Spring Semester Information for PhD Students

November 30, 2018

As the Fall 2018 semester comes to a close, we wanted you to have important information about the upcoming Spring 2019 semester. Please read this carefully, as it should answer most of your questions. If you have any questions after reviewing the information below, please email phd@gapp.usc.edu.

 

Enrollment Requirement

If you have not already registered for the Spring 2019 semester, we recommend you do so as soon as possible. International PhD students and all PhD students receiving funding are required to be enrolled full-time, which is six (6) units. Note: 794 A, B, C, D, or Z, and GRSC 800 fulfill this full-time requirement. Please consult your faculty and departmental advisors regarding your specific course requirements and obtain any necessary D-clearances.

 

TA Training (for new teaching assistants only)

All new teaching assistants are required to attend TA Training. Your department graduate staff advisor must register you for TA training. You will receive a confirmation email upon being registered.

When: Friday, January 4, 2019 from 8:30am-3pm in OHE-122.

 

Switching from Fellowship to RA/TA

If you are switching from a fellowship to RA/TA, please consult your department aid coordinator to complete the necessary hiring paperwork.

 

Dates and Deadlines

It has come to our attention that you may have received notices from both USC Epay and/or Collections about outstanding account balances stating that they are due today, November 30, 2018. We apologize for the confusion that this may have created. The date to settle your account without late fees for Spring 2019 is January 4, 2019.

 

Please be aware that financial awards for Spring 2019 are currently being entered into the system to credit student accounts. Do not be concerned right now if your tuition or fees that are covered by any fellowship or RA-TA awards have not credited to your account. This is a manual process that is handled by several departments and it unfortunately just takes time to complete.  However, please email me at tcharles@usc.edu if your awards do not credit by 5pm January 3, 2019. The deadline to settle your account to avoid late fees is January 4, 2019. If you would like more information on fees, registration and important dates, please visit Viterbi PhD Student Important Dates and Deadlines and USC Schedule of Classes.

Please read this carefully and check your offer letter. If you still have questions, you are welcome to email me at tcharles@usc.edu. Please wait until after 5pm on January 3, 2019 to email me if your awards have not credited.

It is your responsibility to check your USCe.pay account to ensure your account it up to date and you have not accrued late fees or finance charges. Please visit Student Accounts for more information about student accounts. If you are unsure what is your responsibility to pay, please email Tracy Charles at tcharles@usc.edu prior to the payment deadline.

Please pay any of the fees listed below that are your responsibility. Simply total them and pay that amount on your Epay. You do not need to specify which fee you’re paying. As long as you do this, you do not need to worry from that point. You will not be held responsible for late fees if your awards do not post by the January 4, 2019 deadline as long as you have paid the fees that are your responsibility.

Tuition, Student Health Insurance, Dental Insurance and Student Health Center fees

USC Fellowships and RA/TA appointments include Tuition, Student Health Insurance, Dental Insurance and the Student Health Center fee. Additionally, many external fellowships include these as well. Please review your offer letter for clarification.

 

**$75 Computer Access Fee

Fellowships: If you have a funding package that includes a fellowship, the computer access fee is waived for the duration of that funding package. Most fellowship funding packages will have 1-2 years of fellowship followed by 2-3 years of RA or TA appointments. This fee is waived for all 4 years, or the duration of your funding package.

RA or TA appointments that are not attached to a fellowship: This fee is not covered.

**This fee may not be on your account. If it is not, you do not need to pay it.

 

$40 Graduate Programming Fee

Fellowships: Please check your offer letter. If this fee is paid by your fellowship, it will state it in your offer letter. If it does not say it, it does not pay it. In addition, if you are on the RA/TA portion of your funding package, this fee will not be covered and you should pay it. It is only covered while you are on fellowship, if your fellowship pays it.

RA or TA appointments that are not attached to a fellowship: Do not cover this fee. Please pay it.

 

$8 Norman Topping Fund

Fellowships: Please check your offer letter. If this fee is paid by your fellowship, it will state it in your offer letter. If it does not say it, it does not pay it. In addition, if you are on the RA/TA portion of your funding package, this fee will not be covered and you should pay it. It is only covered while you are on fellowship, if your fellowship pays it.

RA or TA appointments that are not attached to a fellowship: Do not cover this fee. Please pay it.

 

Tuition Refund Insurance

Tuition Refund Insurance is optional, however, if you choose it you are responsible for paying this fee. You may reject Tuition Refund Insurance at the time of registration. If you have already accepted Tuition Refund Insurance, but would like to opt-out, please visit Opt-Out Tuition Refund Insurance. The deadline to opt out of Tuition Refund Insurance is January 25, 2019.

 

Game Lab, Clean Lab or other Lab fees

These are not covered by USC fellowships or RA/TA appointments. Some external fellowships may cover these fees. Please review your offer letter for clarification. If your funding does not cover these fees, you are responsible for paying the fees.

 

Announcements

Make sure to check out the GAPP Blog and follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

 

Please email me if you have any questions that are not answered by this email.

 

Fight On!

 

Tracy Charles

Published on November 30th, 2018Last updated on October 14th, 2021