Registration Instructions
1. Obtain Registration Appointment Time
Registration appointment times and permit to register information are available on my.usc.edu and OASIS (www.usc.edu/oasis). Select “Permit to Register” to find your appointment time. If you do not have a registration appointment time please contact the Registration Department by email at register@usc.edu or by phone at (213) 740-8500.
Web Registration is available to all or most continuing, newly-admitted or returning students (see Web Registration Instructions). Only students who, due to certain activity restrictions, may not use the automated registration system should proceed to the Registration Building to process enrollment in person. Limited, non-admitted students must register for classes in person at the Registration Building.
International Students
Admitted and Continuing Students
Report to Student Union 300 with passport to obtain International Student Clearance.
Non-Admitted (Limited Status) Students
International students (and all students on non-resident visas) intending to register as Limited Status students should report to the Registration Building, Monday, August 18, where they will pick up the Permit to Register. They will then be directed to other USC offices to obtain necessary approvals to register. All such students must bring their passports, and students on F-1 visas must also bring a letter from the foreign student advisor at their host institution permitting them to concurrently register at USC. For further information, call the International Admissions Office at (213) 740-1111.
Newly Admitted, Continuing and Returning Students
Report to the Registration Building to obtain a Permit to Register.
Permanent Residents and United States Citizens
Non-Admitted (Limited Status) Students
Students who have not been admitted and have never attended the university should report to the Registration Building if they wish to register for classes at USC without having been formally admitted to USC. Students will receive registration materials and be directed to other appropriate offices to obtain departmental approvals if necessary. Limited status students who are enrolled in the fall 2008 semester may register any time beginning April 29. They should go directly to the Registration Lobby to obtain limited student registration materials. Those wishing to enroll as limited status students in the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Distance Education Network should visit den.usc.edu for information and to determine eligibility.
Undergraduate non-admitted limited status students must settle their tuition and fees on the same day they register for classes or their enrollment will be cancelled by the Registration Department. This policy does not apply to USC staff and faculty. For further information, contact the Registration Department at (213) 740-8500.
2. Correct or Confirm Your Address
Before you attempt to register for classes, please correct your address or confirm that it is correct. Visit OASIS (www.usc.edu/oasis ), select the change of address service and correct or confirm your address.
3. Meet with Your Academic Advisor to Plan Your Schedule, if Necessary
Academic Advisement
Your advisor 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 advisor. See Academic Advisors for a current listing.
Choosing Your Courses
For convenience, a Class Schedule Worksheet and an automated scheduler feature is available on the Web Registration site at www.usc.edu/webregistration. A Final Examinations Scheduling Worksheet is provided to help you plan your schedule and to avoid time conflicts during final exams.
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 lower case 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 two 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 lower case m for multiculturalism following the course number have been approved for credit in fulfilling the university diversity requirement.
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. The following schools or departments change all of their “R” classes to “D” on the first day of classes: American Studies, Arts and Letters, all undergraduate Business classes, Economics, English and Mathematics.
5. Clear Any Restrictions Indicated on the Permit to Register
If you have an Activity/Restriction assigned to your record (including any mandatory advisement requirement), it must be removed or cleared with the appropriate office. Activity restrictions prohibit total use of the automated enrollment process.
Activity Restrictions
Academic Advisement Requirement (see the department of your major)
Academic Review/Disqualification, Hubbard Hall 113, (213) 740-7741
Admission, Trojan Residence Hall 101, or home department (graduate or international) (these restrictions must be cleared in person)
American Language Institute, Jefferson Building 206, (213) 740-0079
Collection Restriction, University Collections, Parking Structure B, (213) 740-9087
College Advisement Office, College Academic Services Building, 3454 Trousdale Parkway, Suite 120, (213) 740-2534
Degree Verification, Hubbard Hall 010, (213) 740-7445
Graduate School, Grace Ford Salvatori Hall 315, (213) 740-9033
TrojanHousing/Residence Halls, Parking Structure C, 620 W. 35th St., (213) 740-2546
*International Students, Student Union 300, (213) 740-2666
Leave of Absence (see the department of your major)
Library Hold (see appropriate library)
Probation/Academic Review, Hubbard Hall 113, 740-7741
Registrar, Office of Academic Records and Registrar, Hubbard Hall 104 (these restrictions must be cleared in person)
Structured Curriculum Program, Student Union 301, (213) 740-0776
Student Affairs, Student Union 201, 740-2421
Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards, Figueroa Building 107, (213) 821-7373
Student Financial Services (loan restrictions), Hall Building 1st Floor, (213) 740-4077
**Student Health Center 100, (213) 740-5344
Writing Program, Music Practice and Instructional Center 208, (213) 740-1980
*Office of International Services, Student Union 300
All international students must obtain clearance from the Office of International Services in order to drop courses. The Citizenship and Immigration Service requires foreign students to take 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.
**Student Health Center 100
Mandatory Measles Immunization: All students not previously cleared by the Student Health Center will be required to show proof of immunity before registration is permitted. All students must comply with this university policy. One of the following proofs of immune status must be brought to the Student Health Center:
- A photocopy of your medical record card documenting the month and year of immunization;
- A photocopy of your medical record documenting having had the disease or a vaccination.
- Proof of date of birth prior to 1957.
Tuberculosis Screening Requirement: All international students are required to be screened for tuberculosis prior to their first semester of enrollment at USC. See Tuberculosis Screening Requirement for further information.
6. Log in to Web Registration to Enroll in Classes or Change Program
Enrollment and Registration Confirmation Pickup – Registration Building
If you are unable to use Web Registration, report to this location. Present Permit to Register and Request for Student Program forms at this location.
Registration Confirmation Copies
All enrollment, tuition and fee information is available on OASIS by selecting the Registered Course List and USCe.pay services.
Change of Program (Withdraw and Add)
After registering for a course, it is your responsibility to withdraw officially from the course if you decide not to continue in it. Forms for withdrawing and/or adding courses are available in the Registration Building. You may also print copies from the registration Web site at www.usc.edu/registration.
You can withdraw from a course without academic penalty during the first 12 weeks of the semester. Any course withdrawn between the fourth and 12th week of classes appears as mark of “W” on the academic transcript. No course may be withdrawn after the end of the 12th week. All such changes must be processed through Web Registration or the Registration Department. 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.
Note: No course may be added after September 12; this deadline will be strictly enforced.
7. Obtain USCard, Purchase Parking Permit and Other Services to be Added to Your Student Account
USCard – www.usc.edu/uscard
Students may obtain a university identification card, complete with photo, by visiting USCard Services’ customer service counters located in PSX on the University Park campus or at One Stop Express in the Seaver Science building on the Health Sciences campus. Students are encouraged to submit a recent digital image through USCard’s Web site and pick up their ID card at the “will call” counter on campus.
Health Insurance–Student Health Insurance Office, 649 W. 34th Street (PSD)
See Tuition and Fees.
Housing–Parking Structure (PSX)
You may complete an application, or find information regarding housing online at housing.usc.edu or in person at the TrojanHousing office in PSX on the ground floor. 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 advisor, if necessary.
Parking Permits–Childs Way Building I, 1012 Childs Way
(213) 740-3575, www.usc.edu/parking
El Rodeo (Yearbook)
Students may pre-order/purchase copies of El Rodeo using either USC discretionary or credit card through the yearbook Web site (www.uscelrodeo.com).
8. Obtain Health Insurance Waiver if Appropriate
Mandatory health insurance for students on the University Park campus may be waived if you can provide evidence of coverage that meets the university requirements under your own policy. See www.usc.edu/uphc for more information.
9. Financial Aid Disbursement Requirements
If you are relying on financial aid funds to pay your account, you should satisfy all the disbursement requirements for each program early enough so that your funds will be available by the settlement deadline, August 22, 2008. Refer to the Financial Aid Guide that was sent with your original financial aid award letter or visit www.usc.edu/financialaid for ”Next Steps” required to receive each award.
In general, most financial aid funds credit to student accounts within 10 days of the start of the semester for students who have met all disbursement requirements.
Students who are unable to settle their bill because of pending financial aid must contact the Financial Aid Office prior to the settlement deadline. Visit www.usc.edu/contactfao for Financial Aid Office contact information.
Graduate Assistant Tuition Awards
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.
If the tuition or health award does not appear on the registration confirmation, there are two possible reasons:
- You are registered in less than 6 graduate units for credit. Graduate assistants must be registered for a minimum of 6 graduate units for credit. Tuition awards will not pay for courses taken for audit.
- The department has not yet entered the award on the Student Information System. If this is the case, contact the department offering you the graduate assistant position as soon as possible.
10. Obtain Federal Perkins Loan, HPSL and Institutional Loans; Return Promissory Note(s) to Student Financial Services
If your financial aid eligibility includes a Federal Perkins Loan, and you are a new borrower at USC, the Student Financial Services Office will mail you a Federal Perkins Loan master promissory note packet prior to the beginning of the academic year. You must sign and return the packet. If you have signed a Federal Perkins Loan master promissory note in a previous term, you have already authorized the university to disburse additional funds, and you do not need to sign another promissory note.
If your financial aid eligibility includes an HPSL or institutional loan, the Student Financial Services Office will mail you a promissory note to complete and return prior to the start of each semester.
Beginning August 18, 2008 borrowers who did not receive promissory note packets by mail may obtain them in person at the Student Financial Services Office (refer to map for location).
11. Obtain Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
If your financial aid eligibility includes a Federal Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan, you must complete the “Next Steps” detailed in the Financial Aid Guide that accompanied your original award letter to receive funds.
If you are a first-time borrower at USC, you must satisfy the entrance loan counselor requirement before your Stafford loan funds will be delivered. For details, visit www.usc.edu/financialaid.
Lenders disburse Federal Stafford Loans at the beginning of each semester. If your lender disburses funds and you maintain eligibility, your Federal Stafford Loan disbursement will credit to your university account.
If you have applied for your Federal Stafford Loan, but your loan funds will not arrive by the settlement deadline the Financial Aid Office may be able to defer the portion of your bill that will be covered by the loan. Remember that you are responsible for ensuring that your account balance is totally paid and/or deferred by the settlement deadline. You must contact the Financial Aid Office prior to the settlement deadline to request a deferment.
12. Obtain GATE Unsubsidized Loan Disbursements by Returning Your Promissory Note to American Educational Services
If your financial aid award letter indicates that you are eligible for a GATE Unsubsidized Loan, the loan processor will send your GATE PIN number and a link to begin the loan claiming process to your USC email address. Loans that are not claimed will be cancelled automatically. Claiming the loan allows the lender to perform a credit check. Once approved, you will need to return a signed promissory note to the lender. For more information contact AES at (800) 645-0750.
13. Ensure Parents Complete Necessary Steps for Federal Parent PLUS Loans
If your parent is borrowing a Federal Parent PLUS Loan to help cover your expenses, make sure he/she completes all of the steps on our Web site at www.usc.edu/financialaid.
In order for the loan to be disbursed, the Cashier’s Office must receive a PLUS Loan EFT Authorization Form. The form can be downloaded from wwww.usc.edu/faoforms and faxed to the Cashier’s Office at (213) 740-0835.
14. Apply for USC Payment Plan or Tuition Reimbursement Deferment at Student Financial Services
The USC Payment Plan allows you to divide your tuition and fees over five monthly payments for one semester. Payments for the fall semester will start August 1, 2008. The Payment Plan does not charge interest but there is an application fee to participate. Plan information and application forms are available on the Student Financial Services Web site, www.usc.edu/sfs. For additional information, contact Student Financial Services at (213) 740-4077.
Tuition Reimbursement Deferment
In order to participate in the program you must have your supervisor or personnel officer write a memo on company stationery stating that you are employed by that company and will be reimbursed for tuition at the end of the term. A NEW LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR EACH SEMESTER.
You are required to pay 25 percent of your tuition PLUS 100 percent of all fees, including lab fees, plus a non-refundable service charge of 4 percent of the deferment amount. The balance of your tuition will be deferred until January 25, 2009. Interest is not charged during the deferment period. If your account is not paid when due, it will be subject to additional finance charges.
You will be required to sign a promissory note in order to receive the deferment. If you do not pay for the deferment by the due date, collection efforts will proceed against YOU, NOT YOUR EMPLOYER. Failure to complete the class or your termination from the company from which you expect to receive tuition reimbursement in no way nullifies this agreement. You are responsible for paying the deferment regardless of your grade(s) or employment status.
15. Settle Your Bill (Cashier’s Office)
Important Dates and Information
Aug. 25, 2008, 5 p.m. – Settlement deadline. All students must register and settle their bills entirely by this date and time to avoid late fees.
Sept. 12, 2008 – Last day to withdraw a class with refund. Last day to purchase or waive health insurance. Last day to purchase or waive tuition refund insurance.
Jan. 23, 2009 – Tuition Reimbursement Deferments expire. Payment is due Feb. 27, 2009.
Note: USC discontinued mailing printed monthly billing statements to students effective spring 2008. Students must use USCe.pay to review their monthly statements. For more information, visit www.usc.edu/ebill.
You may pay your bill via the Internet (USCe.pay), by phone (TIPS), 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, or by charging to your American Express, VISA, MasterCard or Discover card. 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 www.usc.edu/epay. To access your USCe.pay account, log in to OASIS (www.usc.edu/oasis) or MyUSC (my.usc.edu) and select the USCe.pay link.
For account balance information and payment by telephone call TIPS (Touch-Tone Inquiry & Payment System) at (213) 740-7471. Outside the Southern California area call (800) 225-1222. TIPS accepts payments by American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover. Sorry, TIPS cannot accept checking/savings transfers.
More detailed information about student accounts, settlement options and procedures is available on the Web at www.usc.edu/sfs.
During peak registration periods, the Cashier’s Office, Student Financial Services and Collections relocate to a central location to provide one-stop service to students. Visit www.usc.edu/sfs for more information.
American Express, VISA, MasterCard and Discover Card
You should present the credit card (and parent’s written authorization if the card is not in your name), as well as a valid driver’s license. Presentation of any credit card does not constitute payment of tuition and fees. Authorization must be obtained from the credit card institution in order to be posted to the student account. Declined authorizations are your responsibility. See Late Fees and Billing Information.
Payment Plan
USC offers a monthly payment plan for the fall and spring terms. All students whose accounts are current are eligible to participate. More information and applications are available at www.usc.edu/sfs/payplan.
Cashier’s Short Term Deferment
Thirty day deferments are granted for up to $2,000 of the tuition balance. You must take three or more units (or the equivalent) to receive any type of deferment. There is a non-refundable service charge of five percent of the deferred amount, due at the time the deferment is granted, in addition to the remaining billing balance.
The number of units for which tuition is charged is generally the same as the number of academic units indicated after each course in the Schedule of Classes. However, some courses with no academic credit require payment of tuition. Most classes with course numbers ending in z (e.g., 594z and 794z) require 2 units of tuition. GRSC 800 and GRSC 810 each require 1 unit of tuition.
In sessions offering different tuition rates or mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate students, the student’s Program of Study (POST) will determine the tuition rate and fees to be charged. Students with more than one active POST will be charged as undergraduate students if at least one POST is designated as undergraduate.
Refunds
If you have a credit balance on your account, you may be eligible for a refund. If the credit balance is the result of a credit card payment combined with reduced charges and/or financial aid or loan advances, we will first refund the credit card use for payment up to the amount that was charged. Any credit balance remaining after that can be refunded to you by check or direct deposit at your request. Please visit www.usc.edu/sfs/refund for more information and forms.