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Freshmen - Fall Semester

Students standing in front of Southpaw statue.

 

We are so excited to welcome new Jags to campus each semester! Our Fall 2023 Southbound Orientation will consist of orientation sessions that are full of fun engagement, important information, and open discussion. Incoming freshmen have the option to attend a one-day or two-day on campus orientation, and if you need more flexibility, there are virtual sessions available as well.  New Jags will also complete an online orientation course via Canvas prior to their scheduled session with their Orientation Leaders.

All students who are 2023 high school graduates and students who are first time freshmen under the age of 23 must attend a Freshman session of Southbound New Student Orientation. If you are 23 or older and are not transferring from another institution, we recommend you attend a Transfer & Adult Freshman session of Southbound New Student Orientation.

In an effort to prepare all of our new Jaguars for their transition to South, we host multiple orientation sessions that new undergraduate students are required to attend. Spaces for each session will fill up quickly, so we encourage you to register today to secure your preferred session. Fall 2023 Orientation sessions for incoming freshmen will be held as follows:

  • Tuesday, June 6 - Full
  • Thursday, June 8 - Full
  • Tuesday-Wednesday, June 13-14 (overnight; closed, must call to request)
  • Thursday-Friday, June 22-23 (overnight)
  • Wednesday, June 28 (virtual) - Full
  • Tuesday, July 11 - Full
  • Thursday, July 13
  • Tuesday, July 18
  • Wednesday, July 26 (virtual)
  • Thursday, July 27
  • Friday, August 4*

We look forward to helping our new Jaguars transition to USA! Orientation Leaders will lead the way, providing new students with information about our campus, student services and support, and other resources.  Only admitted students will have orientation registration access. Students who register for orientation will have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor who will assist them with course registration. More details will be provided following orientation registration.

Students should log in to register using the same credentials used when they submitted their application online. After a new student has viewed their admissions status in the portal, click the "Register for Orientation" link. Complete the orientation registration form and pay the orientation fee.  Southbound New Student Orientation registration is not confirmed until payment is made.

There is an orientation fee, which is a university fee that cannot be waived and is required at the time of orientation registration. If your orientation plans change and you choose to cancel your registration, please contact our office directly to provide notification of the change. For refund consideration, a written notice of cancellation and refund request must be received by the respective deadline. No refunds will be issued after May 1, 2023 for incoming fall students. 

Check out our FAQs page for more information.

*Programming for August sessions my be condensed to a half-day event.
▼   Freshman Admitted Student Checklist
Congratulations on your admission to South! We are so excited that you have decided to join the Jaguar family. Here are the steps to take to become a student at USA:

Top Priority

  • Activate your JagNet Student Account at southalabama.edu/services/jagnet.
  • Login to your JagMail and PAWS (Personal Access Web System) accounts at southalabama.edu/logins.
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for financial aid at fafsa.gov (FAFSA opens up October 1st). Visit the USA One Stop Financial Resources page at southalabama.edu/onestop/financialresources.
  •  Log in to JagSPOT to:
    • Search and apply for additional USA scholarships in JagSPOT.
    • Complete your special programs application in JagSPOT, if you meet the requirements and desire consideration.
  • All freshmen USA students are required to live on campus unless they commute from home. Students complete the housing application to live on campus or the housing exemption form to commute. Both are available in the USAHousing portal. More Information: southalabama.edu/departments/housing/residencypolicy.html.
  • Register for Southbound, your New Student Orientation, and pay the fee in your admissions portal. Visit southalabama.edu/orientation for more information.
    • Summer and Fall orientation registration opens in January.
    • Spring orientation registration opens in November.
  • Apply for USA Housing at southalabama.edu/housing and pay deposit.
  • Register for Southbound, your New Student Orientation, and pay the fee in your admissions portal. Visit southalabama.edu/orientation for more information.
    • Summer and Fall orientation registration opens in January.
    • Spring orientation registration opens in November.
  • Submit immunization information and records through the Student Health Web Portal at https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/studenthealth/immunization.html. Please contact the Student Health Center at 251-460-7151, if you need assistance.
  • Request final official transcript(s) be submitted to South, if you have not yet done so. If applicable, also submit official test scores (i.e. ACT/SAT, IB/AP).
  • Meet with your academic advisor to register for courses in PAWS. Your advisor will contact you for an appointment after you register for orientation. Some students may be required to take a placement test.
  • Attend your scheduled orientation.
  • After semester billing posts to your student account, pay tuition or set up a payment plan via PAWS. See southalabama.edu/onestop/financialresources for more information.
  • Order your textbooks and other materials for classes as required.

Priority

Strongly Encouraged

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Contact Us

If you have additional questions, please call or email the New Student Orientation Office:

(251) 460-7093
southbound@southalabama.edu