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RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Agency Name: Commission on Higher Education
Statutory Authority: 59-149-10
Document Number: 4034
Proposed in State Register Volume and Issue: 32/10
House Committee: Ways and Means Committee
Senate Committee: Education Committee
120 Day Review Expiration Date for Automatic Approval: 05/22/2009
Final in State Register Volume and Issue: 33/6
Status: Final
Subject: Determination of Rates of Tuition and Fees
History: 4034
By Date Action Description Jt. Res. No. Expiration Date
- 10/24/2008 Proposed Reg Published in SR
- 01/22/2009 Received by Lt. Gov & Speaker 05/22/2009
H 01/27/2009 Referred to Committee
S 01/27/2009 Referred to Committee
- 05/22/2009 Approved by: Expiration Date
- 06/26/2009 Effective Date unless otherwise
provided for in the Regulation
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Document No. 4034
COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
CHAPTER 62
Statutory Authority: 1976 Code Section 59-149-10
62-600. Determination of Rates of Tuition and Fees
Synopsis:
R.62-600 of Chapter 62 is being amended and replaced in its entirety. Revisions to the existing regulation
for the SC Residency Regulation are being considered to clarify the policies and procedures for
administering the program. In the proposed amendment, the definition of a dependent is clarified and the
use of voter registration cards to prove SC residency will be prohibited. In addition, institutional
residency officers will be allowed to develop an appeal process for students to challenge institutional
residency decisions. There are also additional clarifications being proposed, such as adding definitions
and minor grammatical changes to promote consistency among the State institutions and their residency
classification processes.
Instructions:
Amend and replace in its entirety R.62-600 through 62-612 with the following.
Text:
Table of Contents:
62-600. Rates of Tuition and Fees.
62-601. Code of Laws Governing Residence.
62-602. Definitions.
62-603. Citizens and Permanent Residents.
62-604. Non-Resident Aliens, Non-Citizens, and Non-Permanent Residents.
62-605. Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary.
62-606. Maintaining Residence.
62-607. Effect of Change of Residency.
62-608. Effect of Marriage.
62-609. Exceptions.
62-610. Application for Change of Resident Status.
62-611. Incorrect Classification.
62-612. Inquiries and Appeals.
62-600. Rates of Tuition and Fees.
A. Resident classification is an essential part of tuition and fee determination, admission regulations,
scholarship eligibility, and other relevant policies of the state. It is important that institutions have fair and
equitable regulations that 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 for Tuition and Fee Purposes to be applied consistently by all South
Carolina institutions of higher education. These regulations do not address residency matters relating to in
county categories used within the State’s technical colleges.
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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 information becomes available that would impact the existing residency status
and the determination is successfully challenged. The burden of proof rests with the students to show
evidence as deemed necessary to establish and maintain their residency status.
62-601. Code of Laws Governing Residence.
Rules regarding the establishment of legal residence for tuition and fee purposes for institutions of
higher education are governed by Title 59, Chapter 112 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as
amended.
62-602. Definitions.
A. “Academic Session” is defined as a term or semester of enrollment. (62-607.B)
B. “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 or
applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions. (62-607.A)
C. “Dependent Person” is defined as one whose predominant source of income or support is from
payments from a parent, spouse, or guardian, who claims the dependent person on his/her federal income
tax return. In the case of those individuals who are supported by family members who do not earn enough
reportable income for taxation purposes, a dependent person can be defined as one who qualifies 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. A dependent person’s residency is based upon the residency of the
person upon whom they are dependent. (62-602.G) (62-602.N) (62-603.B) (62-605.C) (62-607.A)
D. “Domicile” is defined as the true, fixed, principal residence and place of habitation. It shall
indicate the place where a person intends to remain, or to where one 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 student at institutions shall be presumed not to be a
place of principal residence, as residency in such housing is by its nature temporary. (62-602.E) (62-
602.K) (62-602.M) (62-602.N) (62-603.A) (62.603.B) (62-605.B) (62-605.C) (62-607.A) (62-607.B) (62-
608.A) (62-608.C) (62-608.D) (62-609.A.3) (62-609.A.4)
E. “Family’s Domicile in this State is Terminated” is defined as an employer directed transfer of the
person upon whom the student is dependent and is not construed to mean a voluntary change in domicile.
Also included is a relocation of the person upon whom the student is dependent who is laid off through no
fault of their own, e.g., plant closure, downsizing, etc., who accepts employment in another state prior to
relocating. (62-607.A)
F. “Full time employment” is defined as employment that consists of at least thirty seven and one
half hours a week on a single job in a full time status, with gross earnings of at least minimum wage.
However, a person who works less than thirty seven and one half hours a week but receives or is entitled
to receive full time employee benefits shall be considered to be employed full time if such status is
verified by the employer. A person who meets the eligibility requirements of the Americans with
Disabilities Act must present acceptable evidence that they satisfy their prescribed employment
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specifications in order to qualify as having full time employment. (62-605.C.1) (62-609.A.2) (62-
609.A.3)
G. “Guardian” is defined as one legally responsible for the care and management of the person or
property of a minor child based upon the five tests for dependency prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Service; 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. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I)
(62-602.M) (62-603.B) (62-605.C)
H. “Immediately Prior” is defined as the period of time between the offer of admission and the first
day of class of the term for which the offer was made, not to exceed one calendar year. (62-607.A)
I. “Independent Person” is defined as one in his/her majority (eighteen years of age or older) or an
emancipated minor, whose predominant source of income is his/her own earnings or income from
employment, investments, or payments from trusts, grants, scholarships, commercial loans, or payments
made in accordance with court order. An independent person must provide more than half of his or her
support during the twelve months immediately prior to the date that classes begin for the semester for
which resident status is requested. An independent person cannot claim the domicile of another
individual as their own for the purposes of establishing intent to become a South Carolina resident. An
independent person must have established his/her own domicile for twelve months prior to receiving
instate tuition and fees. An independent person cannot be claimed as a dependent or exemption on the
federal tax return of his or her parent, spouse, or guardian for the year in which resident status is
requested. (62-602.N) (62-603.A) (62-605.C) (62-607.B) (62-608.B)
J. “Minor” is defined as a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years. An “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.
(62-602.G)
K. “Non-resident Alien” is defined as a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of the
United States. By virtue of their non-resident status “non-resident aliens” generally do not have the
capacity to establish domicile in South Carolina. (62-602.M) (62-604.A)
L. “Parent” is defined as the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, foster parent or parent of a legally
adopted child. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I) (62-602.J) (62-602.M) (62-603.B) (62-603.C) (62-
605.C)
M. “Reside” is defined as continuous and permanent physical presence within the State, provided that
absences for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of residence. Excluded are absences
associated with requirements to complete a degree, absences for military training service, and like
absences, provided South Carolina domicile is maintained. (62-603.A) (62-606.B) (62-609.A) (62-
609.A.3) (62-609.A.4) (62-609.B)
N. ”Resident” 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 class of the term for which resident classification is sought and for
whom there is an absence of domiciliary evidence in other states or countries, not withstanding other
provisions of the Statute. (62-600.A) (62-600.B) (62-602.I) (62-602.K) (62-602.M) (62-603.A) (62-
603.B) (62-603.C) (62-604.A) (62-605.A) (62-605.C) (62-605.C.7) (62-606.A) (62-606.A.5) (62-606.B)
(62-607.A) (62-608.B) (62-609.A.3) (62-610.A) (62-610.B) (62-611.A) (62-611.B)
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O. “Spouse” is defined as the husband or wife of a married person in accordance with Title 20,
Chapter 1 of the 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended. (62-602.C) (62-602.E) (62-602.I) (62-
602.M) (62-603.B) (62-605.C)
P. “Temporary Absence” is defined as a break in enrollment during a fall or spring semester (or its
equivalent) during which a student is not registered for class. (62-606.A)
Q. “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.
(62-609.A.4)
R. “United States Armed Forces” is defined as the United States Air Force, Army, Marine Corps,
Navy, and Coast Guard. (62-606.B) (62-609.A(1))
S. “Trust” is defined as a legal entity created by a grantor for the benefit of designated beneficiaries
under the laws of the state and the valid trust instrument. However, that where circumstances indicate that
such trust was created primarily for the purpose of conferring South Carolina domicile for tuition and fee
purposes on such child or independent person, it shall not be given such effect.
62-603. Citizens and Permanent Residents.
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 tuition and fees. The twelve month residency period starts
when the independent person establishes the intent to become a South Carolina resident per Section 62-
605 entitled “Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary.” The twelve
month residency period cannot start until the absence of indicia in other states is proven. Absences from
the State during the twelve month period may affect the establishment of permanent residence for tuition
and fee purposes.
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 or, only in the case of those
individuals who are supported by family members who do not earn enough reportable income for taxation
purposes, qualifies to claim the dependent person as a dependent for federal income tax purposes. Thus,
the residence and domicile of a dependent person shall be presumed to be that of their parent, spouse, or
guardian.
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 claims the dependent person as a dependent for tax
purposes; or based on the resident status of the parent who has legal custody or legal joint custody of the
dependent person; or based on the resident status of the person who makes payments under a court order
for child support and at least the cost of his/her college tuition and fees.
62-604. Non-Resident Aliens, Non-Citizens, and Non-Permanent Residents.
A. Except as otherwise specified in this section or as provided in Section 62-609 (1) & (2),
independent non-citizens and non-permanent residents of the United States will be assessed tuition and
fees at the non-resident, out of state rate. Independent non-resident aliens, including refugees, asylees, and
parolees 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
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provided that all other domiciliary requirements are met. Time spent living in South Carolina immediately
prior to the awarding of permanent resident status does not count toward the twelve month residency
period. Certain non resident aliens present in the United States in specified visa classifications are eligible
to receive in state residency status for tuition and fee purposes as prescribed by the Commission on
Higher Education. They are not, however, eligible to receive state sponsored tuition
assistance/scholarships.
B. Title 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) serves as the primary resource for defining visa
categories.
62-605. Establishing the Requisite Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary.
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 non-resident in an institution is presumed to remain a non-resident throughout his or her
attendance and does not qualify under any of the residency provisions.
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 of the institution to
which they are applying any and all evidence 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 or the parent, spouse, or guardian of dependent persons, examples of
intent to become a South Carolina resident may include, although any single indicator may not be
conclusive, the following indicia:
1. Statement of full time employment;
2. Designating South Carolina as state of legal residence on military record;
3. Possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license, or if a non-driver, a South Carolina
identification card. Failure to obtain this within 90 days of the establishment of the intent to become a
South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date of residency eligibility until a South Carolina
driver’s license is obtained;
4. Possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card. Failure to obtain this within 45
days of the establishment of the intent to become a South Carolina resident will delay the beginning date
of residency eligibility until the applicant obtains a South Carolina vehicle registrations card;
5. Maintenance of domicile in South Carolina;
6. 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;
7. Ownership of principal residence in South Carolina; and
8. Licensing for professional practice (if applicable) in South Carolina.
D. The absence of indicia in other states or countries is required before the student is eligible to pay
in state rates.
62-606. Maintaining Residence.
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
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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 tuition and fee purposes include:
1. Continuing to use a South Carolina permanent address on all records;
2. Maintaining South Carolina driver’s license;
3. Maintaining South Carolina vehicle registration;
4. 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. Active duty members of the United States Armed Forces and their dependents are eligible to pay
in state tuition and fees as long as they continuously claim South Carolina as their state of legal residence
during their military service. Documentation will be required in all cases to support this claim. South
Carolina residents who change their state of legal residence while in the military lose their South Carolina
resident status for tuition and fee purposes.
62-607. Effect of Change of Residency.
A. Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any dependent person of a legal resident of this
state who has been domiciled with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three
years and whose family’s domicile in this state is terminated immediately prior to his/her enrollment may
enroll at the in state rate. Any dependent person of a legal resident of this state who has been domiciled
with his/her family in South Carolina for a period of not less than three years and whose family’s
domicile in this state is terminated after his/her enrollment may continue to receive in state rates,
however, a student must continue to be enrolled and registered for classes (excluding summers) in order
to maintain eligibility to pay in state rates in subsequent semesters. Transfers within or between South
Carolina colleges and universities of a student seeking a certificate, diploma, associate, baccalaureate, or
graduate level degree does not constitute a break in enrollment.
B. If a dependent or independent person voluntarily leaves the state, and information becomes
available that would impact the existing residency status, eligibility for in state rates shall end on the last
day of the academic session during which domicile is lost. Application of this provision shall be at the
discretion of the institution involved. However, a student must continue to be enrolled and registered for
classes (excluding summers) in order to maintain eligibility to pay in state rates in subsequent semesters.
62-608. Effect of Marriage.
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 non-resident marries a South Carolina resident, the non-resident does not automatically
acquire South Carolina resident status. The non-resident may acquire South Carolina resident status if the
South Carolina resident is an independent person and the non-resident 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.
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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.
62-609. Exceptions.
A. Persons in the following categories qualify to pay in state tuition and fees without having to
establish a permanent home in the state for twelve months. Persons who qualify under any of these
categories must meet the conditions of the specific category on or before the first day of class of the term
for which payment of in state tuition and fees is requested. The following categories apply only to in state
tuition and do not apply to State supported scholarships and grants. Individuals who qualify for in state
tuition and fees under the following exceptions do not automatically qualify for LIFE, SC HOPE or
Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.
1. “Military Personnel and their Dependents”: Members of the United States Armed Forces who
are permanently assigned in South Carolina on active duty and their dependents are eligible to pay in state
tuition and fees. When such personnel are transferred from the State, their dependents may continue to
pay in state tuition and fees as long as they are continuously enrolled. Such persons (and their dependents)
may also be eligible to pay in state tuition and fees as long as they are continuously enrolled 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 tuition and fees.
2. “Faculty and Administrative Employees with Full Time Employment and their Dependents”:
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.
3. “Residents with Full Time Employment and their Dependents:” Persons who reside, are
domiciled, and are full time employed in the State and who continue to work full time until they meet the
twelve month requirement and their dependents are eligible to pay in state tuition and fees, provided that
they have taken steps to establish a permanent home in the State. Steps an independent person must take
to establish residency in South Carolina are listed in Section 62-605 entitled (“Establishing the Requisite
Intent to Become a South Carolina Domiciliary”).
4. “Retired Persons and their Dependents:” 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 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 from 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. South Carolina residents who wish to participate in the Contract for Services program sponsored
by the Southern Regional Education Board must have continuously resided in the State for other than
educational purposes for at least two years immediately preceding application for consideration and must
meet all other residency requirements during this two year period.
62-610. Application for Change of Resident Status.
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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
established by the institution.
B. The burden of proof rests with those persons applying for a change of resident classification who
must show required evidence to document the change in resident status.
62-611. Incorrect classification.
A. Persons incorrectly classified as residents are subject to reclassification and to payment of all nonresident
tuition and 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 the
institution attended of such changes.
62-612. Inquiries and Appeals.
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. Each institutions appeal process
should be directed by that institutions primary residency officer, in conjunction with those individuals
who practice the application of State residency regulations on a daily basis. The professional judgment of
the residency officer and administrators will constitute the institutional appeal process. Neither the
primary residency official nor appellate official(s) may waive the provisions of the Statute or regulation
governing residency for tuition and fee purposes.
Fiscal Impact Statement:
No additional state funding is requested. The SC Commission on Higher Education estimates that no
additional costs will be incurred by the State and its political subdivisions by approving the above
regulations.
Statement of Rationale:
The SC Commission on Higher Education is mandated to promulgate regulation and establish procedures
for the determination of tuition and fee rates.