The University of South Carolina is required by state law to determine the legal resident status of applicants and students for fee and tuition purposes. The initial determination of one's resident status is made at the time of admissions. The determination made at that time, and any determination made thereafter, prevails for each subsequent semester unless the person's situation changes. The guidelines governing residency determinations for fee and tuition purposes are governed by South Carolina Code of Laws and South Carolina Commission on Higher Education regulations. Under the guidelines, residency for fee and tuition can be established by independent persons, dependent persons, independent immigrants, or dependent immigrants.
Temporary absences are absences which are thirty days or less.
Absences of more than thirty days may affect the establishment or maintenance of residence for fee and tuition purposes. Generally, an applicant must be domiciled in South Carolina for twelve months for residency consideration. 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 and the 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. A dependent person is also one for whom payments are made, under court order, for child support and the costs of the dependent person's college education. Formal petitions or applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions.