Spring 2026 New Student Calendar

Students starting in the spring 2026 semester should review the calendar below. A printable pdf version is available.  

November 2025

November 1
Spring campus housing application opens. Housing is not guaranteed for the spring, although we are typically able to accommodate all housing applicants.

November 5 
Orientation Registration is available in MyPortal.

November 10             
Submit a photo online for your Cougar Card (College of Charleston ID). Review photo requirements, deadlines and instructions. 

All Month
Immunization Record Form must be submitted to Student Health Services via online system and be in compliance with immunization requirements or student will not be able to register for classes at orientation. Instructions on how to submit can be found on the Student Health website. Deadline is December 31 for January 2026 orientation date.

All Month
Complete student Financial Aid Requirements via MyPortal (for more information, go to the Financial Aid office website).  Specialty scholarships require a separate application; use your CofC email credentials to log in. Apply by March 1 for scholarships that will be applied to fall 2026 tuition. Reach out via email for more information.

December 2025

Beginning in December, Campus Housing will place students who have completed their housing applications. Anyone who has completed their housing application by December 1, 2025, will receive their placement via email by December 22, 2025. Applicants who apply after December 1 will be placed and emailed no later than January 2, 2026.

December 15             
Deadline to submit official college transcript(s) to Admissions.

December 18             
Deadline to register for January orientation sessions.

December 31
Deadline to submit immunization records.  Information must be submitted to Student Health Services via the online system and students must be in compliance with immunization requirements by the deadline or students will not be able to register for classes at orientation. Instructions on how to submit can be found on the Student Health website.          

All Month
Request to have South Carolina final high school transcript sent for state scholarship consideration.

All Month                   
Complete student Financial Aid Requirements via MyPortal (for more information, go to the Financial Aid office website).  Specialty scholarships require a separate application; use your CofC email credentials to log in. Apply by March 1 for scholarships that will be applied to fall 2026 tuition. Reach out via email for more information.

December 23, 2025 – January 1, 2026
College of Charleston campus offices closed
Campus Offices will reopen on January 2, 2026, at 8:30 a.m.

Make sure to have your financial aid, orientation and transcript business done before the offices are closed.

January 2026

January 1 
Deadline to make qualified changes to meal plans in the MyHousing/Dining portal. Students can make changes in Campus Services HQ January 2-13, 2026. Learn more on the meal plan website. 

January 2                    
Deadline to submit your photo for your Cougar Card for Spring 2026 orientation.

January 5
Check MyPortal for Transfer Credit Awards in DegreeWorks (includes AP, IB, and college transfer credits)

January 4
Residence halls open for move-in. Students must make an appointment to move in and should watch their CofC email account for details. For information, review the move-in information website.  

January 5
January 2026 In-Person New Student Orientation session for freshman and iCharleston students

January 6
January 2026 In-Person New Student Orientation session for tranfer students         

January 7
Spring 2026 semester classes begin.

January 13
Tuition Bills due for students who attended January orientation sessions (for more information, go to the Treasurer’s office website).

Deadline to make qualified meal plan changes in Campus Services HQ (by 5 p.m.)

To Do in November, December and January

  • Submit your official AP/IB/CLEP score information to the Office of Admissions
  • Check the My Holds tile in MyPortal to see if you have any holds that will prevent course registration at orientation. All students will have an orientation hold until they attend orientation.  
  • Review advising website PRIOR to orientation.
  • Check off items on the new student checklist on the orientation website
  • Check your CofC email account daily for important news for incoming students.
  • Set up an authorized user on Ebill. 
  • Check out the IT New Student Checklist
  • Contact your roommates and suitemates to start to plan for your room.
  • Attend an in person new student orientation.

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

For more information about orientation, new students can visit the orientation website. 
Students with questions can email orientation@charleston.edu

For more information, family members can visit the parent and family resources website.
Parents and family members with questions can email parents@charleston.edu

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