New Student Checklist

Get Familiar with Your Program

Refer to Your Decision Letter

Your program-specific decision email will be sent to your Clayton State student inbox.

This helpful document summarizes the services and resources available for your program, including key info about academic advisement, class registration, and program-specific Orientation requirements.

Meet Your Program Director

Program Directors are an important connection between students and campus resources. They are here to help you graduate on time.

Schedule Academic Advisement

Find your program director and then make arrangements to meet with them in person, by email, or by phone. Graduate students in business programs (MBA, MSLD, MSSCA)  should contact Mesha Brown for advisement.

Find Your Program Director

Prepare for Your Academic Advisement Appointment

To make the most of your appointment, it's important to know what your program director can do for you as well as your responsibilities as a Clayton State student. Don't forget to complete the registration agreement and prepare your questions beforehand. Please note that you will be required to accept the Registration Agreement every semester before you can build your class schedule.

View Available Courses

How to Register for Classes

Get Your LakerCard

The LakerCard is your student ID and library card for Clayton State. You can also use it for spending at vending machines and SmartPrint by depositing funds to your LakerBucks account. Your LakerCard also provides access to student discounts.

Upload your photo to get started:

Upload Your LakerCard Photo

Log in using your Loch ID and network password.

Resolve any remaining holds listed on your account in the DUCK.

• Head over to the DUCK.
• Select Admissions Status Checker tile.
• Review and resolve your remaining holds.

View Remaining Holds

HOW TO RESOLVE COMMON HOLDS

Transcripts

• Submit your final Official Transcripts in-person, by mail, or electronically.
  • You may mail or deliver your transcripts to:
    • Office of Recruitment and Admissions
      Edgewater Hall, Suite 150
      2000 Clayton State Boulevard
      Morrow, GA 30260-0285

• • If your previous school(s), college(s), or universities offer this service, they can submit your official transcripts to: transcripts@clayton.edu. If not, we currently accept electronic transcripts from E-Transcript providers such as:
    • eSCRIP
    • Clearinghouse
    • Parchment

Residency and Lawful Presence

Verify your residency and VOLP for tuition purposes. All admitted students seeking to pay in-state tuition or receive an out-of-state tuition waiver, must verify their residency and lawful presence in both the State of Georgia and the United States. 

Residency

• Review Your Classification - Admitted students can review their residency status in the Digital University Campus Kiosk (DUCK). After you have logged in, click on the Student Profile tile then scroll to General Information.  
• Confirm or Petition Your Classification - Students answer questions about residency on their application. However, additional info may be required to prove in-state status. Requested documents can be emailed to residency@clayton.edu. Students classified as nonresident who feel the consideration of additional information could alter that classification may submit a USG - Petition for In-State Tuition.  

 Lawful Presence (VOLP)

• To verify lawful presence, submit one of the following:  
  • a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • or 
  • other VOLP document electronically or in person by delivering your document to our physical address in Edgewater Hall. View a full list of acceptable VOLP documents here. 

Immunization

Submit the Certificate of Immunization and TB Screening Form via email to csustudentaffairs@clayton.edu or in person to the Office of Student Affairs on the second floor of the James M. Baker University Center. Graduate students in fully online programs are not required to submit immunizations.

 

Complete your financial aid file (Submit FAFSA, Check Financial Aid status, etc.)

Students seeking federal financial aid, as well as a number of state financial aid programs including HOPE, must complete their Financial Aid file.

• Begin by submitting your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This can be done electronically online, or with the paper form by mail.

For further assistance, please refer to the Clayton State Financial Aid website to meet with a financial aid counselor.

Review Financial Aid File Checklist

Apply for Housing

We offer options for students in need of comfortable, affordable on-campus housing. Laker Village houses undergraduate  and graduate students in apartment-style accommodations. Find the comforts of home in our University Housing.

Apply for On-Campus Housing

Attend/Complete Orientation

New Student Orientation requirements vary by program.

If your program requires an orientation meeting, you will receive details via email from your Program Director.

Pay tuition and fees.

After registering for your classes, confirm your enrollment by paying your tuition and fees in the DUCK. Visit the Bursar's website to

• get information about current tuition and fee rates and instructions on how to pay your account balance.
• use the tuition calculator to estimate how much you'll owe each semester.
• learn more about payment options, including the Nelnet Payment Plans.

Get More Tuition Info

Pay Tuition/Fees

Get Loch'd In

Become an informed and engaged member of the Laker Nation family.

Before classes begin, get familiar with campus and student support services. Learn to navigate the school website. Stay up-to-date with campus events and deadlines. Find your peers and get involved around campus.

Get Loch'd In