Late registration service charge

Registration for classes is scheduled for specific days, and specific procedures are outlined by the University Registrar to avoid the problems incident to late registration.  A student has not completed registration until all required steps have been taken, including payment of tuition and fees.  Any student failing to complete registration on the published deadline dates will incur a late enrollment charge of $75.00.

Loans

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers federal financial aid for graduate students.  Graduate students may borrow $20,500 ($8,500 subsidized and $12,000 unsubsidized) per year.  However, graduate assistants are eligible for only $13,000 (approximately) per academic year due to their tuition waiver.  Because students may not borrow more than the cost of attendance for Clemson University, they may not qualify for the federal loan maximums.  Aggregate loan limits are the maximum amounts students can borrow during their entire college career.  Graduate students may borrow up to $138,500.  Those who exceed this limit become ineligible for any type of federal aid, so students are urged to carefully monitor their overall indebtedness.  

Procedure for student:  To apply for loans (except the emergency international student loan), students must complete the FAFSA form, available from the Office of Financial Aid.  April 1 is the suggested deadline.  Students may review their borrowing history at www.nslds.ed.gov.  The federal PIN number is required.  

Loans, default

Graduate students who are employed in programs administered directly or indirectly by Clemson University and are found to be in default on payments of student loans may be subject to wage withholding (garnishment) according to Legislative Authority P.L. 102-164; To U.S. C. S1095A et. seg.

Loans, eligibility

To qualify for loans, graduate students must be enrolled in at least five credits in a regular semester (fall or spring) and three credits for the summer in any combination of enrollments (Summer Sessions I and II and Maymester).

Loans, emergency

International students facing dire financial circumstances may be eligible for short-term emergency loans.  The emergency loan fund is administered by the Office of Financial Aid.  For information and assistance, international students should contact Louis Bregger, Director of International Student Programs, in the Gantt Intercultural Center, 214 Hendrix Student Center.

Past due accounts

Any indebtedness to the University which becomes past due immediately jeopardizes the student’s enrollment, and no such student will be permitted to enroll for an ensuing semester or summer term.  Billing fees and/or collection costs may be added to the indebtedness.  Further, any student who fails to pay all indebtedness to the University, including collection costs, may not be issued a transcript or diploma.  Unresolved debts may be turned over to a collection agency, reported to a credit bureau, and deducted from state income tax refunds.  Debts include but are not limited to, parking violations, library fines, rent, academic fees, and others.

Paw Points

Paw Points is a prepaid declining-balance account that allows students to make purchases at all on-campus dining services and convenience store locations.  Students get a 5% discount when $100 worth of Paw Points are purchased.  In addition, students receive a 6% tax exemption at all dining services locations on campus.  To establish a Paw Points account, an initial deposit of $50 or more at the Tiger 1 Card Office in Fike Recreation Center is required.  For additional information, contact the Tiger 1 Card Office at (864) 656-0763 or Dining Services at (864) 656-2164.

Paying by check

If a check is mailed to Clemson University for payment on any account, it may be converted into an electronic funds transfer (EFT).  This means a copy of the check will be made and the account information will be used to debit the bank account electronically for the amount of the check.  The debit from the bank account will usually occur within 24 hours and will be shown on the drawer’s bank account statement.

The original check will not be returned to the drawer.  It will be destroyed, but University Revenue and Receivables will retain a copy of it.  If the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, the drawer authorizes the University to process the copy in place of the original check.  If the EFT cannot be completed due to insufficient funds, the University may try twice more to make the transfer.  A returned item fee of $25 will be charged and collected by EFT.

Refunds, academic tuition and fees

Refunds may be processed for students withdrawing from the University, full-time students dropping to part-time or for part-time students dropping credit hours.  No refunds will be made on a semester’s tuition and fees after four weeks from the last day to register.  In the case of withdrawal from the University, refunds will be based on the effective date of the withdrawal.  Backdating of withdrawals will not be allowed.  Medical withdrawals must be requested prior to the end of the term.  In the case of withdrawal from a course, refunds will be based on the date the student drops the course using the on-line registration system.

To be eligible for a refund, the student’s request must be received by University Revenue and Receivables prior to the beginning of the next fall/spring semester or subsequent summer term.  Beginning with the day following the last day to register, refunds for periods of four weeks or less during fall/spring semester shall be made based on the University’s refund chart, which can be found at www.clemson.edu/receivables/studentaccts.htm.  Select “Refund Policy” to access the chart.

Students receiving Title IV financial aid follow a different policy.  Contact University Revenue and Receivables, G-08 Sikes Hall, (864) 656-5592, for details.

Refunds, dining services fees

Meal plans cancelled for any reason after service of the first meal will result in a refund of advance payment, minus a $35 termination charge and a weekly charge for meals available.  The meals available charge applies to the meals that have been served, not those that have been eaten by the individual student.  The Paw Points associated with the Plus plans are not refundable; however, they do carry forward to the next semester (see “Paw Points”).  No changes, meal plan cancellations, or refunds will be made during the last six weeks of a semester.  Requests for refunds may be made at the Tiger 1 Card Office located at 104 Fike Recreation Center.  Students will be responsible for all service charges related to changes or termination of a meal plan.

Refunds, housing fees

Cancellation of the contract prior to the start of the academic year for all new students:  July 31 – if cancellation request is received by the Housing Office on or before this date, the contract is cancelled with no additional charge.

Cancellation of the contract prior to the start of the academic year for all continuing students and former students returning:  April 15 – if cancellation request is received by the Housing Office on or before this date, the contract is cancelled without charge; April 16-May 15 – if cancellation request is received by the Housing Office on or between these dates, the contract is cancelled, and a $150 contract cancellation charge is placed on the student’s University account; May 16-June 15 – if cancellation request is received by the Housing Office on or between these dates, the contract is cancelled, and a $300 contract cancellation charge is placed on the student’s University account; June 16-July 31 – if cancellation request is received by the Housing Office on or between these dates, the contract is cancelled, and a $500 contract cancellation charge is placed on the student’s University account; July 31 – after this date, the contract is binding, and the student is obligated to pay the entire academic year’s rent unless he/she fails to enroll.  Students who sign contracts after July 31, are obligated to pay the entire academic year’s rent unless they fail to enroll.  In all cases where the student fails to enroll, a $150 contract cancellation charge is placed on the student’s University account.  If a student’s plans change and he/she re-enrolls after canceling, the full rental charge will be added back to the student’s account.  The $150 cancellation charge is waived only in cases where the University denies readmission.

Cancellation of the contract after the start of each semester of the academic year:  (a) The contract may be terminated after the start of each semester for the following reasons:  withdrawal from school, marriage (no more than four weeks prior to the wedding date), or circumstances determined by the University to be sufficiently extenuating as to warrant cancellation.  Documentary evidence will be required. (b) Any student qualifying for cancellation under paragraph (a) above will have his/her bill adjusted to show a prorated housing charge based on the number of days of the semester that housing is held in reservation for the student or $150, whichever is greater. (c) In cases where neither (a) nor (b) above applies, the student may “buy out” his/her contract by paying a prorated housing charge based on the number of days of the semester that housing is held in reservation for the student plus one-half (50%) of all time remaining in the total contract period.

Cancellation of the contract at the end of the first semester:  (a) The contract may be terminated at the end of the first semester without penalty for the following reasons:  graduation, withdrawal from school, ineligibility to continue enrollment due to a failure to meet academic requirements, completion of graduate requirements, failure to enroll a second semester, or participation during the second semester in anything required by the University that takes the student away from the main campus.  (b) The contract may be cancelled at the end of the first semester with a $150 contract cancellation charge for the following reasons:  marriage or circumstances determined by the University to be sufficiently extenuating as to warrant cancellation.  Documentary evidence will be required.  (c)  In cases where neither (a) nor (b) above applied, the contract may also be cancelled at the end of the first semester by paying  “buyout” charge equal to 50% of the first semester’s rental fee.

Proper notice of cancellation request: Students wishing to request cancellation of this contract must do so by meeting in person with housing staff located at 200 Mell Hall.

Refunds, Tiger Stripe account

Balances greater than $5 will be refunded.  Any indebtedness to the University will be deducted from refunds.  All graduating students will be required to request a refund through the Tiger 1 web site (www.tiger1.clemson.edu) two weeks prior to graduation.  Any graduate student account that remains dormant for 18 months or longer will have the balance transferred to the University graduate fellowship account.  For more information, call (864) 656-0763.

Resident tuition and fees, appeals

Students may appeal determinations of non-residency.  Students wishing to appeal a determination regarding residency should contact the residency official in the Office of Financial Aid, G01 Sikes Hall; (864) 656-2280.  The residency official is Jennifer A. Williams.

Resident tuition and fees, application for resident status

Any graduate student or prospective student whose status concerning entitlement to payment of in-state tuition and fees is uncertain has the responsibility of securing a ruling from the University by providing all relevant information on special application forms.  Students interested in applying for residency and therefore receiving resident tuition may submit an application on-line at www.clemson.edu/finaid at least two weeks prior to the semester in which resident tuition is desired.

Resident tuition and fees, entitlement

Eligibility for payment of in-state tuition and fees shall be determined under the provisions of Sections 59-112-10 through 59-112-100, South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended.  This law is set forth in its entirety as follows (subject to further amendment by the General Assembly).

Resident tuition and fees, statutes

59-112-10—Definitions­. As used in this chapter:

    A. The words “State Institution” shall mean those post-secondary educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the following: (1) Board of Trustees, Clemson University; (2) Board of Trustees, Medical University of South Carolina; (3) Board of Trustees, South Carolina State College; (4) State College Board of Trustees; (5) Board of Visitors, The Citadel; (6) Board of Trustees, University of South Carolina; (7) Board of Trustees, Winthrop College; and (8) State Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education.

    B. The word “student” shall mean any person enrolled for studies in any state institution.

    C. The word “residence” or “reside” shall mean continuous and permanent physical presence within this State, provided, that temporary absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of a residence.

    D. The word “domicile” shall mean a person’s true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation; it shall indicate the place where such person intends to remain, and to which such person expects to return upon leaving without establishing a new domicile in another state. For purposes of this section one may have only one legal domicile; one is presumed to abandon automatically an old domicile upon establishing a new one. Housing provided on an academic session basis for students at State institutions shall be presumed not to be a place of principal residence, as residency in such housing is by nature temporary.

    E. The words “in-state rates” shall mean charges for tuition and fees established by State Institutions for persons who are domiciled in South Carolina in accordance with this act; the words “out-of-state rates” shall mean charges for tuition and fees established by State Institutions for persons who are not domiciled in South Carolina in accordance with this act.

    F. The words “independent person” shall mean a person in his majority, or an emancipated minor, whose predominant source of income is his own earnings or income from employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, loans, or payments of alimony or separate maintenance made pursuant to court order.

    G. The words “dependent” or “dependent person” mean: (1) one whose financial support is provided not through his own earnings or entitlements, but whose predominant source of income or support is payments from a parent, spouse, or guardian, and who qualifies as a dependent or an exemption on the federal tax return of the parent, spouse, or guardian; or (2) one for whom payments are made, under court order, for child support and the cost of his college education by an independent person meeting the provisions of Section 59-112-20 A or B. However, the words “dependent” or “dependent person” do not include a spouse or former spouse who is the recipient of alimony or separate maintenance payments made pursuant to court order.

    H. The word “minor” shall mean a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years; and the words “emancipated minor” shall mean a minor whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody and earnings of such minor and are no longer under any legal obligation to support or maintain such minor.

    I. The word “parent” shall mean a person’s natural or adoptive father or mother; or if one parent has custody of the child, the parent having custody; or if there is a guardian or other legal custodian of such person, then such guardian or legal custodian; provided, however, that where circumstances indicate that such guardianship or custodianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee purposes on such child or dependent person, it shall not be given such effect.

    J. The word “spouse” shall mean the husband or wife of a married person.

 59-112-20—South Carolina Domicile Defined for Purposes of Rates of Tuition and Fees. South Carolina Domicile for tuition and fee purposes shall be established as follows in determinations of rates of tuition and fees to be paid by students entering or attending State Institutions:

    A. Independent persons who reside in and have been domiciled in South Carolina for a period of no less than twelve months with an intention of making a permanent home herein, and their dependents, may be considered eligible for in-state rates.

    B. Independent persons who reside in and have been domiciled in South Carolina for fewer than twelve months but who have full-time employment in the State, and their dependents, may be considered eligible for in-state rates for as long as such independent person is employed on a full-time basis in the State.

    C. Where an independent person meeting the provisions of Section 59-112-20 B above, is living apart from his spouse, or where such person and his spouse are separated or divorced, the spouse and dependents of such independent person shall have domiciliary status for tuition and fee purposes only under the following circumstances: (1) if the spouse requesting domiciliary status for tuition and fee purposes remains domiciled in South Carolina although living apart or separated from his or her employed spouse, (2) if the dependent requesting domiciliary status for tuition and fee purposes is under the legal custody or guardianship, as defined in Section 59-112-10I above, of an independent person who is domiciled in this State; or if such dependent is claimed as an income tax exemption by the parent not having legal custody but paying child-support, so long as either parent remains domiciled in South Carolina.

    D. The residence and domicile of a dependent minor shall be presumed to be that of the parent of such dependent minor.

59-112-30—Effect of Change of Residency. When the domicile of a student or of the person upon whom a student is financially dependent changes after enrollment at a State Institution, tuition charges shall be adjusted as follows:

    A. Except as provided in Section 59-112-20B above, when domicile is taken in South Carolina, a student shall not become eligible for in-state rates until the beginning of the next academic session after expiration of twelve months from date of domicile in this State.

    B. When South Carolina domicile is lost, eligibility for in-state rates shall end on the last day of the academic session in which the loss occurs; however, application of this subsection shall be at the discretion of the institution involved.

    C. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, any dependent person who has been domiciled with his family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years immediately prior to his enrollment may enroll in a state-supported institution of higher learning at the in-state rate and may continue to be enrolled at such rate even if the parent, spouse, or guardian upon whom he is dependent moves his domicile from this State.

59-112-40—Effect of Marriage. Except as provided in Section 59-112-20 above, marriage shall affect determinations of domicile for tuition and fee purposes only insofar as it operates to evince an intention by the parties to make a permanent home in South Carolina.

59-112-50—Military Personnel and Their Dependents. Notwithstanding other provisions of this act, during the period of their assignment to duty in South Carolina members of the armed services of the United States stationed in South Carolina and their dependents may be considered eligible for in-state rates. When such armed service personnel are ordered away from the State, their dependents may continue for an additional twelve months to have this eligibility at the State Institutions where they are enrolled at the time such assignment ends. Such persons and their dependents may be considered eligible for in-state rates for a period of twelve months after their discharge from the armed services even though they were not enrolled at a State Institution at the time of their discharge, if they have evinced an intent to establish domicile in South Carolina and if they have resided in South Carolina for a period of at least twelve months immediately preceding their discharge.

59-112-60—Faculty, Administrative Employees and Dependents Thereof. Full-time faculty and administrative employees of State Institutions, and the spouses and children of such persons, shall be excluded from the provision of this act.

59-112-70—Abatement of Rates for Nonresidents on Scholarship. Notwithstanding other provisions of this act, the governing boards listed in Section 59-112-10A above, are authorized to adopt policies for the abatement of any part or all of the out-of-state rates for students who are recipients of scholarship aid.

59-112-80—Administration of Chapter; Burden of Proving Eligibility of Students. Each State Institution shall designate an official to administer the provisions of this act. Students making application to pay tuition and fees at in-state rates shall have the burden of proving to the satisfaction of the aforesaid officials of State Institutions that they have fulfilled the requirements of this act before they shall be permitted to pay tuition and fees at such rate.

59-112-90—Penalties for Willful Misrepresentation. Where it appears to the satisfaction of officials charged with administration of these provisions that a person has gained domiciliary status improperly by making or presenting willful misrepresentations of fact, such persons should be charged tuition and fees past due and unpaid at the out-of-state rate, plus interest at a rate of eight percent per annum, plus a penalty amounting to twenty-five percent of the out-of-state rate for one semester; and until these charges have been paid no such student shall be allowed to receive transcripts or graduate from any State Institution.

59-112-100—Regulations. The Commission on Higher Education may prescribe uniform regulations for application of the provisions of this act and may provide for annual review of such regulations.

ARTICLE V

Determination of Rates of Tuition and Fees

(Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 59-112-10 to 59-112-100)

62-600—Rates of Tuition and Fees.

    A. Resident classification is an essential part of fee determination, admission regulations, scholarship eligibility, and other relevant policies of the state. It is important that such institutions have fair and equitable regulations which can be administered consistently and are sensitive to the interests of both students and the State. The Commission on Higher Education hereby establishes regulations for the Statute Governing Residency and Tuition for Fee Purposes to be applied consistently by all South Carolina institutions of higher education. These regulations do not address residency matters relating to in-county categories used within the State’s technical colleges.

     B. Institutions of higher education are required by the Statute to determine the residence classification of applicants. The initial determination of one’s resident status is made at the time of admission. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter prevails for each subsequent semester until information becomes available that would impact the existing residency status and the determination is successfully challenged. The burden of proof rests with the student to show evidence as deemed necessary to establish and maintain their residency status.

62-601—Code of Laws Governing Residence. [SC ADC 62-601]

Rules regarding the establishment of legal residence for tuition and fee purposes for institutions of higher education are governed by Title 59, Chapter 112 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

62-602—Definitions. [SC ADC 62-602]

    A. “Academic Session” is defined as a term or semester of enrollment. (62-607.B)

    B. “Continue to be Enrolled” is defined as continuous enrollment without an interruption that would require the student to pursue a formal process of readmission to that institution. Formal petitions or applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions. (62-607.A)

    C. “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 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. A dependent person’s residency is based upon the residency of the person upon whom they are dependent. (62-602.G) (62-602.N) (62-603.B) (62-605.C) (62-607.A)

    D. “Domicile” is defined as the true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation. It shall indicate the place where a person intends to remain, or to where one expects to return upon leaving without establishing a new domicile in another state. For purposes of this section, one may have only one legal domicile. One is presumed to abandon automatically an old domicile upon establishing a new one. Housing provided on an academic session basis for student at institutions shall be presumed not to be a place of principal residence, as residency in such housing is by its nature temporary. (62-602.E) (62-602.K) (62-602.M) (62-602.N) (62-603.A) (69.603.B) (62-605.B) (62-605.C) (62-607.A) (62-607.B) (62-608.A) (62-608.C) (62-608.D) (62-609.A.3) (62-609.A.4)

    E. “Family’s Domicile in this State is Terminated” is defined as an employer-directed transfer of the person upon whom the student is dependent and is not considered to mean a voluntary change in domicile. Also included is a relocation of the person upon whom the student is dependent who is laid off through no fault of his own (e.g., plant closure, downsizing, etc.) who accepts employment in another state prior to relocating. (62-607.A)

    F. “Full-time employment” is defined as employment that consists of at least thirty-seven and one-half hours a week on a single job in a full-time status. However, a person who works less than thirty-seven and one-half hours a week but receives or is entitled to receive full-time employee benefits shall be considered to be employed full-time if such status is verified by the employer. A person who meets the eligibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act must satisfy their prescribed employment specifications in order to qualify as having full-time employment. (62-605.C.1) (62-609.A.2) (62-609.A.3)

    G. “Guardian” is defined as one legally responsible for the care and management of the person or property of a minor child or one qualified to claim a dependent person based upon the five tests for dependency prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service; provided, however, that where circumstances indicate that such guardianship or custodianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee purposes on such child or dependent person, it shall not be given such effect. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I) (62-602.M) (62-603.B) (62-605.C)

    H. “Immediately Prior” is defined as the period of time between the offer of admission and the first day of class of the term for which the offer was made, not to exceed one calendar year. (62-607.A)

    I. “Independent Person” is defined as one in his/her majority (eighteen years of age or older) or an emancipated minor, whose predominant source of income is his/her own earnings or income from employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, commercial loans, or payments made in accordance with court order. An independent person must provide more than half of his or her support during the twelve months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the semester for which resident status is requested. An independent person cannot 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. (62-602.N) (62-603.A) (62-605.C) (62-607.B) (62-608.B)

    J. “Minor” is defined as a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years. An “emancipated minor” shall mean a minor whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody and earnings of such minor and are no longer under any legal obligation to support or maintain such minor. (62-602.G)

    K. “Non-resident Alien” is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. By virtue of their non-resident status “non-resident aliens” generally do not have the capacity to establish domicile in South Carolina. (62-602.M) (62-604.A)

    L. “Parent” is defined as the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, foster parent or parent of a legally adopted child. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I) (62-602.J) (62-602.M) (62-603.B) (62-603.C) (62-605.C)

    M. “Reside” is defined as continuous and permanent physical presence within the State, provided that absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of residence. Excluded are absences associated with requirements to complete a degree, absences for military training service, and like absences, provided South Carolina domicile is maintained. (62-603.A) (62-606.B) (62-609.A) (62-609.A.3) (62-609.A.4) (62-609.B)

    N. “Resident” 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 twelve months immediately preceding the first day of class of the term for which resident classification is sought and for whom there is an absence of domiciliary evidence in other states or countries, not withstanding other provisions of the Statute. (62-600.A) (62-600.B) (62-602.I) (62-602.K) (62-602.M) (62-603.A) (62-603.B) (62-603.C) (62-604.A) (62-605.A) (62-605.C) (62-605.C.7) (62-606.A) (62-606.A.5) (62-606.B) (62-607.A) (62-608.B) (62-609.A.3) (62-610.A) (62-610.B) (62-611.A) (62-611.B)

    O. “Spouse” is defined as the husband or wife of a married person in accordance with Title 20, Chapter 1 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I) (62-602.M) (62-603.B) (62-605.C)

    P. “Temporary Absence” is defined as a break in enrollment during a fall or spring semester (or its equivalent) during which a student is not registered for class. (62-606.A)

    Q. “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. (62-609.A.4)

    R. “United States Armed Forces” is defined as the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. (62-606.B) (62-609.A(1))

62-603—Citizens and Permanent Residents. [SC ADC 62-603]

    A. Independent persons who have physically resided and been domiciled in South Carolina for twelve continuous months immediately preceding the date the classes begin for the semester for which resident status is claimed may qualify to pay in-state tuition and fees. The twelve-month residency period starts when the independent person establishes the intent to become a South Carolina resident per section 62-605 entitled “Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary.” Absences from the State during the twelve-month period may affect the establishment of permanent residence for tuition and fee purposes.

    B. 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 or qualifies to claim the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. Thus, the residence and domicile of a dependent person shall be presumed to be that of their parent, spouse, or guardian.

    C. 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 claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax purposes; or based on the resident status of the parent who has legal custody or legal joint custody of the dependent person; or based on the resident status of the person who makes payments under a court order for child support and at least the cost of his/her college tuition and fees.

62-604—Non-Resident Aliens, Non-Citizens, and Non-Permanent Residents. [SC ADC 62-604]

    A. Except as otherwise specified in this section or as provided in section 62-609 (1) and (2), independent non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the United States will be assessed tuition and fees at the non-resident, out-of-state rate. Independent non-resident aliens, including refugees, asylees, and parolees 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 does not count toward the twelve month residency period. Certain non-resident aliens present in the United States in specified visa classification are eligible to receive in-state residency status for tuition and fee purposes as prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education. They are not, however, eligible to receive state sponsored tuition assistance/scholarships.

    B. Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) serves as the primary resource for defining visa categories.

62-605—Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary. [SC ADC 62-605]

    A. Resident status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in South Carolina for the sole purpose of enrollment in an institution or for access to state-supported programs designed to serve South Carolina residents.

    B. If a person asserts that his/her domicile has been established in this State, the individual has the burden of proof. Such persons should provide to the designated residency official of the institution to which they are applying any and all evidence the person believes satisfies the burden of proof. The residency official 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.

    C. For independent persons or the parent, spouse, or guardian of dependent persons, examples of intent to become a South Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not be conclusive, the following indicia:

(1) Statement of full-time employment;

(2) Possession of a valid South Carolina voter registration card;

(3) Designating South Carolina as state of legal residence on military record;

(4) Possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license or, if a non-driver, a South Carolina identification card. Failure to obtain this within 90 days of the establishment of the intent to become a South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility.

(5) Possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card. Failure to obtain this within 45 days of the establishment of the intent to become a South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility.

(6) Maintenance of domicile in South Carolina;

(7) Paying South Carolina income taxes as a resident during the past 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.

    D. The absence of indicia in other states or countries is required before the student is eligible to pay in-state rates.

62-606—Maintaining Residence. [SC ADC 62-606]

    A. 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 tuition and fee purposes include:

(1) Continuing to use a South Carolina permanent address on all records;

(2) Retaining South Carolina voter’s status;

(3) Maintaining South Carolina driver’s license;

(4) Maintaining South Carolina vehicle registration;

(5) 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 established South Carolina residence. This includes income earned in another state or country.

    B. Active duty members of the United States Armed Forces and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees as long as they continuously claim South Carolina as their state of legal residence during their military service. Documentation will be required in all cases to support this claim. South Carolina residents who change their state of legal residence while in the military lose their South Carolina resident status for tuition and fee purposes.

62-607—Effect of Change of Residency. [SC ADC 62-607]

    A. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any dependent person of a legal resident of this state who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years and whose family’s domicile in this state is terminated immediately prior to his/her enrollment may enroll at the in-state rate. A student must continue to be enrolled and registered for classes (excluding summers) in order to maintain eligibility to pay in-state rates in subsequent semesters. Transfers within or between South Carolina colleges and universities of a student seeking a certificate, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level degree does not constitute a break in enrollment.

    B. If a dependent or independent person has been domiciled in South Carolina for less than three years, eligibility for in-state rates shall end on the last day of the academic session during which domicile is lost. Application of this provision shall be at the discretion of the institution involved. However, a student must continue to be enrolled and registered for classes (excluding summers) in order to maintain eligibility to pay in-state rates in subsequent semesters.

62-608—Effect of Marriage. [SC ADC 62-608]

    A. In ascertaining domicile of a married person, irrespective of gender, such a review shall be determined just as for an unmarried person by reference to all relevant evidence of domiciliary intent.

    B. If a non-resident marries a South Carolina resident, the non-resident does not automatically acquire South Carolina resident status. The non-resident may acquire South Carolina resident status if the South Carolina resident is an independent person and the non-resident is a dependent of the South Carolina resident.

    C. Marriage to a person domiciled outside South Carolina shall 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.

    D. No person shall be 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.

62-609—Exceptions­­. [SC ADC 62-609]

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

(1) “Military Personnel and their Dependents”: Members of the United States Armed Forces who are permanently assigned in South Carolina on active duty and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees. When such personnel are transferred from the State, their dependents may continue to pay in-state tuition and fees for an additional twelve months. Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees for a period of twelve 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 twelve 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 twelve month “physical presence” requirement for them or their dependents to qualify to pay in-state tuition and fees.

(2) “Faculty and Administrative Employees with Full-Time Employment and their Dependents”: Full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees.

(3) “Residents with Full-Time Employment and their Dependents:” Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are full-time employed in the State and who continue to work full-time until they meet the twelve-month requirement and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees, provided that they have taken steps to establish a permanent home in the State. Steps an independent person must take to establish residency in South Carolina are listed in section 62-605 entitled (“Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary”).

(4) “Retired Persons and their Dependents:” Retired persons who are receiving a pension or annuity who reside in South Carolina and have been domiciled in South Carolina as prescribed in the Statute for less than a year may be eligible for in-state rates if they maintain residence and domicile in this State. Persons on terminal leave who have established 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. The evidence should show beginning and ending dates for the terminal leave period and that the person will receive a pension or annuity when he/she retires.

    B. South Carolina residents who wish to participate in the Contract for Services Program sponsored by the Southern Regional Education Board must have continuously resided in the State for other than educational purposes for at least two years immediately preceding application for consideration and must meet all residency requirements during this two-year period.

62-610—Application for Change of Resident Status. [SC ADC 62-610]

    A. Persons applying for a change of resident classification must complete a residency application/petition and provide supporting documentation prior to a reclassification deadline as established by the institution.

    B. The burden of proof rests with those persons applying for a change of resident classification who must show required evidence to document the change in resident status.

62-611—Incorrect Classification. [SC ADC 62-611]

    A. Persons incorrectly classified as residents are subject to reclassification and to payment of all non-resident tuition and 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 a South Carolina institution.

    B. Residents whose resident status changes are responsible for notifying the Residency Official of the institution attended of such changes.

62-612—Inquiries and Appeals. [SC ADC 62-612]

    A. Inquiries regarding residency requirements and determinations should be directed to the institutional residency official.

    B. Each institution will develop an appeals process to accommodate persons wishing to appeal residency determinations made by the institution’s residency official. Neither the primary residency official nor appellate official(s) may waive the provisions of the Statute or regulation governing residency for tuition and fee purposes.

Returned checks, EFT’s and credit card payments

A check, EFT, or credit card given in payment of University expenses that is returned unpaid by the bank creates an indebtedness to the University.  University Revenue and Receivables administers matters relating to the collection of all returned checks.  University Revenue and Receivables will re-present returned items for payment of academic fees.  A $25 fee will be charged for each returned item.  If a check is returned or dishonored for any reason, the student’s account may be debited electronically for the amount of the check plus the $25 returned item fee.  Abuse of check payment privileges may result in the restriction of such privileges for an indefinite period of time based on the frequency and/or dollar amount, as determined by University Revenue and Receivables.

Students with returned items for payment of academic fees are also subject to a late payment fee of $5 per calendar day, not to exceed $350, beginning on the last day of late registration.  If the item is returned to the University in a timely manner with no response from the student or drawer, a written request to disenroll the student is made to the Registrar.  If the request is approved, the percentage of refund will be applied to the debt.  If the item is returned after the mid-point of the semester with no response, a decision will be made by the Director of University Revenue and Receivables and the Registrar as to the effect of disenrollment.  The University may restrict subsequent payment for academic and other fees by accepting only cash, certified checks, or money orders.

Any individual who uses a two-party check for payment of University expenses will be held responsible for that check if it is returned unpaid by the bank.  Items used as payment for various University services such as meal plans, housing, etc., that are later returned unpaid by the bank, give the University the right to cancel such services and cause forfeiture of any refund.

Any returned items not collected by the above procedures may be turned over to a collection agency and the indebtedness reported to a credit bureau.  All collection costs will be added to the debt.  Transcripts and diplomas will be withheld pending payment, and the debt may be deducted from state income tax refunds.

Tiger Stripe account

The Tiger Stripe account is equivalent to a prepaid debit card.  Under this program, funds are deposited into the account along with payments of fees through TigerWeb (sis.tigerweb.clemson.edu).  As items are purchased from over 200 locations that accept Tiger Stripe, both on and off-campus, the amount spent is deducted from the account balance.  Additional funds may be added to the account via the on-line card office.  Students may also pay in person at the Tiger 1 Card Office in 104 Fike Recreation Center with cash, check, or credit card; or students may call the office at (864) 656-0763 to deposit funds with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover.  Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Tiger Stripe cannot be used for the payment of tuition.  Transactions are limited to $250 per day in the University Revenue and Receivables Office for the payment of incidental fees.  Credit balances at the end of each semester will carry forward to the next term.  Tiger Stripe accounts are non-refundable except for students withdrawing.

Traineeships

The term “traineeship” is used to designate monetary awards made to the University for disbursement to students enrolled in designated programs.  For a monetary award to be designated a traineeship, it must provide the recipient a minimum of $1,000 for the academic year.  Normally a student cannot hold concurrently two or more fellowships or traineeships (or the equivalent) administered by the University, regardless of the funding sources. Traineeship recipients are eligible for appointment as departmental graduate assistants.  For students simultaneously holding fellowships or traineeships and assistantships, the fee structure for assistantships prevails. Continued receipt of a traineeship is contingent on the student’s maintaining a satisfactory academic status.  Traineeships may be withdrawn at any time for failure to maintain a satisfactory academic status including grades, special examinations and research efforts.

Detailed information is available from the colleges or academic departments.  

Currently, the nursing program at Clemson is the only graduate program in which a traineeship is established.  A grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services provides funds to Clemson’s Department of Nursing to administer the Advanced Education Nursing Traineeship Program which helps to pay all or part of tuition, books and fees of a graduate nursing education program.  Eligible students must be full-time (enrolled in nine credit hours with an assistantship or 12 credit hours without an assistantship), have worked in or plan to work in underprivileged areas, have completed clinical experience in underprivileged areas and must demonstrate financial need.  Typical awards range from $700 - $1500 a semester, payable as a reimbursement to the awardee at the end of each semester.  For additional information or an application, contact the Nursing Program, University Center of Greenville, (864) 250-8881.  

Tuition for graduate students (see also “Fees”)

Satisfactory settlement of all expenses (see both “tuition” and “fees”) is a requirement for completing each semester’s class registration, and no student is officially enrolled until all past due accounts have been satisfied.  Financial aid cannot be used to satisfy balances forward from a prior academic year.  Tuition for graduate students is delineated in the tuition chart at www.clemson.edu/receivables.

Tuition for full-time enrollment.  Students without graduate assistantships who are enrolled in 12 or more credit hours are classified, for tuition purposes, as full-time.  Tuition for full-time graduate students is delineated in the tuition chart at www.clemson.edu/receivables.

Tuition for part-time enrollment.  Students without graduate assistantships who are enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours (three hours in a summer session) are classified, for tuition purposes, as part-time and will be charged accordingly. Tuition for part-time graduate students is delineated in the tuition chart at www.clemson.edu/receivables.

Tuition for graduate assistants.  For tuition purposes, graduate assistants must be enrolled in a minimum of nine semester hours (three hours in a summer session) to be classified as full-time.  Tuition for graduate assistants is delineated in the tuition chart at www.clemson.edu/receivables.