New Student Checklist
Take the next steps to complete the admissions process with this quick checklist.
Quicklinks:
- Checklist for ALL Degree-Seeking Graduate Students
- Checklist for Program-Specific Requirements
- Troubleshooting & Assistance
All New Graduate Students
If you are a newly accepted degree-seeking graduate student who has never taken Clayton State courses, use this checklist.
Activate and set up your Clayton State Student Account
When you apply to Clayton State, you're given a student account with a Loch ID (alphanumeric username, such as jsmith1) and Laker ID (9-digit number).
Your account is more than your student email address. It is your key to accessing
campus resources, including the Digital University Campus Kiosk (DUCK), where you'll
check your admissions application status, register for classes, manage your financial
aid file, and pay for tuition.
Activate Your Account
- Head to Account Manager with your:
Loch ID: (alpha numeric username, such as jsmith1)
Laker ID: (9-digit number)
Don't know your Loch ID or Laker ID?
Email - Applicants receive an activation email with their student account information.
Text - If you provided your mobile phone number on your application, you can also
retrieve your Loch ID and Laker ID by texting the word "ID" to (678) 466-6038.
- Select Activate Account.
- Enter your Loch ID, Laker ID, and birthday.
- Select proceed.
- Create a new password and add security questions.
Setup Your Account
- Head over to the SWAN to:
- Sign in to the Digital University Campus Kiosk (DUCK) and update your contact information.
- Sign in to your student Email (Outlook) and set up your preferences in Outlook settings.
- Head over to the HUB's website to learn about how multi-factor authentication (MFA) keeps you safe, and download the Microsoft Authenticator app.
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.
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.
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:
Log in using your Loch ID and network password.
Resolve any remaining holds listed on your account in the DUCK. For example:
- 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
- GEORGIA RESIDENTS - If you have not done so already, submit your Verification of Lawful Presence (VOLP) to the Office of Admissions. Complete the VOLP Submission Form or deliver your document in person to our physical address in Edgewater Hall. Your
VOLP document is used to determine your classification for in-state or out-of-state tuition.
- Submit your Certificate of Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Form to University Health Services via the Patient Portal.
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.
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.
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 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.
Program-Specific Checklists
Some programs require additional steps to confirm enrollment. Find your program below to review any additional requirements.
Complete your program-specific New Student Orientation.
Graduate Business Program Orientation
New graduate business students also receive a link this Orientation via their student email.
Confirm your acceptance to the Teacher Education Program.
- Log in to your MyPSC account and claim program enrollment.
- Also in MyPSC, apply for the Pre-Service Certificate and upload required documentation.
- Send email to your Coordinator and the School of Education office to let us know you have completed your PSC paperwork, or you have received an email from the PSC.
Your acceptance into the Teacher Education Program candidacy is contingent upon the GAPSC issuing you a Pre-Service Certificate.
Need Help Logging In?
For additional assistance with account activation and logging in, more information can be found in Knowledge Base. You can also email our technology help desk, the HUB, or call (678) 466-4357. NOTE: Your password cannot be changed by an email or phone request. To have your password changed or reset, you must go to the HUB (located in the James M. Baker University Center) and show a picture ID.