Fellowships

Fellowships for graduate study are available in many programs; interested students should contact the department or college concerned.

Trustee Fellowships

Awarded by The Graduate School

Charles W. Coker Memorial Fellowship

Awarded to graduate students interested in a professional business career who will contribute to business leadership in American society. Stipends usually range from $500 to $2,000 for an academic year.

R. Means Davis Fellowship

Awarded to a graduate student in the field of Southern history.

C.C. Royal Fellowship

Awarded to a graduate student pursuing either a master's or doctoral degree.

Rhude M. Patterson Fellowship

Established through a bequest from the late Mrs. Rhude M. Patterson for women in the humanities and social sciences.

The University also participates in a number of federal programs supporting fellows and trainees with stipends up to $12,000 annually plus dependency allowances. These include graduate fellowships and grants to support doctoral dissertation research from the National Science Foundation and fellowships supported by several federal agencies, including the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Administration, and several private foundations. In some instances, tuition and fees are also paid.

As provided in the state desegregation plan, funds are allocated through the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education to support the Graduate Incentive Scholars Program. These awards total up to $5,000 per academic year for master's-level students and up to $10,000 per academic year for doctoral-level students. Criteria for eligibility are established by a special committee of the Commission on Higher Education. New or continuing graduate students may be nominated for a fellowship by their respective departments or apply online at www.che400.state.sc.us. Final awards are decided by a special University committee.

Assistantships

A number of graduate assistantships are available in various departments and administrative offices of the University. The minimum number of hours of work required per week for a graduate assistant is 10 and the maximum is 20. Exceptions to the maximum limit may be granted during the summer months. Requests for exceptions should be sent to The Graduate School together with a letter of support from the director of graduate studies of the respective program. Receipt of an assistantship carries a stipend, the value of which differs by department or administrative office. It also allows the student to receive a special tuition assessment. Customarily, an assistantship involves services to a department or office and may reduce the academic load that the student may carry. Interested students should contact the individual department, college, or administrative office.

Provisions for graduate research assistantships are frequently included in research support funding from various federal agencies. Assistantships are awarded to students for whom research in the area covered is a degree requirement or a matter of specific interest.

Loans

Federal Stafford Loan--Subsidized

The subsidized Stafford Loan program provides long-term, low-interest, need-based loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. At the time of printing, the interest rate is 2.3 percentage points above the 52-week Treasury bill with an 8.25 percent cap during in-school, grace, and deferment periods. The interest rate on subsidized federal Stafford Loans made prior to July 1, 1994, will vary according to the dates on which the loans were disbursed and/or the borrower's outstanding federal loan indebtedness. These rates are subject to change by law.

Subsidized federal Stafford Loans may be requested from a variety of lenders with a loan guarantee from any authorized guaranty agency. Undergraduates may borrow up to $2,625 for the first year of study, $3,500 for the second year, and $5,500 per year for subsequent undergraduate study, not to exceed a maximum of $23,000. Graduate and professional students may borrow up to $8,500 per year, not to exceed $65,500, including any amount borrowed as an undergraduate. If you receive a subsidized Stafford Loan, you will not be required to begin repayment until six months after you cease to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

New borrowers will receive a promissory note which must be signed, completed, and returned to your lender before any loan funds will be disbursed. If, however, you previously signed a Master Promissory Note, and you borrow from the same lender, your MPN may be used for all future Stafford Loans while attending USC. You will no longer need to sign a promissory note each year you apply for and receive a Stafford Loan.

Federal regulations now require institutions to limit or reduce the amount of a Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) under certain prescribed conditions. These conditions are as follows: an undergraduate student applies for a Stafford Loan and is enrolled less than a full academic year (fall and spring semesters); the student will complete all degree requirements at the end of the term. If both of these conditions occur, the Stafford Loan amount may be reduced. This reduction will be made by the financial aid office and reflected on your award letter.

Federal Stafford Loan--Unsubsidized

The unsubsidized federal Stafford Loan program is similar to the subsidized Stafford Loan except that eligibility is not based on financial need and interest payments are not subsidized by the federal government but rather are the responsibility of the borrower.

For dependent students, the annual limits are the same as the subsidized Stafford less any subsidized Stafford received for the same period. Independent students have additional unsubsidized eligibility of $4,000 per year for the first and second years of study and $5,000 per year for subsequent undergraduate study. Graduate and professional degree students have an additional $10,000 per year in unsubsidized eligibility and the career maximum increases to a total of $73,500 including any amounts borrowed as an undergraduate. The interest rate is the same as the subsidized Stafford; however, interest begins to accrue at the time the lender makes the loan and is not automatically deferred. Borrowers may choose to pay the interest or request that it be deferred, which results in the deferred interest being capitalized.

Federal regulations require that all loans be disbursed in installments to coincide with the beginning of the enrollment period covered by the loan. Additionally, if after the time your federal Stafford Loan, subsidized or unsubsidized, was certified you receive any type of other financial assistance, or your tuition fee structure changes, your eligibility for the Stafford Loan may be reduced. In some cases, you may be required to repay amounts in excess of your eligibility.

A promissory note, which will be mailed to you by your lender, must be signed and completed before any loan funds will be disbursed. The promissory note you sign for the 2001-2002 academic year may also be used for all future Stafford Loans you may borrow while attending USC. You will no longer need to sign a promissory note each year you apply for and receive a Stafford Loan.

Federal regulations now require institutions to limit or reduce the amount of a Stafford Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized) under certain prescribed conditions. These conditions are as follows: an undergraduate student applies for a Stafford Loan and is enrolled less than a full academic year (fall and spring semesters); the student will complete all degree requirements at the end of the term. If both of these conditions occur, the Stafford Loan amount may be reduced. This reduction will be made by the financial aid office and reflected on your award letter.

Federal Perkins Loan

The Perkins Loan Program is a low-interest (5 percent), long-term educational loan program available to both undergraduate and graduate students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Repayment is required unless the loan debt is otherwise resolved. As an undergraduate, you may borrow up to $4,000 for each year of study and up to $20,000 to complete an undergraduate degree. There is a limit of $8,000 if you have not completed the first two years of your undergraduate work. If you are a graduate student, you may receive up to $6,000 for each year of study not to exceed $40,000 for all years of study including undergraduate amounts received. Interest is not charged and repayment does not begin until nine months after your enrollment drops below half-time status. If you receive your first Perkins Loan on or after October 1, 1992, your minimum payment will be $40 per month. In all cases, repayment may extend up to 10 years depending upon the total amount borrowed. If you have outstanding National Direct Student Loan (NDSL) balances and you are receiving a Federal Perkins Loan now, you must review your NDSL promissory note to determine the terms and conditions that apply to your loan. Under certain conditions of reenrollment, employment, or extenuating circumstances, payments may be deferred or cancelled.

Nursing Student Loans (NSL)

Nursing Student Loans are low-interest (5 percent), long-term educational loans available to upper-division undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in nursing degree programs. If you qualify, you may borrow up to $4,000 per year during the last two years of study, not to exceed $13,000 for all years of study. Priority is given to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. If you receive an NSL, you will not be required to start repaying it, nor will any interest be charged, until nine months after you cease to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the nursing program. Under certain conditions of advanced professional training or employment, payments may be deferred or canceled.

Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL)

Health Professions Student Loans are low-interest (5 percent), long-term educational loans available to students enrolled full-time in pharmacy. As funding permits, students may borrow an amount equal to the cost of education less other financial aid. You must have submitted parental data on the FAFSA in order to be considered for this program.

If you receive an HPSL, you will not be required to start repaying it, nor will any interest be charged, until 12 months after you cease to be enrolled on a full-time basis as a pharmacy student. Minimum payments will be $40 per month, and the 10-year repayment period may be extended to 25 years under certain circumstances.

Primary Care Loan (PCL)

Primary Care loans are low-interest (5 percent), long-term educational loans available to full-time medical students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and who never have borrowed through the Health Professions Student loan program. In order to receive the loan and qualify for the most favorable repayment terms, borrowers must agree to enter a residency and practice in primary health care. Primary health care areas are defined by the Department of Health and Human Services as family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, preventive medicine, combined medicine/pediatrics, and osteopathic general practice. The maximum annual program award can range up to the cost of education less other financial aid.

If you receive a PCL, you will not be required to start repaying it, nor will any interest be charged until 12 months after you cease to be enrolled on a full-time basis as a medical student. Minimum payments will be $40 per month, and the 10-year repayment period may be extended to 25 years under certain circumstances. You must have submitted parental data on the FAFSA in order to be considered for this program.

Super Primary Care Loan (SPCL)

This is a PCL that is awarded for the sole purpose of repaying a higher interest loan.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students receiving federal financial aid must adhere to the University’s policy on satisfactory academic progress. The intent of this policy is to ensure that students who are receiving federal financial aid for their education are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree within a reasonable period of time.

The University Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee has approved the following standards defining satisfactory progress for students receiving federal student aid at the University of South Carolina Columbia.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students are considered to be making satisfactory progress if they:

1. are admitted and enrolled as degree-seeking students

2. meet University standards for continued enrollment as specified in the University of South Carolina bulletin

3. complete requirements for a degree within a reasonable length of time as specified below:

a. The total number of semesters of full-time enrollment (12 or more semester hours attempted) at any post secondary institution does not exceed 10 semesters for a four-year degree.

b. The total number of semesters of part-time enrollment (less than 12 semester hours attempted) does not exceed the equivalent of 10 full-time semesters for a four-year degree.

4. earn no fewer than 24 semester hours of undergraduate credit per academic year if enrolled as a full-time student or no fewer than 12 semester hours of undergraduate credit per full-time equivalent semester if enrolled as a part-time student

5. maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 after attempting 60 hours of either USC or other school (transfer) course work. 

Students who enroll in summer school in order to resolve deficit hours must notify the financial aid office of their enrollment at the time the summer credit hours are posted to the student’s academic record.

Graduate Students

In other words, any student who accumulates a yearly or cumulative grade point deficit that subjects him or her to suspension; who has been enrolled for more than the equivalent of 10 full-time semesters for a four-year degree program; who does not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 after attempting 60 credit hours; or, who does not earn the minimum number of semester hours required, will become ineligible to receive federal financial aid funds. This determination applies without regard to any financial aid award letter that may have been sent or received prior to the time the determination is made.

A student, whose total number of credit hours earned is within of the minimum number of credit hours required for that student, shall be allowed to receive financial aid for two consecutive semesters following this determination. At the conclusion of this probationary period, the student must meet the University's nonprobationary standards for satisfactory progress in order to receive further financial aid. This probationary standard will never be applied more than once for a student.

Students who are ruled ineligible for further federal financial aid funds may appeal this determination under specifically prescribed conditions. Deadlines for receipt of appeals are 20 days prior to the end of each semester or term. Information concerning the appeal process is available in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. The satisfactory academic progress policy for medical students is available from the USC School of Medicine.

The Satisfactory Academic Progress policy standards will not automatically apply to any hours forgiven under the University of South Carolina's Academic Forgiveness Program. However, a student who has been granted academic forgiveness under the policy must provide sufficient documentation of the forgiveness to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Financial aid funds covered by these standards are:

1. Federal Pell Grants
2. Federal Work-Study
3. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
4. Federal Perkins Loans
5. Federal Stafford Loans, subsidized and unsubsidized
6. Nursing Student Loans and Scholarships
7. Health Professions Loans, Scholarships, and Grants
8. Primary Care Loans (PCL)
9. Federal PLUS Loans
10. some select private loans (as determined by the lender)
11. South Carolina LIFE Scholarships
12. South Carolina Need-Based Grants
13. other federal or state programs as required.

Refunds and Financial Aid

The official University policy and procedure concerning refunding of University tuition and fees which result from withdrawal or reduction in hours is contained in the "Fees and Refunds" section of this bulletin. Students who withdraw or reduce hours may be eligible to receive a refund as provided by the official University policy; however, recipients of financial aid generally do not receive the refund.

When students who are recipients of federal financial aid withdraw from all classes, they are only entitled to retain a percentage of the federal financial aid received that is proportional to the time they remained enrolled. If, for example, a student withdraws after completing 30 percent of the semester or summer term, they can only retain 30 percent of the federal financial aid they received. The balance, 70 percent, must be returned to the financial aid programs. The Office of the Bursar performs this calculation and students are notified by mail of the outcome.

Veterans Benefits

The following policies and procedures are of primary concern to veterans, servicepersons, members of guard and reserve units, and other eligible persons who receive VA educational benefits while enrolled at the University.

Please note: Academic standards of progress and attendance are covered under school standards of progress as specified by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, License Division, and are required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Enrollment Certification

Certification by the University VA certifying official in the Office of Veterans Services, Russell House, Room 316 (telephone 803-777-5156) is required for eligible students who wish to receive VA educational benefit checks. Students must initiate their own requests for enrollment certification. The certifying official will transmit certifications and other forms to the VA only for those students who have made such requests and have completed the necessary paperwork.

Normally, the VA requires that eligible students must have completed full University admissions requirements and matriculation into degree-seeking status before they may receive VA educational benefits. However, those students admitted as "Provisional," "Military Special," or "Transient," or students enrolling for prerequisite courses required for admission into a professional degree program or school may request VA certification if they provide appropriate documentation. VA students in these categories should contact the University Office of Veterans Services for details. In these and all other admissions categories, only the federal VA has the final authority to award or to deny military educational benefits.

Students can best ensure receipt of benefits by informing the school VA office of their intent to register for classes and by supplying the number of credit hours for which they will enroll each semester. Eligible VA students may request certification on an annual basis and should recertify for each new academic year at least 45 days prior to the first day of class of their next semester. However, pursuant to federal law, servicepersons, and VA students who are enrolled for less than one-half time must request certification on a semester-by-semester basis.

Normally, VA payments are authorized only for those courses which are required by the academic department for the student’s current degree program. All students receiving educational benefit checks from the VA are responsible for notifying the Office of Veteran Services of any changes in their degree program and/or course load during a semester, to include drop/add, withdrawal, changing from credit to audit status, or invoking the Pass-Fail option in a course, or enrolling in any distance education course, independent study, internship, or practicum.

Appropriate forms and benefits-related information are available at the Office of Veterans Services. Each student request will be handled individually according to their VA benefit program and enrollment status at the University.

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