Registration Basic Steps and Instructions
Basic Steps
1. Obtain your registration appointment time on myUSC.
2. Correct or confirm your address and make any necessary changes before attempting to register for classes. You can access your address record through myUSC.
3. Meet with your academic adviser to plan your schedule, if necessary.
4. Contact your department and arrange for “D” clearance and/or prerequisite waivers.
6. Log in to myUSC and use Web Registration (usc.edu/webregistration) to enroll in classes or make changes to your schedule.
7. Purchase your USCard, parking permit and any other services to be charged to your student account.
9. If your financial aid eligibility includes Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and you wish to borrow from these programs, complete the application steps detailed at financialaid.usc.edu/loans.
10. E-sign your Promissory Note for HPSL, LDS, PCL and/or USC institutional loans by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
11. Graduate students: Complete the steps necessary to apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan, listed at financialaid.usc.edu/loans if you wish to borrow from this program.
12. Undergraduates: Ensure your parents complete the steps necessary to apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan at financialaid.usc.edu/loans if they wish to borrow from this program.
13. Apply for the USC Payment Plan or Tuition Reimbursement Deferment (offered by Student Financial Services) using the e.pay feature.
14. Settle your bill with the Cashier’s Office. All students must register and settle their bills entirely by the settlement deadline to avoid late fees.
Note: Planning your schedule but failing to register for any courses before the tuition and fees payment deadline is not a valid reason to request a waiver of the late registration fee.
Registration Instructions
1. Obtain Your Registration Appointment Time
Registration appointment times and permit to register information are available on myUSC. If you do not have a registration appointment time please contact the Registrar One Stop Center via ask.usc.edu by using the “Email Us” link at the top of the page.
Web Registration is available to most continuing, newly admitted or returning students. Only students who have certain activity restrictions may not use Web Registration. Please contact the department that placed the activity restriction hold on your student record. Limited Status, non-admitted students must contact the Registrar One Stop Center via ask.usc.edu for additional information.
International Students
Admitted and Continuing Students
All new international students must complete Passport Verification (PPV) upon arrival at USC. PPV instructions are available online.
Non-Admitted Students
International students intending to register as Limited Status students should contact the Registrar One Stop Center to inquire about taking classes at USC. Limited Status international students must present their passports to the Office of International Services prior to registration. If the student holds an F-1 visa, a letter from the international student adviser at the student’s host institution permitting the student to concurrently register at USC is also required.
Newly Admitted and Returning Students
New undergraduate students register for classes during orientation. To sign up for new student orientation, please contact the Office of Orientation Programs at (213) 740-7767.
New graduate students should contact their academic advisers for advisement before registering for classes.
Returning students (absent one or more semesters from USC) should contact the Registrar One Stop Center to obtain a registration appointment.
Permanent Residents and United States Citizens
Non-Admitted (Limited Status) Students
Individuals who have not applied to and have never attended USC, but who wish to take a course at the university may contact the Registrar One Stop Center. More information about the Limited Status program is available on the Registration website.
Individuals who wish to enroll as Limited Status students in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network should visit gapp.usc.edu/graduate-programs/den for information and to determine eligibility.
2. Correct or Confirm Your Address
Before you attempt to register for classes, you should correct your address or confirm that it is correct in the university’s record system. Visit myUSC, and use the “Experience USC” widget to make changes.
3. Meet with Your Academic Adviser to Plan Your Schedule
Your adviser can assist you with the selection of courses, D-class clearances and procedures for registration. Please contact your department or school for the appropriate academic adviser. See Academic Advisers for a current listing.
Choose Your Courses
Use Web Registration on myUSC to plan your course schedule.
4. Contact Your Department and Arrange for “D” Clearance and/or Prerequisite Waivers
Classification and Numbering of Courses
The first digit of the course number indicates the year level of the course: 000 – preparatory courses, 100 – first undergraduate year, 200 – second undergraduate year, 300 – third and fourth undergraduate years without graduate credit, 400 – third and fourth undergraduate years with graduate credit for graduate students, 500 – first graduate year, 600 – second graduate year, 700 – third graduate year.
The lowercase letters ab, abcd, etc., indicate the semesters of a course more than one semester in length. In such courses the a semester is usually prerequisite to the b semester, and so on. Capital L indicates that all or part of the work is supervised laboratory or other work. Courses designated x are restricted in some manner. The course description will specify the restriction. Courses designated with a z are for repeated registrations for 0 credit, for which 2 units of tuition are charged.
Undergraduates are expected to give priority to courses that fulfill the general lower-division requirements. It is recommended that students register in courses appropriate to their academic standing – lower-division students in courses below 300, upper-division students in courses below 500, graduate students in courses numbered 400 or higher.
The following are not available for graduate credit: courses numbered 00-399, courses designated g (general education), Senior Seminar courses, courses designated x where the description specifically excludes graduate credit.
Diversity Requirement Courses
Courses with a lowercase m for multiculturalism following the course number have been approved for credit in fulfilling the university diversity requirement for students who began college before 2015.
Preparatory Courses
Preparatory courses (courses numbered below 100) impart the minimum skills required for college-level work. Students completing preparatory course work may receive unit credit, but do not receive degree credit.
“D” and “R” Designations
Class numbers with an “R” designation are restricted by the size of the classroom. “D” classes are restricted by the department offering the course and require the student to obtain “D” class assignments from the home department prior to registering. Departments reserve the right to change class sections from “R” to “D” at any time.
5. Clear Any Restrictions Indicated on the Permit to Register
A university office may place a registration restriction on a student’s account if the student has a pending obligation with the office. You should clear any restriction that prohibits registration before your registration appointment. You will not be allowed to register until advisement requirements are cleared.
Activity Restrictions, (see the department that owns the hold)
Academic Advisement Requirement, (see the department of your major)
Academic Review/Disqualification, Figueroa Building 107, (213) 740-1196
Admission, Ronald Tutor Campus Center 202, or home department (graduate or international) (these restrictions must be cleared in person)
American Language Institute, Royal Street Structure 106, (213) 740-0079
Collection Restriction, University Collections, Jefferson Boulevard Structure 100, (213) 740-9087
Dornsife College Advising Office, Grace Ford Salvatori Hall 320, (213) 740-2534
Graduate School, Student Union 301, (213) 740-9033
USC Housing/Residence Halls, McCarthy Way Parking Structure, 620 USC McCarthy Way, (213) 740-2546
*International Students, 649 West 34th Street (Royal Street Structure 101), (213) 740-2666
Leave of Absence (see the department of your major)
Library Hold (see appropriate library)
Probation/Academic Review, Figueroa Building 107, 740-1196
Registrar, Office of Academic Records and Registrar, visit ask.usc.edu for more information, (213) 740-8500
Student Affairs, Student Union 201, 740-2421
Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, Student Union 206, (213) 821-7373
Student Financial Services (loan restrictions), Jefferson Boulevard Parking Structure, (213) 740-4077
Transcripts and Verifications, visit ask.usc.edu for more information, (213) 740-7445
**USC Student Health, (213) 740-9355 (WELL)
Writing Program, Jefferson Building 150, (213) 740-1980
*Office of International Services, 649 West 34th Street (RSS) Suite 101, (213) 740-2666, ois@usc.edu
All international students must obtain clearance from the Office of International Services in order to drop below full-time enrollment. International students are required to register in a minimum of 12 units as undergraduates, 8 units as master’s degree students and 6 units as doctoral students or a research or teaching assistant.
**USC Student Health
USC Student Health is committed to providing students with the highest quality health care while they study at USC. All new USC students must upload their immunization records and fill out a brief medical history in their Student Health Record. To login, go to usc.edu/myshr. New student health requirements, including required immunizations are listed before each semester on this page: studenthealth.usc.edu/getting-started/. Keep checking this page for updates. Students need to complete all of these new requirements by the mandatory deadline each semester and submit them to their mySHR page. New student health requirements, including required immunizations, are listed before each semester at: studenthealth.usc.edu/getting-started/.
Tuberculosis Screening: Some international students are required to be screened for tuberculosis in the United States or Canada within six months prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. Students from countries of origin that are not “high TB burden” as designated by the World Health Organization may be exempt from the requirement. Review the complete list of exempted and required screening countries online.
Covid-19 Testing
Pop Testing is available to students who are asymptomatic. Please visit https://studenthealth.usc.edu/pop-testing-hours-and-locations/ for details about making an appointment.
Health Insurance Waiver
All USC students must be covered under a health insurance plan. The Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) that is automatically charged to a student’s bill, once they register for 6 or more units of classes, but it may be waived if documented proof of health coverage from another plan is presented. The insurance must meet all waiver criteria. The waiver must be submitted by the semester deadline by going to studenthealth.usc.edu and visiting the insurance section.
For more information, visit studenthealth.usc.edu or call (213) 740-9355 (WELL).
6. Log in to Web Registration to Enroll in Classes or Change Program
Registration Assistance
If you are unable to use Web Registration, contact the Registrar One Stop Center via ask.usc.edu and use the “email us” option.
Registration Confirmation Copies
All enrollment, tuition and fee information is available on the Registration & Fee summary found within your myUSC account.
Change of Schedule (Withdraw and Add)
After registering for a course, it is a student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from the course if he/she decides not to continue in it. Students must use Web Registration to drop or add courses. If a student experiences an error with Web Registration please contact the Registrar One Stop via ask.usc.edu and choose the “email us” option.
Students can withdraw from a course without academic penalty up until the 80 percent mark of a session. No course may be withdrawn after the 80 percent mark. A course dropped up to 45 percent into the session in which the course is offered, will not appear on the official transcript with a mark of “W,” however it will appear on the student’s record and STARS report. A refund is not applied in this instance because it is beyond the 20 percent mark of the session. For the specific deadline to change the grade options, click the Calendar icon next to the course on the Schedule of Classes. All schedule changes must be processed through Web Registration or th e Registrar One Stop Center. Failure to withdraw officially will result in the grade of “UW,” which is computed in the GPA as zero (0) grade points. See Change of Program/Petition Actions and Withdrawal/Tuition Refund Policy under Tuition and Fees for additional information.
Financial aid recipients should consult with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from courses in order to assess the potential effect on the student’s financial aid eligibility. Also, withdrawing and adding courses may cancel any financial aid deferment previously granted on a student’s account. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the Financial Aid Office to have the account re-deferred.
7. Purchase USCard, Parking Permit and Other Services to be Charged to Your Student Account
USCard – mycard.usc.edu
Get your USCard student ID by visiting mycard.usc.edu and submitting your image online.
USCard can be used at USC Hospitality locations, USC Bookstores, all print and copy locations across campus, most vending machines on campus, parking gates and more.
On the USCard website, you can change your meal plan, replace your ID and deposit money using your card. To manage your account, click “Login in to your USCard” and follow the prompts. From there you can deposit money using your credit card, view your balance and transactions and suspend/reinstate your card if you think you’ve lost it.
For more information, call (213) 740-8709, email uscard@usc.edu or visit mycard.usc.edu.
Health Insurance – Student Health Insurance Office, Engemann Student Health Center, 1031 W. 34th Street, Lower Level
See Tuition and Fees.
Housing – McCarthy Way Parking Structure, First Floor, 620 McCarthy Way
You may complete an application, or find information regarding housing online at housing.usc.edu. Students with restriction holds on their USC accounts for financial, academic or conduct issues may be unable to apply for housing. Please see the Cashier’s Office or your academic adviser, if necessary.
You may also contact Housing by email at housing@usc.edu or by phone at (800) 872-4632 or (213) 740-2546.
Parking Permits at USC – McCarthy Way Parking Structure, First Floor, 620 McCarthy Way
(213) 740-3575, usc.edu/parking
USC Transportation issues parking permits for on-campus lots and structures.
Contact the USC Transportation Office for the most current pricing.
El Rodeo (Yearbook)
Students may pre-order/purchase copies of El Rodeo using either their USCard discretionary funds or their credit card through the yearbook website.
Graduate portraits are taken each fall, and are available to any student completing his or her degree program. See the yearbook website for information and to schedule an appointment: http://uscelrodeo.com/portraits.
8. Financial Aid Disbursement Requirements
Financial aid applicants should satisfy all the disbursement requirements for each program early enough to ensure their funds will be available by the payment deadline. Visit financialaid.usc.edu for detailed information.
Be sure to log in to your USC Financial Aid Summary and Tasks (FAST) page and your USC email account regularly to monitor your status and to check for any financial aid-related notices.
In general, for students who have met all disbursement requirements, most financial aid funds will be credited to a student’s account 10 days prior to the start of the semester.
Graduate Assistantships
In addition to a paid stipend, graduate assistantships cover a specified amount of tuition plus health center, medical and dental insurance fees. You are responsible for paying any other charges by the settlement deadline.
There are two possible reasons tuition- or health-related awards may not appear on the registration confirmation:
- You are not registered for at least 6 graduate units of credit or in a course that confers full-time status (such as GRSC 800 or a 794a-z course). Graduate assistants must be registered for GRSC 800 or a 794a-z course, or a minimum of 6 graduate units for credit.
- The department has not yet entered the tuition- or health-related award into the Student Information System (SIS). In this case, please contact the department offering you the graduate assistant position as soon as possible.
Please contact your department if you experience any difficulties with your assistantship.
9. Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
If your financial aid eligibility includes a Federal Direct Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Loan, you must complete the application steps detailed at financialaid.usc.edu/loans to ensure proper receipt of your funds.
10. HPSL, LDS, PCL and Institutional Loans
If your financial aid eligibility includes a Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), Loan for Disadvantaged Students (LDS), Primary Care Loan (PCL) or a USC institutional loan, you will receive instructions for completing a Master Promissory Note electronically at your USC email address prior to the beginning of each semester and/or each disbursement. A new promissory note is required for every new disbursement of HPSL, LDS, PCL and USC loans. You will receive an email notification from Heartland/ECSI at the start of each academic year.
If you have any questions regarding these loans, please call the Student Financial Services office at (213) 740-4077.
11. Graduate Students: Complete Steps Necessary to Apply for a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan
If you are borrowing a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan to help cover your expenses, you must complete the application steps detailed at financialaid.usc.edu/loans to ensure proper receipt of your funds. USC processes a separate PLUS loan for each enrolled term. If you wish to borrow the PLUS loan for multiple terms, please submit a separate application for each term. Credit is checked once every 180 days for those with multiple applications.
12. Undergraduates: Ensure Parents Complete Steps Necessary to Apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
If your parent is borrowing a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan to help cover your expenses, you must complete the application steps detailed at financialaid.usc.edu/loans to ensure proper receipt of your funds. Credit is checked once every 180 days for those with multiple applications.
13. Apply for USC Payment Plan or Tuition Reimbursement Deferment at Student Financial Services
A new plan is required each term.
The USC Payment Plan allows you to divide your tuition and fees over five monthly payments for one semester. Payments for the spring 2022 semester will start December 14, 2021. The Payment Plan does not charge interest but there is an application fee to participate. Payment Plan information and application link are available on the Student Financial Services website. For additional information, contact Student Financial Services at (213) 740-4077. You may access the Payment Plan option by logging in to myUSC and selecting “Payment Plan.”
Tuition Reimbursement Deferment
For the most up-to-date information on the Tuition Reimbursement/Deferment program, please visit the Student Financial Services website.
You are required to pay 10 percent of your tuition PLUS 100 percent of all fees, including lab fees, plus a non-refundable application fee of $100. The balance of your tuition will be deferred until April 25, 2022. Interest is not charged during the deferment period. If your account is not paid when due, it will be subject to additional finance charges.
14. Settle Your Bill (Cashier’s Office)
Important Dates and Information
January 7, 2022, by 5 p.m. – Settlement deadline. All students must register and settle their bills entirely by this date and time to avoid late fees.
January 28, 2022 – Last day to withdraw from classes with refund in sessions 001 and 060. For other sessions, see Withdrawal/Tuition Refund Policy Last day to purchase or waive health insurance. Last day to purchase or waive tuition refund insurance.
Note: USC does not mail printed monthly billing statements to students. Students must use USCe.pay to review their monthly statements. For more information, visit sfs.usc.edu/student-account/your-bill.
You may pay your bill online at (sfs.usc.edu/epay), by mail or in person. If you are paying by mail, be sure to mail your payment early enough for the university to receive it by the settlement deadline.
USCe.pay allows you to manage your student account online. You can pay your tuition and fees by transferring funds from your savings or checking account, by wire transfer or by charging to your VISA, MasterCard or Discover card. (NOTE: USC has updated its policy regarding the use of credit card payments beginning July 1, 2019. The policy can be found at sfs.usc.edu/updated-forms-of-payment.) You can also print e-receipts and view your billing statements or current account information. In addition, you can set up individual guest user access for parents or anyone else you choose so they can make payments on your account. For more information, visit sfs.usc.edu/epay. To access your USCe.pay account, log in to myUSC (my.usc.edu) and select the USCe.pay link.
For account information or inquiries, please call (213) 740-7471.
More detailed information about student accounts, settlement options and procedures is available at sfs.usc.edu/epay.
Effective July 1, 2020, USC no longer accepts credit cards for student account payments.
Tuition Prepayment Program (TPP)
This option offers individuals the opportunity to stabilize tuition costs by avoiding future tuition increases. Under this plan, the university will accept the prepayment of the student’s total USC tuition plus mandatory fees at the current tuition rate for up to the next four to five years. For further information, contact Student Financial Services, (213) 740-4077, or visit us at sfs.usc.edu/epay and select “Payment Options.” The student must be admitted to the university before a tuition prepayment account may be established.
Refunds
If you have a credit balance on your account, you may be eligible for a refund. eRefund allows you to receive your refund quickly and easily. Please visit sfs.usc.edu/refunds for more information and forms.
If you are on the USC Payment Plan, you are not eligible for a refund while you are making payments through the Payment Plan. You will have to adjust your payment plan budget amount to reduce/eliminate the credit balance. Please visit sfs.usc.edu/refunds for more information.