Q. How do I become an in-state student?
A. Under the law, resident status for fees and tuition purposes can be established by independent citizens military/dependents, and certain aliens. There are also provisions applicable to resident classification of dependent persons. Physical presence in the state solely for education purposes does not constitute establishment of South Carolina residence for fee and tuition purposes. Contact the Office of Legal Residency at www.legalresidency.cofc.edu .

Q. What constitutes in-state residency?
A. Requirements regarding establishment of legal residency for fees and tuition purposes are governed by legislation set forth by the South Carolina General Assembly. Contact the Office of legal Residency at www.legalresidency.cofc.edu .

Q. Do I need my faculty advisor's signature to drop a course before the "drop deadline"?
A. Students may drop a course on Cougartrail within the drop/add period, after which point they may voluntarily withdraw from a course. This can be done via the web on Cougartrail and must occur before the official withdrawal date of the semester (see Academic Calendar). A grade of "W" will be entered on their record since the credit value of the course is not recorded.

Students may petition for withdrawal after the official date through the Office of Undergraduate Studies or Graduate Studies, depending on the course level. After that date, students may withdraw from a course with the grade of "W" only with the special permission of a Dean of Undergraduate Studies, or Graduate Studies and the professor. This permission will be granted only if continued enrollment in the course would be detrimental to the student’s health or if extenuating circumstances prevent the student's continued enrollment.

NOTE: A decision not to attend a course does not constitute a withdrawal from it.

Q. How do I receive verification that I am a currently enrolled College of Charleston student for insurance, loans, scholarships, etc?
A. Login to your Cougar Trail account and click on the Enrollment Verification link to obtain an official enrollment certificate.

Q. What is Cougar Trail?
A. A computerized system, accessible via the Internet at www.cougartrail.cofc.edu that allows you to register for classes, adjust your course schedule, view course information, pay your bill by credit card, view personal and academic information such as grades, and financial aid information form virtually anywhere in the world within Cougar Trail hours.

Q. What if my PIN for CT WEB becomes disabled?
A. To reset your PIN, you must either make the request in-person in the Registrar’s Office presenting a valid form of picture identification, or you can e-mail the Registrar’s Office through your assigned College of Charleston e-mail account. Your e-mail request must also include your full name and Social Security Number. Please email your queries about Cougar Trail on the web. Worldwide e-mail access is available to College of Charleston students with WebMail.

Q. How do I register for classes?
A. Register for course selections using our automated self-registration process on Cougar Trail on the Web (www.cougartrail.cofc.edu ). For advising for declared majors, see your advisor. For advising for undeclared majors, go to the Advising Center.

Q. How do I obtain a copy of my grades?
A. You may access your grades by computer terminal from Cougar Trail on the Web. You can find more information on the Course Information page.

Q. Where can I find my exam schedule?
A. The exam schedule is listed online at the Undergraduate Studies webpage. It can also be found in the course info booklet for the current term. These booklets can be picked up from the Registrar's Office.

Q. What is a degree audit?
A. A degree audit lists remaining degree requirements, as well as requirements completed and in progress. The audit assumes successful completion of courses in progress. It is dynamic and changes as students make progress with their academic career. This is available on Cougar Trail under On Course Degree Audit. If you have a specific question regarding your degree audit please direct you inquiry to the Graduation Assistant

Q. What is an Application for Graduation?
A. This is a mandatory form for undergraduates that must be completed and returned to the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of your graduating term. The completion of this form enables the RO to communicate your graduation status to you. A Graduation Update form must be completed if any information on your original application changes. There is also a graduation fee of $25.00 that is payable to the Treasurer’s Office.

Applications for graduate students are in the Graduate School Office. There is a $25.00 fee that must ACCOMPANY the form upon submission. Graduate students may also print out this form and mail it with the application fee to the Graduate School Office.

Print your degree audit and see your advisor to ensure all requirements are being met.

Q. Where can I update my address and phone number? Name change?
A. For address changes sign on to Cougartrail and choose the “Update address option” or complete an address update form in the Registrar’s Office and your personal data will be updated campus wide. The Graduate Studies Office can make these changes for graduate students as well. Name and ID changes cannot be done via the web, but you can print the forms and request a name/ID change in writing for your records with the proper documentation.