Apply to South Carolina
Warm Southern hospitality. Innovative academic programs. Beautiful campus buildings with old-world charm. Comfortable living spaces. You want a college education full of new experiences and familiar activities, challenging courses and friendly faculty. You're ready for something different that feels like home - something big that feels small. That's the successful mix you'll find at the University of South Carolina.
With more than 200 years of history and tradition, and over 350 degree programs to choose from, to include the nation's #1 undergraduate International Business program, it is safe to say that the university of South Carolina has something to offer for everyone. The easiest and most convenient way for students to go about applying for an upcoming term is to do so online. Here you will find information regarding application deadlines, costs, requirements, as well as support that can be provided throughout the process. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions directly.
With more than 200 years of history and tradition, and over 350 degree programs to choose from, to include the nation's #1 undergraduate International Business program, it is safe to say that the university of South Carolina has something to offer for everyone. The easiest and most convenient way for students to go about applying for an upcoming term is to do so online. Here you will find information regarding application deadlines, costs, requirements, as well as support that can be provided throughout the process. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions directly.
Visit CarolinaStart at the Visitor Center: The USC Visitor Center in McKissick coordinates in-person campus tours for individuals, families and groups. Each weekday, our Student Ambassadors guide you, your family and your friends through important campus locations. And we can arrange for you to meet faculty and staff in the academic areas that match your interests.
Undergraduate Information Sessions: Also at the Visitor Center on the historic Horseshoe, staff members from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions conduct freshman several information sessions most week days to review general admission requirements and deadlines, financial aid and scholarship guidelines, the South Carolina Honors College and the Capstone Scholars program. Please check with the Visitor Center for availability and to reserve your space! Transfer and International Students: Whether or not you visit us in person, you can still receive valuable assistance from USC. Please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to speak with an admissions counselor about any questions you may have during the application process. Plan Ahead for the Best USC Visit: For the best experience, please schedule your visit at least two weeks in advance. Let us know if you'd like to attend an information session or meet people in our academic departments, and we'll make the arrangements. Virtual Tour: Can't make it in person? Explore our historic campus with this virtual tour. Why wait? Visit USC today! |
Financial AssistanceThe Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships is committed to assisting you and your family so that cost will not affect access to your college of choice - the University of South Carolina!
It is their mission to educate and assist students and their families in securing the funding that they need. To that end, approximately 85% of South Carolina undergraduates, 91% of freshmen, and 87% of the total student population - including both South Carolina residents and non-residents - receive financial aid. This aid, in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment opportunities, can assist you in meeting your educationally related expenses. We encourage you to pursue and consider all of the financial assistance opportunities that are available to you. The only application you will need to fill out to apply for financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This will help you determine your scholarship, grant, loan or student employment options. Scholarships: Scholarships are awards that go directly to paying for your education and that do not have to be repaid. These include general university scholarships awarded to incoming freshman by our Office of Undergraduate Admissions and departmental scholarships awarded by a variety of university departments. There also are scholarships specifically for South Carolina residents and scholarships that students receive from other entities. Grants: Like scholarships, these funds do not have to be repaid, but often are based on financial need or some other criteria. Your eligibility will be determined by your federal student aid application. Student Employment: Many of our students find they are able to help pay for their education with a part-time job while they are in school. You may qualify for the Federal Work-Study program, which is part of your federal student aid application. Loans: To help you graduate with as little debt as possible, we recommend you exhaust your scholarship, grant and employment opportunities before taking out a student loan. The university will notify you of your eligibility for Federal Direct Loans, but we recommend you research all of your options before borrowing. The easiest and most convenient way for students to go about applying for financial assistance is to do so online. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships directly. |
Academic Common MarketThe Academic Common Market is a tuition-savings program for colleges in the sixteen state area served by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Students in the SREB member states who want to pursue degrees in fields that are not offered by their in-state institutions can enroll in out-of-state universities that offer the specialized degree program, and these students pay only the in-state tuition rates. Answers to a list of frequently asked questions and and outline of how the ACM process works is provided online. For a quick comparison of available programs per out-of-state resident, click here.
The easiest and most convenient way for students to go about applying for ACM statusis to do so online. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the Provost directly. |
Meet The Admissions RepsSearching for the college that fits you best? Make it easy on yourself. Let USC's admissions representatives help you:
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First Generation StudentsAccording to the U.S. Department of Education NCES, nearly one-third of all incoming freshman each year are first generation college students. Defined as learners coming a family where neither of their parents or guardians have obtained a bachelor’s degree, the majority of these students hail from minority households. While being a first generation college student is a proud accomplishment, students in this category often face obstacles their peers don’t experience. A UCLA report found that, within six years of matriculation, only 40 percent of these students had graduated, compared to 55 percent whose parents held a postsecondary degree. The following online guide helps first generation students understand the challenges and unknowns they’ll face while also offering concrete guidance, support and resources.
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Application Timeline
October 15, 2019: Early Answer Application Deadline
If you submit your completed application by this date, the university will mail your decision letter during December 15 Early Answer Week. It is not uncommon for a significant portion of our applicants to receive delay notification, so don’t worry if your decision is delayed. As an Early Answer applicant, you will benefit from knowing all your required materials are submitted in plenty of time to ensure full consideration, and you also have more time to send us updated credentials later if necessary. If you applied by the early answer deadline, you will not receive an advantage in the decision process, just the assurance of an earlier response.
*A completed application includes: an application, $50 nonrefundable application fee (or qualified fee waiver for SC residents only), and official test scores (including an official SAT or ACT writing score) sent directly from the testing service. An official high-school transcript is not required; visit our requirements page for details.
If you submit your completed application by this date, the university will mail your decision letter during December 15 Early Answer Week. It is not uncommon for a significant portion of our applicants to receive delay notification, so don’t worry if your decision is delayed. As an Early Answer applicant, you will benefit from knowing all your required materials are submitted in plenty of time to ensure full consideration, and you also have more time to send us updated credentials later if necessary. If you applied by the early answer deadline, you will not receive an advantage in the decision process, just the assurance of an earlier response.
*A completed application includes: an application, $50 nonrefundable application fee (or qualified fee waiver for SC residents only), and official test scores (including an official SAT or ACT writing score) sent directly from the testing service. An official high-school transcript is not required; visit our requirements page for details.
December 15, 2019: Early Answer Decision Week Begins
Decisions regarding University admission status will be released during the week of December 15 for all applicants who fully comply with the October 15 deadline (see above for details). Applicants may be admitted, denied, or delayed until the week of March 16.
February 1, 2020: Credentials Deadline
The following credentials must be received by February 1: official test scores (including an official SAT or ACT writing score) and your $50 application fee (or fee waiver for qualifying S.C. residents only). Applications for which credentials are received after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
June 1, 2020: Wait List Decision Week Begins
Decisions regarding University admission status will be released during the week of June 1 for all applicants who are initially 'Wait listed.'
Decisions regarding University admission status will be released during the week of December 15 for all applicants who fully comply with the October 15 deadline (see above for details). Applicants may be admitted, denied, or delayed until the week of March 16.
February 1, 2020: Credentials Deadline
The following credentials must be received by February 1: official test scores (including an official SAT or ACT writing score) and your $50 application fee (or fee waiver for qualifying S.C. residents only). Applications for which credentials are received after February 1 will be considered on a space-available basis.
June 1, 2020: Wait List Decision Week Begins
Decisions regarding University admission status will be released during the week of June 1 for all applicants who are initially 'Wait listed.'