Dear Graduate Student Community: 

Our leadership team in the Office of the Provost and the Graduate School write to inform you that full-time PhD students and graduate assistants (i.e., SGTAs and SGRAs) will receive fully subsidized health insurance beginning fall 2021. We recognize that some graduate students elect to be covered by health insurance associated with family policies instead. These students are free to decline the student health insurance option. 

This investment represents a significant improvement in graduate student support. We would like to thank the school and college deans, the faculty senate, and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) leadership for their contributions and dedication to this issue. This investment is possible because the school and college deans have agreed to commit resources to your care. We will also receive funding from resources dedicated to implementing the university’s strategic plan, which calls for us to improve the graduate student experience in order to attract and retain top graduate students. 

While we are excited about this important upgrade in graduate student support, we remain committed to continuing our pursuit of improving the conditions for graduate students at the University of South Carolina. You represent the best of the best. And we recognize the importance of increasing our investment in your education. 

Sincerely, 

Tracey L. Weldon 
Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Graduate Education (interim) 

William F. Tate IV 
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs