New Student Orientation (NSO) and Group Advising (GA)
What is New Student Orientation and why do I need to complete it?
New Student Orientation (NSO) is mandatory for all First Time in College, Former/Returning students from any Alamo College (out for two (2) semesters or more), Former Dual Credit and Transfer students (outside of Alamo Colleges with less than 30 credit hours earned within one (1) year) planning to enroll at St. Philip's College (SPC). NSO will be offered online via Canvas, which is accessible through your ACES account. Please allow 1-2 business days to add you to the course. Completing NSO will help you learn about resources available to you and help you become more familiar with the college lingo, tutoring, college policies/procedures, learn about payment and financial aid options, and group advising.
Beginning May 9, 2022, NSO will be offered both online and in-person. Students needing to complete NSO, but looking to complete it in person at St. Philip’s College, can do so at the SPC Student Onboarding & Recruitment Office (located at our SPC MLK-Campus’ Welcome Center Room 202) during normal business hours Monday – Friday and the 1st Saturday of each month.
Hours of Operation – Welcome Center @ SPC MLK-Campus
Regular hours
(September–December and February–May)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Fridays 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
First Saturday of the month: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Summer hours
(June and July)
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Extended hours
(January and August)
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
All students must have a current admissions application on file with all submitted transcripts and/or documentation to be added to the Canvas course. If you need assistance with completing the enrollment checklist, contact a Certified Enrollment Coach to verify your status at spc-recruit@alamo.edu prior to scheduling New Student Orientation (NSO). Once you have been verified, your Enrollment Coach will provide the link to the New Student Orientation (NSO) request form. The preferred browser for the course is Google Chrome. Once your request is submitted, you will receive an auto-generated email to your (ACES) school email with steps to accept the course.
Transient students do not need to complete New Student Orientation (NSO); however, your Admissions application must reflect that you are a transient student. Transfer students (outside of Alamo Colleges with 30 + hours), must have a transcript on file reflecting the hours. Transfer, Former students (within Alamo colleges with 30 + earned hours), your file must reflect this status and can be adjusted only by contacting the SPC Onboarding Office at spc-ar@alamo.edu. If you have completed all of the necessary enrollment steps (see enrollment checklist below), please email spc-advising@alamo.edu for the Group Advising (GA) registration link. The subject line in your email should include one (1) of the following categories that apply to you: Transfer, Former Alamo College with 30+hrs needing GA, Transfer outside Alamo Colleges with 30+ hours needing GA, or Transient needing GA. Please include your full name, your student banner ID and phone number in the body (content) of your email.
What is Group Advising and why do I need to complete it?
Group Advising is mandatory for all First Time in College, Returning, and Transfer students planning to register for classes at SPC. By attending this session, you will meet with an advisor, become more familiar with placement levels, degree requirements, get assistance with navigating registration, review your tuition/bill, learn about payment and financial aid options, and prepare for the first day of the semester. The registration link is within the New Student Orientation course.
Students must complete NSO (if required) and all steps in the enrollment process to schedule a Group Advising session. In an effort to be fair to all students during registration, please do not select more than one GA session. Failure to complete any or all parts of both, the enrollment process or Canvas course in ACES, will hinder your ability to register. See the enrollment checklist above.
To cancel your Group Advising session, you must have your Banner ID: