USCB Family Programs

The USCB Family Newsletter is a resource to keep family members up to date about what is going on around campus and provides families with tips for supporting their student. The newsletter goes out monthly during the fall and spring semesters and once over the summer. You can sign up to receive the newsletter using our USCB Family Listserv Registration Form.

USCB Family Newsletter Archive

• January 2023
• November 2022
• October 2022
• May 2022
• April 2022
• March 2022
• February 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021

• Sand Shark Families 101- As you might anticipate your relationship with your student may change after they start college. Here are a few tips to make that transition easier for you!
  • Attend the Family Info Session either in-person or virtually before your students starts USCB and come to as many of our Family Events listed in our events section as you can. This will help you keep in touch with your student and their academic journey.
  • Sign up for a read our monthly Family Newsletter so you are up to date on what is going on on campus.
  • Don’t forget about FERPA! Many parents and family members want to find out their student's grades, ask about their student's performance, or check on their student's finances. Access to all of these is protected under the federal Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), which places limits on the right to review educational records. Once students are enrolled, regardless of age, you will not have access to their educational information unless your student specifically grants it to you.
  • Talk with your student about money early and often. Help them setup a budget so they can practice good financial wellness. If your student is going to need a job they can start their search on our Career Services Webpage.
  • Treat your student as an adult. When they come to you with problems, help them problem solve a solution. Suggest they reach out to resources on campus that can help them.
  • Keep up with our Academic Calendar each semester so you can keep up with important dates.
  • Be aware that course load and rigor changes from high school to college, and even college to college. Courses may be more demanding at USCB and students' grades may vary from what they are used to. Remind your student of the great resources and services USCB has to offer.
• Where to stay- Beaufort County is a wonderful place to visit. Here we have listed some of our favorite hotels that offer great rates to our USCB family.
  • Beaufort
    Tru by Hilton, 3664 Trask Pkwy, Beaufort, SC 29906 - Type Code 3288419 into the Corporate Account Box under Special Rates
  • Bluffton
    Hampton Inn, 29 William Pope Dr, Bluffton, SC 29910 - Use Code 003150650
    Extended Stay America, 108 Seagrass Station Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910 - Call 843-936-8838 and mention USCB during booking
  • Hilton Head
    Hilton Garden Inn, 1575 Fording Island Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 - Use USCB Booking Link

• Glossary of terms- College is a new world with a lot of new lingo. Your student may come home on break and you may feel like they are speaking a new language. USCB has put together a guide of commonly used terms in college to help you speak their language.

  USCB Glossary of Terms

• Session Recordings.

  Spring 2022 Registration Day Session Recording

August 10th, 2022 by 5pm.

If the student has accepted all terms and conditions and has completed all necessary steps in receiving their financial aid, it will automatically apply towards the students tuition bill.

Yes, but a student will have to save their checking account as a saved payment method on their SSC account, and have the account verified prior to using the account to pay for tuition and fees.

Login to your SSC account, Select Account Information, then Payment Gateway, then select on Authorized users.

Handshake is USCB’s career management system. Students can claim their accounts, create their profiles, and search for job opportunities.

Your student can set up an appointment through Handshake in the career services section of their account.

USCB Career Services has resources available to assist students creating resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. These resources can be accessed through Handshake in the career services section of their account.

Students can set up mock interview appointments through their Handshake account in the career services section. Students may also take advantage of Big Interview, an online interviewing tutorial system.

USCB Career Services has many resources for students on the Career Services website. Be sure to have your student check the Upcoming Events page to be up-to-date about on campus and virtual recruiting activities!

Yes, all currently enrolled students have access to free counseling at USCB. They email counseling@uscb.edu to schedule an appointment.

You have to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you are eligible for Pell Grant, SEOG Grant, Federal Work Study and Student Loans. Many scholarships require a FAFSA to be on file with the school to determine eligibility.

USCB Admissions application is the application to be reviewed for the university scholarships Palmetto Fellows Plus, LIFE Plus, Residential and In-State. USCB Donor Scholarships application is available mid-January and the application closes on March 1st. studentaid.gov is a great resource to find scholarships.

You can view your financial aid awards anytime on Self-Service Carolina (SSC). Select Financial Aid > Financial Aid Status > BFT Campus > Select Aid Year > Awarded.

You can view your bill beginning mid-July on SSC. Select Account Information > Account Detail by term > Select a Term. As long as all requirements are met, your financial aid will show memoed/authorized on the Account Detail by Term page. The memoed/authorized aid will reduce the amount of the bill and a balance will be displayed.

A parent can opt to apply for a Federal Parent PLUS loan at studentaid.gov. to assist with the expense. A private loan is another option.

The FAFSA is the application for Federal Student Loans (FSL). There are two types of FSL, subsidized and unsubsidized.

Subsidized is a loan made to eligible students who demonstrate financial need. The U.S. Department of Education pays the interest while you are in school. Unsubsidized is a loan available to students and do not require you to demonstrate need. The interest begins accrue once the first disbursement is made to the school.

Sunday August 14th for all new students

Bluffton Campus
Resident's Name
13 South Campus Drive
Resident's Mailbox Number
Bluffton, SC 29909

Beaufort Campus
Resident's Name
801 Carteret Street
Resident's Box Number
Beaufort, SC 29902

Yes all USCB residence halls allow guests and overnight visitation. For overnight guests, a form must be completed (including guest vehicle information if driving), signed by all roommates and returned to housing 24 hours before your guest arrives. A "guest" is described as anyone who does not live in that apartment. Overnight guest forms are available in the Housing Office during business hours.

Cap & Gown purchases are handled through our Bookstore. A Grad Fair is hosted by the Bookstore, however students who cannot attend the Grad Fair may still purchase regalia online. More information about purchasing cap & gowns can be found here.

USCB holds a Commencement ceremony at the end of each Fall & Spring semester. Students who are finishing degree requirements in the Summer semester have the option participate in our Spring ceremony or our Fall ceremony. More information about Commencement can be found here.

Semester Honor Lists are posted on our website here.

FERPA stands for The Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974. This legislation regulates the release of and access to student records. Under FERPA there are certain data that is considered Public/Directory Information and some that are considered Private Information. Data that is considered Private Information may not be shared with any individual other than the student. A student may grant access to an individual by completing our Release of Student Information Form. More can be learned about FERPA here.

Official transcripts are handled and processed through the Registrar’s Office at the UofSC Columbia campus for the entire UofSC System. Students can order an official transcript through their Self-Service Carolina. More information can be found here.