Family Resources

At the College of Charleston, we understand that parents and families are critical to student success. We encourage parents and families to be active in their student's college experience but allow them to grow into confident self-advocates. 

Go here to see what your student must complete by May 1, before participating in the June Orientation, and before arriving on campus in August. 

Stay up to date by subscribing to The CofC Parent & Family Experience and joining the Charleston Bridge community. This is where information and deadlines related to Charleston Bridge will be posted. Please note that the fall Charleston Bridge academic calendar differs from the CofC academic calendar.

If you have questions or need information that you cannot find on the Charleston Bridge website, contact the Office of New Student Programs at 843.953.2017 or email bridge@cofc.edu. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30-5:00 p.m.

Resources

The information on this page may be of interest to families with students participating in Charleston Bridge. This page includes links to general information about the program, resources about the transition to the collegiate environment and helpful campus resources.
  • Charleston Bridge Parent & Family Chats

    The Office of New Student Programs staff hosts several virtual chats for parents and families of students participating in Charleston Bridge. Parents and families are encouraged to attend and ask questions. You will receive an email announcement with the date/time/event link when chats occur. 

  • Charleston Bridge Orientation for Families

    Charleston Bridge Orientation is for students participating in Charleston Bridge and their parents and families. Participating students are required to attend the Charleston Bridge Orientation. This one-day event is free to students and families. There is no overnight on-campus housing for this event.

    If you are unsure if your student has signed you up to attend the Charleston Bridge Orientation, contact the College of Charleston's Office of New Student Programs at 843.953.2017 (open M-F, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) or email orientat@cofc.edu. Please indicate that you are inquiring about the Charleston Bridge Orientation. 

  • Campus ID Card - Cougar Card

    Charleston Bridge students receive a College of Charleston ID card known as a Cougar Card to enter various campus facilities, access dining locations, and go into the residence hall - this includes moving into the hall. Students should complete the Online photo submission instructions and submit this to Campus HQ before attending orientation. 

    Questions:

  • Required Health Forms for New Students

    College of Charleston Student Health Services (SHS) does require health documentation before a student moves into the residence hall and begins classes. Step-by-step instructions to submit online documentation can be found on the SHS website.

    College of Charleston requires three immunizations Quadrivalent Meningitis, TDAP and MMR. The COVID-19 vaccine is encouraged but not mandatory for students. 

    If you have questions, contact Student Health Services by phone at 843.953.5520 or email healthservices@cofc.edu. 

  • Navigating Between Two Institutions

    With the partnership between College of Charleston and Trident Technical College, it is necessary to coordinate some parts of the program such as teaching, technical support, billing operations, financial aid, and disability services through Trident Technical College while other services such as campus housing, dining services, counseling, student life, health services, and academic support are provided by the College of Charleston. 

    Although working between the two institutions may be overwhelming  for students at first, we provide resources and support for all program participants. This support involves faculty and staff from Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston. While some are involved in academic advising, financial aid guidance, and teaching — others are involved in student and parent communication, academic and student support services, and mental health resources. 

    Student's can always reach out to the Charleston Bridge staff in the Office of New Student Programs by emailing bridge@cofc.edu or call 843.953.2017. Campus staff, success seminar instructors, and a team of peer mentors can answer questions about resources to help students successfully cross the bridge to becoming an official College of Charleston student in the spring.

  • Where Can a Student Get Help?

    Once the semester begins, Charleston Bridge students transition from working with an advisor from TTC over the summer to communicating with TTC faculty and College of Charleston staff. Students should reach out to the following resources: 

    • The Charleston Bridge staff - The Charleston Bridge director and associate director have offices located in the Office of New Student Programs and are available to meet with students as needed. 
    • Trident Technical College faculty - The student's faculty member should be the first point of contact by the student. Students should check their syllabi for faculty contact information and office hours.  
    • Student Success Seminar Instructor & Peer Mentor - The Student Success seminar instructor is a member of the College of Charleston staff. Students have access to their seminar instructor and peer mentor during the fall semester. In addition to attending the success seminar with both the instructor and mentor on Mondays at 5:30 p.m., students receive weekly emails from the instructor and peer mentor. Both individuals are available to meet with students to help with any challenges they are experiencing during the fall semester. 
    • The Center for Student Learning (CSL) - The CSL is the Academic Support center for the College of Charleston. Students are expected to use the services at least once during the fall, however, students are encouraged to use the Center services frequently. Students can receive help from a tutor, use the walk-in labs, and meet with a peer academic coach to discuss managing time or any issues related to class.  
  • Release of Academic Information from Trident Technical College

    FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records and prevents faculty and staff from sharing information with third parents regarding student academic progress. This includes parents and family members. 

    Although a student can complete a FERPA release so information can be shared, it is recommended that open lines of communication facilitate a free exchange of information about progress between the student and parents. 

    The following forms would be needed by TTC to release information: 

    • Authorization to Release Records form - This form is completed in person by the student with the Charleston Bridge Director or Associate Director. This form is submitted to Trident Technical College's Registrar's Office.  
    • Release of Information form - This form completed in person by the student with the Charleston Bridge Director or Associate Director. This form consents to authorization to release of a student's disciplinary and/or academic record. 
    • Both forms listed above must be submitted in person by the student. Student's making this request must present a ID card when submitting these forms.  

    NOTE: If a student is admitted to College of Charleston, the student would need to initiate the FERPA process for this institution. Students can grant third parties proxy access to their academic information which may eliminate the need to complete FERPA documentation. 

     

  • Technology & IT Support

    Since participating students have a TTC and CofC email account, it is critical that students check both emails frequently during the summer and fall semester. TTC faculty, financial aid, and billing will communicate using the student's TTC email account. Information sent from the Charleston Bridge staff, seminar instructor, and peer mentor will go to the student's CofC email. 

    Both institutions use online learning. College of Charleston uses a platform called OAKS accessed by students through MyPortal. OAKS is used to deliver the student success seminar content and the student's submission of seminar assignments. The seminar lecture component is a face-to-face meeting held on Mondays from 5:30-6:20 p.m. In addition to OAKS, the College of Charleston seminar instructors and peer mentors may use ZOOM for virtual student appointments. 

    D2L is the online learning platform used by TTC and this is the platform students find tools for their fall coursework. Fall coursework will consist of face-to-face meetings with Trident Technical College faculty in addition to use of D2L for posting course information. The course syllabus will indicate how the faculty member will post class information and expect assignment submission and test completion. 

    TTC and CofC has IT support available for students. 

    • If a student is experiencing issues regarding CofC technology (CofC email, OAKS, MyPortal), contact College of Charleston IT support. 
    • If there are issues with accessing the TTC portal, TTC email, or D2L contact Trident Technical College IT Services.  
  • Report a Student of Concern

    Faculty, staff, students, friends or family can report a student of concern. This information you submit will be shared with the appropriate CofC staff and the student can be referred to campus resources. It is possible to request that the individual reporting the student remain anonymous. Submit a Referral. 

  • Additional College of Charleston Resources