Fall 2026 New Student Calendar

To help you navigate your pre-college journey, this calendar tracks important deadlines and to-do list for the spring and summer months. Check the webpage each month for updates

If you would like a printable copy of the calendar, please email parents@charleston.edu to request one. 

updated 3/13/2026

MARCH

March 11 — Cougar Excursion Application Opens

March 17 - Orientation Registration Opens in MyPortal at 12 noon EST

March 31 — Panhellenic (Sorority) Recruitment Application Opens

All Month — Register for Admitted Cougar Events

  • Various events are scheduled in February, March, and April. Check the Next Steps page for Admitted Students to register.

All Month — Student Health Requirements

  • Submit required health and immunization information to Student Health Services via the online system. Students not in compliance cannot register for classes at orientation. Deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Learn More About Immunizations
All Month — Submit Cougar Card (CofC ID) Photo
  • Submit your photo online for your Cougar Card. Deadline is five business days before your scheduled orientation.
  • Submit your photo

APRIL

April 1 — Roommate Group Formation Opens

  • Students who have already completed their housing application may begin forming optional roommate groups.
All Month — Student Health Requirements
All Month — Submit Cougar Card Photo

MAY

May 1 — Enrollment Deposit Deadline

  • Deadline to submit your CofC enrollment deposit.

May 1 — Housing Application Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)

  • Deadline for incoming first-year students to complete the CofC housing application for guaranteed Fall
    2026 housing. Note: The housing application can only be completed after submitting your enrollment
    deposit, which takes approximately 12 hours to process.

May 8 — Freshman Orientation Registration Deadline

  • Deadline to register for freshman orientation.

May 15 — Student Health Requirements Deadline

May 15 — Roommate Group Formation Deadline

  • Deadline to form an optional roommate group for students who completed their housing application by May 1.

Mid-Month — Request Official SAT/ACT Scores (First-time, First-year Students Only)

  • Request that official SAT/ACT scores be sent to the Office of Admissions if not already done. Scores are used for placement purposes.

All Month — Submit Cougar Card Photo

JUNE

June 1 — FAFSA / Lawful Presence Verification

Early to Mid-June — Room Selection Begins
  • Students who completed the housing application will begin room selection based on the date of completion.
All Month — Submit Official AP/IB/CLEP Scores
  • Submit official AP, IB, and CLEP score information to the Office of Admissions.
All Month — Review and Accept Financial Aid
  • All students must review and accept the financial aid awarded to them for Fall 2026.
All Month — Submit Cougar Card Photo

JULY

July 20 — Panhellenic Primary Recruitment Registration Deadline
  • Registration closes at 11:59 p.m.
July 26 — Cougar Excursion Application Deadline
  • Final deadline to submit the Cougar Excursion application.

Early July — Fall 2026 Billing Begins

  • Billing begins for the Fall 2026 semester for students who have attended orientation.

Mid-Month — Submit Final High School Transcript

  • Submit your official final high school transcript verifying graduation.

Mid-Month — On-Campus Mailing Address Notification

  • Students living on campus will receive their CofC Complex mailing address and detailed mailing and shipping instructions via email.
All Month — Submit Cougar Card Photo

AUGUST

August 1 — Final Transcript Submission Deadline

  • Deadline for all new students to submit missing official final high school or college transcripts to the Office of Admissions.

August 7 — Cougar Card Photo Submission Deadline

August 10 — Financial Aid Credits to Student Accounts

  • Financial aid for the fall semester credits to student accounts. Automatic bank deposits are available only after the Treasurer's and Controller's Offices produce them and students are notified via email.

August 10 — Meal Plan Change Deadline (MyHousing/Dining Portal)

  • Deadline to make qualified meal plan changes within the MyHousing/Dining portal. Between August 11–21 at 5 p.m., changes can be made through Campus Services HQ.
  • Review Meal Plans

August 12 - Check Cougar Complete Status

August 13-15 - Cougar Excursion

  • Students who are registered to attend will move in on August 12

August 13-23 - Panhellenic Primary Recruitment Process

  • All eight Panhellenic Chapters will participate in the Primary Recruitment process.
  • Early move-in for participants is Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
  • Review information

August 14-15 - Move-in period for students living in campus housing

  • Students must make an appointment to move in.
  • More information will be provided later in the summer.
  • Review information

August 15 - First Night Charleston

August 16 - September 27 - Fall 2026 Weeks of Welcome

August 16 - New Student Convocation

August 18 - NPHC/ Culturally Based Organizations Meet the Greeks Night

August 17 - Fall 2026 semester classes begin

August 21 - Deadline to make qualified meal plan changes

August 21 - Deadline to verify course materials or opt out of Cougar Complete

All Month - Check online for Transfer Credit Awards

  • Includes AP, IB, and college transfer credits
  • Check in Degree Works in MyPortal

Dates to be announced later in the Spring

  • Application for Interfraternity Council (IFC) recruitment opens online. 
  • Interfraternity Council (IFC) Week
  • Interfraternity Council (IFC)  Recruitment Registration Deadline by 11:59 PM
  • IFC Convocation and Open House
  • Deadline for the tuition and fees bill for students who attended the June and July orientation sessions. 
  • Deadline for the tuition and fees bill for students who attended the August orientation sessions. 

Things To Do Monthly in March, April and May

  • Check your College of Charleston email account weekly for important news for incoming students.
  • Explore majors.  You do not have to declare your major before orientation.  
  • Check off items on pre-orientation checklist 
  • Review the laptop requirement and other technology information 
  • Review/Accept Financial Aid packages via MyPortal (under the Financial Aid Dashboard)
  • Check Holds in MyPortal on the My Holds tile. Students will have an orientation hold on their account until they attend orientation.

Things To Do Monthly in June, July and August

All due dates are subject to change for health and safety reasons.
Please refer to department or program websites for updates.