Centrally located in one of the most beautiful spots on campus, our first-gen housing aims to foster academic success and an enhanced sense of belonging by providing students housing options near the USC First-Gen Center in Maxcy College. Students can also continue living with other Honors students and have easy access to Honors advisors and free printing in the Honors administrative buildings by selecting one of four affordable residence halls on the Horseshoe.
All USC first-gen students have the option to apply to live in the First Generation Center, the university's new living learning community.
USC First-Gen Center
The University of South Carolina's new First-Gen Center will be a hub for resources tailored to first-gen students across the entire campus. Mentoring, collaboration with faculty and a wealth of academic and social supports will all be conveniently located in Maxcy College on the USC Horseshoe. The First-Gen Center will be a gateway to a supportive community, making students' academic journeys smoother and more enjoyable.
In addition to resources and support, the new center will provide approximately 50 housing spots for continuing, first-gen students.
Honors or USC First-Gen Housing?
Living on the Horseshoe provides an opportunity for our Honors first-gen students to live in Honors-designated housing in close proximity to the university's First-Gen Center. However there are a few differences between living in the Honors living learning community versus the First-Gen Center in Maxcy College.
- Honors first-gen students have the option to choose space in any of the residential buildings on the Horseshoe: DeSaussure, Harper, Pinkney-Legare or Rutledge. There are no first-gen specific living areas in these four locations.
- Space is not as limited as the USC First-Gen Center housing in Maxcy College.
- Honors housing on the Horseshoe is only steps away from the new First-Gen Center.
- First-gen students can room with non-FGS students, as long as all students are in Honors.
- The cost of Honors housing on the Horseshoe is a more budget-friendly option compared to 650 Lincoln.
- Located in Maxcy College.
- Is designated as a Living Learn Community for first-gen students.
- USC First-Gen housing is some of the most affordable housing on campus.
- Space is limited to approximately 50 students.
- Only first-gen students are allowed to reside in Maxcy.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, the Honors housing application timeline and USC First-Gen Center housing timeline are different:
- Returning student housing application opens in mid-January
- Application deadline: Late January
- Honors housing choices confirmed no later than early February
- Returning student application opens mid-December
- Application deadline: TBD
- FGS housing decisions confirmed TBD
*First-gen students can express interest in First-Gen Center housing (Maxcy) by completing this form.
First-gen students who wish to express interest in living in the new USC First-Gen Center (Maxcy College) should complete this interest form.