New Student Families

New Student Information & Resources

• Admission

  Admission: Next Steps for Admitted Students
  Your student's next steps in the admissions process including accessing their student email, accepting financial aid and scholarships, paying the enrollment deposit, completing the housing application and registering for orientation.

  Accept Your Financial Aid Offer
  Step-by-step instructions on how to access MyPortal and view/accept your financial aid offer.

  Apply for Campus Housing
  Your student will be eligible to apply for housing once they have paid their enrollment deposit and the housing application becomes available.

  Lawful Presence Verification
  South Carolina requires that students must prove lawful presence in the U.S. before enrolling. If your student has submitted a FAFSA, they will automatically be verified. Other options include a REAL ID compliant drivers license, current U.S. passport, certified birth certificate of other specified documents.

  New Student Checklist
  A step-by-step checklist to get ready for orientation.

  Register for New Student & Family Orientation (Required for Students, Optional for Families)
  Tips, information and guidance on how to register for New Student Orientation.

  Student Health Services (Submit Immunization & Vaccine Documents)
  Learn about resources available through Student Health Services and submit or confirm your required MMR, Meningitis, and TDap vaccine documents.

• Academics

  Academic Advising
  Information on how your student will meet with an advisor during new-student orientation (and at least once per semester), choose courses, plan their path and navigate their first year.

  Academic Calendar
  Important dates for the academic year including semester start and end, breaks, finals dates and deadlines.

  AP Credit Information
  How advanced placement scores may translate into college credit or course placement at the College of Charleston.

  Center for Student Learning
  Free academic support including:

  • Coaching: High-level help with organization, time management, study stratigies and test taking.
  • Supplemental Instruction (SI): Peer-led study sessions specifically for historically challenging courses.
  • Tutoring: One-on-one help for specific subjects.

  Course Descriptions (From the College Catalog)
  Detailed descriptions of courses your student may take during their time at the College.

  Dual Enrollment Information
  Students who have taken courses at CofC while still in high school can consult with the CofC faculty member teaching the course, the Office of Admissions or their high school counselor .

  General Education Requirements (From the College Catalog)
  The core courses every student complete to build a broad academic foundation.

  Meta-Majors
  Not everyone entering college knows exactly what they want to major in. Meta-majors allow students to explore various topics within their chosen area of study and find the field they will ultimately choose as their major.

• Campus Life

  Activities Calendar
  A campus-wide calendar of events, performances and activities happening at the College of Charleston.

  Campus Housing
  Information about living on campus including housing options and the housing application.

  College of Charleston YouTube Channel
  Get a feel for CofC with videos showcasing student life, academics, campus and the College community, right from your phone or laptop.

  Cougar Connect (Student Activities Calendar)
  Keep up with events, news and activities for clubs and organizations across campus or find an organization and get involved.

  Fraternity & Sorority Life
  Information about Greek life, recruitment and community engagement opportunities.

  Homecoming/Family Weekend
  Save the date! Annual celebrations that bring students, families, alumni and campus community together.

  Honor Board
  A student-led oversight of the Honor Code and academic integrity at CofC.

  Move-In 
  Dates, details and tips to help your student move smoothly into their residence hall.

  Orientation Housing (Optional for New Students: Available for June & July Orientations)
  Optional on-campus housing opportunity for new students attending summer orientation.

  Residence Halls
  Descriptions, amenities and videos of the housing communities where your student may live on campus.

  Residence Life
  Programs, staff and resources - including an FAQ for parents and family members - that support students living in campus housing.

  Student Life
  An overview of programs, services and experiences that shape everyday life at CofC.

  Weeks of Welcome Events
  Activities and events that help new students meet people and feel connected at the start of the semester.

• Communication & Information

  Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA): Consent to release Education Records
  Your rights to your student's academic records transfer to your student once they reach the age of 18 or enroll in college. Learn how your student can share some or all of their FERPA-protected information with you.

  • Proxy Access (Students must be registered for class)
    Proxy Access allows your student to designate you or other trusted individuals to view their student information electronically including financial aid, registered courses, GPA and student grades.

  Family Orientation
  Be part of your student's orientation process! Designed for parents and supporters, the program allows you to engage with the CofC community while learning how best to support your student during their college journey.

  Maps & Directions
  Maps, parking information and directions to help you find your way around campus and Charleston.

  The CofC Parent & Family Experience
  Keep informed and stay involved. Subscribe to our parents newsletter and keep up with campus news and deadlines.

• Financial

  Financial Aid: Office of Financial Assistance & Veterans Affairs
  Get your questions answered and learn how the College of Charleston makes the cost of attendance and tuition more affordable with financial aid programs including scholarships, grants and work-study.

  Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS)
  A searchable database where your student can find and apply for a wide range of scholarships.

  Scholarships (General Scholarships page)
  Information about state and College of Charleston merit-based, departmental and other scholarships available to students.

  Treasurer's Office: Semester Bill Payment
  Learn more about accessing your student's eBill, payment method and paying the eBill in MyPotal.

• First Year Programs

  Cougar Excursion
  An optional pre-semester three-day student leadership program where new students connect with  classmates and build leadership skills before fall classes begin. 

  First Year Experience (FYE)
  An engaging (and required) program designed to help your student make a smooth transition to college life and the academic, social and cultural community at the College of Charleston.

  First Year Impact
  A two-semester support program for new students to build a solid foundation for academic success. The program monitors academic progress, provides resources and helps students maintain good academic standing.

  iCharleston
  A study-abroad pathway in cities like Rome, Madrid, Dublin or London through which students can earn guaranteed admission to the College of Charleston.

• Safety & Wellness

  Campus Safety Resources 
  Information from Public Safety for new students including safest travel routes, bike and electronics registration, emergency preparedness and our Guide to Safer Living

  Collegiate Recovery Program
  A supportive, substance-free community designed to help students balance their substance/addiction recovery journey with academic success.

  Counseling Center
  Free and confidential resource for your student providing assessments, crisis support, individual and group therapy.

  Cougar Alert: Emergency Management Notification
  Information for families to subscribe to receive urgent alert messages in the event of a campus emergency.

  Cougar Pantry
  Cougar Pantry is a judgement-free zone offering free access to food items, personal hygiene products and other needed supplies to all students.

  RealResponse (Anonymous Reporting)
  A confidential way for students to report concerns about safety or well-being.

  Safety & Security Basics
  Downloadable list of resources to help your student stay safe on and around campus.

  Neighborhood Relations
  Helpful new-student resources for being a good neighbor and living responsibly in the surrounding Charleston community.

  Student Wellness & Well Being
  Resources to promote well-being and reiliency for your student including events, programming, recreation and counseling.

• Student Services

  Campus Services HQ
  A one-stop resource for questions about Campus Services including meal plans, ID card, campus housing, bookstore, mail services and more.

  Cougar Complete/Bookstore (Access to Books & Course Materials)
  Cougar Complete delivers all required course materials to your student by the first day of class at a fixed per-credit charge.

  Mail Services & Shipping
  Mail Services coordinates with the United States Postal Service and multiple shipping vendors to provide a wide range of services for the College of Charleston community.

  Meal Plans & Dining Locations
  First-year students living on campus are required to have a First-Year Student Resident Meal Plan. Learn more about dining locations and menu options.

  Parking & Transportation
  Learn how to apply for an on-campus parking permit and get help navigating your parking options in downtown Charleston.
• Student Support

  Disability Services (Apply for Accommodations)
  How your student can connect with support services and apply for accommodations. 

  Technology Support
  Everything from laptop specs and software to connectivity and printing, use this helpful checklist to get your student ready for classes.

• Videos & YouTube Channel

  See what the CofC experience is really like in these quick, student-centered videos. 

  • CofC Orientation Excitement
  • CofC First Week
  • College of Charleston YouTube Channel
  • End of Semester Recap
  • New Student Programs YouTube channel (Orientation Videos & Webinar Recordings)
  • Residence Hall Tours