The Game of Life: Jaguar Edition
Just like the Game of Life board game, the transition to college can be a lot of fun, but without the right instructions it can also be very confusing. Knowing where to put your time, making smart choices, and how to move yourself forward are all important when it comes to navigating your journey.
About the Game
Making smart choices on your way to South is as easy as 1-2-3…. SPIN! In the Game of Life : Jaguar Edition, players team up with us to travel through their college preparation. Travel the path of South LIFE making decisions, completing milestones, and collecting LIFE tiles.
How to Play
Each week a new game tile will be released via email from onestop@southalabama.edu. You can spin the wheel, take a chance, and complete each week’s important task. Each milestone and choice you make will be important for your transition to South.
How to Win
To win the Game of Life:Jaguar Edition, players must complete each weekly challenge/milestone, and all challenges must be completed by June 30, 2021. All students that complete the game will be entered to win South swag, including USA Bookstore Scholarships, USA Dining Dollars, USA Swag Bags, and even a brand-new laptop!
Your Game of Life Jaguar Edition will begin on Friday, April 29, 2021. Be on the lookout for your weekly emails!
Week One: April 30, 2021
Taking Your First Turn - Setting up your JagMail
Communication is key in today’s online environment. South will communicate with you via email the important dates and deadlines, information on your financial aid package, ways to access free money, important information about advising services or your major, and even faculty use email as a direct source of communication with you, the student.
The first step in your journey South is to ensure this pathway is opened. You should have received information about how to set up and access your South JagMail account. Complete this task before next Friday to move your game piece forward.
Week Two: May 7, 2021
Register for Orientation
Your next spin is a College Career card selection. Register for a Southbound New Student Orientation session and get excited-- you will learn about the USA campus, activities, social engagement opportunities, as well as important resources! You might even learn the South's Fight Song - although we won’t make you sing to complete this challenge. Register for your orientation session and complete this turn.
Complete this task before Thursday, May 13th to ensure your next step in the game.
Week Three: May 14, 2021
Register to meet with your Advisor/Register for Classes
Congratulations! You’ve landed on Advising and Registration! Once you have registered for new student orientation, an academic advisor will reach out to you to schedule an appointment. During your appointment you will have the opportunity to discuss your program course requirements and enroll in courses.
If you haven’t met with your academic advisor, or are unsure of how to set up an appointment, there’s a spot for that! Academic Advising and Transfer Services would love to hear from you. Visit their site and set up your appointment today - and then get ready to spin again!
Week Four: May 21, 2021
Reviewing your Financial Aid Notifications and Scholarship Awards
The next spot on the board your car lands on is a payday!
Search through your JagMail, open your finalized aid offer and review.
Do you have scholarships to accept? Move ahead three spaces?
Have a gap in cost you need to review? Contact the USA One Stop!
Worried about an income change and want to talk about your FAFSA? Contact Financial Aid.
To complete this turn, review and complete your outstanding aid components and get ready to move ahead.
Week Five: May 28, 2021
Making Smart Housing Decisions - Everything you need, right where you need it
When you reach this space, stop, even if you have more moves to make. Deciding on housing is an important component of your college career and takes into account both social and financial wishlists and constraints.
Will you live at home?
Will you live on-campus?
Will you live on your own or with a dorm-mate?
What will you eat for dinner tonight?
So many choices…...
Before you make your decision, be sure to visit the USA Housing website for First-Year Students. Get all the important information a new Jag on campus will need. And while you are there be sure to keep your eyes peeled for South PAW. Find his car, click the link, and register to complete.
Week Six: June 4, 2021
Complete Your Aid Packaging and your FERPA
Complete Your Aid Packaging and your FERPA
You’ve drawn an action card! To make sure aid is ready to credit to your charges, you’ll need to make sure you’ve done a little housekeeping.
- Review and take action on your federal student aid awards in your PAWS account.
- If you’ve accepted federal student loans, complete your Loan Entrance Counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov.
Need someone else to be able to discuss your student financial records? If so, you will need to complete the FERPA Release Form on the One Stop Website (under eForms). Once the form is on file, we will be able to release information to anyone that is able to provide your Jag# and your FERPA password.
Week Seven: June 11, 2021
Complete Your Aid Packaging and your FERPA
You’ve drawn an action card! To make sure aid is ready to credit to your charges, you’ll need to make sure you’ve done a little housekeeping.
Review and take action on your federal student aid awards in your PAWS account.
If you’ve accepted federal student loans, complete your Loan Entrance Counseling and sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN) at https://studentaid.gov.
Need someone else to be able to discuss your student financial records? If so, you will need to complete the FERPA Release Form on the One Stop Website (under eForms). Once the form is on file, we will be able to release information to anyone that is able to provide your Jag# and your FERPA password.
Week Eight: June 18, 2021
Student Account Success
You’re so close to finishing the game! Making smart choices has gotten you this far and one last spin of the wheel lands you on an action item. Accessing your student account!
Students are responsible for paying their charges by the due date each term. But what are your charges? How do you find them and when are they due? What if my aid is not covering the charges?
Your access to all things South starts with your Student Log in and PAWS. From here select:
- Student Services & Financial Aid
- Student Records
- Student Account Access
Once there click on “View Activity” and then choose your term (Fall). Hit a roadblock? Call the One Stop and let us help walk you through this.
If you are concerned about your balance due, take a look at your expenses. Are you living in a single dorm room? Are you enrolled in the right meal plan? Or do you just want to find a way to spread out your payments? USA offers a no-interest Payment Plan that can help you spread your charges across multiple months!
After reviewing your student account, your final task is to set up your EDD or Electronic Direct Deposit. EDD allows us to process any refunds or aid directly to your bank account. No waiting on checks or worrying about your address.
To do this - from your Student Log in select:
- Student Services & Financial Aid
- Student Records
- Update Direct Deposit Information.
Enter your banking information and then click add.
Now, pat yourself on the back, gas up your car and move towards the finish line.