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For Students: How do I request an Academic Transcript? Are Transient Students' Transcripts automatically sent out? How do I register On-Line? How do I get an Enrollment Verification? How do I know if I am Eligible to Register? How do I find out my Registration Appointment Time? How do I get a Personal Identification Number (PIN)? Where do I get an Undergraduate Schedule of Classes? How can I get a copy of my class schedule? How do I make changes to my schedule? Where do I get a Parking Decal? How do I Audit a course and do I get credit for it? How do I get my grades? What is a Student Development Transcript (SDT) and how can I get one? Where can I get Housing Information for the Columbia Campus? How can I change my campus? How do I change my address? How do I change my Area of Concentration (Major)? How do I change my name? How do I take classes on another USC Campus? If I repeat a course, what happens to the course already on my record? What is the Pass/Fail Option? How can I get on the President's/Dean's List? How do I compute my Grade Point Average or GPA? What are the criteria for Honors and Awards? What are course sections 801 and 851? How can I get an override in a closed course? What happens if I register for a course I was not advised for? What must I do to apply for Graduation? If I graduated in the Summer or Fall, can I participate in Commencement? As a Transfer Student, how do I Graduate with Honors? What Baccalaureate Degree Programs are offered at USC Sumter? For Parents: Is Dropping and Adding a course a normal procedure for most students? What is the Grading System at USC Sumter? What does it take to Graduate from USC Sumter? Are there any penalties for Dropping a Class? What does GPA mean and how important is it? Is there any type of recognition if my child does well? How can I find out my child's grades? Can my child appeal suspention because of extenuating circumstances? Why should my child get an Associate Degree? HOW DO I REQUEST AN ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT? USC official transcripts are printed by the Columbia Registrar's Office, but can be requested through the Sumter Office of Records and Registration. Forms are available in Room 101 in the Administration Building or you can write a letter to the Columbia Registrar's Office to request a transcript. Your letter must include all names used while attending the University, your current address, your Social Security number, last term attended, your signature, and where you would like the transcript sent. Also include a $8 non-refundable processing fee per copy. You can now download a USC academic transcript request form from the internet by following these steps: 1. Type in the url, registrar.sc.edu, 2. click on Transcripts, 3. if you don't have Acrobat Reader, you must download it and follow the steps, 3. if you have Acrobat Reader, click on Transcript Request Form, and 4. complete transcript request form and mail it to the address at top of form. All requests MUST be in writing and will not be accepted by phone. Also, requests completed by someone other than the student will not be accepted unless you have permission in writing from that student. Also, an official transcript can be requested online by clicking here. Attention: Transcript Department Office of the Registrar USC Columbia, SC 29208 ARE TRANSIENT STUDENTS' TRANSCRIPTS AUTOMATICALLY SENT OUT? Transient students are responsible for having their transcripts sent to their home schools. The procedures for requesting a transcript are outlined under "How do I request an academic transcript?" HOW DO I REGISTER ON-LINE? You can register on-line at http://vip.sc.edu/login.html. You can log-on to the system by entering your student number (SSN) and your PIN. Computers for registering on-line are available in the Anderson Library Computer lab, Registration Center in the Administration Building, and the Student Union Building. HOW DO I GET AN ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION? To receive an enrollment verification, you must contact the Office of Records and Registration. You may call, bring any forms you may have to the office, or complete a form in our office. Twenty-four hours is required to complete your request, after which you must pick-up your verification. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER? You are considered eligible to register once you have been accepted, advised, and attended orientation. If you are not sure about your eligibility, log on to vip.sc.edu, click on the Academic tab, and then click "Show Me" for Registration Eligibility. You must also not have any holds on your records. HOW DO I FIND OUT MY REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT TIME? At the beginning of each early registration period, all currently enrolled students will be assigned a registration appointment. You can get your registration appointment by accessing VIP on the Web http://vip.sc.edu/login.html. Click on the Personal tab at the top of the screen, then click on "Show Me" for Registration Appointment. Students will have 48 hours from the beginning of their appointment time to register for classes. HOW DO I GET A PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN)? Each student has a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). PINs are required to access the Visual Information Processing (VIP). Your PIN is your month and day of birth. For example, if you were born on February 14, your PIN would be 0214. Students who applied to any campus of the University of South Carolina before October 1, 1990, retain the randomly generated PIN already issued to them. For your security, you are required to change your PIN before you can register. To change your PIN, access VIP http://vip.sc.edu/login.html. Click on Personal tab at top of screen. Scroll down to "Show Me" , for Change PIN. If you do not know your PIN (and your month/day of birth does not work), you may pick up your PIN in person (with a picture I.D.) from the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building. WHERE DO I GET AN UNDERGRADUATE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES? You can retrieve the master schedule of classes on the web by clicking here. HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF MY CLASS SCHEDULE? You can look at or print a copy of your schedule in the Web Registration Center in the Administration Building, Student Union Building, Computer Lab in the Library, and the Anderson Library. HOW DO I MAKE CHANGES TO MY SCHEDULE? All changes to your schedule can be done on VIP. If you have the internet on your home computer, you have access. Wait for a response to confirm the results of your action. Time conflicts are not checked by the computer. You must be careful not to schedule two classes at the same time. **Important** You must drop classes you do not plan to attend. Instructors do not drop classes for students. If you fail to drop a class you do not attend, you may receive an "F." WHERE DO I GET A PARKING DECAL? Decals can be purchased from the Business Office, Room 214, in the Administration Building. HOW DO I AUDIT A COURSE AND DO I GET CREDIT FOR IT? Students wishing to audit a course must complete appropriate admission and registration procedures. You may enroll in courses on an audit basis by obtaining the approval of your advisor. On VIP under the Academic tab, click on Pick an Action, select "Take for Audit", then click "Go". Auditing is taking a course without responsibility. You receive no credit for the course and it cannot be taken for credit at a later date. HOW DO I GET MY GRADES? Your grades can be accessed by using VIP at https://vip.sc.edu/login.html. Click on the Academic Tab, scroll down to Grade Report and click on "Show Me". You must have your Personal Identification Number (PIN) in order to use the systems. WHAT IS A STUDENT DEVELOPMENT TRANSCRIPT (SDT) AND HOW CAN I GET ONE? The Student Development Transcript is intended to provide a record of a student's developmental activities outside of the classroom while enrolled at USC Sumter. This transcript is separate from the academic transcript. Students can receive credit for approved off-campus experiences and activities. You can request your Student Developement Transcript by filling out the request form available in the Office of Records and Registration in Room 101 in the Administration Building. Any transcript not mailed and issued to a student is considered unofficial and will be stamped "Issued to Student." You must allow the office 24 hours to process your transcript request. A fee of $3 is charged for each transcript. WHERE CAN I GET HOUSING INFORMATION FOR THE COLUMBIA CAMPUS? Housing information for the Columbia campus is available in March for the following Summer/Fall semesters. Students must complete a change of campus form and meet the requirements for transfering to the Columbia campus. The housing applications can be picked up from the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building. Students must have a housing eligibility form signed by a Records Office staff member. Since the Columbia campus reserves housing for system campus students, it is important that you do not request an application directly from the Columbia Campus. HOW CAN I CHANGE MY CAMPUS? You can change your campus by coming by the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building and picking up the Change of Campus form. Your form must be signed by the Office of Veterans Affairs, Financial Aid and Scholarships and you must meet the eligibility requirements. If your form is approved, it will be forwarded to the Columbia campus and you should receive information from them regarding advisement and registration in approximately two weeks. HOW DO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS? To change your address, you must send notification by mail to the Office of Records and Registration or complete a form in the office. You can also change your address by using VIP at https://vip.sc.edu/login.html. Click on the Personal Tab at the top of the screen, then click on "Show Me" for Personal Data. HOW DO I CHANGE MY AREA OF CONCENTRATION (MAJOR)? To change your major, you must complete a Change of Area of Concentration form and have your advisor sign it. Forms are available from your advisor in the Advisement/Counseling Center in the Administration Building, Room 101. HOW DO I CHANGE MY NAME? To change your name, you must submit a name change affidavit along with a copy of a legal court order, birth certificate, marriage license, or passport to the Office of Records and Registration in Room 101 of the Administration Building. No other documents will be accepted. HOW DO I TAKE CLASSES ON ANOTHER USC CAMPUS? In order to take courses at another USC campus, you must complete the Special Permission Enrollment form, and have your advisor sign it and turn it in to the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building. You can register for these classes by accessing the VIP at https://vip.sc.edu/login.html. If you are planning to take courses on the Columbia campus, you must meet the USC immunization requirements. These shots must be verified by a physician or health offical with a signature and/or official stamp or by a photocopy of your immunization record. Your immunization MUST be process before you can register. Immunization forms are available from the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building. IF I REPEAT A COURSE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE COURSE ALREADY ON MY RECORD? A course at USC can be repeated; however, both grades will be entered on your permanent academic record and included in the grade point average. Course credit toward graduation will be given only once, unless otherwise stipulated in the course description. WHAT IS THE PASS/FAIL OPTION? In order to take a course for Pass/Fail credit, you must have the Pass/Fail Option form signed by the instructor and by your advisor and turn it in to the Office of Records and Registration, Room 101, in the Administration Building. Registration for a Pass/Fail course is done the same as for any other USC Sumter course. The forms are available from the Office of Records and Registration. HOW CAN I GET ON THE PRESIDENT'S/DEAN'S LIST? To be on the President's List requires that you have a 4.0 grade point average earned on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours. The Dean's List requires that you have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher earned on a minimum of 12 credited semester hours. Freshmen must have a 3.25 or higher earned to be on the Dean's List. HOW DO I COMPUTE MY GRADE POINT AVERAGE OR GPA? A form is available from the Office of Records and Registration in Room 101 of the Administration Building that will outline how to calculate your grade point average. Call or come by the office for the form. WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR HONORS AND AWARDS? Students who qualify for the Silver Medallion must meet the following requirements:
Students who qualify for the Gold Medallion must meet the following requirements:
WHAT ARE COURSE SECTIONS 801 AND 851? The section codes 801 identify courses taught in the first 8-week session and the section codes 851 are courses taught in the second 8-weeks. HOW CAN I GET AN OVERRIDE IN A CLOSED COURSE? Overrides in closed courses are obtained by getting permission from the academic chairperson in the department the instructor is teaching. If you have gained permission, you must see the academic division secretary who will enter the permission code on the system. You can then register for the course as usual on VIP at https://vip.sc.edu/login.html. WHAT HAPPENS IF I REGISTER FOR COURSES I WAS NOT ADVISED FOR? If you register for courses which you were not advised for, you can be administratively dropped out by your advisor. Also, you may be at risk of being placed at the end of the next appointment priority system during the next registration period. WHAT MUST I DO TO APPLY FOR GRADUATION? Applications for Associate, Aiken Business, and BAIS degrees are available from the Office of Records and Registration. All Aiken Business and BAIS degree applications must be signed by your advisor and turned in by the deadlines listed in the Master Schedule of Classes. If you are a USC Spartanburg student getting ready to graduate, you must pick up your degree application from the Spartanburg Education Office, Schwartz Building, Room 122 on the USC Sumter campus. USC Sumter holds commencement exercises every May. To obtain information on commencement, practice, and acquiring a cap and gown, visit the Office of Records and Registration in Room 101 of the Administration Building or contact the USC Sumter bookstore. IF I GRADUATED IN THE PREVIOUS SUMMER OR FALL SEMESTER, CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE SPRING COMMENCEMENT? Students who graduated in the previous summer or fall semester are eligible to participate in the spring commencement. You must contact the Office of Records and Registration to be placed on the commencement participant list. Information on practice and acquiring a cap and gown are also available from the Records Office. AS A TRANSFER STUDENT, HOW DO I GRADUATE WITH HONORS? University policy states that all college credits are calculated in determining honors, even those credits that are not transferable toward your USC degree. You must meet the honor GPA on your USC work, as well as your USC work and transfer work combined. WHAT BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT USC SUMTER? USC Sumter offers students the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree (BAIS) in coordination with USC Columbia, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (with a concentration in management) in coordination with USC Aiken, a Bachelor of Science in Education degree (with a concentration in Elementary or Early Childhood) in coordination with USC Spartanburg. In addition, USC Sumter offers at least two years of study which may be applied toward over 60 baccalaureate degrees offered by the University of South Carolina. FOR PARENTS:Yes. Students must drop courses they do not plan to attend. Instructors do not drop courses for students. If students fail to drop a course they do not attend, they may receive an "F." Before adding a course, it must be approved by the students' advisor. The advisor must approve the students taking courses in which prerequisites must be met. WHAT IS THE GRADING SYSTEM AT USC SUMTER? We are on the 4 point system. The grade of a student in any course is determined by class standing and examination grade, combined in such proportion as the professor may decide. The quality of a student's work and the regularity of attendance at the lectures and laboratory sessions or other exercises of the course deemed by the professor determine class standing. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GRADUATE FROM USC SUMTER? All students must be in a degree-seeking status at the beginning of the semester in which the degree application is submitted. All courses earned in the USC system will count toward the 60 hours requirement, except a course which is repeated for which previous credit has already been earned. English 100, Math 100, and UCAM 120 will not count toward an associate degree. Only transfer hours accepted for one's current major on an evaluated transfer credit summary will be counted toward an associate degree or courses approved by the academic dean for an "Associate Degree Only." Students must meet all course requirements, be in good academic standing, meet all departmental or program requirements, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at USC. ARE THERE ANY PENALTIES FOR DROPPING A CLASS? There is no penalty to students when dropping courses during the first week of classes. After the first week of classes, and for the next 6 weeks, the dropped course is recorded on the student's permanent records with a grade of "W" (withdrawal without penalty), but the semester hours will not be calculated into the student's grade point average. Any courses dropped after the "W" grade period will appear on the permanent records with a grade of "WF" if no reason acceptable to the instructor and dean is offered. Grades of "WF" (withdrawal failing) are included in all calculations and totals. Students who stop attending class without officially withdrawing have the course recorded with a grade of "F" which is included in all calculations and totals. WHAT DOES GPA MEAN AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? GPA is the Grade Point Average that is computed on the basis of all semester hours attempted for credit, except for credit hours carried under the Pass-Fail option. A student's GPA is not affected by courses taken on a non-credit or audit basis. No grade of "S," "U," "AUD," or "W" is considered in computing the GPA. If a student's GPA falls below a 2.0, the student is considered scholastically deficient and it is possible that the student can be suspended academically. IS THERE ANY TYPE OF RECOGNITION IF MY SON/DAUGHTER DOES WELL ACADEMICALLY? Yes. Each semester, the President's Honor List or the Dean's Honor List recognizes students who attain the following standards:
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MY SON'S/DAUGHTER'S GRADES? At the end of each semester, a grade report is sent to the student's permanent address. Student's can obtain their grades through the VIP at https://vip.sc.edu/login.html. The Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), protects students' academic records by requiring the institution to receive their written consent before releasing their records. Parents must consult their son/daughter for their grades. IF MY SON/DAUGHTER IS SUSPENDED, BUT THERE WERE VERY UNUSUAL MEDICAL/FAMILY PROBLEMS DURING THE TERM WHICH AFFECTED HIS/HER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, IS THERE ANYTHING HE/SHE CAN DO TO APPEAL THE SUSPENSION? USC Sumter has an appeal process for students who were placed on academic suspension for extenuating circumstances beyond there control. The student must come to the Admissions or Records Office to complete the Request for Academic Reinstatement/Suspension Removal form. All supporting documentation must be attached to this form. The documentation must be submitted to the Faculty Admissions Committee for a final decision. SINCE MY SON/DAUGHTER PLANS TO FINISH A FOUR-YEAR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE, IS THERE ANY NEED FOR HIM/HER TO OBTAIN AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE? Yes. Obtaining an associate degree gives the student the assurance that he/she has completed two years toward his/her baccalaureate degree. It is also a motivational tool that challenges the student to continue and to achieve the baccalaureate degree. In a job search, an associate degree makes the student more marketable. One benefit of an associate degree in the job market is that perspective employers view an associate degree as a stepping stone to obtaining the baccalaureate degree. HOW CAN STUDENTS REGISTER FOR COURSES? Students can register for courses at anytime during a registration period for each semester at http://vip.sc.edu/login.html. Jennifer Baker Student Services Coordinator Last modified Monday April 04, 2011 |
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