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 undergraduate 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.

Currently enrolled students who expect to continue enrollment are given an opportunity to 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 $25 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)

TUITION AND FEES

Late Enrollment Service Charge

Registration for classes is scheduled for specific days, and definite procedures are outlined to avoid the problems incident to late registration. A student has not completed registration until all required steps have been taken. Any student failing to complete registration on the specified class registration days will incur a late enrollment charge, which begins at $25 and increases $5 each day.

Full-time Fees

Undergraduates and graduate students must be enrolled in 12 semester hours to pay full-time fees. Students enrolled in less than 12 hours or who drop below 12 hours may become ineligible for some student services, financial aid, or other programs.

Actual Charges for 2000-2001 are not known when the catalog was printed.
The charges reflected below are for 1999-2000 and are subject to change as conditions warrant.

Part-time Fees

Undergraduate and graduate students taking less than 12 semester credit hours will be charged each semester according to the above schedule. These fees do not provide for admission to athletic events, concert series, and other such activities.

Returned Checks

A check or charge card given in payment of University expenses or a check cashed by the University that is returned unpaid by the bank immediately creates an indebtedness to the University. University Revenue and Receivables, G-12 Sikes Hall, administers matters related to the collection of all returned checks for students and nonstudents.

University Revenue and Receivables will redeposit returned checks in payment of academic fees for the fall and spring semesters. A $20 returned check charge will be assessed for each returned item in accordance with state laws. 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 day after the last day of late registration. If the note was returned to the University in a timely manner with no response by the student or drawer, a written request to disenroll the student may be made to the Registrar. If the request is approved, the percentage of refund will be applied to the debt. If the check 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 effects of disenrollment. At this point, the student will owe 100% of tuition and fees, even if he/she has been disenrolled. The University may restrict subsequent payment for academic and other fees by accepting only cash, certified checks, cashier's checks, or money orders.

Any individual who cashes a two-party check or 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. Checks 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 check not collected by the above procedures may be turned over to a collection agency and the indebtedness reported to a credit bureau. Costs of collection 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 cashing and 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.

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 re-enroll for an ensuing semester or summer school term. Billing fees and/or collection costs may be added to the indebtedness. Further, any student who fails to pay all indebtedness, including collection costs, to the University may not be issued a transcript or diploma. Unresolved debts may be turned over to a collection agency, be reported to a credit bureau and deducted from state income tax refunds. Debts include but are not limited to the following: parking violations, library fines, rent, academic fees, and others.

Refund of Academic Fees
(Tuition, University Fee, and Medical Fee) for Students Withdrawing, Dropping to Part Time, or 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 a withdrawal from the university, refunds will be based on the effective date of the withdrawal. In the case of a withdrawal from a course, refunds will be based on the date the student drops the course using the online registration system. To be eligible for a refund, the student's request must be received by the Office of Business Affairs 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 on the following basis. Students receiving Title IV Financial Aid follow a different policy. Contact University Revenue and Receivables, G-08 Sikes Hall, for details.

Fall/Spring Semester

Summer Sessions

Refund of Dining Hall and Residence Hall Fees

Information relating to living-expense refunds is given in the sections on Food Service and Housing.

Refunds of Financial Aid for Students Withdrawing from the University

Refunds of academic fees are made in accordance with semester and summer session refund policies. First semester freshmen and first semester transfers receiving Title IV financial aid are under a different policy based on federal guidelines. Details are available at G-08 Sikes Hall. University housing refunds are made according to the housing contract. Meal-plan refunds are made on a pro rata basis.

Since financial aid is expected to meet or help meet educational costs, any academic fee, housing, or meal-plan fee for students withdrawing from the University up to the amount of financial aid received for that semester or summer session, will be refunded to the Financial Aid Program(s) from which the student received assistance.

To determine the amount of refund that will be returned to Federal Title IV Aid Programs and what amount will be returned to the non-Title IV Aid Programs, the following formula will be used:

Federal Title IV Refund= (Amount of Refund) x (Title IV Aid Received/ Total Aid Received)

Non-Title IV Refund = Amount of Refund minus Title IV Refund

In refunding moneys to the various Financial Aid Programs, the following priority listings will be used:
A. Title IV Federal Programs
1. Federal Stafford Loans (unsubsidized)
2. Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized)
3. Federal Plus Loans
4. Federal Perkins Loans
5. Federal Pell Grants
6. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
7. South Carolina State Grants
8. Other Title IV Programs

B. Non-Title IV Programs
1. Institutional Loans
2. Institutional Scholarships and/or Grants
3. Private Loans/Scholarships

After the refund has been applied to the Title IV and non-Title IV programs, any refund balance will be refunded to the student.

If debts were incurred before withdrawing, such as bad checks, unpaid traffic fines, library fines, and others, the refund will cover these obligations first. Academic fees, housing, and meal plan refunds for students withdrawing will be paid to the student.

Transcripts

Official transcripts are issued only at the authorized, written request of the student. Requests must be made to the Transcript Office, 104 Sikes Hall, Box 345125, Clemson, SC 29634-5125. Payment must be made in advance and can be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Tiger Stripe, check (payable to Clemson University), or cash. The following must be included with the transcript request: full name (including any names used while at Clemson), social security number, current address, date of birth, date the student last attended Clemson, where the transcript is to be sent, and payment of $5 per transcript. Telephone requests will not be honored. Transcript requests are normally processed within 48 hours, but additional processing time may be required at the end of a semester. Information is available from the Student Records Office at the address above or by telephone at (864) 656-2173. Official transcripts are not issued for those who are indebted to the University.

RESIDENT TUITION AND FEES

Application for Resident Status

Any undergraduate 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. These forms can be obtained from the Student Finacial Aid, G-01 Sikes Hall, and are to be completed and returned to that office at least two weeks prior to registration for any semester or summer term for which the student is attempting to qualify for payment of the in-state tuition and fee rate.

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).

Statutes

Definitions–Section 59-112-10. 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 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.

South Carolina Domicile Defined for Purposes of Rates of Tuition and Fees–Section 59-112-20. 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.

Effect of Change of Residency–Section 59-112-30. 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.

Effect of Marriage–Section 59-112-40. 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.

Military Personnel and Their Dependents–Section 59-112-50. 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.

Faculty, Administrative Employees and Dependents Thereof–Section 59-112-60. 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.

Abatement of Rates for Nonresidents on ScholarshipSection 59-112-70. 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.

Administration of Chapter; Burden of Proving Eligibility of Students–Section 59-112-80. 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.

Penalties for Willful Misrepresentation–Section 59-112-90. 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.

Regulations–Section 59-112-100. 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.

Regulatory Guidelines

Commission on Higher Education, Chapter 62. Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Sections 59-112-10 to 59-112-100, Determination of Rates for Tuition and Fees.

Rates of Tuition and Fees–Section 62-600.

A. Resident classification is an essential part of fee determination, admission regulations, and other revelant policies of State Institutions. 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 either in-county or international 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 the determination is successfully challenged. The burden of proof resides with the students to show evidence as deemed necessary to establish their residency status.

Code of Laws Governing Residence–Section 62-601.

A. The rules regarding the establishment of legal residence for tuition and fee purposes for institutions of higher education are governed by the South Carolina Code of Laws.

B. As prescribed by the code, residence for tuition and fee purposes can be established by (1) independent persons, (2) dependent persons, and (3) independent immigrants, or dependent immigrants

Definitions–Section 62-602.

A. A "resident student" 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 classes of the term for which resident classification is sought and for whom there is an absence of such evidence in other states or countries, notwithstanding other provisions of the statute. In the instances of dependent students and their families who are citizens or permanent residents, the domicile of the spouse, parent, and/or guardian for at least the twelve months immediately preceding the first day
of classes of the term for which resident classification is sought is considered in determining residency status.

B. "Reside" is defined as continuous and permanent physical presence within the State, provided that temporary absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of residence. Temporary absences shall be absences which are thirty days or less. Excluded are absences associated with requirements to complete a degree, absences for military training service, and like absences, provided South Carolina domicile is maintained. Absences of more than thirty days may affect the establishment or maintenance of residence for tuition and fee purposes. In the instance of dependents, except for nonresident aliens, where the spouse, parent and/or guardian "reside" will be considered in determining residency status.

C. "Domicile" is defined as true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation, indicating where a person intends to remain, or to where one expects to return when away. Generally, an applicant must be domiciled in the State for twelve months for residency consideration.

D. "Independent Person" is defined as one in his/her majority (eighteen years of age or older), whose predominant source of income is his/her own earnings or income from employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, loans, or payments made in accordance with court order. An independent person must provide more than half of his/her support during the twelve months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the semester for which resident status is requested and cannot be claimed as a dependent or exemption on the federal tax return of his/her parent, spouse, or guardian for the year in which resident status is requested.

E. "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 for and is claimed 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.

F. "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.

G. "Immediately Prior" is defined as a period of time not exceeding ninety days and immediately preceding the first day of classes for the term in question.

H. "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 of applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions.

I. "Nonresident Alien" is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. By virtue of their nonresident status "nonresident aliens" generally do not have the capacity to establish domiciles in South Carolina.

J. "Academic Session" is defined as a term or semester of enrollment.

Citizens and Permanent Residents–Section 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 fees. The twelve-month residency period does not start until the independent person begins to take steps which indicate that the independent person intends to establish a permanent home in the State. Absences from the State for more than thirty days during the twelve-month period may affect the establishment of permanent residence for fee and tuition purposes. Steps an independent person should take to establish a permanent home in South Carolina are listed in the section entitled "Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary."

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 the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. The residence and domicile of a dependent minor and other dependent person shall be presumed to be that of their parent(s), spouse, or guardian(s).

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 supports and/or claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax purposes, or it may be based on the resident status of the parent who has legal custody of the dependent person.

Nonresident Aliens, Noncitizens, and Nonpermanent Residents–Section 62-604.

A. Except as otherwide specified in this section, all noncitizens and nonpermanent residents of the United States will be assessed tuition and fees at the nonresident, out-of-state rate. Independent aliens, including refugees, untainted, and parolees and their dependents, 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 may not be counted towards the twelve month residency period. Certain nonresident aliens present in the United States in specific visa classification may be granted in-state residency for tuition and fee purposes as prescribed by the Commission on Higher Education.

B. The Adviser's Manual of Federal Regulations Affecting Foreign Students and Scholars will serve as the primary resource reference for defining visa categories.

Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary–Section 62-605.

A. Residence 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 any and all evidence which 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, examples of intent to become a South Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not necessarily be conclusive, indicia as listed below. The absence of indicia in other states is required before the student is eligible to pay in-state rates. Indicia may include the following:

1) statement of full-time employment;

2) possession of a valid South Carolina voter registration card and voting in South Carolina elections;

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 nondriver, a South Carolina identification card;

5) possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card;

6) continuous presence in South Carolina during periods when not enrolled as a student;

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. These indicia will likewise be considered for spouses, parents, and guardians of dependent persons who wish to establish South Carolina domicile. As noted under "Citizens and Permanent Residents" above, the resident status of a dependent person matches that of the person who provides more than half of the dependent person's support and claims the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes.

Maintaining Residence–Section 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 fee and tuition purposes include continuing to use a South Carolina permanent address on all records; retaining South Carolina voter's status; voting by absentee ballot; maintaining South Carolina driver's license; maintaining South Carolina vehicle registration; 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. South Carolina residents (and their dependents) who serve in the military may continue to be eligible to pay in-state fees as long as they continuously claim South Carolina as their state of legal residence during their military service. South Carolina residents who change their state of legal residence while in the military lose their South Carolina resident status for fee and tuition purposes. To re-estab
lish their South Carolina resident status, such persons must take steps which indicate that they plan to re-establish permanent residence in the State. These persons must then physically reside in the State for twelve continuous months.

Effect of Change of Residency–Section 62-607.

A. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any dependent person, except as otherwise excluded, who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years immediately prior to enrollment at state-supported colleges and universities may enroll in those institutions of higher learning at in-state rates and may continue to be enrolled at such rates even if the person upon whom he/she is dependent moves his/her domicile from this State.

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.

Effect of Marriage–Section 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 nonresident marries a South Carolina resident, the nonresident does not automatically acquire South Carolina resident status. The nonresident may acquire South Carolina resident status if the South Carolina resident is an independent person and the nonresident 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.

Exclusions–Section 62-609.

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

1) "Military Personnel and their Dependents": Members of the United States Armed Forces (and their dependents) who are stationed in South Carolina on active duty may be considered eligible to pay in-state fees. "Armed Forces" shall mean the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy. When such personnel are ordered away from the State, their dependents may continue to pay in-state fees for an additional twelve months. Such persons (and their dependents) may also be eligible to pay in-state 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 fees.

2) "Faculty and Administrative Employees, and their Dependents": Full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities are eligible to pay in-state fees. Dependents of such persons are also eligible.

3) "Residents with Full-Time Employment and their Dependents": Persons who reside, are domiciled, and are full time employed in the State and will continue to work full time until they meet the twelve-month requirement are eligible to pay in-state fees, provided that they have taken the steps to establish a permanent home in the State (see "Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary"). The dependents of such persons are also eligible.

4) "Retired Persons": 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 and State-supported aid 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 for 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. Full-time employment shall mean employment which consists of at least thirty-seven and a half hours a week on a single job in a full-time status. However, a person who works less than thirty-seven and a half hours a week but receives or is entitled to receive full-time employee benefits shall be considered to be employed full time.

C. Persons participating in Southern Regional Education Board-sponsored programs, including the Contract for Services and the Academic Common Market programs, must have continuously resided in the State for other than educational purposes for the two years immediately preceding application for consideration and must meet all residency requirements during this two-year period.

Application for Change of Resident Status–Section 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 prescribed by the institution.

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

Incorrect Classification–Section 62-611.

A. Persons incorrectly classified as residents are subject to reclassification and to payment of all nonresident 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 such changes.

Inquiries and Appeals–Section 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 governing residency for tuition and fee purposes.

Appeals should be sent to the Student Financial Aid Office, G-01 Sikes Hall.

FOOD SERVICE

The University provides several meal plans. Har-combe and Schilletter dining halls feature an unlimited seconds policy on most entrees, while Clemson House dining room, Canteen, and Fernow Street Cafe serve meals on an a la carte basis. Students dining at the Clemson House may use the meal card as a cash equivalency or for a predesignated meal at no additional cost. Meals may also be purchased on a cash basis or with the Tiger Stripe account.

The "branding" concept in dining facilities is available on the Clemson campus. Li'l Dino Subs and Taco Bell Express are located at the East Campus Convenience Store; Chick-fil-A is located at the Union Canteen; and the Pizza Hut Express is at the Fernow Street Cafe. All of these dining facilities accept the Tiger Stripe account and cash.

Students may choose one of several meal plans outlined in the Clemson Dining Service brochure. Meal plans begin immediately after a student obtains a meal plan at the beginning of the semester and end after the evening meal on the day of graduation at the end of each semester.

All first-year freshmen who live in University housing, excluding Calhoun Courts, Clemson House Apartments, Thornhill Village, and Lightsey Bridge Apartments, are required to subscribe to one of the following meal plans: Any Ten, Plus Any 10, Any 15, Plus Any 15, Five-Day, or Unlimited Access for their first two semesters. All other students may choose a meal plan on a semester basis or pay for individual meals. First-year freshmen living in University housing (excluding the aforementioned housing) may terminate this agreement for one of the following reasons:

· 1)withdrawal from the University.

· 2)change in housing assignment to an apartment with kitchen facilities.

· 3)medical condition with dietary requirements that cannot be met by Dining Services. Documentation from a medical doctor must be provided along with specific dietary requirements. This documentation will be reviewed by the Dining Services Food Service Administrator.

· 4)other circumstances determined by the University to be beyond the student's control.

Students must provide the necessary documentation for any of the above reasons before cancellation of this contract will be considered. Upperclassmen may
terminate their meal plans for any reason. Failure to participate in a meal plan does not automatically release a student from the freshman requirement.

Students may change meal plans at the billing of spring semester fees with no service charge. Students may change meal plans after the first two weeks and prior to the last six weeks of the semester by paying a $25 service charge. Changes may be made at the Tiger 1 Card Office next door to Harcombe Dining Hall on Mondays only. All adjustments will be prorated, except for students withdrawing from the University. Students may upgrade during the registration period.

Contracts canceled for any reason after service of the first meal will result in a refund of advance payment minus a $50 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. No refunds will be made the last six weeks of any semester. Requests for refunds may be made at the Tiger 1 Card Office.

TIGER STRIPE ACCOUNT

Under the Tiger Stripe account program, monies are deposited into an account prior to usage. The Tiger Stripe account is equivalent to a prepaid credit card. As meals or other items are purchased from dining facilities, post office, CATS, bookstore, telecommunications, Redfern Health Center, East Campus Store, Agricultural Products Sales Center, Union Copy Center, Edgar's Game Room, vending machines, or laundry, the amount spent is deducted from the Tiger Stripe account balance. All students are eligible. (First-year freshmen may participate in the Tiger Stripe account program in addition to the required meal contract.) There is a $50 minimum deposit required to open a Tiger Stripe account.

Additions to the Tiger Stripe account after registration must be made in amounts of at least $5. Tiger Stripe accounts are not refundable except for students withdrawing, graduating, or not returning. Credit balances at the end of each semester will carry forward to the next term. Students withdrawing during the semester must submit written requests for refunds in an amount greater that $5. Requests will be accepted at the Tiger 1 Card Office not later than 30 days after the end of the term for those students graduating or not returning. After this time any refunds will be forfeited. Any indebtedness to the University will be deducted from refunds.

FINANCIAL AID

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers and coordinates various types of undergraduate financial aid administered by Clemson University: scholarships, loans, grants, and part-time employment. The office works jointly with the Financial Aid and Placement Committee and the University Scholarships and Awards Committee.

Students may apply after January 1 for financial assistance for the next academic year. Financial aid requests, based on financial need, must be supported by a processed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and renewed annually. No application is required for the LIFE Scholarship.

The FAFSA must be submitted by February 1 for need-based scholarship consideration and by April 1 for the federally funded Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loan, and South Carolina State Need-Based Grant. April 1 is the suggested deadline for application for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Stafford Loan.

Transfer students applying for student loans will be considered as entering freshmen in determining maximum loan limits. Following enrollment, after the credit evaluation process has been completed, students may submit a request for additional funds due to changes in class standing.

Brochures detailing financial aid programs at Clemson University are available from the Student Financial Aid Office, G-01 Sikes Hall, Box 345123, Clemson, SC 29634-5123.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid Eligibility

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for financial aid. This policy contains both qualitative (grade-point ratio) and quantitative (credit hours completed) requirements. Students must meet the grade-point ratio requirement as stated under the Continuing Enrollment Policy. Students must also complete 12, 9, or 6 hours per semester according to their enrollment (full time, ³/4 time, or ¹/2 time) as of the last day to add a course. Students have a maximum of 12 full-time semesters in which to finish their degree, or the equivalent in part-time enrollment. Duplicate credits taken at Clemson University do not count as credits completed for satisfactory academic progress. Details are available in the publication Financing Your Clemson University Education. Students wishing to appeal their academic progress status may submit a letter to Student Financial Aid. This appeals process is separate from the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment. Students returning under the academic renewal policy who apply for financial aid should also submit a letter to Student Financial Aid to update their academic progress record.

Educational Benefits for Veterans, War Orphans, and Children of Deceased or Disabled Law Enforcement Officers or Fire Fighters

The Veterans Administration provides educational assistance for veterans and children of deceased or totally disabled veterans who meet requirements of applicable laws and regulations. Any veteran or child of a deceased or totally disabled veteran should communicate with the nearest Veterans Administration Office to determine whether or not he/she is entitled to any educational benefits. Free tuition is available to children of South Carolina law enforcement officers or fire fighters who were totally disabled or killed in the line of duty. Certification is required from the agency of the parent's employment. Upon presentation of proof of eligibility, a student shall not become eligible for educational assistance until the beginning of the academic term.