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Transfer & Adult Orientation - Spring/Summer Semester

Students walking to class together, talking

 

Welcome to Summer 2026 Southbound Orientation! You are here because you are an undergraduate student who is:

  • transferring from another institution to complete your degree,
  • 23 years of age or older and have not yet attended college, or
  • seeking a second bachelor’s degree.

Please note:

  • Undergraduate transfer and second bachelor's who are admitted to the professional component of nursing will receive a specialized orientation through their departments, as required by the college.
  • Undergraduate nursing students are also encouraged to attend Southbound Orientation to prepare for their transition to the university. The departmental orientation session includes limited university information and focuses on the nursing program, while Southbound Orientation introduces students to the university community and resources.
  • Transient and non-degree seeking students are not required to attend orientation, but can opt to do so.
  • First-year freshmen should register for a Freshman Orientation session.

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 sign up 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!

 
Admissions Portal Access
 

▼   New Student Orientation Checklist
Are you ready for Southbound Orientation? This checklist is a guide to help you go from Admitted Student to Orientation-ready!

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

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