Collection Policy
The Bursar’s Office is primarily responsible for the collection of all campus based student obligations. We pursue collection activity on past due student accounts, past due Title IV debt, returned checks, library charges, parking fees, and other University delinquent accounts. Students have 10 working days to clear an obligation once incurred. Obligations outstanding after 10 days will be considered delinquent.
Records Hold
A records hold will be placed on all delinquent accounts. The student will be unable to request transcripts, receive grades or register for future terms until the account is paid in full. Please contact the Bursar's Office at (843) 208-8008 to check the status of your delinquent account.
Returned Checks
When a student’s check is returned by their financial institution to the University, the student will be notified by a certified letter. All returned checks are subject to a fine of $30, and the amount of the check and fine is due immediately. If the amount due is not paid within 10 working days, a hold will be placed on the student's account. The student will be unable to receive a diploma, request transcripts, or receive grades until the amount is paid in full.
Title IV Debt
Title IV debt is incurred when a student who is receiving federal financial aid withdraws from school or stops attending before earning all of those funds. Title IV funds include the following:
- Unsubsidized Federal Stafford
- Subsidized Federal Stafford
- Federal Perkins
- Federal PLUS Loan
- Federal Grants (includes PELL and SEOG)
Federal financial aid funds are awarded with the expectation that students will complete the entire period of enrollment. Students “earn” a percentage of the funds that are disbursed with each day of enrollment. When a student who has received federal aid funds (Title IV Funds) officially leaves school or stops attending class before the end of the semester or period of enrollment, federal regulations require the University of South Carolina to calculate the percentage and amount of “unearned” financial aid funds that must be returned. Once a student has completed more than 60% of the enrollment period, they are considered to have earned all funding received. This calculation may have the effect of requiring the student who withdraws or stops attending class before this time frame to repay funds that have already been disbursed to the student or credited towards their current account for tuition, fees, housing and/or meals. (FINA 4.06)
Students receiving financial aid are encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from school.
Delinquent Student Accounts
Students who fail to pay their accounts within 10 days of original obligation will be considered delinquent, and the student is notified by mail and email of the delinquent account status. Once considered delinquent, a student's records are placed on hold and the student will be unable to request transcripts, receive grades or register for future terms until the account is paid in full. In addition, failure to pay fees, including past due payment plan installments, may result in a student’s meal plan being turned off, having to move out of University Housing, and being withdrawn from classes. Only cash or cashier's checks will be accepted for delinquent accounts.
The Bursar’s Office will work very closely with students and parents to resolve all delinquent obligations in a timely manner. Failure to pay within the specified time period may result in the account being placed with an outside collection agency for final collection action. This action can be avoided by staying in contact with our office and making satisfactory arrangements to pay outstanding obligations.