The Open House on September 8 runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Open House on Septembe 22 runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Choose the best day for you and join us at the Russell House on Greene Street. Students can choose from the following activities:

Campus tours
Information sessions
Academic and student services fair
Residence hall open houses

The Open House on September 8 runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Open House on Septembe 22 runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Choose the best day for you and join us at the Russell House on Greene Street. Students can choose from the following activities:

Campus tours
Information sessions
Academic and student services fair
Residence hall open houses

The University is a great buy in quality education. Compare the costs, and you'll find that tuition and living expenses at USC are competitive with other southeastern state universities. In fact, USC offers financial assistance to more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students. Barron's Best Buys in College Education compares the University of South Carolina favorably with selected top colleges and universities in the nation. USC was also named in Kiplinger's Top 100 Best Buys for 2006.

College is affordable, if you know what steps to take. There are many types of financial assistance available: academic scholarships, federal aid, grants, and loans, to name a few. For more information about financial aid, visit USC's Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Academic scholarships available for qualified incoming freshman students are based on merit and strong academic potential. Students who receive merit-based scholarships must typically maintain a "B" (3.0) GPA to qualify for renewal each year for up to four years of study. Students must be officially accepted at the University before they can receive a scholarship. If you are interested in qualifying for an academic scholarship, it is very important for you to meet the December 1 priority application deadline. If you are interested in competing for Carolina, McNair, or Lieber Scholars awards, we strongly encourage you to apply no later than November 15, and be sure to complete the Honors College/Top Scholars application supplement along with your USC Undergraduate Application.

Among the scholarships offered by the University are the McNair Scholars Award ($15,000 per year); Carolina Scholars Award ($10,000 per year); University Scholars Award ($1,500 per year); Cooper Scholars Award ($4000  per year); McKissick Scholars Award ($2000 per year); Alumni Scholars Award ($3,500 per year); Trustees' Endowment Scholars Award ($3,000 per year); and the Valedictorian Scholars Award ($3,000 per year). Other scholarships awarded include the Lieber Scholars Award (up to $6,000 per year), departmental scholarships, and athletic grants-in-aid. For a more comprehensive scholarship list, visit General Academic Scholarships.

Students seeking financial assistance should apply early for admission to the University, since students may not be awarded financial aid until they have been officially accepted by the University. Students applying for financial aid will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA, which becomes available in January, may be obtained from almost all high school guidance counselors and is posted on the Web, as well (www.fafsa.ed.gov).

Freshman applicants who wish to hear an early admissions decision from the University of South Carolina-Columbia are encouraged to apply by October 1. This new early answer deadline allows students who have submitted their application and all necessary credentials by October 1 to hear an admissions decision from the University by December 20. For more information, please visit www.sc.edu/admissions

Students are encouraged to apply online at www.sc.edu/admissions