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The annual State Appropriation Act imposes the general requirement that student fees be fixed by the University Board of Trustees. The Act imposes two specific requirements on the Board: (1) In fixing fees applicable to academic and general maintenance and operation costs, the Board must maintain a minimum student fee not less than the fee charged the previous year. (2) In fixing fees applicable to dormitory rental, dining halls, laundry, infirmary, and all other personal subsistence expenses, the Board must charge students an amount sufficient to fully cover the cost of providing such facilities and services.
The tuition and fees for all studentsfull or part time and auditingare shown at right. Satisfactory settlement of all expenses 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.
In special cases the University will accept, at the beginning of a semester, a noninterest-bearing promissory note for a portion of the semester housing and semester meal plan fee. Amounts up to $450 for room rent and $450 for 5- or 7-day meal plans may be included in the note. In such cases, a note for the fall semester charges will be due October 1, and for the spring semester, March 1. Failure to pay the note when due will result in the assessment of late fees, including collection costs, denial of future deferred payment note privileges, and termination of board plan and/or cancellation of housing contract.
Upon certification by the Dean of the Graduate School and with the authorization of the student of a payroll deduction for payment, deferred payment of academic and health fees may be granted to a student employed as a graduate assistant. The total amount deferred shall not exceed the total of the graduate assistant fees for the semester. Payment of the amount deferred is to be made in six equal installments through payroll deductions beginning with the second pay period of the semester. Should the assistantship be terminated, any unpaid balance of funds deferred is payable immediately as well as any additional fees due. No deferred payments are permitted for summer sessions for any graduate student.
Currently enrolled students who expect to continue enrollment may make housing reservations by paying a $150 housing advance payment and by preregistering on-line during the spring semester at a time designated by the Housing Office.
New students who are offered on-campus housing accommodations must pay
a nonrefundable $35 housing application fee and a $100 admissions deposit.
The admissions deposit is deducted from the amount otherwise due for the
first semester expenses. (Note: Policies regarding priority to/offering
of on-campus housing are subject to change.)
Enrollment in the University plan, administered by Redfern Health Center, is required unless the student presents verification of alternate coverage. Students covered by their parents', spouse's, or employee health insurance will, in general, find those policies sufficient to meet this condition but must submit a waiver form nonetheless. Insurance plans that restrict enrollment based on national origin, such as those sold to international students only, will not be accepted for waiver. Details are available on the Web.
International Students
International students attending Clemson must purchase the University-sponsored
health insurance for themselves and all dependents living in the U.S. Coverage
must continue for the duration of the student's stay in the U.S. Students
should not purchase health insurance prior to their arrival in Clemson
(other than travel insurance). Students will be billed for this insurance
coverage with their tuition. Students who bring dependents must purchase
dependent health insurance separately at Redfern Health Center. This should
be done upon arrival.
Some students who are sponsored by their governments or by certain international programs, such as Fullbright, IIE, Rotary International, or Laspau will have their insurance provided as part of their programs and thus qualify for a waiver of this requirement, as long as these plans are complete and continue to meet Clemson's requirements. Others may have insurance provided as part of an exchange program, such as ISEP. Additional information is available from the Gantt Intercultural Center, 214 Hendrix Center or by phone at 864-656-0437.
With very few exceptions, all international students and exchange visitors/scholars
must purchase the insurance plan approved by the University. This expense
is included on the I-20 or DS-2019.
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.
University Revenue and Receivables will represent 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.
In addition, 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.
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.
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.
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 chart below. Students receiving
Title IV Financial Aid follow a different policy. Contact University Revenue
and Receivables, G-08 Sikes Hall, for details.
Fall/Spring Semester |
|
| Period of Enrollment | Percent Refund |
| Registration day(s) in published calendar |
100%
|
| After last day to register: | |
| One week or less |
80%
|
| More than 1 but not more than 2 weeks |
60%
|
| More than 2 but not more than 3 weeks |
40%
|
| More than 3 but not more than 4 weeks |
20%
|
| More than 4 weeks |
0%
|
Summer Sessions |
||||
| Length of Session | ||||
| Percent Refund | ||||
| Period of Enrollment | Less Than 3 weeks | 3 weeks | 5 or 6 weeks | morethen 6 weeks |
| Registration day(s) in published calendar | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| After last day to register: | ||||
| One week or less | 0% | 40% | 60% | 60% |
| More than 1 but not more than 2 weeks | 0% | 0% | 20% | 40% |
| More than 2 but not more than 3 weeks | 0% | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| More than 3 weeks | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Continuing Undergraduate and Graduate Students, Co-op Students, Former Students Returning--If written notice of cancellation is received by the Housing Office on or before June 1, 2005, the contract is cancelled, and $100 of the $150 advance payment is refunded, minus any indebtedness to the University. Students who are not required to pay the $150 will be charged $50. Refunds, if applicable, will show as a credit on the following semester's bill. If the student fails to enroll the following semester, a refund check will be issued only after that semester begins. If written notice of cancellation is received by the Housing Office on or between June 2 and July 25, 2005, the contract is cancelled, but no portion of the $150 advance payment is refunded. Students who are not required to make a $150 advance payment will be charged $150 upon cancellation. After July 25, 2005, the contract is binding, and students are obligated to pay the entire academic year's rent unless they fail to enroll. In such cases, all prepaid rent, less $150, will be refunded.
Students who sign contracts after July 25, 2005, are obligated to pay the entire academic year's rent unless they do not enroll. If a student's plans change and he/she re-enrolls after cancelling, the semester charge will be added back to his/her account. The entire $150 advance payment is refunded only in cases where the University denies readmission. There will be no refund of University housing monies during the last six weeks of a semester. If any collection fees are assessed in the process of obtaining unpaid housing charges, the student will be responsible for the payment of those collection fees in addition to the unpaid housing charges.
Cancellation of contract after the start of each semester of the
academic year
The contract may be terminated after the start of each semester for
the following reasons only: 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 to show cause for cancellation. Any student qualifying
for cancellation under one of these conditions will forfeit the first $150
of that semester's rental fee or the prorated amount for the days of the
semester that housing is held in reservation by that student, whichever
is greater.
Cancellation of contract at the end of the first semester
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, participation in Cooperative Education during second semester,
or participation during the second semester in any program required by
the University that takes the student away from the main campus. 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. The contract may also be cancelled at the end of the first
semester by paying 50% of the first semester's rental fee ("buyout" option).
Graduate Alumni Fellowships, University Research Fellowships, and George R. MacDonald Fellowships are University-wide awards administered by the Graduate School and the Office of Student Financial Aid. These awards of $5,000 each for the academic year are made on a competitive basis to nominees selected by the academic departments. Scholarly potential and academic excellence are the sole criteria for the awards.
Additional fellowships and traineeships are administered by the individual colleges and academic departments. Some awards, such as the Industrial Graduate Residency Fellowships, may limit students' research to areas of interest to the donor and require a period of residency at the industrial sites. Detailed information is available from the colleges or academic departments.
South Carolina Graduate Incentive Fellowships of $5,000 for master's students or $10,000 for doctoral students are available to minority graduate students. These awards are renewable. Master's students must be citizens of South Carolina. Preference is given to new applicants and those who express a commitment to remain and be employed in the state for two years. These fellowships are administered by the Graduate School.
Unless otherwise stipulated by the grantor and/or donor, holders of
fellowships or traineeships are required to enroll in the same minimum
credit load as other departmental graduate assistants. Continued receipt
of any fellowship or traineeship is contingent on the student's maintaining
a satisfactory academic status. Normally a student cannot hold concurrently
two or more fellowships or traineeships
(or the equivalent) administered by the University, regardless of the
funding sources. Fellowship recipients are eligible for appointments as
departmental graduate assistants.
Fellowships and traineeships are usually offered in early March. Inquiries may be made to the student's major department or to the Graduate School.
Graduate fellows and trainees pay fees applicable to South Carolina
residents. Fellowship and traineeship recipients are eligible for appointment
as departmental graduate assistants. For students holding both fellowships
or traineeships and assistantships, the fee structure for assistantships
prevails.
All appointments for assistantships (teaching, research, laboratory, administrative, and grader) must be processed on the Graduate Assistantship Tuition Remission. All graduate administrative and graduate extension assistantships (new and continuing) must be approved by the Graduate School before they are offered to the students. Work assignments for students should be as specific as possible and should reflect the relationship to the student's academic program. The work to be performed must be above the paraprofessional level.
To be eligible for any graduate appointment, a graduate student must satisfy the appropriate minimum enrollment requirement described in each section below and the enrollment limit requirements. The University reserves the right to withdraw the appointment at any time because of failure to meet these requirements. Graduate students also should understand that an appointment may be withdrawn at any time for failure to maintain a satisfactory academic status including grades, special examinations, and research efforts.
Clemson University, as a member of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, subscribes to the following policy inherent in the resolution adopted by the council regarding graduate appointments. In every case in which an appointment for the next academic year is offered to students currently enrolled in or accepted to graduate programs, the student, if acceptance is indicated before April 15, will have freedom through April 15 to submit, in writing, a resignation of the appointment to accept one elsewhere. An acceptance given or left in force after April 15, however, commits the student not to accept another appointment (at Clemson or elsewhere) without first obtaining a written release from the first party to whom a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer made after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools requires that all Graduate Teachers of Record (GTR) have "earned at least 18 graduate semester hours in their teaching discipline, be under the direct supervision of a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, receive regular in-service training and be evaluated regularly" (Section 4.8.4 of the SACS Criteria for Accreditation).
The department chair has the responsibility for determining that the 18-hour requirement is met either through coursework or with a memo containing documentation that the graduate assistant meets the requirement as an exception. The Enrolled Student Services Office will certify that the 18-hour requirement has been met.
Departmental Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are available in academic departments involving primarily
instruction, research, or extension and in nonacademic departments involving
primarily administration. Application forms, available from the Graduate
School or from departmental offices, should be filed as early as possible
in the academic year before the student enrolls. Selection of assistantship
recipients, notification of the appointment, its duration, and the stipend
are the responsibilities of the employing departments.
EligibilityTo qualify for a departmental assistantship, a student must possess at least a bachelor's degree and be enrolled in a graduate degree program. The student must devote 10-30 hours of service per week to the University and be engaged in employment that bears a recognizable relationship to his/her major field of study. Multiple employment by the University (graduate appointment and/or hourly employment) is permitted. It is the responsibility of the secondary employer to receive permission of the primary employer and the Graduate School prior to assignment of any additional work and to ensure that the maximum work load of 30 hours per week is not exceeded. Upper limits on academic loads as related to hours of service per week are found in the section on Academic Regulations.
International graduate students who are interested in receiving assistantships should submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written English (TWE) scores. International students seeking graduate teaching assistantships, whose native language is not English and whose secondary education (and beyond) was not taught fully in English, are required to pass the standardized exam Test of Spoken English (TSE). Specialists in English as a Second Language administer this test at Clemson University. Prospective international teaching assistants also undergo an interview during which they are evaluated by faculty members in their respective departments. Some departments utilize videotaped oral presentations. Successful scores on the test, the interview, and the presentation (if required) are completed before the student can be approved as a teaching assistant.
Minimum Stipend--The minimum graduate assistantship stipend must be commensurate with a rate 1.2 times the prevailing federal minimum wage.
Minimum Enrollment--A minimum enrollment in nine credit hours is required for appointment as a graduate assistant during the academic year. Minimum enrollment in summer sessions is three semester hours per session.
Undergraduate credits may be included in the minimum, provided they are relevant to the student's degree program and are required by the advisory committee. Credits in G S 799 may be included in the minimum in special cases as approved in advance by the Graduate School.
Employment Schedule and Leave Without Pay--Graduate students with nine-month or 12-month graduate teaching assistantship appointments work on the same calendar as faculty with nine-month or 12-month appointments, respectively. Duties over holiday periods for graduate research assistantship appointments should be agreed upon in writing by the student and the faculty advisor in charge of the research program.
Graduate assistants may request up to four weeks of leave without pay per semester and one week of leave without pay per summer session for illness of a close family member, death in the immediate family, and personal illness or hardship. If leave is not approved by the administrator of the graduate assistantship, the graduate assistant may petition the Graduate School for approval.
A graduate assistant is eligible for up to six weeks of maternity leave without pay. The request for maternity leave must be made to the department at least one month in advance.
Administrative Graduate Assistantships
Administrative units hiring graduate administrative assistants must
form a partnership with an academic department or departments. Signatures
of the employing supervisor and the academic advisor are required. The
academic department shall provide a brief description of the expectations
of the employer, the anticipated beginning and ending dates, stipend amount,
average hours of service per week, work schedule (where appropriate), and
the conditions for reappointment, if any. In addition, the assistant must
be apprised of the financial penalties related to academic fees that may
be incurred if the assistantship starts after the beginning or is terminated
before the end of the semester or session.
Graduate Resident Director Assistantships
Part-time employment on the program staff of the residence halls is
available to qualified graduate students. Preference is given to those
who have had successful undergraduate experience as residence hall assistants.
In general, 30 hours of service per week are required. Compensation consists
of a room or apartment, partial remission of academic and other fees, and
approximately $4,375 per semester. Graduate resident directors are subject
to the enrollment limitations stipulated in the section on Academic
Regulations, and the required minimum enrollment is coincident
with that of departmental graduate assistants. Application should be made
directly to the Housing Office.
International Student Employment
International graduate students are required to be in proper immigration
status before any assistantship can be paid or attending benefits ensue.
Special employment regulations for international students are governed by the Code of Federal Regulations and the Department of Homeland Security/USCIS. Permission for off-campus employment must first be requested through the international student advisors in International Programs and Services. Off-campus employment generally is unavailable to international students during the first academic year and should not be considered as a means of support. Students with F-1 visas may apply to the USCIS for limited off-campus work authorization after their first year of study. Nonacademic employment opportunities are available on campus on a first-come basis. Applications are made directly to the hiring source upon arrival on campus. Further information is available in International Programs and Services (IPS), E-208 Martin Hall; (864) 656-3614.
Termination of Assistantships
Termination of assistantship by student--Normally an assistantship
is offered on an annual or academic year basis. Students may terminate
assistantships at the conclusion of a semester or summer session without
penalty; however, if students terminate their assistantships during a semester,
they may be liable, calculated on a pro rata basis, for the difference
between the normal academic fees and the reduced fees assessed as a result
of the assistantship. If, in the opinion of the immediate supervisor of
the assistantship, the termination was justifiable, the administrator may
recommend to the Dean of the Graduate School that no additional charge
be made to the student.
Termination of assistantship for cause--If, in the opinion of the immediate supervisor of the assistantship, a student is not carrying out the duties of the assistantship satisfactorily, the assistantship may be terminated and the student held liable, calculated on a pro rata basis, for the reduction in academic fees assessed as a result of the assistantship.
The procedure to be followed before terminating an assistantship for cause follows:
The immediate supervisor should first discuss and try to resolve the problem with the student. A record of this conversation is placed in the student's departmental file. If the student's performance remains unsatisfactory, a signed written warning from the department chair is sent to the student by certified or registered U.S. mail detailing the nature of the problem. The Dean of the Graduate School shall be notified. If the performance of the student remains unsatisfactory, the department chair gives the student a written notice of termination. At least two weeks should elapse between the written warning and the notice of termination. The Dean of the Graduate School shall be notified. The student has the right to file a grievance with the Graduate Student Academic Grievance Committee.
Termination of assistantship because of academic deficiency--The assistantship may be terminated if the student drops below the minimum credit hours required as described above or for failure to meet other academic requirements.
Termination of assistantship because of unexpected loss of research
funding--A sudden or unexpected loss of external funding may result
in a termination of an assistantship. The policy outlined in the chart
below will be used to calculate any tuition and fees required by a graduate
student. A department chair may request an exception to the policy with
appropriate documentation.
| Adding Assistantship | Cancelling Assistantship | |
| First 2 weeks of class (fall and spring) | graduate assistantship fee | full tuition and fees |
| First week of class (summer session) | graduate assistantship fee | full tuition and fees |
| After last day to add but before last day to drop or withdraw without a W grade | 50% of tuituion + 100% of fees or graduate assistant fee if new money to the Univerisy | 100% of tuition and fees, minus graduate assistantship fee paid |
| After last day to drop or withdraw without final grades | no benefit | no liability |
Graduate students accepted into degree programs may borrow funds to cover their established cost of attendance, less any fellowship stipends or fee waivers, up to $18,500 per year. Graduate assistants who receive their official assignments after their loans are processed will be required to reduce their loans due to the tuition waiver. Usually this reduction exceeds $6,000.
Information and application forms are available from the Office of Student Financial Aid, G-01 Sikes Hall, Box 345123, Clemson, SC 29634-5123.
Eligibility for Loans
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.
Special Employment Restrictions
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 will be subject to wage withholding (garnish) according
to Legislative Authority P.L. 102-164; To U.S.C. S1095A et seg.
The Eastside Food Court, the Canteen, Java City Cyber Café, and Fernow Street Café provide a wide assortment of dining selections on an a la carte, cash, or credit/debit card basis. Nationally branded food concepts are available in cash dining facilities on campus: Burger King and Li'l Dino Subs in the Eastside Food Court, Chick-fil-A at the Union Canteen, and Pizza Hut Express in the Fernow Street Café. All retail dining facilities accept cash, credit/debit cards, and the Tiger 1 Card.
Graduate students may pay for individual meals or choose a meal plan on a semester basis from the following: Any Ten, Plus Any Ten, Any 15, Plus Any 15, Unlimited Access, or Plus Unlimited Access.
Students may change meal plans at the Tiger 1 Card Office in 304 Fike Recreation Center on Mondays. Students may change meal plans at the billing of spring and fall semester fees with no service charge or after the first two weeks and prior to the last six weeks of the semester by paying a $35 service charge. All adjustments will be prorated, except for students withdrawing from the University. Students may upgrade meal plans during the registration period.
Upperclassmen may terminate their meal plans for any reason. 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 which are associated with the Plus plans are not
refundable; however, they do carry forward to the next semester. 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.
Students will be responsible for all service charges related to changes
or termination of a meal plan.
Tiger Stripe accounts are non-refundable except for students withdrawing, graduating, or not returning to the University. 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. (Graduate students withdrawing must go to 104 Sikes Hall. 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 at the Tiger 1 Card Office two weeks prior to graduation. Any account that remains dormant for 18 months or longer will have the balance transferred to a University scholarship account. For more information, call 864-656-0763 or e-mail tiger1-1@clemson.edu.