University of South Carolina

Bridge Program

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Overview

• General Information• Admissions Process• University Housing• ACE• Financial Aid•Student Success Center

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General InformationMackenzie King

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What is the Bridge Program?

• Support Services– Assistance for students interested in transferring to USC– Relationship building– Familiarity with USC policies and campus– Contacts in Financial Aid, University Housing, Student Success Center, ACE, and Career Center

• Eligibility − Desire to transfer to USC − Ideally, first time college attendees and students we determine would benefit from Bridge activities− Have completed no more than 45 credit hours− Has at least 2 semesters left before intending to transfer

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The new bridge website has everything you need for the upcoming year including:

• A monthly calendar including activities and deadlines• All required forms• Transfer credit guides for each department on campus• Contact information for USC partners and Bridge Program liaisons on your campus

www.sc.edu/bridge

For more information, visit our website at www.sc.edu/bridge

Admissions InformationMackenzie King

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The Admissions Process

• No special admissions consideration for program participation

• Submit an application by December 1st– Update form if you’ve already applied– Transfer application if you’ve never applied

• Must have at least a minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA – Some majors have higher requirements

• Request an official college transcript be sent directly to USC

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Majors with Separate Requirements

Majors requiring a 2.5 GPA include: Biology, Chemistry, All Journalism degrees

Majors requiring a 2.75 GPA include: Exercise Science, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems Nursing (must have all science courses w/ “C” or higher) Engineering (must have completed Math 140 w/ “C” or higher)

Majors requiring a 3.0 GPA include: Pharmacy, Sport & Entertainment Management Business (must have completed Math 130 or 140 w/ “C” or higher)

Cardiovascular Tech – 2.25 GPA 0-29 credits; 2.5 GPA 30-59 creditsEducation – 2.25 GPA 0-29 credits; 2.5 GPA 30-59 creditsPhysical Education – 2.25 GPA 0-40 credit; 2.5 GPA above 40 credits

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Upcoming Events Mid December

Attend USC Basketball game (pending availability)

February 6, 2009: BRIDGE DAY•Campus/residence hall tour•Meet with representatives from your major, the Career

Center, Pre-Professional Advising, & Orientation•Transfer student panel •Meet transfer student mentors

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Upcoming DeadlinesDecember 1

Submit your Admissions application or update form• Update form if you’ve applied to USC in the past 2 years• Transfer application if you’ve never applied

March 20Submit Midterm Grade Report to Admissions

• Especially important if you are interested in applying for campus housing or financial aid

April 1Submit Summer Class Form to Admissions (if applicable)

May 1Submit Bridge Community Interest Form (if interested in housing)

June 1Submit Housing Application on VIP after acceptancefirst impressions last

Contact Information

• Office of Undergraduate Admissions– Web: www.sc.edu/admissions– Phone: 800-868-5872 / 803-777-7700– Email: mackenzie@sc.edu

• Bridge Contact: Scott King/ Mackenzie King

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University HousingDusty Abshire

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University Housing

Fall 2009: First priority to live in Transfer Student Learning Community

– Live on campus with students with similar interests– Special programs: interact with faculty, build community and explore opportunities in study abroad or undergraduate research– Bridge Community Interest form due May 1st

– Housing application due June 1st

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Contact InformationUniversity Housing McBryde 1309 Blossom StreetColumbia, SC 29208

Phone: (803) 777-4283Email: housing@sc.edu

Web: www.housing.sc.edu

Bridge Contact: Dustin Abshire

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ACE OfficesAcademic Centers for Excellence

Dusty Abshire

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ACE Offices• Available to all students!• 4 Convenient Locations in 3 Residence Halls and in the Thomas Cooper Library Student Success Center.• Math Tutoring• Writing Consultations• Study Skill Development• Academic Coaching: Meet with an Academic coach to create an Academic Plan. Schedule your appointment online! www.sc.edu/ACE

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Contact Information

Academic Centers for ExcellencePhone: (803) 777-5430Email: ACE@sc.eduWeb: www.sc.edu/ace

Bridge Contact: Claire Robinson

Financial AidWhat you need to know about

Financial Aid at USC

Casey Wiley

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How Will We Contact You?

•By Email

•Snail Mail for sensitive data that cannot be sent by email or found online

Financial Aid

Scholarship Opportunities

There are currently no “general” scholarships available to transfer students

For a list of departmental scholarships visit our website

Outside scholarships:www.Fastweb.comBe Cautious!

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Life Scholarship

• General Requirements:Graduate from a SC High SchoolHave a 3.0 COLLEGIATE GPA

• 30/60/90 Rule

Life Scholarship Enhancements• $2500 additional LIFE Scholarship • Must major in a state specified program• Must complete certain course requirements in your first year: 14 total hours of Math and Life or Physical Science

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FAFSAFree Application for Federal Student Aid

• Priority Deadline-April 1st

What happens if I miss the Deadline?

•ProgramsGrants(Pell, SEOG, ACG, SMART)Loans (Stafford, PLUS)Work Study

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Loans

• Stafford Loans$3500+$2000 Freshman(0-29 hours)$4500+$2000 Sophomores(30-59 hours)$5500 +$2000 Juniors and Seniors(60+hours)

• Parent Loan for Undergrad Students(PLUS)

• Private Education Loans

This might hurt a little…

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Work Study

• Not money toward tuition• Just like a normal job• Who Pays you?

US Government (75%)Job Site (25%)

• How do I get paid?Direct Deposit, usually every 2 weeks

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New This Month

Your Financial Aid Checklist

Visit:www.sc.edu/

finanicalaid

Contact Information

Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships 1714 College StreetColumbia, SC 29208

Phone: (803) 777-8134Fax: (803) 777-0941Email: wileyc@mailbox.sc.edu

Web: www.sc.edu/financialaid

Bridge Contact: Casey Wiley, Loan Services Unit

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Student Success CenterAngela Street

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Programs

• Supplemental Instruction– Learning enhancement program – Focus on classes with large percentage of students with below a C or withdrawn– SI Leaders have taken the class previously– Hosts weekly out-of-class study sessions

• Tutoring– Open to all students– Free of charge– Chemistry, Biology, Foreign Languages, Math

(Levels 100-300)

Programs Continued

Success Initiatives for Special Interest Populations

• Programs, meetings, social gatherings for transfer students

This semester’s events included a social at the Strom Outdoor Pool, tailgating, and Trips to Charleston & the SC State Fair

• Transfer student mentors and transfer student newsletter• 3 Transfer Student Success Seminars each semester • Helpful transfer student guide book after enrollment

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Contact Information

Student Success CenterThomas Cooper Library – Mezzanine Level

Phone: (803) 777-0684Email: student.sucess@sc.edu

Web: www.sa.sc.edu/ssc

Bridge Contact: Angela Street

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What’s next….• Visit the Bridge web site to print off the credit transfer guide for your major

• Apply by December 1, 2008 for fall 2009 semester

• Go to the records office and request to have your transcript sent when your Fall grades are posted

• If you currently have less than 30 hours, contact your high school to get your final transcript sent to USC

• If you currently have less than 30 hours, contact the testing agencies to have your SAT or ACT scores sent to USC

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Questions?

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