Know Before You Go

Complete Your Financial Aid Steps: Submit your FAFSA, confirm your aid package. Maintain SAP eligibility. Seniors prepare for departure. 

✅ Complete the FAFSA – Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year to ensure you receive financial aid on time.

✅ Check Your Financial Aid Status – Log into Banner Rams Online to confirm your financial aid award and see if there are any outstanding requirements. 

✅ Submit Any Outstanding Documents – Make sure all verification and other required documents are completed and submitted to avoid delays.

✅ Accept or Decline Awards – Accept your terms and conditions. Accept any offered financial aid (loans).

✅ Review Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Status – Ensure you meet SAP requirements to maintain eligibility for financial aid. If you're at risk of losing aid, you should plan for alternative payments.

Get Advised & Register for Classes: Meet with your advisor, check degree progress, and register for classes. Make sure your information is up to date. 

→ Registration Central

✅ Get Advised: Meet with your advisor to obtain your alternate PIN. The registration portal closes on April 24^th and won't open again until May 18th; therefore, no schedule adjustments or enrollment can be done during the 4/24-5/18 time period. All transfer students, please schedule an advising appointment with Jason Sneed: sneedjh@wssu.edu for assistance on advising and registration for the upcoming semester.

✅Verify Transfer Credits: Students who plan to take, or have taken, courses at another institution must complete the Application to Take Courses at Another Institution form. If transferring credits, confirm that all necessary transcripts and documents have been submitted and processed. 

✅ Check Degree Progress: Review your degree audit in RAMPath to ensure you are on track. 

✅ Register for Classes: Make sure you’ve completed your registration for the upcoming semester before you leave campus. This will save you money ($100 late registration fee) and time and prevent last-minute scheduling issues when you return. Register for at least 15 credit hours for fall semester. 

✅ Submit Ticket Request: Ensure that you submit ticket requests for those courses that have a prerequisite or corequisite requirement via the Registrar Electronic Portal. Be aware that Academic Advisor and Department Chair approval is required.

 * Course Registration Add - Summer I Term

 * Course Registration Add – Summer II Term

 * Course Registration Add – Fall Term

 

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✅ Update Personal Information: Update your contact details in the system (email, phone number, mailing address, and/or name) so that important communications are not missed. 

✅ Update residency status: Check with  North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS). 

✅ Complete the VA Certification Request: If you’re using Military Education benefits, be sure to submit your VA Certification Request form. This ensures your benefits will be processed on time and there are no delays in payment.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Residents are expected to vacate their assigned space within 24 hours after their last final exam.

• Non-graduating residents: Must check out by Thursday, May 14 at 8:00 PM
• Graduating residents (or those participating in commencement): Must check out by Saturday, May 16 at Noon. 

Residents approved to remain on campus beyond these dates will receive direct communication from Housing and Residence Life. All others must vacate by their designated deadline.

 

Move-Out Logistics

To support a smooth move-out process, the following resources and expectations are in place:

• Moving carts will be available for checkout at your residence hall front desk.
• Additional dumpsters will be placed throughout campus to accommodate increased trash disposal.
• Residents are responsible for removing all personal belongings, including personal refrigerators and appliances.
• For concerns related to microfridge units, residents must contact the vendor directly.

 

Checkout Requirements

Residents are responsible for completing all checkout expectations prior to departure. Failure to meet these expectations may result in charges to your student account.

Before checking out, you must:

• Remove all personal belongings from your room or apartment
• Clean your room thoroughly and dispose of all trash
• Set the thermostat to 70 degrees (cool/auto), if applicable
• Close and lock all windows
• Adjust blinds appropriately (first-floor residents should leave blinds down; all others should raise blinds)
• Unplug all personal items (do not unplug university-provided appliances)
• Turn off all lights and lock your door
• Clean all shared spaces, including kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms (for suite and apartment-style housing)
• Return all assigned room keys

Staff will not complete a checkout for any space that still contains personal belongings.
Additional closing instructions may be posted on your residence hall’s closing bulletin board.

 

Checkout Options

Residents may choose from the following checkout methods:

Guided Checkout (Recommended)

• Conducted with a staff member at a scheduled time
• Allows for real-time review of room condition
• Provides an opportunity to address concerns before final inspection
• Recommended as the best option to minimize potential charges

Residents should sign up in advance or visit the front desk to schedule a checkout time.

Express Checkout

• Completed independently without a staff member present
• Ideal for residents leaving outside of desk hours
• Residents must obtain and complete an Express Checkout Envelope from the front desk
• Room keys must be sealed inside the envelope and returned to the designated location

By completing an express checkout, residents waive the right to appeal any damages or charges assessed to their account.

Residents are encouraged to communicate their checkout plans with hall staff to ensure proper processing.

 

Charges and Fines

Residents may be subject to charges for the following:

• Failure to return room keys
• Improper checkout procedures
• Trash or personal items left in the space
• Damage to the room or university furnishings
• Covered or tampered smoke detectors

Residents assigned to suites or apartments share responsibility for common areas. Charges related to shared spaces will be divided equally among residents unless otherwise documented on a Common Area Damage Claim Form.

See page 22 Living on Campus Guide

 

Final Reminders

• Plan your move-out in advance to meet all deadlines and expectations
• Utilize provided resources such as carts and dumpsters
• Review all posted closing instructions within your residence hall
• Ensure all checkout steps are completed to avoid unnecessary charges

For additional questions or assistance, please contact your RA, Hall Director/ Area Coordinator, or Housing and Residence Life office. 

Before you go, please take a moment to review the return book checklist to avoid any unnecessary fees.

✅ Know Where to Return – Books rented from Winston-Salem State University Bookstore (Barnes & Noble) should be returned to the appropriate location.

✅ Check Your Return Deadlines – Be sure to return your rented textbooks on time to avoid late fees or replacement charges.

✅ Inspect Your Books – Ensure your books are in good condition to meet return requirements.

✅ Keep Your Receipt/Confirmation – If returning in person or by mail, hold onto confirmation of return for your records.

✅For specific return dates and policies, check your WSSU email or contact the bookstore directly.