#CU24 Act Now!

Table of Contents Page 3 - A Message from the Freshman College

Page 4 - Pre-arrival Webinars and Actions Page 5 - New Student Orientation Page 6 - Office of Admissions Important Information Page 7 - Financial Aid Deadlines Page 8 - Important Residential Life Information Page 9 - Financial Clearance Process Page 10 - Move-in Day for the Class of 2024 Page 11 - Parent and Family Orientation at Move-In

Dear students and parents, As the start of the semester is just over a month away, I am writing today to share some important information with you. This letter highlights information that requires your awareness of and, in many cases, action prior to move-in. Therefore, I ask that you take the time to read this document in its entirety.

I want to thank you all for your understanding of our need to transition our summer outreach to a virtual format over the last few months. Just because we are social distancing, we have not been distant. Our transition teams have been working for many weeks, have benchmarked with other schools and have worked with public health officials as we develop our plans to safeguard the health of our community.

I know that this year’s experience may look and feel very different from one you may have envisioned. As the parent of a 2020 high school graduate, I completely understand your feelings and empathize with you. However, I encourage you to look at the positive growth you and all of us have experienced as we adjust our lifestyles to the unexpected expectations surrounding our health and well-being as a result of COVID-19. Claflin promotes our commitment to Claflin Confidence.

I am confident that all of us will utilize our commitment to visionary leadership to help us create a dynamic experience on campus as well as serve as a beacon of leadership to the larger community.

If you have additional questions in preparation for the fall semester, please feel free to contact administrators. Below please find a list of some of our contact information.

Freshman College

Cashier

Office of Admissions

Residential Life & Housing

Financial Aid

Student Health Center

(803) 535-5282 freshman.college@claflin.edu

(803) 535-5031 dbeckford@claflin.edu

(803) 535-5131 fiscalaffairs@claflin.edu (803) 535-5334 finaid@claflin.edu

(803) 535-5382 admissions@claflin.edu hhayes@claflin.edu (803) 535-5328

I look forward to meeting all of you in the fall. Take care of yourselves and enjoy the preparation process as you prepare to join the Claflin Family.

With Panther Pride,

Cynthia D. Duncan Joseph Cynthia D. Duncan Joseph Director, Freshman College

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Pre-arrival Webinars and Actions Over the past several months, we have asked you to complete virtual early registration day webinars in order to expedite your transition process to Claflin. Specifically, we have requested your participation in the following zoom webinars:     

Support in the First Year: Conversation with Freshman College Academic Advising Student Accounts Residential Life Financial Aid

Each of these webinars is offered at least twice per month. As we enter the month of July, if you have not already completed these webinars, we ask that you visit our website and sign up for the required sessions. Full participation will provide you with the necessary information to help you complete financial and academic clearance as well as answer many questions you have as prepare to arrive in August. Please visit the Claflin website at www.claflin.edu and follow the main page to the #CU24 information pages.

In addition to the information for the webinars, you will find instructions to upload a professional photo for your student identification card.

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New Student Orientation Traditionally, our formal orientation experience is held several days before the start of classes with extended orientation activities incorporated into the first year experience and freshman seminar throughout the year.

During the first week, we have traditionally gathered in large settings to introduce students to the myriad of support resources as well as build community among the new students, student leaders, faculty and staff.

As we navigate the need to social distance, this year’s orientation will look a lot different, but we will make sure students gain the same important information to help you transition successfully. Please know that our engagements will be held in accordance with public health guidance and our orientation sessions will be more intimate and will consist of smaller opportunities for students to meet and make connections with their peers.

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Office of Admissions Important Information Final High School Transcripts: Due by July 17, 2020 Dual Enrollment College Credits Official Transcripts: Due by July 17, 2020 Medical Health Form: Due by July 17, 2020 Office of Admissions admissions@claflin.edu (803) 535-5382 Student Health Center hhayes@claflin.edu (803) 535-5328

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Financial Aid Deadlines Student Online Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes are due by July 17, 2020 – www.studentloans.gov Approved Parent Plus Applications and Master Promissory Notes are due July 17, 2020 – www.studentloans.gov All documents (2018 Tax Transcript/Return, Verification Worksheet, Residency Form, CU Master Application, Rights & Responsibilities, FAFSA Signature Form, Consent Form) are due by July 17, 2020

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Important Residential Life Information Move-in day is always an exciting and often emotional time for students and families. As outlined in a correspondence by Mr. Dillon Beckford, Executive Director of Residential Life & Housing. If you and your student have not already done so, I encourage you to read the letter outlining residential move in and the updated policies designed to mitigate student exposure to COVID-19 within our living and learning communities.

Among the important highlights in the correspondence, all students are required to read, sign and submit the updated housing contract prior to their arrival in August. Students will not be allowed to move in unless they have read and signed the contract and agreed to the terms set forth in the contract. Students under the age of 18 will also require the signature of their parents or legal guardian(s).

Please know that students have the option to stay home and complete their classes online. If you are considering this option, please contact the Office of Residential Life & Housing regarding cancellation of your fall housing assignment.

The University’s acceptance of this contract guarantees you a space in a residence hall, not a specific building. Your assigned spaces are subject to change at any time before returning to campus for the semester. Residents must personally claim their residence hall space by the designated date set forth by the University before 5:00pm. Space not claimed by that time will be forfeited. All residents must move in on the designated dates and time. The University reserves the right to cancel and reassign all rooms at its discretion based on space availability

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Financial Clearance Process Financial Clearance is the last step for you to complete.

Please make sure to get academically cleared which means having an approved schedule in preregistration status.

You will also need to finalize your financial aid package and receive your award letter. Please log in to MyClaflin under the Student Tab and the Business Office to make sure that all of your financial aid and charges are on your account.

Once you have received your housing assignment from Residential Life, your room and board (meal) charges should be applied to your account. At a minimum you can expect to have a charge of $13,336 on your account for fall 2020 if you are residing on campus and are attending full time (at least 12 credits).

Please make sure all of this is done BEFORE you setup a payment plan or pay any remaining balance due on your account. Financial clearance means all you have all of your charges and you have a zero balance, a credit balance (money left over after covering tuition and fees represent by a negative number i.e. -400.00) or you have enrolled in a recurring payment plan through MyClaflin. Partial payments outside of a recurring payment plan will not clear you.

Please contact the Business Office if you have any questions.

Cashier (803) 535-5131 fiscalaffairs@claflin.edu

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Move-in Day for the Class of 2024 Move-In will look much different this year, our excitement to welcome you home to campus hasn’t changed. Below you will find our preliminary plans for move-in.

In order to comply with social distancing protocols, we have made adjustments to our typical one day move in to three-day move-in process. Move-in is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 4 and end on Thursday August 6, 2020 for incoming freshman and transfer students.

Our plan is to allow each resident to sign up for a two-hour appointment during move-in week. During your two-hour appointment, you will be expected to unload your vehicle fully. However, you may continue to unpack in your room after your appointment has ended. In late July, you will receive an additional email from the office of Residential Life & Housing that will outline the appointment scheduling process as well as what to do when you arrive on campus.

Parents, as your student begins preparing for move-in, please encourage them to only pack what is essential. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 social distancing protocols, we will be unable to provide move-in volunteers or hand trucks and carts to assist you. You may bring up to two guests to help you unload and carry your belongings to your assigned room. By focusing on your essential needs, you will help reduce congestion in unloading areas and residence hall lobbies while also help minimize wait times for elevators. Our goal is to create an efficient movein experience for each residential student.

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Parent and Family Orientation at Move-In Due to the anticipated need to continue physical distancing, we have made the difficult decision to offer the parent and family orientation virtually. While I know you might be disappointed to hear that, there is a great benefit to this mode of delivery. In normal years, our parent and family Orientation sessions took place on the Sunday following Move-In followed by the Parting Ceremony.

It is our hope to have all parents participate in some pre-arrival conversations with faculty and staff who work closely with incoming students during the last week of July. These conversations will allow you an ability to not only receive important information but also allow you an opportunity to digest the information prior to arrival. It is our hope that with this information you will be able to coach your student to ensure they are prepared for the start of the academic journey at Claflin University.

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Claflin University 400 Magnolia Street Orangeburg, SC 29115 www.claflin.edu (800) 922-1276