New Student Families

Supporting Your Student's Success

• Admission & Next Steps

  Next Steps for Admitted Students
  Your student's next steps in the admissions process, including accessing student email, accepting their financial aid award, and submitting information to prepare for course registration. 

  AP Credit Information
  How advanced placement scores may translate into college credit or course placement at the College of Charleston. High school students earning AP credit or participating in dual enrollment at the College of Charleston should send their official AP score reports and any relevant academic records to the Office of Admissions at the College of Charleston, 66 George St., Charleston, SC 29424.

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

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

  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.

  Lawful Presence Verification
  South Carolina requires that students 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 driver's license, current U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, or other specified documents.

  New Student Calendar
  Navigate the Pre-College Journey with this Calendar of Events and To-Dos for your new student.

  Orientation
  Information about the January Orientation for New Students & Families. Orientation is required for all new freshmen & transfer students enrolling in the spring for their first semester at CofC. The January Orientation is optional for families.

  Welcome to Charleston (Details & registration link coming soon!) 
  Summer opportunities are available to newly admitted students and their families to prepare for joining the College of Charleston in the fall. Attending Welcome to Charleston is optional, but new students are highly encouraged to attend.

  
  
• Academics

  Academic Advising
  Information on how your student will work with an academic advisor, choose courses, plan their path, and navigate their academic journey.

  Academic Calendar
  Important dates for the academic year, including semester start and end, breaks, final grade posting, midterms, and finals.

  Center for Student Learning
  Free academic support including:

  • Coaching: High-level help with organization, time management, study strategies, 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.

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

  Honors College
  A close-knit community with discussion-style classes and additional opportunities for mentorship and a more in-depth academic experience.

  Honors College Pathways
  The Honors College has two pathways (General Honors College or University Honors), both of which lead to student success.

• 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.

  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.

  Off-Campus Housing 
  If you are thinking about off-campus housing, we’ve provided an overview of some of the larger housing providers in our area below that are located within 2 miles of campus.

  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
  Activities and events that help 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.

  Family Webinar Series
  Webinar recordings moderated are posted on the New Student Programs YouTube Channel. Recordings are usually available 48 hours after the live event.

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

  Proxy Access (Student must be registered in classes to grant access)
  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.

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

• Financial & Billing

  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
  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 and paying the eBill in MyPortal.

• 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 Experience Abroad
  FYE Abroad is an optional experience for students during the spring semester of their first year. The one-credit course and spring break travel-abroad experience are designed to introduce students to study abroad opportunities.

  First Year Impact
  A two-semester support program for new students to build a solid foundation for academic success. The program, provided by the Academic Success & Retention Office, monitors academic progress, provides resources, and helps students maintain good academic standing.

  iCharleston
  A fall semester study-abroad pathway through which first-year students meeting requirements can earn guaranteed spring admission to the College of Charleston.

• Safety & Wellness

  Campus Safety Resources 
  Information from Public Safety for 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.

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

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

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

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

  Student Wellness & Well Being
  Resources to promote well-being for your student including wellness events, programming and peer 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 parking options in downtown Charleston.
• Student Support

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

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

  Technology Support
  Get help connecting, finding software, and resolving technology issues with campus email, multifactor authentication, OAKS, or MyPortal.

• Videos & YouTube Channel

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

  • College of Charleston YouTube channel
  • New Student Programs YouTube channel (Videos & Webinar Recordings)
  • Residence Hall Tours