Frequently Asked Questions about Admissions

Welcome to the Admissions FAQ section of Spartanburg Community College, where you can find answers to your most pressing questions about the application process, financial aid, and campus life.

• Under most circumstances, a person must live in South Carolina for 12 consecutive months to establish residency. The residency certification section in the application must be completed before being accepted. A copy of your driver’s license or state issued ID and parent state issued ID (if under the age of 21) must be submitted with the form.

  Residency Certification Form PDF

• (1) Possession of a valid South Carolina driver’s license, or if a non-driver, a South Carolina identification card.

  (2) Possession of a valid South Carolina vehicle registration card for at least one vehicle the independent person is in sole or partial ownership of. Independent persons who do not own vehicles should notify the institution.

  (3) Maintenance of an established and primary domicile in South Carolina (lease or purchase of a home)

  (4) Filing 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.

  The institution may require additional documentation and information, in conjunction with the items listed above, when making determinations on resident classification if insufficient or incorrect information has been submitted.

  Please note that the submission of the SC state issued ID, SC Vehicle registration, proof of established and primary domicile in South Carolina, and prior year SC income taxes does not automatically classify you as a SC resident. The classification is awarded only after the 12-month period has been met.

  Residency is established after:

  • Living in South Carolina for 12 consecutive months at a primary domicile
  • Obtaining a South Carolina driver’s license or ID
  • Registering vehicles in South Carolina
  • Filing South Carolina taxes as a resident when applicable

  Some exemptions may waive the 12-month waiting period but still require proof of South Carolina domicile and intent to remain.

  Possible exemptions include:

  • Certain military-related benefits through the Veterans Affairs Office
  • Retirees relocating to South Carolina on terminal leave
  • A person who meets the eligibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act must present acceptable evidence that they satisfy their prescribed employment specifications to qualify as having full-time employment. Proof of disability/ADA eligibility, VA Benefits Summary Letter showing a 100% disability rating, or Social Security disability determination, if applicable other official documentation establishing eligibility under the applicable disability program
  • Full-time employees working for South Carolina-based employer- Residency Exception for North Carolina and Georgia Residents and less than 12-month SC residents: Requires dated letter of full-time employment for a South Carolina based employer on company letterhead indicating hire date, employment status (must be full-time), name of employee, company name and address, and name, title, signature and contact information of manager or HR representative completing the letter. This letter must be submitted via email to admissions@sccsc.edu directly from the employer.
  • Active-duty military personnel stationed in South Carolina

   

  When the 12-Month Residency Clock Begins

  The residency clock begins when:

  • SC Domicile is established, AND
  • A South Carolina driver’s license or ID is obtained, AND
  • Vehicles are registered in South Carolina
  • Prior year South Carolina income taxes (if no prior year tax return is available the current year’s taxes must be submitted before residency is evaluated for reclassification)

   

  Example: Within 45 Days

  • Rent/Lease or purchase of a home established on June 1st of 2025
  • License and vehicle registration completed by July 15^th, 2025
  • Prior year South Carolina income taxes submitted
  • Residency clock will start on June 1, 2025, and 12 months of residency and intent will be met on June 2, 2026. If an academic term has started, the in-state rate changes will go into effect for the next academic term.

  Example: After 45 Days

  • Rent/Lease or purchase of a home established on June 1st of 2025
  • License and vehicle registration completed by September 15^th, 2025
  • Prior year South Carolina income taxes submitted
  • Residency clock will start on September 15^th, 2025, and 12 months of residency and intent will be met on September 16^th, 2026. If an academic term has started, the in-state rate changes will go into effect for the next academic term.

   

  Residency Appeals

  Students who disagree with residency determination may submit an appeal to the Residency Appeal Committee for review. The committee will review the appeal and supporting documentation and make a determination based on applicable residency requirements.

   

  Please refer to SCC’s Live to Chase Initiative for eligibility guidelines.

  SCC's Live to Chase Initiative

• Residency for qualified veterans and their dependents under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.

  1. Qualified veterans and their dependents receiving VA benefits are entitled to in-state tuition and fees without regard to length of time in SC and must remain continuously enrolled while using their benefits.
  2. Veterans covered do not have to establish permanent residency, but must be living in SC, may use a dormitory address, may be living in someone else’s home and are not required to have a lease or other bills in their name. However, they must have a notarized statement identifying their resident address.
  3. To receive in-state residency approval the veteran must present 1. Certificate of eligibility or statement of VA benefits, 2. DD 214 indicating their discharge date, if veteran, and 3. proof of physical address (notarized statement)

• If one of the following scenarios applies to your situation then you can claim South Carolina residency:

  Joint custody and one parent is a South Carolina resident; or

  Parent claims the child on income taxes; or

  Parent who is South Carolina resident pays child support over the cost of attendance as dictated by the college.

• If a parent, guardian, or spouse provided more than half of the student's support for the past 12 months, the student is considered dependent and it is the parent, guardian, or spouse that must meet the residency requirements. If the student provided the majority of support, then the student may be eligible to apply as independent. An independent student must have his/her own permanent home in South Carolina. Dormitory housing cannot be used as one's home, as it is temporary in nature.

• No. For independent students, owning property by itself does not allow students to receive in-state tuition, as the other requirements still must be met. For parents of dependent students, South Carolina must be the primary state of residence. Simply owning property is not sufficient.

• No. There is nothing automatic about residency. You must meet all of the requirements, submit a residency application, and be approved before you become eligible.

• Not unless the relative has court-ordered guardianship and claims you on their taxes.

• You still must meet the other requirements. For admission, other factors are important, such as the source of transcripts and addresses of parents.

• On-campus housing is considered temporary because you must be a student to live in it. As a result, you may not use on-campus housing to prove in-state residency.

• Students wishing to appeal a decision must follow the grievance procedures established by the college or university to which they apply.

• For more information about South Carolina residency, contact the SCC Admissions Center at: (864) 592-4800 or toll-free (866) 591-3700.

• Download the Petition for Change of Residency Status PDF, provide the requested information and submit it to SCC Admissions Office.