Citizenship & Residency Requirements

Citizenship Verification Requirements

Effective January 1, 2009, USCA must verify the citizenship or lawful presence in the United States of every student before they may enroll. This policy has been adopted to comply with section 59-101-430 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, which requires that lawful presence in the United States is verified before enrollment at any public institution of higher education.

The University will do all it can to verify citizenship using other means. For example, a student's citizenship may be checked by the federal government when applying for financial aid. If a student's citizenship can not be verified through other means a citizenship verification form will be mailed to the student. It must be completed and returned with one of the following documents before the student can enroll. Documents that may be used to verify citizenship are:

REAL ID issued by any of the United States of America or territories
Copy of South Carolina driver's license (if the student was born after January 1, 1986)
Certified Birth Certificate indicating the student was born in the United States or a territory of the United States.
Current U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport that has not expired more than ten years.
Certificate of Naturalization - USCIS Form (N-550 or N-570)
U.S. government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560 or N-561)
Unexpired U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (DOD DD-2)

NOTE: If a name has changed since birth, the student must present all legal documents (i.e., adoption records, marriage certificate, certificate of naturalization, and court-ordered name change) supporting all name changes from the name which appears on the birth certificate or proof of citizenship to the present.

The university can accept photocopies of birth certificates and other citizenship documents; however, we reserve the right to demand the production of the certified original if we have any questions about whether the copy is true and accurate or in the event any of the information on the copy is unreadable.

For more information about the citizenship verification process, contact the campus Citizenship Verification Coordinator at enroll@usca.edu.

Download the Citizenship Verification Form

Legal Residency Requirements

The University of South Carolina Aiken has established a differential in tuition and fees between in-state residents and non-residents, and must therefore determine the resident classification of applicants and students in accordance with South Carolina Code of Laws (59-112-80 et seq.).

Determination of residency status occurs after a student has been admitted and deposited with the University and has completed the State of Residency Clarification Form in the Pacer Portal. 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. Residing in South Carolina and being a resident for tuition purposes are separate issues. The burden of proof rests with the student to show evidence as deemed necessary to establish and maintain their residency status.

Documents Required

Download a text-only PDF of Four Items of Intent Required for South Carolina Residency

How to Certify In-State Residency Status

All students wishing to pay in-state tuition must complete the online State of Residency Clarification Form.

Once you have been admitted to USCA, pay the enrollment deposit and complete the online residency form by signing into Pacer Portal.

After you sign into Pacer Portal, click on the box labeled admissions, then click on the box labeled State of Residency Clarification Form. Complete all sections and submit. If additional information is needed, an e-mail will be sent to your USCA email account.

Richmond and Columbia County Residents

Persons who are legal residents of Richmond County or Columbia County, Georgia, may qualify to pay in-state tuition. Note: the reciprocal agreement for in-state tuition for Richmond County and Columbia County residents applies only to USCA undergraduate or graduate courses taken at the Aiken Campus. If you believe you qualify for in-state based on your residence in Richmond or Columbia county GA, follow the directions above (How to Certify In-State Residency Status) to certify your residency.

Contact Information

Inquiries regarding residency requirements and residency determinations should be directed to the USCA Legal Residency Officer at residency@usca.edu.

Appeals and Change of Status

Any person who disagrees with a residency classification decision may appeal the decision to the USC Aiken Legal Residency Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee is bound by the same laws and regulations as the campus residency officer. Its purpose is to review the facts and circumstances of the case and determine whether the residency officer’s decision was made correctly based on applicable South Carolina law and regulations. Neither the residency officer nor the Appeals Committee has the authority to waive or disregard the provisions of applicable laws or regulations.

To appeal a residency decision, students must email residency@usca.edu to request the SC Residency Appeal Form. The completed appeal form, supporting documentation, and a written statement summarizing the circumstances of the appeal must be submitted to residency@usca.edu . Upon receipt of the completed appeal materials, the residency officer will schedule the appeal for review by the Legal Residency Appeals Committee as soon as reasonably possible.

South Carolina residency at USC Aiken is not retroactive. Persons seeking a change in resident classification must submit their appeal and all required supporting documentation prior to the first day of class for the semester in which resident status is being claimed. The burden of proof rests with the person requesting the change in classification, who must provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate eligibility for South Carolina residency.