University of South Carolina  

University of South Carolina Parent E-news: November 2015
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Thanksgiving break is quickly approaching, and we know students are getting excited for a holiday break! In the meantime, be sure to encourage and support your student through this potentially stressful academic period. 

If you think your student may be struggling in a course, the Student Success Center is a great place to refer him/her. The center offers a variety of services including drop-in tutoring, help with study skills and Supplemental Instruction.  

You can continue to stay connected to our office by calling the Parents Assistance Line at 1-800-868-6752 or sending an email to [email protected] with your questions.

Additionally, make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and visit the Parents Programs website for timely posts and monthly tips to supplement this newsletter.

One of USC's oldest traditions, Tigerburn, will take place Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. on the Greene Street Intramural Fields in anticipation of the South Carolina vs. Clemson football game. 
Thanksgiving break airport shuttle
Each year, Student Government sponsors a free shuttle to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport for students during certain university breaks.

This service will be available for Thanksgiving break and will run Nov. 24 and 25, with trips departing at 5 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Students also can be picked up from the airport at the conclusion of the break on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Reservations must be made for the shuttle by Friday, Nov. 20 at noon
Greek Village opening and closing dates
For students living in the Greek Village, opening and closing dates are published online to assist with travel plans for university breaks. The 2016-2017 dates also are available for students who plan to live in their fraternity or sorority house next school year.

Upcoming dates:
  • Thanksgiving break closing: Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m.
  • Thanksgiving break reopening: Saturday, Nov. 28 at 8 a.m.
For additional questions about specific houses, students should contact their house directors.
Opportunities to share with your student
U101 peer leader application
A University 101 peer leader is an exceptional upper-class student chosen to serve as a co-instructor in a University 101 class. Peer Leader applications are now available. Click here to view the application and selection process.

Carolinian Creed and Diversity week
Nov. 2-7 is Carolinian Creed and Diversity week. Students are encouraged to participate in the activities sponsored by the Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity, celebrating 25 years of the Carolinian Creed.

Hunger and Homelessness Week and Carolina Cares
Hunger and Homelessness Weeka week devoted to raising awareness of the issues of hunger and homelessness, will be held Nov. 14-22. Carolina Cares, a month dedicated to making holidays happen for families in need, is ongoing through Nov. 23. There are many ways to give back during the holidays, including writing cards for troops, providing a Thanksgiving meal for a family in need, stuffing stockings for children and more.

Senior awards
The Honors and Awards Commission is accepting applications for the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges award. Students selected for this honor also will be considered for Outstanding Senior and the university's top two undergraduate awards - the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award and the Steven N. Swanger Leadership Award. The deadline for students to submit their application online is Monday, Nov. 9 at 4 p.m. 

Suicide prevention gatekeeper training
The university is dedicated to educating students, faculty and staff about suicide prevention as a way to foster a healthy and supportive university environment. Suicide prevention gatekeeper training is a great way for students to learn about warning signs and appropriate ways to react if they notice a friend exhibiting these signs. Students can register for the training by clicking here.

Graduate and Professional School Fair
If your student needs to research graduate schools as he/she prepares to live out his/her career goals, encourage him/her to attend the Career Center's Graduate & Professional School Fair on Thursday, Nov. 12. Graduate and professional schools will attend this fair to recruit USC students for their graduate and professional academic programs. 
From the Bursar's Office

Spring 2016 bills
Tuition bills will be available for students who are registered for spring semester classes on Self Service Carolina (SSC) beginning Nov. 19. Please be sure your student reviews his/her bill thoroughly and checks that all charges are present and accurate. The online and in-person payment deadline for Spring 2016 is Jan. 7. The deadline for pre-payment by mail is Jan. 4. Payment plans for the spring semester are available through your student's SSC account.

1098T educational tax credit statements
Students can choose to access their 1098T forms online or have them mailed to their permanent addresses. This choice can be made on SSC. For additional questions concerning your tax credit, please contact your tax advisor.

Fall 2015 payment plans
If your student set up a payment plan for Fall 2015, please remember that the next payment is due Nov. 15.

Changes in your student's bill
Please remind your student to look at his/her bill on SSC each time a change is made to the account. This includes dropping or adding classes, changing meal plans, changing housing, adding optional fees, etc. Charges also can be added for other activities such as visiting the Student Health Center. Invoices/bills will not be sent to the student for these visits. Unpaid balances on your student's account could result in the cancellation of classes.

Authorized users
Students have the ability to assign authorized users to their account in SSC. This authorization will allow the authorized user to see the student's bill, payment history, 1098T information and payment plan, as well as speak with the Bursar's Office staff about the student's account. Please note that if your student previously submitted a FERPA release form, he/she still will need to set authorized users in SSC.

Direct deposits
If your student expects to receive a refund (which includes excess financial aid), we advise setting up direct deposit through SSC via the e-refunds tab. This is the most efficient method for receiving overage dollars. Otherwise, paper overage checks will be mailed, which slows down receipt of potentially needed dollars. Please note that if your student had direct deposit prior to the conversion to SSC, direct deposit information will need to be set up again.

For more information from the Office of the Bursar, click here.
CarolinaCard update
As Thanksgiving break approaches, talk to your student about adding CarolinaCash to his/her CarolinaCard. You can add CarolinaCash through optional fees on your student's account starting on November 19th. Please note that all meal plans return to the original university mandated 10 meals per week requirement for the spring semester. Beginning November 19, your student can log into Self Service Carolina to choose a new meal plan that suits his/her spring needs.
Parents Calendar update
If you received a 2015-2016 Parents Calendar, please make note of this important update. The calendar mistakenly states that Tuesday, Nov. 3 is General Election Day with no classes. Grab a pen and mark in your calendar that all university classes will take place on that day as scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. To view an updated calendar, click here
University Housing opening and closing dates
To assist residents with travel planning, University Housing publishes residence hall opening and closing dates on an online calendar. Parents should use this calendar as a resource to help their students plan for university breaks. Please note updates:
  • Thanksgiving: all residence halls will re-open on Friday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. to support students attending the Carolina vs. Clemson football game on Saturday.
  • Final move-out: all residence halls will close Thursday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

For additional questions about move-out procedures or residence hall closings, please visit the University Housing website or call 803-777-4283.

University news updates
South Carolina named winner of SEC Academic Collaboration Award
The University of South Carolina has been named the recipient of the second SEC Academic Collaboration Award. The goal of the SEC Academic Collaboration Award is to expand student-focused collaboration among SEC universities. Read more >>>

UofSC students, faculty, staff help out during flood
UofSC faculty, staff, students and alumni pulled together in the days following the historic flooding event and helped their neighbors. Read more>>>

Stay updated on the latest University of South Carolina news.
Important upcoming dates
Nov. 2-7: Carolinian Creed and Diversity Week
Nov. 12: Graduate and Professional School Fair
Nov. 14-22: Hunger and Homelessness Week
Nov. 16-20: Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive
Nov. 22: 
Ring Ceremony
Nov. 23: Tigerburn
Nov. 25-27: Thanksgiving break (no classes)
Nov. 27: All residence halls open at 5 p.m.
Dec. 4: Last day of classes
Dec. 7-14: Final exams
Dec. 14: Commencement
Jan. 1: FAFSA available for 2016-2017
Jan. 6: Residence halls open at 8 a.m.
Jan. 11: Spring semester classes begin 
Please continue to visit our website for information and resources at www.sa.sc.edu/parents. As always, we are only a phone call or email away, and we encourage your feedback!

Office of Parents Programs
University of South Carolina
Website:
www.sa.sc.edu/parents 
Parents Assistance Line: 1-800-868-6752
Email:
[email protected]
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