Student Services
At USC Aiken, nothing is more important than your success. We offer step by step assistance for a variety of topics.
Confirming legal residence
Currently, tuition is the same for those considered South Carolina residents and those who are not. The Enrollment Management Office will determine residency and contact students in the rare case that residency cannot be determined. IMPORTANT: residency and citizenship are two completely different requirements and processes.
Checking your application status
Go to my.usca.edu/, click on Self Service Carolina (SSC), choose University Admissions, and log in with the ID and PIN you created with your application.
Finding ‘my portal’
Next steps after Admission
Citizenship verification
Effective January 1, 2009, USC Aiken must verify the citizenship or lawful presence in the United States of every student before they may enroll.
More information for international students can be found here, www.usca.edu/admissions/apply/international. As a reminder, for online programs, USC Aiken does not issue any international visa (I-20) permission.
Changing start date to a later date
Registration
To request unofficial/official transcripts from USC Aiken, go my.usca.edu and sign into Self Service Carolina.
Dropping a course
If you are considering dropping a course, it is best to first speak with your advisor for academic guidance. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to complete. After speaking with your advisor, you can go to http://my.usca.edu and sign into Self Service Carolina to drop a course.
Registering for classes
Registration and payment can be completed through Self Service Carolina (SSC).
- Click on Self Service Carolina and click on “Sign In” with your VIP ID and Password.
- Click on the Student tab.
- Click on the Registration tab.
- Click on the link for Add or Drop Classes.
- Enter the CRN for the class you want and follow the prompts to complete the registration process.
- If you do not know the CRN for the class you want, simply click on the link for Look Up Classes in Registration tab.
- Select the Term (be sure to select the correct semester) and click on Submit.
- Select USC Aiken and a Subject and click on Course Search.
- When you see a list of classes, click on View Sections for the course you want.
- Each section’s CRN is now shown in the resulting list.
- Write down the CRN for the section you want and return to the Add or Drop Classes menu to complete registration process.
For helpful tips and additional registration guidance, please go to:
General financial aid information
For general information on your financial aid, please go to: www.usca.edu/financialaid.
All financial aid information is posted in Self Service Carolina. Go to http://my.usca.edu, sign into Self Service Carolina and go to the Student and then Financial Aid tab.
Starting the financial aid process
Complete the FAFSA (www.fafsa.gov) every school year. Make sure to include the USC Aiken FAFSA code 003449. Graduate aid is awarded in student loans.
Students should complete the FAFSA application and will be instructed if any additional information is needed.
Starting a course while financial aid process is in progress
You may start a course while your financial aid process is in progress, but your amount due must be paid by the term due date.
Using the University email
Students should use their university email. Please go to my.usca.edu/ and log into Self Service Carolina to set it up. Your USC Aiken email is the official method of communication for all university-related business. This includes registration, bill pay and other important information.
Computer/technology skill requirements for Blackboard
Blackboard Learn is a browser-based application where you can work on and submit assignments and other coursework. Use these resources to determine if your web browser is compatible with your institution’s version of Blackboard Learn. www.usca.edu/distance-learning/student-support
Technical Support
Obtaining a PIN
Go to my.usca.edu and sign into SSC Admissions. The PIN is only used during the admission process to apply and check application status.
Activating the campus email and Digital ID
Coursework Information
USC Aiken uses the Blackboard learning management system.
Go to blackboard.usca.edu to view, navigate and proceed through courses.
USC Aiken faculty suggest that students plan for 24-30 hours each week per course for the MBA program.
Access to courses
- Classes will be open to students by 9:00 AM on the first day of class.
- Syllabi should be available at least three days before the class. Email the professor with any questions.
- Go to blackboard.usca.edu/
Buying textbooks
- Go to www.bkstr.com/uscaikenstore/home
- Expect to purchase e-books for most classes.
Orientation Information
All students will be directed to the Online Orientation in Blackboard. The information will be part of the Welcome emails once a student is accepted.
Disability Services Information
The Disability Services Office at USC Aiken assists students with physical, psychological or learning disabilities in their college experience through an integration of on-campus services.
Career Services Information
Career development is an integral part of university life and provides students and alumni with the guidance, knowledge, experiences, skills, and connections that will lead to successful, lifelong career management. For more information, please visit www.usca.edu/career-services.
Student Achievement Information
There are numerous academic success services and resources for USC Aiken students. Students can check with the program coordinator for the RN to BSN program or the MBA Director for the MBA Program for detailed questions. For general information, please visit www.usca.edu/center-for-student-achievement.
Military Services Information
If you have any questions about veteran and military student services, opportunities and ways to succeed at USC Aiken, please visit usca.edu/vmss.
Library Services Information
Online students have access to comprehensive library resources, both on- and off-campus. Complete library information can be found at library.usca.edu/home.
We have also compiled numerous resources, curated with the off-campus student in mind. A complete listing of research databases and a subject research guide can be accessed by off-campus students at library.usca.edu/offcampus.
Students should note that course assignments for the online MBA and RN to BSN programs both use APA style. APA style guides are available on the Citations page at library.usca.edu/citationhelp/.
Still need assistance? Students can also use “Ask A Librarian” for help by visiting library.usca.edu/chat.
Graduation Information
Students wishing to receive a degree from the University of South Carolina Aiken must use the online degree application on Self Service Carolina (SSC). The following dates indicate when the Online Applications for graduation will be available. Failure to apply for graduation by the deadline will delay your application until another term. All diplomas will be sent to students via postal mail.
May Graduation (this includes students who wish to participate in an “early walk” in May, but who will not graduate until August) the Online Application will be available from December 15 – January 31.
August Graduation – the Online Application will be available from May 15 – June 15. Students who do not “walk” in May will apply between May 15 – June 15. Currently, there is no August graduation ceremony.
December Graduation – the Online Application will be available from July 18 – August 31.
The online application will not be available after the posted deadline. For more information about graduation and regalia, please visit: www.usca.edu/graduation.
Do you accept transfer credits into your programs?
You will need to work with the university to determine if any courses taken in previous programs can be applied to the current program. Courses are 1 to 1 transfer and the student would be limited to a total of 6 credit transfer limit.
The MBA Director is responsible for transcript evaluations. Any requested course transfers would be evaluated from the student’s original transcript from an AACSB accredited program.
How do I know if I have been accepted? How does the notification process work?
Go to my.usca.edu, then to Self Service Carolina and log into University Admissions. Your status will be posted. Once an admission decision has been made, you will also receive a hard copy decision letter.
Are international students eligible to apply for this program?
For MBA applicants with an international background, applicants are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A non-refundable $45 application fee (at this time, MBA’s do not require the international application fee submission), final official transcripts documenting undergraduate and graduate coursework taken from the previous accredited college or university attended. The transcript must document proof of degree(s) earned.
International Applicants must have both official transcripts issued by the university and a “course-by-course” evaluation with grade point average calculation completed by a credential evaluation service and submitted directly to the USC Aiken Graduate Office. Evaluations are accepted from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services www.naces.org (NACES). The payment and all contact regarding this process is done directly with the evaluation service of your choice and is the responsibility of the student.
English Proficiency: students who have an undergraduate degree awarded from outside of the United States must take either the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE exams to demonstrate English proficiency. There is no provisional admission based upon English proficiency. Students must meet at least one of the requirements and send official test scores in order to be considered for admission:
- TOEFL paper-based test (PBT): 551 or higher
- TOEFL internet-based test (IBT): 80 or higher
- IELTS: 6.0 or higher band score with no sub score lower than 5
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English): 53 or higher
- Current resume, with start and end dates included for each position
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway, Box 35
For more information on all of our graduate programs, please visit www.usca.edu/majors-programs/graduate.
How do I know if one of my courses will transfer?
A Transfer Credit Summary will be prepared by the Office of Admissions after they have received a receipt of a student’s official transcript from any college previously attended.
Do you accept transfer credits into the RN to BSN program?
Transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better. A Transfer Credit Summary will be prepared by the Office of Admissions after they have received a receipt of a student’s official transcript from any college previously attended.
- Students may transfer equivalent courses for the general education requirements. The courses must meet the University requirements for transfer credit.
- Students may transfer equivalent courses within the nursing major. Junior- and senior-level BSN courses that are more than five years old cannot be applied toward the BSN degree. The courses must meet the University requirements for transfer credits.
- The School of Nursing at USC Aiken abides by the statewide transfer and articulation plan developed for nursing programs within the state of South Carolina.
- If a student submits a nursing application and meets the requirements for admission into the BSN program at USC Aiken, but has failed out of a BSN program elsewhere, that student must petition the APG Committee of the School of Nursing to be considered for admission into the program.
The School of Nursing will accept a baccalaureate or master’s degree as satisfying all USC Aiken general education requirements for students who apply to the RN to BSN track. This does not preclude satisfactory completion of the nursing program’s requirement of 37 hours of core prerequisites. This also does not preclude satisfactory completion of ICE credits and the Writing Proficiency Portfolio.
Are international students eligible to apply for this program?
RN to BSN students with international background must have or provide:
- Completed application and $100 NON-REFUNDABLE application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (institutions must be regionally accredited to receive transfer credit). International applicants must have a “course-by-course” evaluation with grade point average calculation completed by a credential evaluation service and submitted directly to the USC Aiken Office of Admissions. Evaluations are accepted from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The payment and all contact regarding this process is done directly with the evaluation service of your choice and is the responsibility of the student.
- Associate of Science nursing degree or Diploma in Nursing
- Demonstrate English Proficiency by sending official test scores. In order to be considered for admissions:
- TOEFL paper-based test (PBT): 551 or higher
- TOEFL internet-based test (IBT): 80 or higher
- IELTS: 6.0 or higher band score with no sub score lower than 5
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English): 53 or higher
If you need to submit official documents by mail, send them to:
Office of Admissions
University of South Carolina Aiken
471 University Parkway, Box 45
Aiken, SC 29801
Why are General Education (additional) courses required in the RN to BSN program?
An RN to BSN degree helps nurses with an associate degree complete all of the remaining credits required for a BSN. A typical BSN degree requires a total of 120 credit hours. Each RN to BSN student’s required coursework may vary and is determined by a transcript review.
What are “core” courses and why do I need them?
The “core” courses required for the BSN degree at USC Aiken are those courses upon which we built our on-campus BSN nursing curriculum. Therefore, we require students to have a solid foundation in these core courses before taking the nursing courses.
