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Residency Classification
Clemson University is required by the state of South Carolina to verify the residency status of all students. The Office of Residency Classification assists undergraduate and graduate students with the application process for entitlement to pay in-state rates on tuition and fees.
Residency Status
Initial residency status is determined by answers provided on the admission application. Students may be classified in one of three statuses:
| In-State | A South Carolina resident billed with in-state rates. |
| Out-of-State | A non-South Carolina resident billed with out-of-state rates. |
| Residency in Question | Additional documentation is needed to verify residency status. |
Why Might Your Residency Be in Question?
- You indicated you were not an S.C. resident or left the question blank. Even if this was in error, you will have to go through the full residency process.
- You indicated you are an S.C. resident, but you did not include a date for which you became a resident of the state. You would have to request a review of your admissions file for the Office of Residency Classification to determine if a full application is required.
- You indicated you are an S.C. resident, but you have been in S.C. for three years or less. Anyone who has been in S.C. for less than four years must go through the residency process.
- You indicated you are an S.C. resident, but you list either an out-of-state address, out-of-state high school or out-of-state college. You will have to go through the full residency application process.
- You indicated you are not a U.S. citizen. You must go through the full residency process and provide copies of the Permanent Resident cards or valid visas.
Residency Application
Residency applications take several weeks to review once all documentation has been received. To have your file reviewed for an upcoming term, you must submit your application and requested materials by the deadlines listed below.
Residency applications will be accepted up until the first day of classes for the applicable term; however, you may not receive a decision from the Office of Residency Classification before your student bill is due if you submit your application after the priority processing deadline.
Application Deadlines
| Term | New Student Application Deadline |
|---|---|
|
Fall |
March 1 July 1 |
|
Spring |
December 1 |
|
Summer |
Day prior to First Day of Class for Summer I |
| Term | Continuing Student Application Deadline |
|---|---|
|
Fall |
July 1 |
|
Spring |
December 1 |
|
Summer |
Day prior to First Day of Class for Summer I |
Filling out an application
Residency applications must be initiated and completed by the student. When filling out the application, you will first select your status as a student. Below you can find details to assist you in selecting the appropriate status:
Dependent: Students who are a dependent of or are married to an S.C. resident.
Independent: Students who are financially independent and S.C. residents in their own right.
Military: Students who believe they qualify under the military regulations for in-state rates.
State Employees
Non-South Carolina residents who are full-time faculty and administrative employees of South Carolina state-supported colleges and universities and their dependents are eligible to pay in-state tuition and fees.
Fire and Police
Tuition is not charged to children of firemen, law enforcement officers and government employees totally disabled or killed in the line of duty. Legal citation can be found in the SC Code of Laws (see Article 3).
Residency Decisions
Clemson University has final authority on residency decisions based on holistic review and informed by state legislation, regulations and guidance.
These decisions can vary from institution to institution and cannot be appealed with the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The burden of proof lies with the applicant to prove they meet the criteria to be considered South Carolina residents.
Should a residency application be denied, students can submit a separate appeal to the University; instructions for this are included in the residency decision letter.
SC Regulation 62-605.
A. Resident status may not be acquired by an applicant or student while residing in South Carolina for the primary purpose of enrollment in an institution or for access to state-supported programs designed to serve South Carolina residents. An applicant or student from another state who comes to South Carolina usually does so for the purpose of attending school. Therefore, an applicant or student who enrolls as a nonresident in an institution is presumed to remain a nonresident throughout his or her attendance and does not qualify under any of the residency provisions.
For more information on state regulations, visit the South Carolina Code of Laws.
Contact Us
Office of Residency Classification
G-01 Sikes Hall
Clemson, SC 29634-5123
Phone: 864-656-2280
Fax: 864-656-1831
Email: residency@clemson.edu
