Fees and Refunds

Complete details about fees, payments, tax credits, loans, late changes, and related information may be found at the bursar's Web site, www.sc.edu/bursar. For the complete graduate fee schedule, visit www.sc.edu/bursar/studentfees.html. Tuition and fees are approved by the Board of Trustees and subject to change at any time.

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

• University Housing: www.housing.sc.edu
• Carolina Dining Services: www.sc.edu/dining
• Thomson Student Health Center: www.sa.sc.edu/tshc
• Vehicle Management and Parking Services: www.sc.edu/vmps

Checks, Money Orders, and Credit Cards

The University assesses a credit-card convenience fee for all students paying fees by credit card. If you decide to pay with a credit 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 VIP (Visual Information Processing on the Web at vip.sc.edu) a convenient way to pay, VIP 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 electronic checks and payment by check or money order through the mail.

Resident Status

The University is required by state law to determine the legal resident status of applicants and students.

The initial determination of one’s resident classification is made at the time of admission. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, prevails for each semester until the determination is challenged successfully.

Definitions of Terms

A "resident student" 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 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which resident classification is sought and for whom there is an absence of such evidence in other states or countries. In the instances of dependent students and their families who are citizens or permanent residents, the domicile of the spouse, parent, and/or guardian for at least the 12 months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the term for which resident classification is sought is considered in determining residency status.

"Reside" is defined as continuous and permanent physical presence within the state, provided that temporary absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of a residence. Temporary absences are absences which are 30 days or less. Excluded are absences associated with requirements to complete a degree, absences for military training/services, and like absences, provided South Carolina domicile is maintained. Absences of more than 30 days may affect the establishment or maintenance of residence for fee and tuition purposes. In the instance of dependents, except for nonresident aliens, where the spouse, parent, and/or guardian "reside" is considered in determining resident status.

"Domicile" is defined as true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation, indicating where a person intends to remain, or to where one expects to return when away. Generally, an applicant must be domiciled in South Carolina for 12 months for residency consideration.

"Independent Person" is defined as one in his or her majority (18 years of age or older), whose predominant source of income is his or her own earnings or income from employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, loans, or payments made in accordance with court order. An independent person must provide more than half of his or her support during the 12 months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the semester for which resident status is requested, and the person is not 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.

"Dependent Person" is defined as one whose predominant source of income or support is from payments from a parent, spouse, or guardian and who qualifies and is claimed 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.

"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.

"Immediately Prior" is defined as a period of time not exceeding 90 days and immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term in question.

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

"Nonresident Alien" is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. By virtue of their nonresident status, "nonresident aliens" generally do not have the capacity to establish domicile in South Carolina.

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

Citizens and Permanent Residents

Independent persons who have physically resided and been domiciled in South Carolina for 12 continuous months immediately preceding the date that classes begin for the semester for which resident status is claimed may qualify to pay in-state fees. The 12-month residency period does not start until the independent person begins to take steps which indicate that the independent person intends to establish a permanent home in the state. Absences from the state for more than 30 days during the 12-month period may affect the establishment of permanent residence for fee and tuition purposes. Steps an independent person should take to establish a permanent home in South Carolina are listed in the section entitled "Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary."

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 the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. The residence and domicile of a dependent minor and other dependent persons are presumed to be that of their parent(s), spouse, or guardian(s).

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 supports and/or claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax purposes, or it may be based on the resident status of the parent who has legal custody of the dependent person.

Nonresident Aliens, Noncitizens, and Nonpermanent Residents

Except as otherwise specified, all noncitizens and nonpermanent residents of the United States are assessed tuition fees at the nonresident, out-of-state rate. Independent aliens, including refugees, asylees, and parolees and their dependents, 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 may not be counted toward the 12-month residency period. Certain nonresident aliens present in the United States in specified visa classifications may be granted in-state residency for tuition and fee purposes.

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 purpose of enrollment at the University.

If a person asserts that his or her domicile has been established in South Carolina, the individual has the burden of proof. Such person should provide to residency officials any and all evidence which the person believes satisfies the burden of proof. Residency officials 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, examples of intent to become a South Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not be conclusive, indicia as listed below. The absence of indicia in other states or countries is required before a student is eligible to pay in-state rates. Indicia may include:

1. statement of full-time employment;
2. possession of a valid South Carolina voter registration card and voting in South Carolina elections;
3. designating South Carolina as the state of legal residence on military records;
4. possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license, or if a nondriver, a South Carolina identification card;
5. possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card;
6. continuous presence in South Carolina during periods when not enrolled as a student;
7. paying South Carolina income taxes as a resident during the previous tax year, including income earned outside of South Carolina from the date South Carolina domicile was claimed;
8. ownership of principal residence in South Carolina; and
9. licensing for professional practice (if applicable) in South Carolina.

These indicia will likewise be considered for spouses, parents, and guardians of dependent persons who wish to establish South Carolina domicile. As noted under "Citizens and Permanent Residents," the resident status of a dependent person matches that of the person who provides more than half of the dependent person’s support and claims the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.

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 fee and tuition purposes include: continuing to use a South Carolina permanent address on all records; retaining South Carolina voter’s status; voting by absentee ballot; maintaining South Carolina driver’s license; maintaining a South Carolina vehicle registration; 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 establish South Carolina residence. This includes income earned in another state or country.

South Carolina residents (and their dependents) who serve in the military may continue to be eligible to pay in-state fees as long as they continuously claim South Carolina as their state of legal residence during their military service. South Carolina residents who change their state of legal residence while in the military lose their South Carolina resident status for fee and tuition purposes. To re-establish their South Carolina resident status, such persons must take steps which indicate that they plan to re-establish permanent residence in the state. These persons must then physically reside in the state for 12 continuous months.

Effect of Change of Residency

Any dependent person, except as otherwise excluded, who has been domiciled with his or her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years immediately prior to enrollment at state supported colleges and universities may enroll in those institutions of higher learning at in-state rates and may continue to be enrolled at such rates even if the person upon whom he or she is dependent moves their domicile from this state.

If a dependent or independent person has been domiciled in South Carolina for less than three years, eligibility for in-state rates ends on the last day of the academic session during which domicile is lost.

Effect of Marriage

In ascertaining domicile of a married person, irrespective of gender, such a review is 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 may 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 is 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.

Exclusions

Persons in the following categories may qualify to pay in-state fees without having to establish a permanent home in the state for 12 months. Persons who qualify under any of these categories must meet the conditions of the specific category on or before the first day of classes of the term for which in-state fees is requested.

Military Personnel and their Dependents. Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) who are stationed in South Carolina on active duty may be considered eligible to pay in-state fees. "Armed Forces" mean the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. When such personnel are ordered away from the state, their dependents may continue to pay in-state fees for an additional 12 months. Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in-state fees for a period of 12 months 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 12 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 12-month "physical presence" requirement for them or their dependents to qualify to pay in-state fees.

Faculty and Administrative Employees, and their Dependents. Full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities are eligible to pay in-state fees. Dependents of such persons are also eligible.

Residents with Full-Time Employment and their Dependents. Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are full-time employed in the state and continue to work full-time until they meet the 12-month requirement are eligible to pay in-state fees, provided that they take steps to establish a permanent home in the state (see "Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary"). The dependents of such persons are also eligible.

Full-time employment means employment which consists of at least 37.5 hours a week on a single job in full-time status. However, a person who works less than 37.5 hours a week but receives or is entitled to receive full-time employee benefits may be considered to be employed full-time.

Retired Persons. Retired persons who receive a pension or annuity, who reside in South Carolina, and are domiciled in South Carolina for less than a year may be eligible for in-state rates if they maintain residence and domicile in the state.

Persons on Terminal Leave. Persons on terminal leave who establish 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.

Application for Change of Resident Status

Persons applying for a change in resident classification must complete a residency application and provide supporting documentation at least four to six weeks prior to the start of classes for the semester for which resident status is requested.

The burden of proof is the responsibility of those persons who apply for a change of resident classification. Persons who apply for resident status must show required evidence to document the change in resident status.

All requests for refunds are limited to the current academic year for which the refund is requested. Refunds may be requested any time during the academic year in which the applicable term occurs. Applications for resident status must be completed before the end of the academic year for which a refund is requested. The academic year begins with the fall term and ends with the last summer session.

Incorrect Classification

Persons incorrectly classified as residents are subject to reclassification and to payment of all nonresident 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 the University.

Residents whose resident status changes are responsible for notifying residency officials 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 final decision on resident classification by residency officials, may make an appeal to the University Committee on Legal Residence. The committee, however, is bound by the same laws 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 made by residency officials. Neither the committee nor residency officials may waive the provisions of the law.

Persons who appeal residency decisions must provide a letter to the Legal Residency Office informing the office that they wish 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 qualified to pay in-state fees.

The residency requirements are subject to change without notification.

Academic Fees

Application Fees

Every new graduate student will be charged a nonrefundable application fee of $40. All applications must be accompanied by the application fee. International students pay an enrollment fee of $500.

Matriculation Fee

A nonrefundable matriculation fee of $50 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.

Free Tuition

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. § 59-111-110 (Law Co-op. 1976) No tuition shall 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 fireman, both regularly employed and members of volunteer organized units, organized rescue squad members, members of the Civil Air Patrol, law enforcement officers or correction officers, as defined herein, including reserve and auxiliary units of counties or municipalities, who become totally disabled or are killed in line of duty (on or after July 1, 1964).

2. S.C. Code Ann. § 59-111-320 (Law Co-op Supp. 1984) Legal residents of South Carolina who have attained the age of sixty (60) and meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the University may attend classes for credit or non-credit purposes on a space available basis; provided, however, that neither such persons nor their spouses receive compensation as full-time employees.

Examination Fees

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 The Graduate School. The fee must be paid in advance, and is nonrefundable, once the student is presented to the instructor for the examination.

Refund Policies for Complete Withdrawal

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

A. Changes in a student’s status, which require a refund:

• change in a full-time student’s schedule, which results in reclassification to part-time
  
• change in a part-time student’s schedule, which results in fewer credit hours

B. Situations, which require a refund:

• course or courses dropped
  
• withdrawal from the University
  
• cancellation of a class by the University

Refund Requests

All requests for refunds must be made during the academic year for which the fees were paid. Refunds may be requested at any time during the academic year. The academic year begins with the fall term and ends with the last summer session (Summer II).

Determining the Refundable Portion

The refund is for the portion of the tuition, fees, room, board, and other charges assessed the student equal to the period of enrollment that remains on the withdrawal date, less any unpaid amount of a scheduled payment for the period that the student has been charged.

Withdrawal Refund Policies

Standard Refund Policy

A. 100 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is by the first week of classes of a 16-week session
B. 90 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (A) and on or before the end of the 10 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
C. 70 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (B) and on or before the end of the 16 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
D. 50 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (C) and on or before the end of the 25 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
E. 25 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (D) and on or before the end of the 50 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged

Title IV Funds (Federal Student Aid) Refund Policy

Refund policy for students who have received Title IV funds and withdraw from the University differs from that stated above. 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 a designated 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, all funding received is considered to have been earned. This calculation may have the effect of requiring the student who withdraws before this time to repay funds that have already been disbursed or credited toward the 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 a decision to withdraw from school.

Title IV Refunds Distribution

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 refund that is 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, the University will provide refunds in the order prescribed by federal regulations. With the exception of the Federal Work-Study Program, the institution must return the refund to the appropriate financial aid program up to the amount of assistance that the student received from those programs. Refunds are to be distributed to the financial aid programs in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal PLUS Loans
5. Federal Grants
6. Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Professions Loans
7. State funds
8. Private or institutional scholarships and loans

Any remaining balance will first be used to repay any outstanding University charges and any subsequent balances will be refunded to the student/parents.

Exit interviews are required before leaving the University of South Carolina for all students who withdraw and have received Stafford, Perkins, or Federal Nursing loans. Exit interviews can be completed on the Internet at www.sc.edu/financialaid. Click on "Loan Counseling on the Web" and follow the instructions. Or you may contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 803-777-8134, or the Loan Collection Department of the Bursar’s Office at 803-777-3559 for the Columbia campus. Telephone numbers and referenced offices are different for each campus.

Summer Sessions and Other Shortened Sessions Refund

Procedure for Withdrawal

Adjusted refund schedules are printed in the Master Schedule of Classes and are available in the Office of Financial Services.

A. 100 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is by the end of late registration period
B. 90 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (A) and on or before the end of the 10 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
C. 50 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (B) and on or before the end of the 25 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
D. 40 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (C) and on or before the end of the 36 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
E. 25 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (D) and on or before the end of the 50 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged

Refund Schedules

Refund schedules are available online at registrar.sc.edu/html/calendar/default.stm.

Dropped Courses Refund Procedure

A percentage of fees will be refunded for course(s) dropped within two weeks (fall, spring and summer) after the first official day of classes or within an equivalent period for other sessions. No refunds will be made thereafter.

1. Drops–Fall and Spring Courses

A. 100 percent refund for courses dropped before the end of the late registration period
B. 70 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (A) and on or before the end of the 16 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged

2. Drops–Summer Terms

A. 100 percent refund for courses dropped before the end of the late registration period
B. 40 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (A) and on or before the end of the 36 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged
C. 25 percent refund of the charges if the student’s official withdrawal calculation is between the period specified in (B) and on or before the end of the 50 percent period of enrollment for which the student was charged

3. Other Shortened Sessions

Adjusted refund schedules are available online at registrar.sc.edu/html/calendar/default.stm.

4. Correspondence Course Fees*

Circumstance:

• 100 percent if application is not accepted
• 75 percent if withdrawal is within one month and/or before an assignment has been submitted for grading and correction
• No refund for withdrawal after one month or after an assignment has been submitted for grading and correction

*All requests for refunds must be received in writing before the end of the first month of enrollment.

Appeals Process

A process for appeals exists for students or parents who believe circumstances warrant exceptions from published policy.

A Withdrawal Appeals Committee for each campus reviews and acts on all appeals. Address appeals for the Columbia campus to: Withdrawal Appeals Committee, Office of Student Affairs, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.

Housing Fees

1. Students in the following categories are eligible for refunds in accordance with the terms shown in their Residence Hall contract:

A. newly admitted students who do not attend the University of South Carolina
B. students who graduate from school at the end of the fall semester
C. students who are suspended for academic reasons
D. 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

Students seeking to fully withdraw from the University (drop all classes) during an academic semester must complete a withdrawal form at the Student Development Office, Russell House, West Wing, Room 108, during University business hours, or call 803-777-4333.

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.

It is the responsibility of the Student Development Office to administer the withdrawals process on a daily basis and to apply the published refund schedule to routine withdrawals. On those rare occasions when it can be documented that unanticipated and extenuating circumstances directly related to a student’s withdrawal warrant exceptional consideration, and the amount of the refund due is contested, the Student Development Office will inform the student of the appeal process and advise the student of the necessary procedures.

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 Student Development Office and will be considered only in written form. A standardized appeal form must be submitted.

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 Student Development Office.