Fees

Academic and Other Fees

Complete details about fees, payments, tax credits, loans, late charges, and related information may be found at the bursar’s website. A list of estimated expenses for undergraduate students is available online . Tuition and fees are approved by the Board of Trustees and subject to change at any time.

Information regarding the location and accessibility of Guaranty Bonds for prepaid tuition held by the institution, as required by the State Authorization regulations for residents of some states, is available here. 

Non-academic Fees, Charges, and Regulations

For information about non-academic fees, charges, and regulations, visit the websites below.

• University Housing
• Carolina Dining Services
• Student Health Services
• Vehicle Management and Parking Services

Any student who has failed to pay all required registration fees by the payment deadline may be dropped from class rolls. Any student who fails to relieve any other indebtedness to the University or to any of its auxiliary agencies on the date such obligations become due may not be permitted to remain in University residence halls or be issued a transcript, diploma, or degree.

Checks, Money Orders, and Credit Cards

The University assesses a credit-card convenience fee for all students paying fees by credit/debit cards. If you decide to pay with a credit/debit card, this nonrefundable fee will be added to your bill to cover the cost being charged to the University. Since the majority of students find Self Service Carolina (SSC) a convenient way to pay, SSC will present you with an option to accept this fee or decline the transaction. If you decline, you must select another method of payment. Alternative methods include payment by check or money order through the mail. You may also pay in person with check, cash, or money order.  Alternative methods include payment by E-check, USC’s preferred method of payment, when using SSC or payment by check or money order through the mail.

Application Fees

Undergraduate

Every new student will normally be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $65; exceptions to, or relief from, this charge may be made for certain special categories of admission. All applications must be accompanied by the application fee. This fee is for admission application only. A separate application fee is charged for space in University residence halls. International students pay an enrollment fee of $750.

Graduate

Every new graduate student will be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $50. All applications must be accompanied by the application fee. International students pay an enrollment fee of $750.

Matriculation Fee

A nonrefundable matriculation fee of $80 is assessed to all current degree-seeking students on a one-time basis. This fee is also assessed to entering (or re-entering) degree-seeking students. 

Examination Fees

$40 Scholastic Assessment Test. (SAT) May be taken once only.

$25 Challenge Examination. This test is used to establish undergraduate college credit without class attendance or to validate credits from a non-regionally accredited college. Per semester hour.

Graduate Record Examination

1. General Test ($60)
2. Subject Test ($60)

Revalidation examinations intended to revalidate USC courses, obsolete under the statute of limitations. Per hour, $25.

Note: Revalidation examinations require permission of the dean of  Graduate Studies. The fee must be paid in advance, and is nonrefundable, once the student is presented to the instructor for the examination.

Legal Residency

The University of South Carolina is required by state law to determine the residence classification of applicants. The initial determination of one’s resident status is made at the time of admission. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, prevails for each subsequent semester until information becomes available that would impact the existing residency status and the determination is successfully challenged. The burden of proof rests with the students to show evidence as deemed necessary to establish and maintain their residency status.

Legal Residency Requirements for Fee and Tuition Purposes

Code of Laws Governing Residence

Rules regarding the establishment of legal residence for tuition and fee purposes for institutions of higher education are governed by Title 59, Chapter 112, of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

Definitions

“Academic Session” is defined as a term or semester of enrollment.

“Continue to be Enrolled” is defined as continuous enrollment without an interruption that would require the student to pursue a formal process of readmission to that institution. Formal petitions or applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions.

“Dependent Person” is defined as one whose predominant source of income or support is from payments from a parent, spouse, or guardian, who claims the dependent person on his/her federal income tax return. In the case of those individuals who are supported by family members who do not earn enough reportable income for taxation purposes, a dependent person can be defined as one who qualifies as a dependent or exemption on the federal income tax return of the parent, spouse, or guardian. A dependent person is also one for whom payments are made, under court order, for child support and the cost of the dependent person’s college education. A dependent person’s residency is based upon the residency of the person upon whom they are dependent.

“Domicile” is defined as the true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation. It shall indicate the place where a person intends to remain, or to where one expects to return upon leaving without establishing a new domicile in another state. For purposes of this section, one may have only one legal domicile. One is presumed to abandon automatically an old domicile upon establishing a new one. Housing provided on an academic session basis for student at institutions shall be presumed not to be a place of principal residence, as residency in such housing is by its nature temporary.

“Family’s Domicile in this State is Terminated” is defined as an employer directed transfer of the person upon whom the student is dependent and is not construed to mean a voluntary change in domicile. Also included is a relocation of the person upon whom the student is dependent who is laid off through no fault of their own, e.g., plant closure, downsizing, etc., who accepts employment in another state prior to relocating.

“Full time employment” is defined as employment that consists of at least thirty seven and one half hours a week on a single job in a full time status, with gross earnings of at least minimum wage. However, a person who works less than thirty seven and one half hours a week but receives or is entitled to receive full time employee benefits shall be considered to be employed full time if such status is verified by the employer. A person who meets the eligibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act must present acceptable evidence that they satisfy their prescribed employment specifications in order to qualify as having full time employment.

“Guardian” is defined as one legally responsible for the care and management of the person or property of a minor child based upon the five tests for dependency prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service; provided, however, that where circumstances indicate that such guardianship or custodianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee purposes on such child or dependent person, it shall not be given such effect.

“Immediately Prior” is defined as the period of time between the offer of admission and the first day of class of the term for which the offer was made, not to exceed one calendar year.

“Independent Person” is defined as one in his/her majority (eighteen years of age or older) or an emancipated minor, whose predominant source of income is his/her own earnings or income from employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, commercial loans, or payments made in accordance with court order. An independent person must provide more than half of his or her support during the twelve months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the semester for which resident status is requested. An independent person cannot claim the domicile of another individual as their own for the purposes of establishing intent to become a South Carolina resident. An independent person must have established his/her own domicile for twelve months prior to receiving instate tuition and fees. An independent person cannot be claimed as a dependent or exemption on the federal tax return of his or her parent, spouse, or guardian for the year in which resident status is requested.

“Minor” is defined as a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years. An “emancipated minor” shall mean a minor whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody and earnings of such minor and are no longer under any legal obligation to support or maintain such minor.

“Non-resident Alien” is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. By virtue of their non-resident status “non-resident aliens” generally do not have the capacity to establish domicile in South Carolina.

“Parent” is defined as the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, foster parent or parent of a legally adopted child.

“Reside” is defined as continuous and permanent physical presence within the State, provided that absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of residence. Excluded are absences associated with requirements to complete a degree, absences for military training service, and like absences, provided South Carolina domicile is maintained.

“Resident” for tuition and fee purposes is defined as an independent person who has abandoned all prior domiciles and has been domiciled in South Carolina continuously for at least twelve months immediately preceding the first day of class of the term for which resident classification is sought and for whom there is an absence of domiciliary evidence in other states or countries, not withstanding other provisions of the Statute.

“Spouse” is defined as the husband or wife of a married person in accordance with Title 20, Chapter 1 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

“Temporary Absence” is defined as a break in enrollment during a fall or spring semester (or its equivalent) during which a student is not registered for class. (62-606.A)

“Terminal Leave” is defined as a transition period following active employment and immediately preceding retirement (with a pension or annuity), during which the individual may use accumulated leave.

“United States Armed Forces” is defined as the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

“Trust” is defined as a legal entity created by a grantor for the benefit of designated beneficiaries under the laws of the state and the valid trust instrument. However, that where circumstances indicate that such trust was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee purposes on such child or independent person, it shall not be given such effect.

Citizens and Permanent Residents

Independent persons who have physically resided and been domiciled in South Carolina for twelve continuous months immediately preceding the date the classes begin for the semester for which resident status is claimed may qualify to pay in state tuition and fees. The twelve month residency period starts when the independent person establishes the intent to become a South Carolina resident per Section 62-605 entitled “Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary.” The twelve month residency period cannot start until the absence of indicia in other states is proven. Absences from the State during the twelve month period may affect the establishment of permanent residence for tuition and fee purposes.

The resident status of a dependent person is based on the resident status of the person who provides more than half of the dependent person’s support and claims or, only in the case of those individuals who are supported by family members who do not earn enough reportable income for taxation purposes, qualifies to claim the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. Thus, the residence and domicile of a dependent person shall be presumed to be that of their parent, spouse, or guardian.

In the case of divorced or separated parents, the resident status of the dependent person may be based on the resident status of the parent who claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax purposes; or based on the resident status of the parent who has legal custody or legal joint custody of the dependent person; or based on the resident status of the person who makes payments under a court order for child support and at least the cost of his/her college tuition and fees.

Non-Resident Aliens, Non-Citizens, and Non-Permanent Residents

Except as otherwise specified in this section or as provided in Section 62-609 (1) & (2), independent non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the United States will be assessed tuition and fees at the non-resident, out of state rate. Independent non-resident aliens, including refugees, asylees, and parolees may be entitled to resident, in state classification once they have been awarded permanent resident status by the U.S. Department of Justice and meet all the statutory residency requirements provided that all other domiciliary requirements are met. Time spent living in South Carolina immediately prior to the awarding of permanent resident status does not count toward the twelve month residency period. Certain non resident aliens present in the United States in specified visa classifications are eligible to receive in state residency status for tuition and fee purposes as prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education. They are not, however, eligible to receive state sponsored tuition assistance/scholarships.

Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) serves as the primary resource for defining visa categories.

Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary

Resident status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in South Carolina for the sole primary purpose of enrollment in an institution or for access to state supported programs designed to serve South Carolina residents. An applicant or student from another state who comes to South Carolina usually does so for the purpose of attending school. Therefore, an applicant or student who enrolls as a non-resident in an institution is presumed to remain a non-resident throughout his or her attendance and does not qualify under any of the residency provisions.

If a person asserts that his/her domicile has been established in this State, the individual has the burden of proof. Such persons should provide to the designated residency official of the institution to which they are applying any and all evidence the person believes satisfies the burden of proof. The residency official will consider any and all evidence provided concerning such claim of domicile, but will not necessarily regard any single item of evidence as conclusive evidence that domicile has been established.

For independent persons or the parent, spouse, or guardian of dependent persons, examples of intent to become a South Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not be conclusive, the following indicia:

1. Statement of full time employment;
2. Designating South Carolina as state of legal residence on military record;
3. Possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license, or if a non-driver, a South Carolina identification card. Failure to obtain this within 90 days of the establishment of the intent to become a South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility until a South Carolina driver’s license is obtained;
4. Possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card. Failure to obtain this within 45 days of the establishment of the intent to become a South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility until the applicant obtains a South Carolina vehicle registrations card;
5. Maintenance of domicile in South Carolina;
6. Paying South Carolina income taxes as a resident during the past tax year, including income earned outside of South Carolina from the date South Carolina domicile was claimed;
7. Ownership of principal residence in South Carolina; and
8. Licensing for professional practice (if applicable) in South Carolina.

The absence of indicia in other states or countries is required before the student is eligible to pay in state rates.

Maintaining Residence

A person’s temporary absence from the State does not necessarily constitute loss of South Carolina residence unless the person has acted inconsistently with the claim of continued South Carolina residence during the person’s absence from the State. The burden is on the person to show retention of South Carolina residence during the person’s absence from the State. Steps a person should take to retain South Carolina resident status for tuition and fee purposes include:

1. Continuing to use a South Carolina permanent address on all records;
2. Maintaining South Carolina driver’s license;
3. Maintaining South Carolina vehicle registration;
4. Satisfying South Carolina resident income tax obligation. Individuals claiming permanent residence in South Carolina are liable for payment of income taxes on their total income from the date that they established South Carolina residence. This includes income earned in another state or country.

Effect of Change of Residency

Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any dependent person of a legal resident of this state who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years and whose family’s domicile in this state is terminated immediately prior to his/her enrollment may enroll at the in state rate. Any dependent person of a legal resident of this state who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years and whose family’s domicile in this state is terminated after his/her enrollment may continue to receive in state rates, however, a student must continue to be enrolled and registered for classes (excluding summers) in order to maintain eligibility to pay in state rates in subsequent semesters. Transfers within or between South Carolina colleges and universities of a student seeking a certificate, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level degree does not constitute a break in enrollment.

If a dependent or independent person voluntarily leaves the state, and information becomes available that would impact the existing residency status, eligibility for in state rates shall end on the last day of the academic session during which domicile is lost. Application of this provision shall be at the discretion of the institution involved. However, a student must continue to be enrolled and registered for classes (excluding summers) in order to maintain eligibility to pay in state rates in subsequent semesters.

Effect of Marriage

In ascertaining domicile of a married person, irrespective of gender, such a review shall be determined just as for an unmarried person by reference to all relevant evidence of domiciliary intent.

If a nonresident marries a South Carolina resident, the nonresident does not automatically acquire South Carolina resident status. The nonresident may acquire South Carolina resident status if the South Carolina resident is an independent person and the nonresident is a dependent of the South Carolina resident.

Marriage to a person domiciled outside South Carolina shall not be solely the reason for precluding a person from establishing or maintaining domicile in South Carolina and subsequently becoming eligible or continuing to be eligible for residency.

No person shall be deemed solely by reason of marriage to a person domiciled in South Carolina to have established or maintained domicile in South Carolina and consequently to be eligible for or to retain eligibility for South Carolina residency.

Exceptions

Persons in the following categories qualify to pay in state tuition and fees without having to establish a permanent home in the state for twelve months. Persons who qualify under any of these categories must meet the conditions of the specific category on or before the first day of class of the term for which payment of in state tuition and fees is requested. The following categories apply only to in state tuition and do not apply to State supported scholarships and grants. Individuals who qualify for in state tuition and fees under the following exceptions do not automatically qualify for LIFE, SC HOPE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.

1. “Military Personnel and their Dependents”: Members of the United States Armed Forces who are permanently assigned in South Carolina on active duty and their dependents are eligible to pay in state tuition and fees. When such personnel are transferred from the State, their dependents may continue to pay in state tuition and fees as long as they are continuously enrolled. Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in state tuition and fees as long as they are continuously enrolled after their discharge from the military, provided they have demonstrated an intent to establish a permanent home in South Carolina and they have resided in South Carolina for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding their discharge. Military personnel who are not stationed in South Carolina and/or former military personnel who intend to establish South Carolina residency must fulfill the twelve month “physical presence” requirement for them or their dependents to qualify to pay in state tuition and fees.
2. “Faculty and Administrative Employees with Full Time Employment and their Dependents”: Full time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state supported colleges and universities and their dependents are eligible to pay in state tuition and fees.
3. “Residents with Full Time Employment and their Dependents:” Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are full time employed in the State and who continue to work full time until they meet the twelve month requirement and their dependents are eligible to pay in state tuition and fees, provided that they have taken steps to establish a permanent home in the State. Steps an independent person must take to establish residency in South Carolina are listed in Section 62-605 entitled (“Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary”).
4. “Retired Persons and their Dependents:” Retired persons who are receiving a pension or annuity who reside in South Carolina and have been domiciled in South Carolina as prescribed in the Statute for less than a year may be eligible for in state rates if they maintain residence and domicile in this State. Persons on terminal leave who have established residency in South Carolina may be eligible for in state rates even if domiciled in the State for less than one year if they present documentary evidence from their employer showing they are on terminal leave. The evidence should show beginning and ending dates for the terminal leave period and that the person will receive a pension or annuity when he/she retires.

South Carolina residents who wish to participate in the Contract for Services program sponsored by the Southern Regional Education Board must have continuously resided in the State for other than educational purposes for at least two years immediately preceding application for consideration and must meet all other residency requirements during this two year period.

Application for Change of Resident Status

Persons applying for a change of resident classification must complete a residency application/petition and provide supporting documentation prior to a reclassification deadline as established by the institution.

The burden of proof rests with those persons applying for a change of resident classification who must show required evidence to document the change in resident status.

Incorrect Classification

Persons incorrectly classified as residents are subject to reclassification and to payment of all non-resident tuition and fees not paid. If incorrect classification results from false or concealed facts, such persons may be charged tuition and fees past due and unpaid at the out of state rate. The violator may also be subject to administrative, civil, and financial penalties. Until these charges are paid, such persons will not be allowed to receive transcripts or graduate from a South Carolina institution.

Residents whose resident status changes are responsible for notifying the Residency Official of the institution attended of such changes.

Inquiries and Appeals

Inquiries regarding residency requirements and determinations should be directed to the Legal Residency Office, University Of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-4060.

Any person, following a decision on his or her resident classification, may appeal the decision to the University Committee on Legal Residence. The committee, however, is bound by the same laws and regulations as the residency officials, so its purpose is only to review the facts and details of any case brought before it to evaluate the correctness of the decision may by residency officials. Neither the committee nor residency officials may waive the provisions of the law or regulations.

Persons who appeal residency decisions must provide a letter to the Legal Residency Office informing the office that they want to appeal the decision made by the residency official. The letter must also include a summary of the person’s situation and a statement which specifies the residency provision under which the person feels he or she qualifies to pay in-state fees. The director of legal residency will then schedule a hearing as soon as possible for the committee to hear the appeal.

The residency requirements are subject to change without notification.

Free Tuition

Undergraduate

Certain exemptions from tuition fees have been established under South Carolina Law. Relevant sections of the code are reproduced below. Please note that these laws include free tuition only. Other academic fees and mandatory fees are still the responsibility of the student.

1. S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-20 (Law Co-op. Supp. 1993)
   1. A child of a wartime veteran, upon application to and approval by the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, may be admitted to any state-supported college, university, or post high school technical education institution free of tuition so long as his work and conduct are satisfactory to the governing body of the institution, if the veteran was a resident of this state at the time of entry into service and during service or has been a resident of this state for at least one year and still resides in this state or, if the veteran is deceased, resided in this state for one year before his death, and provided the veteran served honorably in a branch of the military service of the United States during a war period, as those periods are defined by Section 101 of Title 38 of the United States Code and:
      1. was killed in action
      2. died from other causes while in the service
      3. died of disease or disability resulting from service
      4. was a prisoner of war as defined by Congress or Presidential proclamation during such war period
      5. is permanently and totally disabled, as determined by the Veterans Administration from any cause
      6. has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor
      7. is missing in action, or
      8. the applicant is the child of a deceased veteran who qualified under item (4) and (5)
      9. has been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.
   2. The provisions of this section apply to a child of a veteran who meets the residency requirements of Chapter 112 of this title, is 26 years of age or younger, and is pursuing any type of undergraduate degree.
2. S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-110 (Law Co-op. 1976) No tuition may be charged for a period of four school years by any state-supported college or university or any state-supported vocational or technical school for children of:
   1. firemen, both regularly employed and members of volunteer organized units, organized rescue squad members, members of the Civil Air Patrol, law enforcement officers, or corrections officers, as defined herein, including reserve and auxiliary units of counties or municipalities who become totally disabled or are killed in the line of duty on or after July 1, 1964;
   2. government employees who become totally disabled or are killed in the line of duty while working on state time on or after July 1, 1996, as a result of a criminal act committed against them which constitutes a felony under the laws of this State.
   The tuition authorized to be paid by this section applies only to undergraduate courses or curriculum and may be paid for a period not exceeding four years, regardless of the number of state-supported colleges, universities, or state-supported vocational or technical schools the child attends.
   HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-71; 1968 (55) 2300; 1969 (56) 659; 1971 (57) 457, 481; 2000 Act No. 281, Section 1.
3. S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-10 (Law Co-op. 1976) Each year the first place winner of the essay contest sponsored by the Governor’s Committee on the Employment of the Physically Handicapped shall receive a four-year scholarship from the State-supported institution of his choice, provided he is otherwise qualified. The scholarship shall be granted by the governing body of the particular institution upon certification by the Governor’s Committee of the first-place winner and that the winner is in financial need. The scholarship shall provide free tuition and fees, and may be cancelled if a recipient does not maintain general scholastic and conduct standards established by the institution.
   HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-55; 1960 (51) 2084; 1961 (52) 91.
4.  S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-320 (Law Co-op Supp. 1984) State-supported colleges and universities, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, are authorized to permit legal residents of South Carolina who have attained the age of sixty to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes on a space available basis without the required payment of tuition, if these persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the college, university, or institution.
   HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-82; 1974 (58) 2844; 1978 Act No. 503, Section 1; 1992 Act No. 263, Section 1; 2015 Act No. 50 (S.261), Section 1, eff June 3, 2015.
   Effect of Amendment
   2015 Act No. 50, Section 1, inserted “, and if these persons do not receive compensation as full-time employees”.

Graduate

(This includes tuition only-all other academic and mandatory fees are the responsibility of the student.)

Certain exemptions from tuition fees have been established under South Carolina Law. Relevant sections of the Code are reproduced below:

1. S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-320 (Law Co-op Supp. 1984) State-supported colleges and universities, and institutions under the jurisdiction of the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, are authorized to permit legal residents of South Carolina who have attained the age of sixty to attend classes for credit or noncredit purposes on a space available basis without the required payment of tuition, if these persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the college, university, or institution.
   HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 22-82; 1974 (58) 2844; 1978 Act No. 503, Section 1; 1992 Act No. 263, Section 1; 2015 Act No. 50 (S.261), Section 1, eff June 3, 2015.
   Effect of Amendment
   2015 Act No. 50, Section 1, inserted “, and if these persons do not receive compensation as full-time employees”.

Refund Policy

I. Policy

The University will refund a part of academic fees in certain cases:

1. Changes in a student’s status, which may require a refund:
   1. Change in a full-time student’s schedule which results in reclassification to part- time.
   2. Change in a part-time student’s schedule which results in fewer credit hours.
2. Situations which may require a refund:
   1. Course or courses dropped.
   2. Drop/Withdrawal from the University.
   3. Cancellation of a class by the University.

II. Procedure

A. Refund Requests

All requests for refunds must be received during the academic year for which the fees were paid. The academic year begins with the fall term and ends with the summer term. Refunds may be requested at any time during the academic year in which the applicable term occurs.

B. Determining the Refundable Portion Procedure

Student refunds for tuition are calculated based on the student’s liable hours after the drop/withdrawal. Liable hours are calculated as the total hours a student is still registered plus the liable portion of the dropped/withdrawn course(s). The liable portion is computed by taking the number of dropped hours times the liability rate (which is 100 percent minus the refund percentage). The refund amount is determined to be the difference of the original assessment and the assessment based on the new liable hours. For students whose liable hours are 12 or above, no refunds are processed. Other academic fees are non-refundable after the 100 percent refund percentage. For students activated for full-time military service during an academic term, the University follows state law in Section 59-101-395. Any refund calculated will be applied to the student account.

C.Drop/Withdrawal Refund Policy

Standard refund procedures for dropping/withdrawal from the university:

All refunds will be based solely on the percentage of time (in days) between the first day of a part-of-term and the last day of a part-of-term. The percentage (in days) will include all Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays between the start and end dates of each part-of-term. Exceptions to this rule may only be made by the Bursar’s Office. In these instances, any change in the refund percentage would be moved out to the next closest business day. Courses fewer than six days long, first day = 100% refund, remaining days = no refund.

1. 100 percent if the student’s official drop/withdrawal calculation is within 6% of the enrollment period for which the student is liable.
2. 70 percent if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (1) or before the end of the 10 percent period of enrollment for which the student is liable.
3. 50 percent if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (2) or before the end of the 16 percent period of enrollment for which the student is liable.
4. 20 percent if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (3) or before the end of the 25 percent period of enrollment for which the student is liable

D. Refund Schedules

Refund schedules are located under the important deadlines on the Registrar’s website.

E. Return of Title IV Funds

1. Refunds Policy for Students Who Have Received Title IV Funds And Withdraw From The University.
   Federal financial aid funds are awarded with the expectation that students will complete the entire period of enrollment. Students “earn” a percentage of the funds that are disbursed with each day of class attendance. When a student who has received federal aid funds (Title IV Funds) leaves school before the end of the semester or period of enrollment, federal regulations require the University of South Carolina to calculate the percentage and amount of “unearned” financial aid funds that must be returned. Once a student has completed more than 60 percent of the enrollment period, they are considered to have earned all funding received. This calculation may have the effect of requiring the student who withdraws before this time frame to repay funds that have already been disbursed to the student or credited towards their current account for tuition, fees, housing and/or meals. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor in the Office of Student Affairs, or the appropriate office on their campus, prior to making the decision to withdraw from school.
2. Title IV Refund Distribution
   1. For fully withdrawn students receiving federal and/or state funds, the refund will be governed by the current Federal Title IV refund policy. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships determines the amount of the funds that are distributed back to Title IV, HEA Programs or other Financial Aid sources. For students and their parents who have received student loans or other forms of financial aid, funds will be returned in the order prescribed by federal regulations. The institution must return the funds to the financial aid program other than College Work Study, up to the amount of assistance that the student received from those programs. Funds are to be distributed to the financial aid programs in the following order: 
      • Unsubsidized Federal Stafford
      • Subsidized Federal Stafford
      • Federal Perkins
      • Federal PLUS Loan
      • Federal Pell Grant
      • Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant
      • Federal TEACH Grant 
      • Federal Iraq/Afghanistan Service Grant
   2. Any remaining balance will first be used to repay any outstanding university charges and any subsequent balances will be refunded to the student/parent as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the calculation. 
   3. Exit interviews are required before leaving the University of South Carolina for all students who withdraw and have received Stafford, Perkins or Federal Nursing/Health Professions Loans. Exit interviews can be completed online. Questions regarding exit counseling should be referred to the appropriate campus Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

F. Appeals Process

A process for appeals exists for students or parents who believe circumstances warrant exceptions from published policy. The student must be fully withdrawn from the University in order to apply for an appeal.

The Withdrawal Refund Appeals Committee for each campus reviews and act on all appeals. Address appeals to your respective campus:

Withdrawal Refund Appeals Committee (Columbia Campus Only)
Office of the Registrar
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
803-777-5555 

III. Reason for Revision

Policy revised to reflect change in student system refund processing, align drop and withdrawal schedules, and update summer information for one summer term. Policy designator changed due to reorganization to Administration and Finance. 

Housing Fees

1. Students in the following categories are eligible for refunds in accordance with the terms shown in their Residence Hall contract:
   1. newly admitted students who do not attend the University of South Carolina
   2. students who graduate from school at the end of the fall semester
   3. students who are suspended for academic reasons
   4. students who get married.
   Check the contract or call University Housing for deadline dates and other information.
2. Tenants who do not withdraw from the University but desire release from their contracts will be placed on a contract release waiting list with University Housing. Releases will be granted only when all other space is filled and the space can be rented for the balance of the year to another tenant. Students will be notified upon release and appropriate refunds will be made.

Withdrawal Refunds

All full- or part-time students wishing to withdraw from the University or to discontinue enrollment from all courses for the semester should follow the instructions online at my.sc.edu when they request to drop their last course. Staff members of the Office of the University Registrar are available to assist students in completing the withdrawal process. In addition, staff from the Student Ombudsman Office located in the Osborne Administration building can provide counseling. Students requesting withdrawal for extenuating circumstances after the penalty date (last date for W grade) should see their college dean.

In establishing a diminishing-scale refund process for withdrawals, the University operates on the philosophy that many of the basic costs of instruction are incurred at the end of the first week of classes or within an equivalent period for nonstandard semesters. The assignment of a classroom seat to an individual student precludes any other student from occupying that seat. In addition, an instructor is assigned and the costs of instruction are encumbered on the first day of classes.

A student who withdraws from the University after the first week of classes has already occupied a classroom seat that cannot be reassigned. As a result, the University cannot both maintain its financial integrity and also provide a full refund. Accordingly, the University has established a series of refund deadlines commensurate with student progress into the semester.

University Withdrawal Refund Appeal Procedures

The University Withdrawals Refund Appeal Committee is authorized to consider appeals and approve extraordinary exceptions to the University’s published withdrawal refund schedule due to humanitarian and due-process considerations.

Guidelines for committee consideration of withdrawal appeals are:

1. The appeal must be submitted in writing to the Office of the University Registrar and will be considered only in written form. A standardized appeal form must be submitted.
2. All requests for appeal must be submitted directly by the student through the Office of the University Registrar and must meet one or more of the following criteria to be considered and approved by the appeals committee:
   1. Documentation of an accident, illness, injury, or incident which could not be influenced, predicted, planned for, or prevented by the student or the institution. This provision specifically excludes conditions or chronic illnesses known to the student at the time of enrollment.
   2. Demonstration that the application of the published refund policy would result in a specific and substantial personal hardship to the student. This provision specifically excludes circumstances or effects which would simply inconvenience the student or the student’s family.
   3. Documentation of substantiated circumstances where a student has in good faith relied upon the veracity of a University official’s advice, or the official’s interpretation of the text of a University document or publication, and was consequently misled or mistaken about the terms of the published refund policy.
3. The appeal must be initiated during the semester for which the refund is requested.
4. The appeal must involve a total withdrawal from the University. No partial withdrawals will be considered.
5. Appeals will only address whether or not a refund will be granted. No consideration will be given to grade assignment or other academic issues. Students must address such issues directly with the faculty members and the college. If applicable, requests for Extenuating Circumstances Withdrawals for grade change purposes must be resolved prior to deliberations by this committee.
6. Grounds for consideration of an appeal will be restricted to only those circumstances personally experienced by the enrolled individual with whom the University has a direct relationship. Loss or illness of a family member, close associate, or employee, and/or difficulty in family-operated businesses, are excluded from consideration.
7. Decisions will be made by a simple majority vote of the committee membership and documented in writing by the chair. The student will be informed of the outcome of the appeal by letter from the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Life and Development.