USD First-Generation Student Guide 2023-24

FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT GUIDE

WELCOME!

On behalf of the University of San Diego’s FirstGeneration Action Team, welcome! We are happy that you have chosen to join us and we are excited to meet you. We understand first-year students are inundated with information so it is our hope that this guide will help you navigate your USD experience from now through graduation.

The glossary terms, tips, and other tools are designed to answer basic questions and steer you to expert help when needed. In that effort we have grouped relevant terms together under the umbrella categories: Paying for USD; Enrollment and Academic Terms; Student Identities and Experiences; and Making Your Story at USD.

THE FIRST-GEN STORY AT USD

The First-Generation Action Team is a collaboration of faculty members, staff and students born out of the university’s strategic plan, known as Envisioning 2024. Our mission is to support first-generation student success by proactively engaging with undergraduate and graduate students of this diverse and growing student population. Through our various activities, we strive to promote the first-gen experience at USD and enhance a sense of belonging for our first-generation (first-gen) students.

Examples of our activities include our annual summit to educate the campus community on firstgeneration student trends and support efforts; welcome events for new students and their families; student dialogues; first-generation student celebrations; and workshops catered to first-generation students. Additionally, the team supports the First-Generation Student Association, an undergraduate student organization.

First Forward is the nation’s first recognition program acknowledging higher education institutions for their commitment to first-generation student success. As a First Forward institution, USD joins the inaugural cohort and community of professionals prepared to share evidence-based practices and resources, troubleshoot challenges, generate knowledge, and continue to advance the success of firstgeneration students across the country.

PAYING FOR USD

MANAGING YOUR FINANCIAL AID

Make sure to stay on top of all the deadlines associated with FAFSA, the required documents, and USD's financial aid timeline. Visit the One Stop Student Center either at the office, located in the Hahn University Center, Room 126, or online for more information.

f FAFSA: Students must apply for financial aid each academic year. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are the necessary forms needed in order to apply for federal grants, loans and work study. Students complete either the FAFSA, the USD Dream Act Application (DAAP) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) annually, whichever applies to their situation. Click here for more information on each application .

f Estimated Family Contribution (EFC): Calculated based on the data reported on the FAFSA (DAAP or CADAA) submitted and is used by the Office of Financial Aid to calculate the students’ eligibility for need-based financial aid. The data used includes income and assets as well as the size of the family.

f Appeal (FAFSA): If you or your family has a change in financial circumstances there are times the financial aid eligibility can be reconsidered.

y Special Circumstances Forms

f Disbursement: When the source(s) of your financial aid pays the university the amount you were awarded toward your semester tuition and fees.

f One Stop: The One Stop Student Center assists students with questions regarding financial aid, student accounts and registration.

y For contact information and to learn more, go to the One Stop website.

PAYING FOR USD

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid comes in many forms, with some based on your merits, and others based on your family information and financial aid application. Learn about the different types of loans you are eligible for, and be mindful of the ones you accept. After you graduate, you will have to pay back your loans at different rates.

f Direct Subsidized Loan: The U.S. Department of Education will cover the interest on the loan. Six credit hour minimum to apply.

f Direct Unsubsidized Loan: The U.S. Department of Education will not cover the interest of the loan, and the loan may accumulate interest if left unpaid.

f Private Student Loan: Financial Aid provided by private lenders (i.e. not state- or federally funded organizations).

f Incoming First-Year Student Scholarships

y Athletics scholarships are limited to four years.

f University Grant: University grants are funds awarded to students, which do not need to be repaid. Funds are awarded by the university, based on student need and FAFSA information. Students must meet certain eligibility criteria to receive grant funds. See more here

f Work Study: A part-time employment program designed to help you meet your cost of attendance. The Federal Work-Study/College Work Opportunity Program is a need-based student employment program. To be employed under FWS/CWO, you must apply for financial aid by filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and be offered FWS/CWO as part of your financial aid award. Students who have applied for financial aid and were not awarded a Federal Work-Study/College Work Opportunity may submit the Federal Work-Study Waitlist Form and will be awarded an opportunity if funds remain and the eligibility criteria are met.

f Federal Work Study (FWS): Part-time jobs provided by the university to assist students with financial need.

y Student Employment Center (SEC)

y Job Board

PAYING FOR USD

f Tuition costs will vary if you enroll in fewer than 12 or more than 18 units ..

COSTS OF ENROLLMENT

You may not be enrolled in the same number of units every single semester and it is important to understand how that will change the cost of each semester. This will go hand in hand with what you discuss with your academic advisor. Be up front with your plans and collaborate with your advisor to make an efficient and affordable degree plan.

y First-year students are limited to a maximum of 16 units.

y Students must receive permission to take more than 18 units, and there is an extra cost associated.

f Course vs Unit: Courses are generally three units each, with labs incurring an additional fourth unit.

f Full-Time Enrollment: A full-time student is a student enrolled in 12 or more credits.

f Part-Time Enrollment: A part-time student is a student enrolled in fewer than 12 units.

f Intersession: Short periods, during the winter and summer breaks, when students may enroll in additional classes to assist with degree completion.

y All Academic Calendars

y Undergraduate Academic Calendar

y Intersession Financial Aid applications will be available in the “My Financial Aid” channel of the MySanDiego portal.

f Satisfactory Academic Progress: There are federally mandated academic requirements that must be met when a student receives financial aid so the student can maintain eligibility for financial aid in the next academic year. SAP Policy

f Fee: Additional costs in addition to tuition for:

y Health services

y Laboratory fees

y Athletic fees

y Associated Student Government fees

y Room and board

y Meal plans

y Student media fee

f Fee Waiver: An application for the university to cover a specific university fee in part or full. The fee waiver is usually used toward large exams or special classes and programs.

ACADEMIC TERMS

DEGREE INFORMATION

The title of the degree you earn upon graduation is dependent on your major(s) and minor(s). The title may not be the most important part of your story, but it is important to understand the implications of those titles.

f Bachelor of Arts: This degree normally involves creating a well-rounded course of study. It gives students a broad perspective of the world through the study of various different topics.

f Bachelor of Science: This degree is designed to focus the area of study on courses that are closely related to the student’s major. The coursework in this degree tends to be technical.

f Bachelor of Business Administration: This degree is designed to teach you how businesses actually operate — and how they address important issues like social responsibility, ethics, diversity and crisis management.

f Double Major: The act of earning two distinct degrees, each based on completing unique requirements and coursework. A double major also refers student who is pursuing two majors concurrently, for example, one in biology and one in business administration.

f Major: The subject area in which a student completes his or her degree. (e.g. Communication Studies, Art History, Industrial and Systems Engineering, etc). Everyone must select a major. To ensure you can meet all of your major requirements in a timely manner, it is advisable to identify your major by the end of your second year.

f Master of Arts: A postgraduate qualification, this degree usually takes one or two additional years to earn, and it often requires students to perform original research and write a thesis.

f Minor: A secondary subject area with which students can supplement their major, toward degree completion. Majors and minors do not have to directly connect with one another.

ACADEMIC TERMS

f Co-requisite: A course or a requirement taken alongside or in conjunction with another course or requirement.

COURSE INFORMATION

After you’ve settled on a degree title, you and your academic advisor should discuss which classes you must take — and in which order — in order to fulfill graduation requirements. To complete your degree, some courses will have to be completed before others, and your courses will need to add up to a minimum amount of units.

f Unit: Most classes are three units and students taking 12 or more units are considered full-time.

f CRN: A Course Reference Number is a specific class ID number used for registration (e.g. Span. CRN 1392 or Span. CRN 1476, etc.)

f Add/Drop period: A short period during which students are able to add courses and drop courses at the start of the semester.

f The Liberal Arts: It’s a traditional form/system/ philosophy of education for well-rounded students. Academic subjects include literature, philosophy, mathematics, and social and physical sciences. Learn more.

f Prerequisite: A mandatory course or requirement that must be met prior to taking a course at the next level.

f Core Requirements: The general classes or requirements needed to graduate. Learn more.

f Lower-Division Course: Generally 100- or 200-level courses; these are commonly general education courses

f Upper-Division Course: Upper-division courses are specialized courses numbered 300+ and are generally taken by juniors and seniors.

f Syllabus: A document that contains information such as the course outline, assignments, exam dates, the instructor office hours — and defines expectations and student responsibilities.

y Pro Tip: Review all of your exam, project, and paper due dates at the beginning of the semester and add them to your calendar.

f Waitlist: When classes are full, students can place themselves on a waitlist. If a space opens up in the class, a student on the waitlist is added.

y Important: If you are taken off the waitlist, you must add yourself to the class within 24 hours or your spot will go to the next student on the waitlist.

f Withdrawal: When a student needs to leave a course after the add/drop period ends, he or she can withdraw from the course and have the grade recorded as a W. Students who leave a course(s) mid-semester without officially withdrawing will receive a non-passing grade(s). Withdrawals have different financial and academic consequences.

y Go to the Center for Student Success for more information.

ACADEMIC TERMS

f Internship: Professional workplaces offer limited employment to students to supplement coursework with professional work experiences. Internships can be either paid or unpaid.

DEGREE COMPLETION

Degree Completion: There are specific academic and financial requirements you must meet and administrative actions you must take in order to officially complete your degree. The terms below are important to keep in mind throughout your time at USD as you move toward graduation. For detailed information regarding your upperdivision experience and commencement, please see page 16 of this guide.

f Accredited: (government) recognition of academic excellence. Learn more

f GPA: (Grade Point Average) The average of all course grades, usually broken down per semester, or cumulative, which includes all courses since initial enrollment. Learn more

f Dean’s List: This is an academic award, given to students who earn a 3.65+ GPA for first honors, or a 3.4-3.64 GPA for second honors. Learn more.

f Pass/Fail: A pass/fail course count toward credit hours without impacting GPA. Students must attain a C average or better to receive credit for a pass/fail course. CORE and major courses cannot be pass/fail. Learn more

f Transcript: An official transcript is a copy of your permanent academic record and includes courses taken, grades earned, dates of attendance, major, type of degree awarded, your cumulative grade point average (GPA) and all honors received at the school.

y School of Leadership and Education Sciences Internships

y School of Business Internships

y Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Internships

y Summer Internship Award

y College of Arts and Sciences Careers and Internships (listed in each department)

ACADEMIC TERMS

f Tips on how to use Office Hours effectively:

ACADEMIC RESOURCES

You are in control of your education at USD. We have a plethora of resources to ensure you feel that way, too. From your academic advisor to our registration software, you can access these resources at any point during your USD story.

f Academic Advisor: Advisors offer guidance — with majors, minors and classes — to make sure you are on track to graduate on time. These can be faculty members or professional staff.

y Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Advising

y College of Arts and Sciences Advising

y Knauss School of Business Advising

f Office Hours: Specific times that faculty and staff members are available for students to walk in without an appointment for various forms of support and consultation. Learn more.

y Read upcoming assignment descriptions and then go to office hours to ask questions. This way, you can get specific pointers from the professor to improve your assignment and gain more insight into the class.

y Ask specific questions about how the reading relates to the course material and your assignments. “What are the most common mistakes students make in essays for this class?” “What are the qualities that students who do best in this major and/or class have?”

y Ask the professor about his or her research and let the chatting begin. And if you are really interested in the subject, ask how can undergraduate students can get involved in departmental research.

f Blackboard: Blackboard is a website that professors may use to connect with their students. It can be used to view specific course grades, material, assignments, and syllabi.

f Placement Test/Exam: Common for language, math and English courses, students can utilize these tests to help determine the appropriate course level for them (e.g. high school Advanced Placement exams).

f Registrar: The Office of the Registrar safeguards the integrity of student academic records through careful oversight of student information systems and official records.

f USD Portal: The USD Portal is the page that provides access to students’ academics, financial aid, announcements, and student accounts.

y Applicants and admitted students can login to the portal at my .sandiego .edu.

f FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student records. Learn more

ACADEMIC TERMS

f Plagiarism: The act of taking someone else’s work or ideas as one’s own without citation or credit to the original creator. Plagiarism is prohibited and met with high consequence.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The USD community has a set of standards and rules in place to uphold the integrity of your degree, and the degrees of all our graduates. These standards are in place so that you are set up for success once you leave USD and join the professional workforce.

f Degree Works: A tool to help you keep track of your academic progress as you work towards graduation.

y Academic Integrity Policy

y “Preventing Plagiarism” workshops at Copley Library

f Academic Probation: Students are placed on academic probation when they earn less than a C average (2.0 GPA) for the semester or their cumulative GPA. An academic advisor or dean will supervise their progress to improve their academic standing at USD and discuss other available options. Learn more

f Conduct Probation: When a student violates the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, the Dean of Students will supervise his or her progress to improve their behavioral standing at USD, or consider other sanctions and consequences.

STUDENT IDENTITIES

f First-Year Students: These are students who are new to USD and have not previously enrolled in a college or university. All first-year students are also engaged through our Living Learning Communities.

STUDENT IDENTITIES

All students have their own set of identities and personal experiences they bring with them to USD. As you pursue your degree, you will likely encounter or personally identify with one or more of the specific identities on this list.

f First-Generation College Student: At USD, a first-generation college student is any student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) had not earned a bachelor’s degree or higher by the time the student completed high school or earned his or her high school equivalency. Learn more

f Undergraduate Student: A college student working toward a bachelor degree.

f Graduate Student: A college student who has already achieved a bachelor’s degree, and is now working toward a master’s or doctoral degree.

f Resident: A student who lives on campus in one of the campus residential communities. There is a two-year live-on requirement for all USD students, with upper-division housing being optional.

y Residential Community: Commonly referred to as a college residence hall or dormitory, it is home to several hundred students.

f Commuter Student: Students who live off campus and walk, ride bikes, take public transportation, or drive to campus to attend classes. Commuter students are generally upper-division students or first-year students from the local San Diego area.

y Commuter Commons

y Instagram

y Living Learning Community (LLC): A missionbased program paired with a specific group of faculty, connected to a specific residence hall or the commuter identity, to foster learning around USD’s Changemaker identity.

f Transfer Students: These are students who are new to USD, after enrolling at another college or university prior to enrolling at USD.

f Upper-Division Students: These are students who are no longer new to USD and are pursuing higherlevel coursework toward graduation.

f International Students: These are students who chose to undertake all or part of their tertiary education in a country other than their own and move to that country for the purpose of studying. Learn more

f USD Student Wellness: Asking for help is hard, especially in a new environment. USD Student Wellness is dedicated to raising awareness and reducing stigma about mental health and asking for help, providing you with important life skills, and creating an environment that promotes your overall health and well-being as you strive to reach your personal and academic goals. Learn more

f TimelyCare: TimelyCare offers students a 24/7 extension of campus health and counseling center resources that is as easy and convenient as making a video or phone call. Learn more

STUDENT IDENTITIES

f Commuter Assistant (CA): A student leader who provides support to a group of commuter students to foster community and success while at USD.

STUDENT LEADERS

Student leaders are students who have taken a leadership position or on-campus job to support other students through campus organizations and departments. Learn more.

f Associated Student Government (ASG) Senator: An elected student leader who provides advocacy and representation of different student populations to the Associated Student Government and administrators across campus.

f Torero Program Board (TPB): A branch of the Associated Student Government that coordinates programs and events for the University of San Diego. Learn more.

f Resident Assistant (RA): A student leader who provides oversight and support to a group of residential students to foster community and success while at USD.

f Scholastic Assistant (SA): A student leader who provides oversight and support to first-year students in a specific Living Learning Community course to support academic growth and success at USD.

f Transfer Scholastic Assistant (TSA): A student leader who provides oversight and support to new transfer students, to support academic growth and success at USD.

f Student Support Services Summer Bridge and Mentors (SSS): The Student Support Services Summer Bridge program is a free, intensive one-week program that helps incoming firstyear and transfer students transition into life at USD. Students will be paired with an SSS mentor and fellow SSS students prior to the start of the academic year. Learn more

MAKING YOUR STORY

f Academic Support:

YOUR FIRST YEAR AT USD

As a first-generation student you are pioneering a new future for you and your family. That responsibility can be overwhelming, but also invigorating and exciting! In this section, you will find terms, information and points of contact to help shape your experience at USD into something more than a degree. The First-Generation Action Team is here to help you write your USD story.

f First Year Experience at USD: The First-Year Experience (FYE) strives to build a community of engaged students who value academic excellence, intellectual, personal and spiritual development, inclusion, ethical conduct and compassionate service. It integrates the Scholastic Assistant Program and the Residential Life Living Learning Communities

f Student Life Opportunities: Orientation, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Activities, Clubs, and Organizations, Virtual Activities, University Ministry, Outdoor Adventures, Changemaker Hub, United Front Multicultural Commons, Women’s Commons, Black Student Resource Commons, LGBTQ+ & Allies Commons

f Financial Support:

y The priority deadline is the date you must have your FAFSA completed, and submitted to the federal processor with USD’s school code (010395), in order to be considered for priority funding. For undergraduate students, the date is March 2 Watch this video!

y The Center for Student Success (CSS) generates innovative strategies to assist all undergraduate students as they work toward graduation including, but not limited to, peer coaching, academic skillbuilding and support throughout the processes of taking a leave of absence or withdrawing from the university.

y Case Management services offer students the opportunity to consult privately with a professional staff member who can provide support and connections to various on- and off-campus resources to help manage academic, financial, health and well-being concerns.

y Student Support Services (SSS) provides support for academic development, assists with college requirements, and helps to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary degrees. Learn more.

y TRIO/McNair Scholars: The McNair Scholars Program serves high-achieving USD undergraduates who are committed to pursuing a doctoral or graduate degree. Our program seeks to empower the next generation of scholastic leaders by providing a holistic developmental experience.

y The Mathematics Learning Center (MLC) offers free peer-to-peer tutorial services designed to facilitate the development of independent lifelong learning, and help students implement strategies for analytical thinking in their mathematics courses.

y The USD Writing Center offers one-on-one consultations to provide critical reflection and constructive feedback. The goal is to help students develop strategies to improve and gain confidence in their writing and develop educational independence.

y Tips to Improve Your Study Skills

y Copley Library offers a robust collection of print and digital materials, one-on-one research help, workshops, instruction, research guides, study spaces and more.

MAKING YOUR STORY

f Career Development Center: The Career Development Center supports students in developing and achieving career goals that lead to meaningful lives.

YOUR SECOND YEAR AT USD

Your second year at USD provides many new opportunities that your first year prepared you for. After building your first-year resilience, you will face new obstacles and opportunities with continued learning and leadership. This is where you will begin to really author your story at USD.

f Second-Year Experience at USD: The university assigns a high priority to a student’s second year of college because the second year fleshes out and solidifies the foundation begun in the first year. During the second year, students are focused on establishing personal and educational identities. As a result, students engage in activities in and outside of the classroom, moving them toward establishing future directions of study and growth.

The Second-Year Experience (SYE) at USD consists of a variety of programs and opportunities designed specifically for second-year students. The goal is to help students be successful, have fun and get the most out of their USD experience.

f Financial Support

y Don’t forget the priority financial aid deadline for undergraduate students is March 2!

f One Stop Student Center

f Student Life Opportunities

y Second-Year Experience (SYE) Abroad

y Second-Year Housing

f First-Gen TEAM: Connect with First-Generation community at USD and connect with a mentor.

f Career Readiness Program: The Career Readiness Program (CRP) provides a customized experience for students in all undergraduate majors that is integrated throughout their career exploration process. Learn more about your specific program below.

y Passport: Required for any student who declares a major in the Knauss School of Business.

y Compass: Required for any student declaring a major in the College of Arts and Sciences under the 2018-19 catalog or later.

y Connect: Required for any student declaring a major in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering under the 2019-20 catalog or later.

MAKING YOUR STORY

f Transfer Applicants

f Academic Support

TRANSFERRING INTO USD

Your story didn’t start at USD, but it will continue to build as you become a part of the Torero community. As a transfer student you already have some knowledge and experience of college life, but we’re here to help you acclimate to USD and to take full advantage of the experiences and opportunities our campus has to offer.

y Courses taken at another institution that may be eligible for course credit at USD. Learn more

f Financial Support

y Military and Veterans Program

y Scholarships

à Scholarship Search Engines

à Outside Scholarships

à Scholarship Universe

f Student Life Opportunities

y Transfer Student Website

y Transfer Student Identity Pathways:

à Students with Dependents

à Students New to San Diego

à Military and Veteran-Connected Students

à International Student

f USD Student Organizations

f Career Development Center Resources: This is where you can find assistance, guidance and information about job and internship search tools, major and career exploration tools, interview and application prep and networking tools.

MAKING YOUR STORY

f Academic Support

y Office of Undergraduate Research

f Student Life Opportunities

YOUR UPPER-DIVISION YEARS AT USD

During your first two years at USD you will orient yourself to campus life, choose your major, and make lasting connections with fellow students and USD faculty. During your upper-division years at USD, you will hone your academic skills, nurture your relationships, be offered new opportunities for personal growth, and expand your purpose beyond USD.

y Study Abroad: Through USD’s study abroad programs, students can attend a partnered university in a foreign country.

à Financing Study Abroad

y The Changemaker Hub

y Student Organizations

y Associated Student Government

y McNair Scholars Program

MAKING YOUR STORY

f Financial Support

y Financial Wellness

f Academic Support

PREPARING TO GRADUATE FROM USD

Preparing to graduate is an exciting time for every Torero! We are so proud of the work you’ve accomplished. The First-Generation Action Team is here to support you through the final push to degree completion so you can celebrate this enormous achievement with family, friends and fellow USD alumni. This is where your story transitions beyond USD’s campus and into the rest of your life.

y Letters of Recommendation Tips

y Commencement: The day of graduation

f Graduation Requirements

y Degree Audit: This is similar to a high school progress report for college degree completion.

y One Stop: Graduation

y Career Readiness Program

f Commencement and Beyond

y Commencement

y Regalia

y Career Development Center

y Alumni Relations