Online Colleges in South Carolina

Do online credits cost more or less in South Carolina?

Tuition cost depends on the school. When it comes to tuition itself, online degrees typically cost about the same as on-campus degrees. Sometimes schools add extra distance education tuition fees for online courses. At Anderson University, both online course credits and on-campus course credits cost the same; however, each online course requires an extra $10 distance learning fee. The same rules apply at Limestone College, where lassroom courses cost the same as internet courses.

On-campus courses often demand laboratory or material fees that distance learning students do not need to pay. Trident Technical College lists these additional fees. For instance, on-campus dental students must pay an additional $75 for each course. On top of that, traditional students attending courses on-campus need to pay costs unrelated to tuition. Clemson University requires an activity fee, campus rec fee, and health fee, among others — costs that online students can avoid.

Which South Carolina schools accept the most transfer credits?

Transfer credit policies depend on both the school and the academic program. Schools often evaluate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis, meaning the answer varies for every unique student depending on his or her academic background and chosen program.

If you intend to transfer credits to either of South Carolina's two largest public research universities, Clemson University and the University of South Carolina (UCS), both of which offer online programs, consult Clemson's transfer course equivalency list or USC's transfer course equivalency table. Take note: USC does offer several online bachelor's degree completion programs. Students who enroll in these programs can bring in 45 prior credit hours from regionally accredited higher education institutions. This allows them to graduate in 2 to 2.5 years.

South Carolina State University (SCSU) operates as another public research university in Orangeburg. SCSU also accepts transfer students, as long as transfer students complete 30 credits of coursework at SCSU. Some schools offer transfer credit for real-world and professional experience. North Greenville University, for instance, allows students over the age of 22 to transfer up to 12 such credits for its business and leadership bachelor's degree.

Will any online colleges in South Carolina accept a GED?

Several accredited online schools in South Carolina accept GEDs. Online programs in South Carolina aim their courses at nontraditional learners, since these schools understand college students come from different backgrounds. Some students, for instance, opt to earn their GED instead of a high school diploma.

For example, North Greenville University allows undergraduate students applying for NGU programs online to apply with their GED if they do not possess a high school diploma. At Anderson University, applicants may send in either their high school diplomas or their GED scores. Limestone College allows candidates to apply whether they possess a high school diploma, GED, or GED equivalent. Francis Marion University allows students to apply with a GED if they include a letter of intent explaining their circumstances.

How many academic terms per year do online colleges in South Carolina offer?

One of the advantages of online colleges in South Carolina — and online programs in general — involves scheduling flexibility. Distance learning programs follow a design specifically for working adults, student parents, and nontraditional students with other commitments. Sometimes, online courses allow for shorter terms and more frequent start dates throughout the year. A handful of online schools around the country allow students to begin their degrees every month, or even every week. However, most online programs in South Carolina do not start that frequently, but still follow a much faster pace than traditional degree paths.

Take North Greenville University, for instance. The online terms last eight weeks, meaning students can start every two months rather than waiting for the traditional fall and spring semesters to start. At Anderson University, the Flex Degree program allows students to start and work through courses at their own pace. Learners can finish one class in 5-7 weeks. At Limestone College, students can begin the eight-week courses at six different start dates throughout the year. Claflin College also offers courses lasting eight weeks.

Which online colleges in South Carolina will accept the FAFSA?

All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), regardless of which online colleges in South Carolina they hope to attend. The FAFSA determines whether you can earn federal financial aid through grants, loans, and work-study programs. Applicants can easily fill out the FAFSA online.

In addition to the federal government, online schools in South Carolina sometimes use the FAFSA to determine whether students qualify for student aid. The online programs at North Greenville University, Anderson University, Clemson University, Limestone University, Columbia International University, the University of South Carolina at Columbia, Southern Wesleyan University, Lander University, Charleston Southern University, Coastal Carolina University, Claflin University, Francis Marion University, the University of South Carolina – Upstate, and the Medical University of South Carolina all require students to fill out the FAFSA. Two-year associate degree colleges do, too. These schools possess a six-digit FAFSA code; once you complete the FAFSA, enter the school's code to send your FAFSA information to your chosen college.

Are there any free online classes I can take from South Carolina colleges?

Generally, no. Online colleges in South Carolina charge tuition costs for courses students take for credit. Even community courses or continuing education courses — classes that do not count for college credit — typically demand an enrollment fee. For instance, USC in Columbia offers courses like sign language and graphic design to community members. But the school still charges $120 for sign language classes and $35 for graphic design classes. Students may bypass these fees, however, if they qualify for financial aid or scholarships.

If you want to find free online classes, you can take advantage of schools outside of South Carolina. Keep in mind, you do not receive credit for these courses; they simply contribute to your personal growth. To name a few examples, Harvard University offers free online open learning courses through its extension school. You can learn about the Ancient Greeks, the science of cooking, or abstract algebra. Stanford University operates a similar program, with courses covering topics like space mechanics, the spirit of entrepreneurship, and genetic engineering. Even if you live in South Carolina, distant learning can give you access to open learning courses based elsewhere.

How can I find the online program options at South Carolina colleges?

The state does not operate one portal for all of the online programs in South Carolina, so you need to conduct your own research to find a program that fits your needs; however, you can start by searching the top online colleges in South Carolina through this guide. You can also check out the online education websites for the state's two biggest public universities, Clemson and USC Columbia.

The online program website for USC Columbia lists individual courses, bachelor's completion programs, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees. While USC Columbia only offers one online bachelor's degree — an RN-to-BSN program — it administers several bachelor's degree completion programs. Students should also check out the online options at Clemson. Clemson mostly offers graduate degrees online, but it also runs a BSN degree. Students can also find several online professional and certificate programs through Clemson's online directory, plus online courses through Clemson cooperative extension.