Residency - FAQ
If I have lived in SC for one year or more, does that make me eligible for in-state tuition?
If I live in Coastal Carolina University housing can I be approved to pay in-state tuition?
Does owning property in South Carolina allow students to receive in-state tuition?
Are Parent (PLUS) loans considered financial support contributed by students?
If I move here and live with relatives, does that make me eligible?
Am I eligible for residency if I use a SC address on all my records and legal documents?
Are pre-paid tuition plans considered financial support provided by the parents or the students?
Can I use the money I've saved in my savings and checking accounts to establish my independence?
What's the difference between applying for residency as a dependent or as an independent?
Do I have to have a SC driver's license and vehicle registration to be considered a resident?
If I have lived in SC for one year or more, does that make me eligible for in-state tuition?
No, nothing is automatic about residency. Students have to meet the requirements, submit their applications, and be approved before any changes are made.
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If I live in Coastal Carolina University housing can I be approved to pay in-state tuition?
No. A student living in Coastal Carolina University housing is automatically ineligible to claim SC residency (University Place is considered Coastal Carolina University housing.) Students must live outside of Coastal Carolina University housing for 12 months before they are eligible to apply for SC residency.
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Does owning property in South Carolina allow students to receive in-state tuition?
For independent students, not by itself; the other requirements still have to be met. For parents of dependent students, SC has to be the primary state of residence. Living in a residence owned by parents does not, in and of itself, constitute a permanent residence; as an independent person, student must either be listed as an owner on the deed and responsible for ½ the mortgage or a legal tenant with an official lease paying a reasonable, market price for rent. Student must be responsible for utilities.
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Can personal loans and gifts from parents and relatives be counted as support that students have provided?
No. That is considered money coming from elsewhere, and doesn't count toward making them independent. Their support has to come from the sources listed in the requirements.
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Are Parent (PLUS) loans considered financial support contributed by students?
No. Those loans are applied for and awarded to the parents, so it's their money that they give to the students.
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If I move here and live with relatives, does that make me eligible?
Not unless they have been made your legal guardians through the court, before age eighteen. Be aware that the law says that if it appears that steps have been taken just to obtain resident tuition, the application will be disapproved.
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Am I eligible for residency if I use a SC address on all my records and legal documents?
Not necessarily. You still have to meet the other requirements.
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Are pre-paid tuition plans considered financial support provided by the parents or the students?
Even though they're in the students' names, since the parents put the money in and they get the tax break, it's considered from the parents.
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Can I use the money I've saved in my savings and checking accounts to establish my independence?
No, because we don't know where the money came from. It has to come from the sources listed in the requirements.
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What's the difference between applying for residency as a dependent or as an independent?
If you were claimed on someone else's federal taxes as an exemption, and/or if someone else (parents, guardians, spouse) provided more of your support than you did for the last twelve months, then you're still dependent upon them. If no one claimed you on federal taxes and you provided more, then you may be eligible to apply as independent.
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Do I have to have a SC driver's license and vehicle registration to be considered a resident?
A student must obtain a SC driver's license or ID card within 90 days of the date they are claiming intent to become a SC resident. This law is rigid; even 1 day beyond 90 will delay the start date of the 12 month period. A student must register the vehicle(s) in SC within 45 days of the date the student is claiming intent to become a SC resident. This law is rigid; even 1 day beyond 45 will delay the start date of the 12 month period. If a student owns a vehicle that is registered in another state, they will not be eligible to apply for SC residency until the vehicle registration is changed to SC.
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If I work full-time, do I have to live in SC for 12 months before I am eligible to pay in-state tuition?
One exception to the 12 month residency period is full-time employment in SC - must be at least 37.5 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, at one job or eligibility for full time benefits verified by employer on company letterhead. A student claiming this would still need to include the same documentation proving residency, but would not have to wait 12 months to be eligible.
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