Academic Fees

Spring 2008

October 15, 2007

Schedule of Fees: http://www.sc.edu/bursar/schedule.shtml

FINANCIAL AID:

If your financial aid is not available to use for payment, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship, (777-8134).

Thursday, July 05, 2007

IMPORTANT NOTICE

New Payment Options at the University of South Carolina

Effective immediately, the University of South Carolina will no longer accept VISA as a payment option for tuition and fees. Unlike other credit card vendors, VISA regulations require all convenience fee charges be assessed at a flat rate. Flat convenience fees applied to small transaction amounts can often exceed the amount of the actual charge being paid.

This payment option change applies only to student tuition and fee payments made using a VISA branded debit or credit card in person as well as via the internet using the Visual Information Processing System (VIP). However, we will continue accepting VISA credit card payments throughout the University for other charges.

We will continue to accept credit cards payments using MasterCard, Discover, and American Express as we have successfully negotiated a percentage convenience fee of 2.5% of the total outstanding tuition and fee charges with these vendors.

In our effort to trim the escalating cost associated with credit card payments, the University has established E-checks as an alternative method of paying tuition and fees without the assessment of a convenience fee. While credit card payments offer a convenient method for students and parents to pay tuition and fees, the costs associated with providing this service has grown dramatically. We hope our concern for your financial interests will outweigh any minor inconvenience that this change may cause in the upcoming Spring 2008 semester.

FEE PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR TUITION AND FEES

Students are responsible to pay the correct amount of tuition, fees, and past due balances in U.S. dollars (checks must be drawn on a U.S. Bank). A current billing statement is available on the Students Visual Information System (VIP).

After registering on VIP for ALL courses, go to or click on "Financial".

1. Select "Show Me Optional Fees": Make all additions or changes to your Optional Fees before paying your bill. Then select "Show me Fees, Tuition & Payment". Look over your bill to make sure all charges are included and accurate such as housing, meal plans, Carolina Card, etc. If the bill is correct, click on "Pay Fees" and follow steps to allow payment of fees.

NOTE: If you have paid your bill, you cannot make changes to optional fees utilizing VIP. Once you have clicked on "pay fees", you must contact the office associated with the fee you wish to have adjusted.

2. FINANCIAL AID: SCHOLARSHIPS, LOANS OR GRANTS

Note: If you are receiving financial aid, you may need to complete the "Authorization to Permit Financial Aid to be used for Payment of Current Charges." Go to "Show me Financial Aid Award." Complete the "Fee Authorization" by clicking on and agreeing to the statement. This will update the system immediately to allow "Pending" financial aid due to no fee authorization to be "Available" to pay fees.

If you are receiving state "LIFE", "HOPE", or PALMETTO FELLOWS" scholarship, you must complete the "Certification Affidavit".

3. PAYMENT STEPS: SIGN IN TO THE VISUAL INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM (VIP).

Payment by using your Financial Aid:

Select 'FINANCIAL' - select "SHOW ME FEES, TUITION, AND PAYMENT" Follow instructions as presented by the VIP program.

If your financial aid does not completely pay your academic fees when using VIP, you may pay the BALANCE DUE by:

• Payment by E-check when using VIP,
• Mailing your check with an attached copy of your bill,
• Credit card,
• In person during the walk-in period.

E-check: USC’s PREFERRED PAYMENT METHOD

In our effort to trim the escalating cost associated with credit card payments, the University has established E-checks as an alternative method of paying tuition and fees without the assessment of a convenience fee.

If you wish to pay your fees by e-Check, go to "Show me Fees, Tuition, and Payment." then click on "Pay Fees." Select "Pay by Bank Account." A sample check will appear. Key in:

• Transit/Routing Number
• Bank Account
• Name on Account
• View for accuracy
• Submit for payment
• Record your Payment Confirmation Number

Payment by Credit Card when using VIP

Only MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards are accepted. A convenience fee of 2.5% is charged on each credit card transaction. If you wish to pay your fees by credit card, go to "Show me Fees, Tuition, and Payment." View charges for accuracy then click on "Pay Fees." Select "Pay by Credit Card." Enter the credit card information and follow the steps to allow payment of fees. Only one credit card can be used to complete the payment.

By Mail

Print a copy of your bill and attach your check for the exact amount on your bill. Please pay attention to the mail-in cut-off date noted in the "What’s Happening" calendar located on the Bursar’s web pages. If you pay your fees by mail, print a copy of your bill from VIP by clicking on "Show Me Schedule and Bill." If you are receiving financial aid please sign the front of the bill in the space provided and send it along with a check or money order made payable to USC for the remainder or balance due amount to:

Bursar's Office
1521 Greene Street
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina 29208

In Person - During the Walk-in Period

Walk-in period for the Spring Semester is January 10, 11, 14 & 15, Carolina Coliseum, Greene Street entrance. No Saturday hours scheduled for Spring.

(Please view the calendar pages in "What's Happening" on the Bursar's web pages).

Go to http://www.sc.edu, select "University Offices", select "Bursar", select "What's Happening".

CONFIRMATION NUMBER:

After successfully completing the fee payment process on VIP, you are given a confirmation number for your records. This is your proof of payment. Keep a copy for your records.

POSTING OF PAYMENTS SPRING SEMESTER 2008:

The Bursar receipts all mail-in payments as they are received. VIP (Visual Information Processing) payments are processed as they are recorded electronically.

Please note all deadlines for mail-in payments and tuition payment cancellation dates.

All payment information reported on the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Summary Statement will reflect the date(s) the payment(s) were posted to the University’s records. Please be aware of the tax year in which you plan to claim an educational tax credit. Payments posted in 2007 are reported on the 2007 Summary of Educational Tax Credit Transactions, which has been developed by the University to assist you in determining amounts eligible for the Hope and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. If you wish to have your Spring 2008 payment reported for tax purposes in 2007-tax year, you must make your payment BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2008. The payment deadline for Spring Semester is January 15, 2008.

If you make your Spring 2008 payment before January 1, 2008, your payment will be reflected on the 2007 1098-T and your aid, if any, will be reported on the 2008 1098-T.

It is recommended that all taxpayers consult with their tax advisor for assistance, as each individual's tax situation is different. Additional information is available at http://www.sc.edu/bursar/hope.shtml.