Freshmen Orientation - Spring/Summer Semester
Welcome to Summer 2026 Southbound Orientation! You are here because you are a recent high school graduate or a student who is a first-time freshman under the age of 23. If you are 23 or older and are not transferring from another institution, we recommend you attend a Transfer & Adult Freshman session of Southbound New Student Orientation.
We look forward to helping our new Jaguars transition to USA! Orientation Leaders will lead the way, providing new students with information about our campus, student services and support, and other resources. Only admitted students will have orientation reservation access. Students who sign up for orientation will be contacted by an academic advisor who will assist them with course registration.
In an effort to prepare all of our new Jaguars for their transition to South, we will host multiple orientation sessions virtually and new undergraduate students are required to attend one. Spaces for each session will fill up quickly, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your preferred session.
Admitted students should log in to their admission portal to sign up for Southbound New Student Orientation.
Please note: There is a one-time, non-refundable New Student Enrollment Fee for incoming students. If your enrollment plans change and you choose to cancel your reservation, please contact our office directly to provide notification of the change so that your admissions application can be cancelled. Please review our FAQs page before signing up for orientation.
Dates for our virtual Summer 2026 Orientation are as follows:
- Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- May term students must register for this session.
- Summer I, II, and full term students may register for this session.
- Friday, May 29, 2026
- Summer I, II, and full term students may register for this session.
- Friday, June 5, 2026
- Summer I, II, and full term students may register for this session.
- Monday, June 29, 2026
- Only Summer II term students should register for this session.
We look forward to helping our new Jaguars transition to USA!
Top Priority
- Declare your commitment to enroll at South by submitting your New Student Enrollment Fee, or elect to defer payment to a later date, in your admissions portal. https://explore.southalabama.edu/portal/status-portal
- Complete ID Verification.
- Reserve your spot for Southbound, your New Student Orientation. Visit SouthAlabama.edu/orientation for more information.
- Summer and Fall orientation reservations are available starting in February.
- Spring orientation reservations are available starting in October.
- Submit immunization information and records through the Student Health Web Portal at SouthAlabama.edu/studenthealth. Please contact the Student Health Center at 251-460-7151 if you need assistance.
- Submit JagID photo to the Student Center’s Jag Card Office at SouthAlabama.edu/studentcenter. You will be notified via JagMail when you can pick up your JagID.
- Log in to JagSPOT at SouthAlabama.edu/scholarships to:
- Search and apply for additional USA scholarships.
- Complete your special programs scholarship application if you meet the requirements.
- Meet with your academic advisor to register for courses in PAWS. Your advisor will contact you for an appointment after you sign up for an orientation session. Some students may be required to take a placement test.
- Accept the invitation you’ll receive to join the orientation and enrollment resources digital course through USAOnline (powered by Canvas) in order to have it completed prior to your orientation session date.
- Attend your scheduled orientation session.
- After semester billing posts to your student account, pay tuition or set up a payment plan via PAWS. See SouthAlabama.edu/onestop/financialresources.html for more information.
- Verify your textbook order through JagPack and purchase other materials for classes as needed.
Priority
- Visit our campus or check out other opportunities at SouthAlabama.edu/visit.
- If you have a vehicle or bicycle on campus, register with USA Parking Services to secure your parking pass at SouthAlabama.t2hosted.com/account/portal.
- If you need accommodations, please contact the Center for Educational Accessibility and Disability Resources at SouthAlabama.edu/ceadr.
- Review financial and academic deadlines on the academic calendar at SouthAlabama.edu/academiccalendar.
- Apply for USA Housing at SouthAlabama.edu/housing if on-campus housing is applicable.
- Complete Title IX training to ensure we are working together to keep our campus a safe environment for everyone. You will receive an email to your JagMail and should email usauetraining@southalabama.edu if you need assistance.
Strongly Encouraged
- If you’re interested in the Student and Scholar Health Insurance, be sure to review the health insurance plan information for details at SouthAlabama.edu/studenthealth/insurance.
- If you are interested in departmental programs (for example, Jaguar Marching Band), be sure to check the department’s website to learn about the requirements to join.
- Check out our student organizations and ways to get involved. Visit SouthAlabama.edu/studentinvolvement.
Contact Us
If you have additional questions, please call or email the New Student Orientation Office:
(251) 460-7093
southbound@southalabama.edu