the online orientation module. Pre-registration is required.
- Virtual Q-and-A Sessions with USI -- These sessions will give you an update from campus, answer questions related to orientation, advising and registration, and other questions you may have.
- Orientation Zoom Series -- Attend one or multiple of these Thursday evening sessions that provide information about different parts of campus.
- New Student Hangouts -- New students can join AMIGO Orientation Leaders (current students) to learn more about USI's campus, connect with other new students, and get questions answered.
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Virtual Advising and Registration Appointment
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If your student is already signed up for orientation, their orientation date becomes their virtual advising and registration date. Their Virtual Advising and Registration appointment will occur based upon the "orientation" date they selected.
Your student will receive an email a week prior to their Virtual Advising and Registration date from the advising center of their major with instructions for that appointment. Their advising appointment may be a few days before or after their selected "orientation" date. It will take about 30-45 minutes and they don't need to be available all day.
Make sure to have them check their junk or clutter mailboxes. If they can't find the communication or their appointment date and time doesn't work, have them reach out to the advising center of their major. Advising center information
can be found here.
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Orientation Contact Information & FAQs
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Student Development Programs (Orientation):
- Online chat will be available every day from 8 a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Look for the “How Can We Help?” chat feature on the Orientation webpage.
- Email questions to orientation@usi.edu.
- Call 812-465-7167 and leave a voicemail. A staff member will respond within one business day.
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Resources to Help Pay for College
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There are many ways to make attending college more affordable. Grants, loans, scholarships, work study or a combination of these types of aid help students with the costs of pursuing a degree at USI. Below are three resources that can assist your student and family to pay for college.
National Student Loan Data System
- The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) central database for student aid. Recipients of Title IV Aid can access and inquire about their Title IV loans and/or grant data through NSLDS Student Access. To learn more, please visit the NSLDS website.
Mapping Your Future
- Mapping Your Future is your free resource for career, college, financial aid and money management information. To learn more, please visit the Mapping Your Future website.
Cash Course
- Financial literacy is especially important for college students, who now have more financial choices and opportunities than ever. The National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) offers a website that contains comprehensive, non-commercial information to help students make these financial decisions. To learn more, please visit the Cash Course website.
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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”
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Student Financial Assistance Contact Information
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Housing and Residence Life
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Living Learning Communities (LLCs) Information
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If your student is still deciding on a place to live next year, you’re in luck! We have some open spots left in our Living Learning Communities (LLCs). Each LLC has its own space in the first-year residence halls where students live together and take a couple of classes as a cohort. This is a great way to meet students who share the same interests as your student!
We have thematic LLCs, like Outdoor Adventures, E-Sports & Gaming, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Service & Leadership, and Creative Expressions. These LLCs are open to almost all majors, so your student can meet others from all across the colleges.
Other LLCs are major-based, so you could choose to live with students who have similar academic interests.
And parents? Don’t worry. These LLCs are designed to help students balance their hobbies with their academics and succeed at USI. Students who live in LLCs typically have higher GPAs and express greater satisfaction with their first year of college. Each LLC has special activities and signature events, as well as an LLC mentor to help students.
If you’re interested in an LLC, apply now before spots close. Complete your general housing application and follow the link to the LLC application.
Living Learning Communities Contact Information
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We have what you need to succeed!
Whether your student is in a campus apartment or one of the residence hall suites, they will have everything they need to succeed. Housing offers both traditional same gender and
gender inclusive
room assignments. All rooms are furnished, and are equipped with wired and wireless internet access. Utilities are included in your housing rate. Even basic expanded cable service is available--simply provide the television. All campus communities have laundry facilities for student use and parking nearby. To view the locations of our housing communities, check out the
campus map
.
Updated Important Dates
- July 1: The extended date to cancel the 2020-21 housing contract without penalty.
- July 2-14: Select your bed space during your assigned appointment time online
- July 15: Room notification - assignments and roommate information will be sent through USI email
- August 1: Move-in information will be emailed to all assigned students. This includes move-in dates and times, as well as information about important University services.
Housing Contact Information
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Do you have a curious, eager student who loves to learn and wants to be part of a community of like-minded students? They should join the USI Honors Program! We can be their home at USI. We’ll give your student the academic push to enjoy learning, and they’ll also find a great group of students with which to share social events and service opportunities.
Honors students take seven classes at the honors level during their four years at USI and graduate as University Honors Scholars. We have a mentor/mentee program and other great events throughout the academic year. And the fun didn’t stop when we went online! Our Honors students are currently building USI in Minecraft. Have your student join now to help with the building! With Honors, there’s always something interesting happening.
Incoming first-year students need a 3.5 high school GPA and a 1220 SAT/25 ACT. If your student's testing was disrupted by COVID-19, but they identify as an Honors student, we want them to join! Check out more info and apply at the
Honors Program website
. Email Dr. Sarah Stevens, Director of Honors Program and Living Learning Community, with your questions at
Sarah.Stevens@usi.edu
.
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Campus Visit and Office Information
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Campus Visits
Please know that Student Development Programs and Admissions are working remotely. Campus is only accessible by authorized personnel; however, the University welcomes prospective students and their families to engage with us virtually. Available options are listed below, and we encourage students and their families to take advantage of these opportunities.
Admissions:
- Online chat will be available every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Look for the "Live Counselor Available" graphic on the Admissions webpage.
- Email enroll@usi.edu or call 812-464-1765
- Participate in a variety of virtual opportunities including individual appointments, student videos, campus tours and more.
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Student Spotlight - Kelsey McCullough
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