Orientation Resources

First Time in College Students

Welcome to Seminole State College!

As a first time in college student, your first step is completion of the Student Welcome.

After your Student Welcome, you must sign up to attend a Registration Lab, in person or virtually, where you will meet with a team of advisors to assist you with registration.

Are you a new student? 

Have you logged in to your Student Welcome and signed up for your Registration Lab?

  • No
  • Yes– Great! 
    • Make sure you wrote down the day, time, and location of your Registration Lab at the end of your Student Welcome. 
    • If you forgot, you can go back to the Student Welcome to retrieve that information. Remember, your Registration Lab is where you will register for classes with a team of advisors excited to assist you with your next steps, so be on time. 
    • You can begin reviewing the Getting Started section below now in preparation for your first semester of classes.

Transfer and Readmit Students

Transfer and Readmit students must complete the Student Welcome and sign up for a one on one advising appointment with their assigned advisor at the conclusion of the Student Welcome. You can begin reviewing the Getting Started section below now in preparation for next semester. 

Getting Started

Making your way through college does not have to be complicated. Navigate is your free, step by step guide to the college experience at Seminole State from orientation to graduation. With Navigate, everything you need to succeed is right at your fingertips.

Action:

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the best way to discover financial support. Many students are eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and work study funds but do not receive them because they never apply. 

It is very important to make sure you filled out the FAFSA for the correct year. Accept your aid and defer your fees after you register to prevent being dropped from your classes. Learn more on our FAFSA website.  

Action: Please review the FAFSA website for your next steps. 

Check your MySeminoleState account to resolve any holds that may prevent registration. You will register for classes during your Registration Lab after signing up through the Student Welcome portal.

Action: To get familiar with the process, watch How to register through Navigate.

Your Blue and Gold Card, the Seminole State student ID, can be used for a variety of services on and off campus. Before you can get your student ID, you must be registered in a course. Your parking pass allows you to park on any campus in the student lots. It can be obtained once you have your student ID.

Action: Get your Blue and Gold Student ID Card on any campus. You can then request your parking pass online and pick it up at the Campus Security Office at any campus.

Students must log in to their MySeminoleState account to determine their fees and payment due date.  Payment options are outlined below.  Tuition must be made in full as Seminole State does not offer payment plans.

  • Out-of-pocket: pay by credit card or debit card through the Financial Account tile in your MySeminoleState account or pay by cash or card at the Student Accounting office in person
  • Tuition Waiver:  Please contact the Student Accounting Office for next steps.
  • Federal Financial Aid (grants and or scholarships): Apply to your tuition balance automatically
  • Florida Prepaid: Apply to your tuition balance automatically once Prepaid is on your account

For the following payment methods, students must accept and defer their tuition and fees each semester. Steps to accept and defer

  • Federal Financial Aid (student loans)
  • Veterans’ or GI Bill® benefits: Students must certify their enrollment with the VA Office  by completing the form prior to accepting and deferring your tuition and fees.

Office 365 is the College's official student email system. Your student email account is the only account the College will send messages to, so please check it regularly.  

Action: Ensure you can log into your student email account and download Office 365 to your devices so you can check it regularly. You can also forward your student email to your personal email account so you don't miss anything important!

Canvas is the learning management system for online courses. Even if you are in a course that is not online, your professor may utilize Canvas to have you upload assignments and keep track of grades. It can also be used as a communication tool with your instructor, advisor and classmates.

Action: Before the semester begins, make sure you can login and access Canvas. Online classes will appear in Canvas at the start of your semester session.

Seminole State bookstores are located on the Altamonte Springs Campus and Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. 

If you have financial aid, please check the Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines page to determine when you can start using your financial aid to purchase books.

Action: Purchase your textbooks as early as you can to avoid shipment delays or long lines. Some professors start using their required textbooks on the first day!

The first day of class will be an exciting experience! Confirm your class schedule, starting session (Full, 12-Week, A or B) and mode of instruction (In Person, Distance Remote, Online or Hybrid) through Navigate. You can make changes to your schedule before the deadline during the add/drop period. All deadlines can be found on the college academic calendar. 

Action: For tips on getting started, visit the eLearning Resources for Online Students webpage. Classes that are online and distant remote require sign-in on Canvas the first day of classes.

Want to double-check where your in-person class is or where to find the library? Use one of our interactive campus maps.

Your assigned advisor can be found by logging in to your Navigate account. You can also conveniently reach your advisor via email or phone. 

Action: We recommend that you schedule an appointment with your advisor through Navigate before registering for your second semester to review your academic plan.

Helpful Links for Your Registration Lab and Beyond

New Student Registration Lab Presentation

How-To Guides

A.A. General Education Requirements

Additional Resources

Career Development

Unsure of your career pathway, or thinking of exploring another option? You can explore different careers your pathway leads to, take personality quizzes, find internships and more with our Career Development Center. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor via Handshake. 

Personal Counseling

If you are a student requesting services for yourself, please utilize this Maxient form and include your personal information.

Students referred will be contacted and offered resources by a member of the college's Counseling team typically within 1-2 business days.

Please note that referrals are reviewed by the Counseling department only during normal college business hours and are not monitored after hours, on weekends, or during official college holidays. This form is for NON-EMERGENCY reporting, if this is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 or contact the office of Safety and Security 407.708.2178.

Student Services 

Need to withdraw from a course? Need to use a registration form to enroll and already know your classes? Have questions about financial aid, the admissions process, or need to speak to your assigned online advisor? You can do almost everything online via their Student Services website. 

Schedule an Advising Appointment

If you already completed the Student Welcome and find yourself with more questions, you can reach out to your assigned advisor and schedule an appointment.

If you cannot find an appointment that fits your schedule, you can walk in to any campus to see an advisor.

Contact

If you are a current student and would like to contact your assigned advisor, log in to your MySeminoleState account and click on the "Advising" tile. On the left navigation menu click "Assigned Advisor," and your advisor’s contact information will be displayed.


The Academic Advising and Counseling Team of Seminole State College of Florida serves as catalysts that promotes the holistic well-being of every student. Through developmental advising, our advisors ensure the individual goals of each student are attainable through individualized, tailored, and prescriptive methodologies that support the implementation of a comprehensive guided pathway framework.