Frequently Asked Questions

Deposit instructions can be found here

Contact the Office of Admissions at CharlestonBridge@cofc.edu if you have questions about the deposit or your CofC credentials.

• Send an Academic Transcript to College of Charleston (for the freshman application file - you will also need to send a copy of your transcript(s) to Trident Technical College
• Request an Academic Transcript from Trident Technical College(for students with completed Charleston Bridge coursework)
• Request an Academic Transcript from College of Charleston(for students admitted and enrolled at College of Charleston after completing the Charleston Bridge program)

An offer to participate in Charleston Bridge may be withdrawn if a student's academic performance significantly declines during their senior year in high school.

An offer to participate in Charleston Bridge may be withdrawn if a participant has an arrest, charge(s), conviction, or there is a violation of the College of Charleston's Code of Conduct on or off campus.

There are two Orientation events. Students' are expected to attend both events. 

June 28, 2023 - Trident Technical College - 10:00am virtual

June 30, 2023 - College of Charleston campus - in person

Family members are welcome at these events! There is no charge to attend the CofC Orientation.

• If you cannot attend the Trident Technical College (TTC) Orientation email Katy.Hovis@tridenttech.edu
• If you cannot attend the  Orientation at the College of Charleston (CofC) campus, you should still complete the Orientation Registration form. Completion of this form triggers a TTC advisor to contact student by phone and register for fall classes.

After completing the form, email orientat@cofc.edu or call the College of Charleston's Office of New Student Programs at 843-953-2017 stating that you cannot attend.  When contacting New Student Programs, indicate that you are a Charleston Bridge student. We will make note of your name and arrange a make-up Charleston Bridge Orientation date for you. During the summer check your CofC email for information about this make-up date. 

The Charleston Bridge academic calendar and final exam schedule differs from the College of Charleston academic calendar and final exam schedule. 

The spring course registration date for Charleston Bridge differs from the College of Charleston registration dates. Spring class registration for admitted Charleston Bridge students will occur in December.

Admitted Charleston Bridge students who did not participate in the December advising/registration and students with an approved appeal for spring admission register for spring classes in January during Orientation. Check your CofC email for information.

During the fall Charleston Bridge students take Trident Technical College (TTC) courses taught by TTC faculty on the College of Charleston (CofC) campus. These designated Charleston Bridge courses will transfer in as earned credit hours if a student is admitted to CofC for the spring.

Incoming Charleston Bridge students are encouraged to review the fall course descriptions before receiving a call from a TTC advisor to complete fall registration. Course registration is expected to be complete before students attend Charleston Bridge Orientation in June. 

Please note:

• Students can only enroll in Charleston Bridge designated courses their first fall semester. Students cannot complete regular Trident Technical College or College of Charleston courses during the fall semester as part of the Charleston Bridge program requirements. 
• Dual enrollment credits or credit hours earned at other colleges or universities (including TTC) do not count toward the cumulative 2.6 GPA or the earned hours (12) needed to meet program requirements.
• Students' participating in Charleston Bridge may enroll in no more than 18 credit hours during the fall.
• 12 credit hours is considered full time enrollment - to meet program requirements, students must earn a minimum of 12 credit hours in the fall semester.
• Trident Technical College does not award + or - grades.
• Fall semester grades below a grade of "C" do not transfer as earned credit hours or count toward meeting the Charleston Bridge program requirements.
• We recommend that a student withdraw from a course if a grade below "C" is expected. The request to withdraw from a Charleston Bridge class must be completed by the withdrawal deadline. Please allow 24-48 hours for processing this request. 

For the fall semester, Charleston Bridge students pay the Charleston Bridge program fee, the College of Charleston (CofC) residence hall rate and a fall semester meal plan. The cost to participate will depend on the residence hall you select, the meal plan selected, the number of credit hours you are enrolled in this fall, and where you reside in SC. A breakdown of the costs can be found here on the Charleston Bridge website.

Only the tuition deposit ($400) and housing application fee ($50) is sent to College of Charleston. All fees are non-refundable. This includes the deposit, the Charleston Bridge program fee, and the housing application fee. If a student withdraws from the program (voluntary or involuntary) after moving into the residence hall, the student is also responsible for paying the full semester housing fee and meal plan fee for the fall. 

All payments are sent to Trident Technical College. The deposit and housing fee cannot be waiver and are non-refundable. A payment plan must be established or full payment made by the August 1 due date. Failure to pay by the due date will result in cancellation the CofC housing assignment and rescinding the offer to participate in Charleston Bridge. 

Fall financial aid is through Trident Technical College. Students should check their Trident Technical College email for correspondence from financial aid and access the TTC Student Portal for information about financial aid awards. 

For the fall students pay the housing, meal plan, and program fee ($1450) to Trident Technical College (TTC).  Students participating in Charleston Bridge can qualify for FREE TUITION for FALL 2023 if there is a FAFSA on file with TTC. 

To qualify for free tuition this fall, submit the FAFSA to Trident Technical College (TTC), as well as the College of Charleston (CofC). Students should include the FAFSA codes 004920 (TTC) and 003428 (CofC). The will allow both institutions to receive the financial aid information. 

Financial aid for the fall semester will be issued from Trident Technical College and for those students successfully transitioning, from the College of Charleston in the spring semester. Admitted students pay College of Charleston tuition and fees for the spring semester. Students pay College of Charleston tuition and fees for the spring semester. 

As state-affiliated institutions, tuition and fees are based on appropriations granted by the South Carolina General Assembly. Accordingly, the fees charged will be directly affected by the action of the legislature and are therefore subject to change without notice. Tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year are usually finalized by July 1 of each year.

Fall 2023: 

• August 25, 2023  - Last day to send an email request to add a fall class.
  • A seat must be available. Check for seat availability and select College of Charleston as the location. Look for the CAPACITY total and USED total. If USED does not equal CAPACITY, there are open seats in the class.
• August 29, 2023 - Last day to send an email request to drop a fall class.
• December 7, 2023 - Last day to send an email request to withdraw from a fall class with an indicator of "W" - a W does not affect the cumulative GPA. Students must earn a minimum of 12 hours during the fall to meet program requirements. 

During the summer, students contact their Trident Technical College advisor to make schedule changes. Once fall classes begin, Charleston Bridge students use their College of Charleston email to send a request to the College of Charleston Registrar's office to make changes to the fall course schedule. 

During the drop add period, students can make changes to their fall schedule. 

To add or drop a class follow these instructions:

• Email Registration@cofc.edu using your CofC email account. 
• To add a class, in the SUBJECT of the email include the text - "CHARLESTON BRIDGE ADD". 
• To drop a class, in the SUBJECT of the email include the text - "CHARLESTON BRIDGE DROP". 
• The request must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. by the drop or add deadline date
• In the email text, include the name of the course(s) and section number of the class h to add or drop from the fall schedule.

To withdraw from a class, follow these instructions: 

After the add-drop deadline, students may only withdraw from a class. An indicator of "W" will appear on the student's academic transcript but this action will not affect the cumulative GPA. 

• Email Registration@cofc.edu using your CofC email account. 
• In the SUBJECT of the email include the text - "CHARLESTON BRIDGE WITHDRAWAL".
• In the email text include the name of the course(s) and section number of the class to withdraw from the fall schedule.

Before taking action, students can meet with the Charleston Bridge staff to discuss schedule changes and how this action may affect spring admission to the College of Charleston. When making changes keep in mind that students must complete at least 12 credit hours with a 2.6 cumulative GpA to meet the program requirements. Students must meet all four Charleston Bridge requirements to be considered for spring admission. 

A schedule change request will be processed by College of Charleston and shared with Trident Technical College. Once processed, the student will see course changes in the Trident Technical College portal. Students will also receive an email confirmation sent to their TTC email from Trident Technical College.

Midterm and final grades can be viewed in the TTC Student Portal 

1. Go to my.tridenttech.edu
2. Click on the Grades Tile
3. Select the 2023 Fall Bridge term 
4. Select the Desired Course - the grade will appear at the first right under the appropriate hearing - for example you will find your midterm grade under the Midterm heading under the number "1"

College of Charleston IT Help (CofC email, MyPortal, OAKS)

CofC Hub: Student Technology website

Call the IT Service Desk (843) 953-3375 or chat with the CofC IT Service desk at https://help.cofc.edu/

Search the Knowledge base for answers to frequently asked questions! Go.cofc.edu/knowledgebase

Trident Technical College IT Help (TTC email, TTC Portal, D2L)

TTC Portal Login: https://my.tridenttech.edu/my.policy

TTC Portal Login Help - 843.574.6999 option #2

Student Portal Instructions: http://www.tridenttech.edu/student/life/st_portal.htm

Assistance with the portal: Email Help Request

Assistance with D2L course materials: Email StudentD2LHelp@tridenttech.edu or call 843.574.6999 and choose option #2

Yes. For the fall students pay the housing, meal plan, and program fee ($1450) to Trident Technical College (TTC).  Students participating in Charleston Bridge can qualify for FREE TUITION for FALL 2023 if there is a FAFSA on file with TTC. 

To qualify for free tuition this fall, submit the FAFSA to Trident Technical College (TTC), as well as the College of Charleston (CofC). Students should include the FAFSA codes 004920 (TTC) and 003428 (CofC). The will allow both institutions to receive the financial aid information. 

Financial aid for the fall semester will be issued from Trident Technical College and for those students successfully transitioning, from the College of Charleston in the spring semester. Admitted students pay College of Charleston tuition and fees for the spring semester. 

We prefer that Charleston Bridge students live on campus, however, due to high demand for campus housing this year, students have the option to live off campus this fall. The request to cancel campus housing must be completed by May 22, 2023. 

If a student chooses to commute from home or live off campus this fall, they will need to cancel the housing application with Campus Housing. The $50.00 housing application fee will be credited to the fall bill. To cancel the housing application, the student should login to the College of Charleston MyPortal and click the Cancel Application button on the homepage of the MyHousing/Dining portal and follow the prompts

Please note that if a student lives off campus during the fall and is admitted to College of Charleston for the spring, there is no guarantee that there will be an open space to reside on campus in the spring. 

Charleston Bridge students choosing to live on campus will reside in Charleston Bridge designated residence halls (Berry, Liberty or McConnell hall) on the College of Charleston campus and purchase a freshman meal plan for the fall semester. Students will be matched with roommates also participating in the Charleston Bridge program. Students will continue to reside on campus if they are admitted to College of Charleston in the spring. The Housing Contract is a binding contract for the entire academic year (two semesters) from August to May. 

Admitted students may request a room change or hall change for the spring semester if there are any open beds available. Changing rooms or moving to a different hall in the spring may not be possible if there are no open bed spaces. 

Families are our partners! Parents and families are welcome to attend the Charleston Bridge Orientation at the College of Charleston. Check out our Charleston Bridge Family Resources page. 

An online platform called the CofC Parent & Family Experience is available to help parents and families find details about campus resources, important dates, announcements, and information that promotes student success at the College. A Charleston Bridge community provides parents and families information throughout the summer and fall semester. All parents of incoming students are subscribed  - you would just need to complete the onboarding survey and access the platform. You can customize the platform to receive information that is relevant to you, as well as to set the frequency with which you would like to receive updates from the College. The platform also includes a comment feature that can be used to ask questions of CofC staff and to engage with other parents and families.

If you don't know if you are subscribed to  the CofC Parent & Family Experience, visit cofc.campusesp.com/signup and enter your email address to sign up. Answer a few questions, and a wealth of information will be at your fingertips.

We also hope you are currently subscribed to The College Today, which is the official news site of the College of Charleston.

**Note: This communication platform will not be used to disseminate Cougar Alerts for campus emergencies. Parents, visitors, potential students and community members who wish to be notified in case of a campus emergency, can text the word cougaralert to 333111 to automatically receive emergency notifications via text messages.

Feel free to contact the College of Charleston’s Office of New Student Programs at 843-953-2017 or contact the office by email, if you have any questions.

Once the semester begins, Charleston Bridge students would transition from working with an advisor from TTC over the summer to communicating with TTC faculty and College of Charleston staff. Students should reach out to the following resources:

• Trident Technical College Faculty - the student's faculty member should be the first point of contact by the student. Faculty have office hours and offices located on campus in the Lightsey Center, lower level suite B-53 offices 56, 58, and 60. Students should check their syllabi for faculty contact information and office hours. 
• Success Seminar Instructor & Peer Mentor - the seminar instructor is a member of the College of Charleston staff. Students have access to their seminar instructor and peer mentor during the fall semester. In addition to attending a seminar with both the instructor and mentor on Mondays at 5:30, students receive weekly emails from the instructor and peer mentor. Both individuals are available to meet with students to help with any challenges they are experiencing during the fall semester.
• The Center for Student Learning (CSL) - the CSL is the Academic Support center for the College of Charleston. Students are expected to use the services at least twice during the fall, however, students are encouraged to use the Center services frequently. Students can meet with a tutor, attend a workshop, and meet with a staff member to discuss managing time or any issues related to class.
• The Charleston Bridge staff - The Charleston Bridge staff have offices located in New Student Programs. The staff is available to meet with students and parents as needed. 
• General inquiries can be emailed to bridge@cofc.edu.

All fees are nonrefundable. The includes the deposit ($400), housing application fee ($50), and program fee ($1450). If a student moves into a CofC residence hall, the housing and meal plan fee for the fall semester are nonrefundable. Therefore, if a Bridge student moves into the residence hall and then decides to completely withdraw from the program (voluntary or involuntary) during the fall, they are responsible for the full semester housing and meal plan charges.

Only the fall tuition may be refunded by Trident Technical College if this withdrawal from the program occurs during the drop/add period. 

Charleston Bridge participants cannot participate in the summer SPECTRA program.

During the fall students would not be able to participate in Greek Life, work on campus, enroll in CofC courses, participate in an activity providing a stipend payment or CofC credit hours, or join a NCAA varsity sports team. However, all these activities would be available to students admitted in the spring.

Students with a documented disability may complete a request for disability services with Trident Technical College. Approval from this office is also required for service animals (ESA) in the College of Charleston residence hall. The deadline to apply for accommodations is May 1.

To qualify for appropriate accommodations, students must identify themselves to Trident Technical College Disability Services and provide documentation of a disability from a professional qualified to assess the presence of that disability. A student may register with Services for Students with Disabilities on a voluntary, confidential basis. Trident Technical College or College of Charleston are not responsible for providing any accommodations for students who have not registered and requested accommodations. 

Submitted documentation will be reviewed by TTC and information about students with approved accommodations will be shared with the College of Charleston Center for Disability Services and Campus Housing (if applicable). Students will be notified by email regarding request approval. 

Registering with Trident Technical College Services for Students with Disabilities is a two-step process:

1. Submit verifying medical documentation of a disability.
   1. Go to Etrieve to securely upload your documentation: https://bit.ly/TTC_Documentation.
   2. Log in using your TTC credentials.
   3. Upload your documentation and click submit.
2. Schedule an Intake with a Disability Counselor to determine accommodations: https://bit.ly/TTC_DISABILITY_SERVICES.

During the intake process, student needs will be discussed, and reasonable accommodations will be determined. Students will also receive information regarding procedures for using accommodations.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Trident Technical College at Counseling.Services@tridenttech.edu.

• Students admitted for spring will receive an email from the College of Charleston Office of Admissions: The afternoon of Dec. 8.
• Students denied admission for spring will receive an email from the College of Charleston Office of Admissions: The afternoon of Dec. 8.
• Students denied admission for spring can submit an appeal: Deadline Dec. 11, 10:00am
• Students submitting an appeal for spring admission will receive an email from the College of Charleston Office of Admissions: The afternoon of Dec. 11. 
• Students admitted will register for spring classes: Dec. 12 (instructions regarding the date and how to login to the Zoom event will be sent to students CofC email)
• Students admitted to CofC for the spring must vacate the hall: By noon Dec. 12 (you do not have to remove personal belongings)
• Students admitted with an approved appeal will register for spring classes: January 8-9, 2024 (the exact date and time will be sent to CofC email)
• Students denied spring admission or with a denied appeal must remove belongings and vacate the residence hall: No later than noon, Dec. 12

Charleston Bridge students admitted to the College of Charleston for spring 2024 will register for classes during a virtual advising & registration event on December 12, 2023.

An email is sent from the College of Charleston Office of Admissions offering spring admission to students meeting the Charleston Bridge program requirements. A follow up email from New Student Programs will be sent to students about the December advising and registration event and the Zoom link needed to attend this virtual event. These emails are sent to the student’s  CofC email account.

Students with approved appeals will be notified by email and register for classes during the January Orientation session. Approved appeal students should check their CofC email for their January registration date and time. 

Charleston Bridge students admitted to College of Charleston for the spring are expected to complete the FYE course requirement during the spring semester. First Year Experience gives students the opportunity learn from faculty teaching special topic courses with an upperclassmen Peer Facilitator. 

The First-Year Experience (FYE) is a requirement that students must completed within the first year to meet the CofC graduation requirement. During the fall, Charleston Bridge students can indicate their preferences for FYE courses to pre-enroll in FYE before registration opens to all students. 

There are two types of FYE - a first year seminar or a learning community. Both options have an attached synthesis seminar (FYSS) lead by a peer facilitator that meets once a week for 50 minutes. Students must attend the course(s) and the synthesis seminar to receive credit. 

The FYE Pre-enrollment process: 

Students can submit their top five preferences for spring FYE courses via the Google Form sent to student's CofC email during the fall semester. 

The FYE office will update the FYE website to include course descriptions and times. Course offerings are subject to change. 

The FYE office will enroll students in the course and it will appear on the spring schedule when the student registers for Spring classes. Students who are pre-enrolled may elect to change their FYE to any FYE course with open seats once course registration is open for all students.

Students admitted to the College of Charleston do not have to move their belongings out of the room or residence hall for the holiday break. Admitted students can return to their same room in the residence hall in January. It is recommended that students remove items from refrigerators, empty trash, and take items of value with them when departing for the break. Students with questions about checking out of the residence hall or requesting changes in spring housing should contact Campus Housing at housing@cofc.edu. 

Students not admitted for spring or with a denied appeal will need to remove all belongings from their room in the residence hall and follow the check out protocol provided by Campus Housing. The College of Charleston is not responsible for items left in the room after this date. Students can direct questions to the residence hall assistant or housing@cofc.edu regarding move out. 

Students admitted to CofC are expected to meet the Academic Standards required of all students in order to graduate from the College of Charleston. The standard is based on earned credit hours.

During the spring, students should enroll in a First Year Experience (FYE) seminar or learning community. FYE is a requirement for ALL first year students to graduate from CofC. FYE gives students access to a peer facilitator to help support your during your spring semester.

Students are also expected to meet with their academic advisor from the Academic Advising & Planning Center and utilize the academic support services available from the Center for Student Learning. 

Students participating in Charleston Bridge can be denied spring admission if any one of the four program requirements are not met during the fall semester. These requirements include:

• Not earning a 2.6 cumulative GPA during the fall semester (does not include prior coursework).
• Not earning at least 12 credit hours (does not include previous hours completed).
• Not earning at least 10 of the 14 available points (70%) in the Student Success Seminar.
• Not using the Center for Student Learning services at least once.

Students can also be denied admission due to academic or behavioral reports that violate the Housing Contract, Residence Life & Community Standards and the College of Charleston Student Handbook. Spring admission can also be affected if guests of Charleston Bridge students violate residence hall policies

Please note that meeting all program requirements does not guarantee spring admission. Academic reports including failure to attend class, disrespecting faculty or inappropriate behavior in the classroom, or plagiarism can result in a denial of admission.

Admission may also be denied for reports of criminal charges or convictions, residence hall violations, sexual misconduct, discrimination towards others, inappropriate behavior towards faculty, staff, and peers, not following the code of conduct, vandalism or damaging campus property, bullying, stalking, threatening or harming others, false reporting of incidents, theft, dishonesty to campus officials, fake ID distribution/use/possession, alcohol use, public intoxication, violent behavior, drug use, possession of alcohol or drug paraphernalia, possession or distribution or any illegal activities reported or resulting in a conviction.  

Reported and repeated violations on or off campus can result in a denial of spring admission even if all program requirements are met. 

Students who seek to withdraw from all fall classes should send an email to Registration@cofc.edu using their CofC email stating their intent to withdraw from all fall classes. Please copy bridge@cofc.edu on the withdrawal request. The request to withdraw from all classes must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. by the withdrawal date deadline.

It is recommended that students receiving financial aid contact the Office of Financial Aid at Trident Technical College and speak with a counselor before withdrawing. Withdrawing from all classes may impact scholarships and financial aid awards received for the fall semester as well as financial aid eligibility for future semesters. 

The appropriate check-out protocol with the residence hall must be followed - students should consult with their resident assistant. All belongings must be removed from campus housing. The College of Charleston is not responsible for any items left in the room.

Once withdrawn from the program, the Cougar Card (ID card) will be deactivated preventing use to access the residence hall, campus facilities, or campus dining. 

If a student completely withdraws from the program, they are responsible for paying the full fall semester housing and meal plan fee. All fees are non-refundable.

Charleston Bridge students admitted to College of Charleston that apply for financial aid will receive an email from the Office of Financial Assistance & Veterans Affairs with the spring financial aid award. Students must login to MyPortal to accept the award (including student and parent loans) to receive financial aid.

In order for the College of Charleston to award financial aid, the College of Charleston should be listed on the FAFSA as a school to receive the student's financial aid information. The FAFSA is completed each year. Questions should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid. 

Spring bills are processed once a student is admitted to College of Charleston and registers for CofC classes. Admitted students pay College of Charleston tuition and fees to the Treasurer's Office. Payment plans are available. Bills are sent to the student's CofC email each semester. Parents and families are encouraged to become an authorized user to receive a copy of the billing email (ebill). Questions should be directed to the Office of the Treasurer.

Students admitted to College of Charleston requiring accommodations should work with the CofC Office of Disability Services to arrange services.

Appealing for Spring Admission

Students not meeting any one of the four Charleston Bridge program requirements will receive an email denying spring admission. The email from the Office of Admissions will be sent by 5:00pm on December DATE TBD to the student's College of Charleston email account. If you have mitigating circumstances, please see the link below to submit an appeal letter and any supporting documentation. The appeal submission process must be completed by 10:00am Dec. 11.   

Students denied admission to the College of Charleston have the right to appeal the decision. An appeal should explain mitigating circumstances that occurred during the fall semester and the steps the student took to resolve, change, or improve the circumstances. 

A mitigating circumstance is one that is out of the student's control and resulted in the student's inability to complete any one of the four program requirements.The appeal must address what you did to resolve the circumstances. 

NOTE:

• If your appeal is approved, you will register for classes in January during Orientation. 
• Faculty report students with excessive absences, poor test grades, plagiarism, late assignments and failure to complete work. These academic reports are referred to during the appeal review and can affect the appeal decision. Multiple reports may result in a denial of spring admission.
• Behavioral reports will be referred to during the appeal process. This applies to reports on or off campus. Students and their guest should abide by the policies and procedures stated in the Housing Contract, Residence Life & Community Standards, and the College of Charleston Student Handbook.
• Reports of sexual misconduct, not following the code of conduct, vandalism or damaging campus property, bullying, stalking, threatening or harming others, fake ID use, alcohol use or possession, public intoxication, drug use or distribution, or any illegal activities resulting in a conviction can affect the appeal decision. Reported violations can result in a denial of spring admission even if all program requirements are met. 
• The appeal letter must include all required information (see below) or it will be denied.
• Appeals or supporting documentation will not be accepted after the deadline.

What to include in the appeal:

Before submitting the appeal letter and documentation (if available), please read the information below.

To appeal, submit a student-written appeal letter that includes all of the information below:

1. Explain the reason for the appeal and the circumstances that occurred which made it impossible to meet program requirements. Students must provide an explanation for each of the following four requirements that are not met:
   • Earning at least 12 credit hours during the fall semester 
   • Earning a 2.6 cumulative GPA during the fall semester 
   • Using the Center for Student Learning services at least once
   • Attending the Success Seminar and earning at least 10 of the 14 available points 
2. Fully explain the mitigating circumstance(s) that occurred during the fall semester that prevented you from meeting the program requirement(s).
   • If medical circumstances apply, include a statement about the need for medical attention (including prescription of medication or changes in medication) during the semester and documentation by a medical professional if available. Medical conditions or surgery should be during the current fall semester - not before the semester began or after the semester ended. 
   • Provide as much detail as possible that would help the committee fully understand the circumstances.
3. If applicable, state reason(s) why you earned a grade of C or below in each fall course or lab
4. Describe the off campus or on campus resources that you used for support during the semester to help you resolve the circumstances such as working with a therapist or medical professional, meeting with course faculty, use of disability services, working with a counselor, meeting with an academic advisor, consulting with residence life staff, seeking help from the IT helpdesk (CofC or TTC) or use of academic support services offered by the Center for Student Learning etc. (there will be follow-up with campus services, faculty, or staff to verify the student use). 
5. If you had reports of behavior violations on or off campus, explain the circumstances and what action you took, to resolve this matter and address the consequences.
6. If you had reports from faculty about not attending class, not completing work, or late assignments explain what action you took to resolve this matter. In your explanation include the name(s) of TTC faculty or CofC staff that you worked with to address the circumstances
7. State what you would do differently if admitted and the specific steps you will take in the upcoming semester to ensure that minimum academic standards are met.
8. In closing, include an explanation about why you wish to be admitted and continue your studies at the College of Charleston. What makes you a good addition to the College of Charleston student body?

Mitigating circumstances:

The following examples are NOT considered mitigating circumstances eligible for an appeal:

• Changes in the Charleston Bridge academic calendar
• Not aware of deadline dates or assignment due dates 
• Did not attend class or submit assignments
• Did not purchase books or required materials for class
• Faculty did not offer extra credit or opportunities to make up missed or late work
• Violations of academic policies including plagiarism, disruptive behavior in the classroom, or cheating
• Course difficulty or workload
• Did not feel using the Center for Student Learning or attending the Success Seminar was needed
• Course delivery (online, hybrid, or face to face) or change in course delivery during the semester
• Difficulty making the transition to college
• Poor study skills
• Did not like the course or faculty teaching the course 
• Roommate conflicts or poor relationships with a roommate or suitemates
• Not applying for accommodations or using approved accommodations
• Residence hall conditions, maintenance issues, or room changes
• Illegal activities resulting in arrest
• Reports regarding behavioral issues on or off campus
• Violations of residence hall or campus policies
• Not attending online or face to face courses or participating in required activities
• Technology issues (TTC or CofC) - this includes unstable Wi-Fi access, access to course software, use of D2L or OAKS, use of an online textbook, failure to check email or unable to access email etc.

Providing supporting documentation:

Letters of support are not required but can be helpful to the appeal committee when making admission decisions. Letters of support may be from faculty, staff, seminar instructor, a Charleston Bridge peer mentor, a doctor, therapist, or a counselor. Letters of support from family members or friends are not recommended.

Documentation verifying circumstances such as illness or medical treatment is highly encouraged and can be submitted if available. Medical documentation should verify the illness or condition and the time of the medical treatment during the fall semester.

Students are welcome to submit other forms of documentation such as police reports, death notices, doctor recommendations, participation in counseling or support groups etc. 

Submitting the appeal: 

The appeal letter and supporting documentation should be submitted at the same time using the student's CofC email account. Students can only submit one appeal letter and documentation online (you may submit up to 3 supporting documents). Your letter must address all the items listed above to be considered. Late submissions will not be accepted.

• The appeal letter and any supporting documentation should be submitted to https://forms.gle/ec9zuBCF377i8YK37 (THIS FORM OPENS DECEMBER 7, 2023)

If you encounter a problem with this link or submitting documentation, email bridge@cofc.edu. 

After the appeal is submitted:

Students will receive an email from the Office of Admissions sent to the student's College of Charleston email account. The email will indicate if the appeal has been approved or denied. The appeal decision will be sent to the student's CofC email.

Appeal decisions will not be released by phone or to any other email other than the CofC email account. The appeal decision is final. Students with approved appeals will be contacted by the Office of New Student Programs regarding completion of spring course registration.

Students with denied appeals must remove belongings and vacate the residence hall. The College of Charleston is not responsible for items left in the room. 

Students may consider continuing studies at Trident Technical College or another university. If you are interested in continuing study with TTC email Katy.Hovis@trident.tech.edu for assistance. If you plan to attend another college or university, that institution will require an academic transcript from Trident Technical College. Information about requesting an official academic transcript from Trident Technical College can be found at https://www.tridenttech.edu/academics/transfer/ac_transver.htm.

It is possible to transfer back to the College of Charleston in the future if transfer admission requirements are met. 

To release records to parties other than the student, the three forms below must be completed and submitted in person by the student. Students will need to present their College of Charleston ID Card (Cougar Card) when submitting these forms. Forms will not be accepted by mail, email, or fax.

Forms can be delivered in person by the student to the College of Charleston's Office of New Student Programs Attn: Charleston Bridge Director. 

1. Trident Technical College Release of Information (completed by the student)
2. Parent Verification of Participant Dependency and Request for Charleston Bridge Information(completed by the parent(s) - a copy of the most recent Federal tax return indicating the student as a dependent should be included with this document)
3. College of Charleston Charleston Bridge Authorization & Consent to Release Records(completed by the student)

Once a Charleston Bridge student is admitted to College of Charleston, the student can give individuals access to their academic and financial information by granting Proxy Access. The student can do this online - instructions can be found at https://registrar.cofc.edu/proxy-access-management/index.php.

If a Charleston Bridge student receives a positive COVID test, the student must report this information to Trident Technical College and the College of Charleston.

In an effort to continue monitoring COVID-19 cases and encourage vaccination within our campus community, College administrators want to be sure everyone knows to use the reporting forms shared below and which are also located on the Back on the Bricks website and on the Everbridge app. 

How to Self-Report a Positive COVID-19 Case or Close Contact to College of Charleston:

Students should self-report to Student Health Services REGARDLESS of vaccination status. Student Health Services will review a student’s vaccination status with each investigation. If the student has not reported a previous positive test, Student Health Services will treat the investigation as a new case. 

• Use this form to report if you have tested positive for COVID-19. 
• Use this form to report if you have been identified as the close contact of a person who is positive for COVID-19.

Self-reporting a positive case or a close contact helps the College track virus spread, initiate support services and inform decision-making. Students are encouraged to review the Isolation and Quarantine page on the Back on the Bricks website to learn more about isolation and quarantine protocols for fall semester. 

How to Self-Report a Positive COVID 19 Case to Trident Technical College:

To report the positive test to Trident Technical College, the student must email all TTC instructors and cc #COVID19response@tridenttech.edu with that correspondence. This will alert Trident Technical College of a positive case.

Information about College of Charleston isolation and quarantine can be found at https://cofc.edu/back-on-the-bricks/covid-19-testing/isolation-and quarantine/index.php.

Contact Student Health Services with any questions. 

• TTC Financial Aid questions (fall) - bridgeaid@tridenttech.edu or 843-574-2581
• CofC Financial Aid questions (spring) - financialaid@cofc.edu or 843-953-5540
• TTC Bill payment questions (fall) - GamelliaDavis@tridenttech.edu or 843-574-6367
• CofC Admission questions: CharlestonBridge@cofc.edu or 843-953-5670
• CofC Orientation questions: New Student Programs orientat@cofc.edu or 843-953-2017
• CofC fall program requirements & general questions: Bridge@cofc.edu or 843-953-2017
• TTC questions about TTC Orientation, finding your email, using the portal: Katy.Hovis@tridenttech.edu.
• CofC Bill payment questions (spring) - treasurer@cofc.edu or 843-953-5572
• Charleston Bridge Leadership Council, Peer Mentor, or Student Success Seminar: Email bridge@cofc.edu
• To make fall course schedule changes during the summer, contact your TTC advisor.
• To make fall course schedule changes after classes begin, email registration@cofc.edu 

Charleston Bridge Staff:

Office of New Student Programs, open 8:30-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

Phone: 843.953.2017

bridge@cofc.edu 

• Mindy Miley, Asst. Vice President First Year & Bridge Student Services
• Carly Pruitt, Associate Director, New Student Programs

Success Seminar Instructors:

• Stephanie Auwaerter
• Bruce Fleming
• Kait LaMontagne
• Carly Pruitt
• Abe Saunders