Your eligibility for these programs is based on the type of position you hold. Eligible faculty and staff in full-time equivalent (FTE), research grant (RGP) and time-limited (TL) positions may apply for tuition assistance if they work at least thirty hours per week and have completed 6 months of employment with the University of South Carolina. Temporary employees are not eligible for tuition assistance. Please contact your HR representative, if you need clarification on the type of position you occupy.

The Tuition Assistance Program is strictly for eligible faculty and staff and cannot be transferred to children or spouses.

You must first apply for admission to the University of South Carolina, either through a specific degree program, or as a non-degree seeking student. If you were previously a student at USC, you must ensure that your residency reflects South Carolina. Once you have been admitted to the university, you are ready to register for classes through the Self Service Carolina (SSC) system. You must register for classes prior to applying for tuition assistance because a class must be in your account to apply for tuition credit.

To apply for tuition assistance,
1. You must submit an automated request through the Employee Self Service in HCM Peoplesoft. Central HR is removed from the approval process.
2. Once you submit the request, the eform will be routed to your supervisor for approval. If the request is not recycled back to you or approved within a five-day period, the eform will automatically be forwarded to the respective college/division/campus human resources office for further approval.
3. Subsequently, the request will progress to the appropriate campus Bursar for final approval.
Automated notifications are sent to all parties involved as the eform progresses through the approval process.

Employees are limited to four three credit hour courses (four hours in the case of lab courses) per academic year or the equivalent. The academic year runs from August through July.  You and your supervisor must determine how to best allocate classes throughout the academic year.

All credit hour courses offered through the University of South Carolina are eligible for tuition assistance. Classes offered online, through regional campuses, during the summer semesters, and through Graduation and Retention Network (GarNET) are also eligible. Classes such as the GRE/GMAT preparatory courses or non-credit certificate courses are not eligible for tuition assistance or reimbursement. The Tuition Assistance Program cannot be transferred to any other higher education institution.

The application fee for applying for admission to the University of South Carolina is waived for Tuition Assistance Program participants. The Tuition Assistance Program covers the cost of tuition for up to four eligible classes per academic year. However, you are responsible for paying for books, or any other technology, foreign language or other course specific fees each semester. You can view your statement and make any necessary payments through Self Service Carolina (SSC). 

Once you submit the request, the eform will be routed to your supervisor for approval. If the request is not recycled back to you or approved within a five-day period, the eform will automatically be forwarded to the respective college/division/campus human resources office for further approval.

Automated notifications are sent to all parties involved as the eform progresses through the approval process.

You can check to see if the credit has been applied to your account through the Self Service Carolina (SSC) account summary.

If you have questions regarding the Tuition Assistance Program, contact HR Operations and Services at 803-777-6650. If you have questions regarding the use of financial aid with your tuition assistance, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at 803-777-8134. If you have questions regarding fee payment, contact the Bursar’s Office at 803-777-4233.

You are not permitted to hold a graduate assistantship and a faculty or staff position. You need to choose between the combination of University of South Carolina employment and classes or the combination of assistantship and classes.

Faculty or staff employment will always be your primary affiliation with the University followed by secondary affiliation as a student with the University.