University of South Carolina
Bridge Program
November 2008
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Overview
• General Information
• Admissions Process
• University Housing
• ACE
• Financial Aid
•Student Success Center
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General Information
Mackenzie 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
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For more information, visit our website at www.sc.edu/bridge
Admissions Information
Mackenzie 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 credits
Education – 2.25 GPA 0-29 credits; 2.5 GPA 30-59 credits
Physical 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
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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 Deadlines
December 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 20
Submit Midterm Grade Report to Admissions
• Especially important if you are interested in applying for
campus housing or financial aid
April 1
Submit Summer Class Form to Admissions (if applicable)
May 1
Submit Bridge Community Interest Form (if interested in housing)
June 1
Submit Housing Application on VIP after acceptance
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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 Housing
Dusty 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 Information
University Housing
McBryde 1309 Blossom Street
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-4283
Email: housing@sc.edu
Web: www.housing.sc.edu
Bridge Contact: Dustin Abshire
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ACE Offices
Academic 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 Excellence
Phone: (803) 777-5430
Email: ACE@sc.edu
Web: www.sc.edu/ace
Bridge Contact: Claire Robinson
Financial Aid
What 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.com
Be Cautious!
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Life Scholarship
• General Requirements:
Graduate from a SC High School
Have 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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FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Priority Deadline-April 1st
What happens if I miss the Deadline?
•Programs
Grants(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
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Contact Information
Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
1714 College Street
Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-8134
Fax: (803) 777-0941
Email: wileyc@mailbox.sc.edu
Web: www.sc.edu/financialaid
Bridge Contact: Casey Wiley, Loan Services Unit
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Student Success Center
Angela 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 Center
Thomas Cooper Library – Mezzanine Level
Phone: (803) 777-0684
Email: 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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