Steps to Register as a Student with a Disability

Office of Student Disability Services – USC Columbia Campus

Directions and Checklist:    

Date completed

1. ________  Complete the online Student Application for Disability Services Form. Print a copy of the form for your records.     After printing a copy, hit the Submit button.    The form will be transferred to our office via the web.  

2. ________ Print a copy of the Documentation Guidelines for YOUR disability.   Give the guidelines to your appropriate medical provider.   The guidelines will assist the provider in writing your documentation.  Once you have your documentation, submit it to our office.     You may submit the documentation by mail, fax, or by bringing it to our office.  

*What does “documentation” mean?   It is very important that you view our Documentation Guidelines and print them for your medical provider.    Many students assume that “documentation” means medical records, but it does not.    Documentation usually consists of a medical doctor’s letter and/or a psychoeducational evaluation, but may vary by category of disability.   

 3.  ________ Once we have received both the Student Application for Registration as a Student with a Disability form AND your Documentation, we will mail you a letter verifying that your file is complete.    

4. ________ After your documentation has been approved by the Student Disabilities Services Registration Review Committee  (SDSRRC)  review, a follow up letter will inform you of the status of your application.  In some cases additional documentation will be needed.

4a. ________ If your application is complete and your status as a documented student with a disability has been confirmed you will be asked you to call our office and schedule a Student Disability Services Orientation.  Call as soon as your receive you letter to schedule your orientation.   Your Orientation completes your registration as a Documented Student with a Disability. We cannot provide access to services until this step is complete.

*If you are an incoming student for fall, it is best that you plan to stay an extra weekday near the date of your USC Orientation to attend a Disability Services Orientation.  If this is not possible, you should plan to return to campus for a Disability Services Orientation prior to the beginning of the fall semester.  If you have scheduled both a University Orientation and a Student Disability Services Orientation, and need to reserve an extra night on campus, you may do so by logging into the Orientation Date Request Form through VIP and clicking "Modify My Request."  You may schedule up to three consecutive nights in housing. 

My Student Disability Services Orientation is scheduled for

(Day)   ___________________________,

(Date)  _________________________   (Time)  _____________________