Before You Arrive
Welcome to the Carolina Community! As you prepare for your first days as a South Carolina student, find important information and details that'll help you transition to this exciting new phase of life.
Attend New Student Orientation
Join us for an upcoming orientation program to begin your South Carolina academic journey. Access a range of orientation opportunities tailored to students of varying needs, including a dedicated orientation for veterans, active-duty service members or reservists, or explore other orientation programs to find the one that fits your needs.
Understand Cost, Tuition and Financial Aid
South Carolina has been recognized by the Princeton Review and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance as one of the best values in public education. See a rough estimate of the current cost of an education, and learn more about ways you can offset the cost, including scholarships and grants.
Verify Your Residency
Newly admitted first-year students can visit Self Service Carolina and view their Student Profile to check on the status of their residency and citizenship. South Carolina state legislation allows for qualifying veterans, active-duty military members, National Guardsmen, reservists and dependents to be entitled to pay in-state tuition and fee rates without regard to the length of time the covered individual has resided in S.C.
According to SC Code of Laws Section 59-112-50, veterans (and dependents) who are enrolled at S.C. public institutions of higher education and receive education assistance under Chapter 30 , Chapter 33, or Chapter 31, Title 38, of the U. S. Code are entitled to pay in-state tuition and fees without regard to the length of time the covered individual has resided in this state.
For a child dependent whose parent is on active duty outside of South Carolina, that student must be receiving education assistance under Chapter 33, Title 38, of the U. S. Code to be entitled to pay the in-state rate. Once the education assistance has been exhausted, their tuition and fees will be updated to reflect out-of-state residency unless the student has become independent and can claim South Carolina residency on their own.
Who's covered?
- A veteran who served 90 days or longer on active duty in the uniformed service of the United States, their respective reserve forces or the National Guard and who enrolls within three years of discharge
- A person using transferred benefits under Section 3319, Title 38, of the United States Code while the transferor is on active duty in the Uniformed Service of the United States, their respective Reserve forces or the National Guard
- A person who is entitled to and receiving assistance under Section 3311(b)(9), Title 38, of the United States Code.
Veterans In-State Tuition Application
Campus Services
Once you're on campus, here are a few common services you might need to connect with or visit.
Your CarolinaCard is your permanent university ID card plus a flexible-spending, declining balance card. All students and employees of the university are eligible for a CarolinaCard. Register for your card online, replenish cash, replace a lost card and more.
Choose from a variety of easy-to-access, on-campus restaurants that offer diverse dining options and include healthier menus and locally grown produce. Get all the details about university dining services, including restaurants, meals plans and more.
University Housing is committed to creating state-of-the-art facilities that are sustainable, safe, clean and well-maintained in order to enhance student learning beyond the classroom. Get all the details about housing, from residence halls to rates.
Whether you need to register your vehicle, review parking regulations, pay a parking ticket or find the nearest free shuttle, Parking and Transportation Services is standing by to help.
The Student Disability Resource Center coordinates efforts to ensure students with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations. Register with the center in advance if you're planning to request accommodations.