Raider Ready

Prior to accessing Virtual Raider Ready, it is important to complete the tasks listed below.

Admissions Checklist

1. Submit Final Transcripts

After graduating high school or completing college work, send the Office of Admissions all final official transcripts as soon as they are available.

2. Pre-Registration Orientation

Prior to attending the Virtual Raider Ready event, students are required to complete an orientation module. The orientation access link will be sent via email two weeks before the Raider Ready date.

3. Second Language Proficiency

Students must successfully complete at least two sequential terms of a second language before completing a degree at SOU. If you have already taken two years of the same language in high school OR taken a language through the 102 level in college and received a C– or higher, you can submit official transcripts to meet the requirement.

---

Enrollment Services Checklist

1. FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act was established in 1974. Once a student reaches the age of 18 years old, or attends a postsecondary institution, he or she becomes an “eligible student,” and all rights formerly given to parents under FERPA transfer to the student. The institution cannot legally share any information regarding the student without written consent from the student.

Students may choose to fill out a FERPA release form here, by selecting Academic Services Form, then FERPA Release (online form). You must be logged into InsideSOU to access this form.

2. Update Current Mailing Address

Log into InsideSOU, select Student & Registration Tools from the right hand Online Services box. Update your mailing address under Personal Information. This is the local address used for various mailings during the current term.

3. Set Up Friends & Family Access

Family members or friends may be added to your Billing Account in order to make payments. Log into InsideSOU, select Student & Registration Tools from the right hand Online Services box. Select “Make a Payment” under Billing Account, then select “Add New” to add a family member or friend.

4. Accept Revolving Charge Account Plan (RCA)

The RCA explains all fees associated with billing that could potentially post to student’s accounts. If you don’t pay in full by the due date, SOU automatically activates the RCA. It is not a credit card, although the terms and conditions are similar and allow you to space your payments. Instead of paying in full at the onset of the term, students may pay only the first third of tuition, the first third of residence hall charges, and all other charges. The remainder of the account balance must be paid by December 1 for fall, March 1 for winter, and June 1 for spring. If tuition and housing are not paid by the required date in any given term, students are charged a fee of $15, with 9% per annum interest each month.

All students must accept the RCA. To accept RCA, log into InsideSOU, select Student & Registration Tools from the right hand Online Services box. Select “Sign Revolving Charge Agreement” under Billing Account. Review the terms and click “Agree to Terms” at the bottom of the screen.

---

Financial Aid Checklist

1. Apply for Financial Aid

Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for several types of financial aid at SOU. Complete the FAFSA here. The FAFSA application must be filled out annually.

If selected for verification by the Financial Aid Office, you will need to link to sou.verifymyfafsa.com from your SOU email or the email used to file FAFSA. You will be prompted to create an account to finish the verification process. Details of the verification process can be found here.

2. Review and Accept Terms and Conditions

Log into your student Banner account and log into InsideSOU. Click Financial Aid Awards then choose accept/decline awards. Read and accept the Terms and Conditions. You will not be able to view award information without Terms and Conditions completed.

3. Complete your Master Promissory Note, Entrance Counseling, and Parent Plus Loan

Submit an application at studentloans.gov . MPN, ELC and PP Loan documents are sent directly to SOU after you have completed the application. These can be completed prior to Raider Registration except for the Parent Plus loan application, which opens July 1st. You will need your Federal Student Aid (FSA) username and password.

If your parent plans to apply for a Parent Plus Loan, they must complete a credit check at studentloans.gov

4. Other Required Documents

If additional documents are needed to complete the financial aid process, you will be notified through your SOU email and the email used to file FAFSA.

---

Additional Tasks Checklist

1. Submit the Housing Contract

Students who are within their first year of high school graduation are required to live on campus in the residence halls. Submit your housing contract to reserve a room in our residence halls. After signing up for the residence halls, students should check their SOU email regularly for information about room selection, which happens during the summer months.

For more information about SOU residence halls, or Student Apartments and Family Housing (available to students with junior status or higher), visit the SOU Housing website here.

2. Submit mandatory Immunization Records and Health History Form

To avoid a hold on your account, you must electronically provide vaccine information to the Student Health and Wellness Center. You do not need to submit a copy of your vaccine record to the Health and Service Center.

To submit your vaccine record, log into the SOU Health website here. Choose “Forms”, then complete the “Measles Verification Form”.

Scroll for Entry Term

Sample Fall Entry Agenda: First-Year & Transfer Students (subject to change)

11 am – Welcome and Getting Started
University leadership will welcome you and provide an overview of the event schedule

11:30 am – Culture of Care Session Panel
SOU staff from across campus will address FAQs in live mini presentations.

1 – 6 pm – Advising Appointments
Each student has a one-on-one appointment with a Student Success Coordinator (advisor) during this window of time. Your appointment time was sent via email prior to the event.

1:30 – 3 pm – Academics at SOU Presentation
When not in an advising appointment, students should join this presentation to learn more about Academics, including general education coursework and academic planning. Parents and families are strongly encouraged to join this session.

1:30 – 3:30 pm – Drop in Q&A: Financial Aid
Financial Aid staff will answer your questions about the FAFSA, grants, loans, scholarships and more.

1:30 – 4:30 pm – Drop in Q&A: Raider Student Services
RSS staff will make sense of billing, student accounts, and registration.

1:30 – 5:30 pm – Drop in Q&A: Admission & General Information
Admission staff will answer general questions as well as assist with navigating today’s event.

1:30 – 5:30 pm – Drop in Q&A: Housing
Ask University Housing staff questions about living on-campus, room assignments, meal plans, etc.

1:30 – 5:30 pm – Raider to Raider (hourly)
Connect with returning students and other new students. Sessions begin on the half hour for a total of four hour-long session options.

2 – 4 pm – Drop in Q&A: Disability Resources
DR representatives will answer questions about services for students with disabilities.

2 – 4 pm – Drop in Q&A: Student Health and Wellness Center
Find out more about the services available to students at the SHWC.

4 – 5 pm – Drop in Q&A: Campus Recreation and Outdoor Program
Ask about the variety of recreational and outdoor activities that Campus Recreation and the OP offer.

4 – 5 pm – Drop in Q&A: Student Life
Find out more about getting involved on campus, through clubs, resource centers, and student employment.

---

Sample Winter or Spring Entry: Agenda (subject to change)

8:30 am – Arrival and Check-in (Stevenson Union Foyer)
Students: Following check in, have your photo taken for your SOU ID card.
Family & Guests: Please enjoy the bookstore while your student checks in.

8:45 am – Opening Welcome & Orientation (Stevenson Union 319)
Students, Family & Guests: You’ll hear from administrators about community standards and involvement leadership.

9:15 am – Raider Student Services (RSS) Next Steps
Students, Family & Guests: SOU staff will discuss important next steps and answer questions about RSS, Financial Aid, and technical resources at SOU.

9:30 am – Coffee & Conversations  (Location TBA)
Family & Guests: Engage in discussion with the directors of Housing, Financial Aid, and the Registrar.

9:45 am – Academic Advising & Registration (PC West)
Students: Student Success Coordinators will provide an overview of degree requirements and work with you to register for classes.

10:30 am – Family & Guest Break
Family & Guests: Take a tour, walk around campus, our visit offices or resource centers.

11:30 am – Questions & Answers (Stevenson Union 319)
Students, Family & Guests: Get answers to your questions, take a tour, or check out the bookstore.

Please note:
Meals are not provided at this event, but our on campus dining hall, The Hawk, will be open.

UPDATE: Until further notice, Raider Ready will be virtual and will not require a trip to campus.

Raider Ready is a one day event, so unfortunately lodging is not provided. We recommend making reservations in Ashland or Medford well in advance during the peak summer tourism season. Visit the Ashland Chamber of Commerce for information about local hotels and lodging.

UPDATE: Until further notice, Raider Ready will be virtual and will not require a trip to campus. Families are welcome and encouraged to sit in on the virtual event.

First Year
Families and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. Our information sessions provide tools for supporting your student during this exciting process. The fee is $20 for each guest in attendance, and will be automatically billed to your student account after the event.

Transfer
Families and guests are welcome and encouraged to attend. Our information sessions provide tools for supporting your student during this exciting process. For transfer Raider Ready, family/guest attendance is free of charge.

Students with disabilities may contact our Disability Resources staff in advance to discuss accommodations. Please call 541.552.6213 to connect with Disability Resources.

Students required to take a math placement exam will be notified prior to Raider Ready. For more details, visit the math placement assessment information page.

After completing Raider Ready, you will receive an invitation to New Student Orientation, which will be hosted online by the Office of New Student Orientation (NSO).

UPDATE: Until further notice, Raider Ready is virtual for all students.

SOU hosts a Raider Ready session in Honolulu each summer for students from Hawaii.