Lana Oconnell
Graduate students at the University of South Carolina are not guaranteed on-campus housing and must plan their living arrangements before arriving. The university offers support in finding off-campus housing in Columbia, with resources such as the Official Off-Campus Living Guide and Garnet Living, a platform that allows students to compare housing options based on price, number of bedrooms, and amenities. Additionally, graduate students can choose to dine at any of the 25+ on-campus dining locations or purchase a Commuter Meal Plan. Columbia offers a wide range of housing options, and the university has dedicated staff to assist graduate students in finding suitable accommodations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing | Not automatically provided for graduate students, but some may be available |
| Off-campus housing | Available in the neighbourhoods surrounding Columbia |
| Housing support | Provided by the university, including resources and dedicated staff |
| Dining options | Graduate students can choose to cook off-campus, dine at restaurants, purchase a meal plan, or eat at on-campus dining locations |
| Social aspects | The campus community offers a dedicated Greek Village for fraternity and sorority members, as well as various amenities and social opportunities |
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What You'll Learn
On-campus housing options
The University of South Carolina offers a variety of on-campus housing options for graduate students. While graduate students are not automatically granted on-campus housing, they can explore the following residence options:
- General residence communities: These residences offer a range of amenities and opportunities for personal growth and academic success. Residence-based amenities include a makerspace, outdoor pool, gym, and golf simulator.
- Living and learning communities: These residences provide a more specialized experience, allowing students to connect with others who share similar interests or academic goals.
- Greek Village: The University of South Carolina has a dedicated Greek Village, consisting of 20 houses shared by members of fraternity or sorority chapters.
- Green Quad: Green Quad is known for its aesthetic appeal and is home to the Darla Moore School of Business and the South Carolina Honors College.
In addition to these options, the University of South Carolina also offers support for graduate students seeking off-campus housing in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Columbia. The university has a staff dedicated to helping students find the right place to live, and resources such as the Official Off-Campus Living Guide and Garnet Living, which allow students to compare housing options based on their preferences and budget.
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Off-campus housing resources
Graduate students at the University of South Carolina are not automatically granted on-campus housing and must plan their living arrangements before arriving. The International Accelerator Program (IAP) can assist in the search by connecting students with knowledgeable students and local landlords, as well as advising on housing locations.
The University of South Carolina offers a variety of resources to help students find off-campus housing. The Off-Campus Living and Neighborhood Relations (OCLNR) office provides support and information about living off-campus, including details about available rentals in Columbia and the surrounding area.
Online resources
The university's website provides a range of online resources to assist students in their search for off-campus housing. The Daily Gamecock's Garnet Living is a searchable listing of available, student-friendly off-campus housing options, allowing users to filter by price, number of bedrooms, amenities and more. The website also features an Official Off-Campus Living Guide, which helps students determine their budget, learn about American roommate etiquette and decide on the best option for their needs. In addition, the website features a message board where students can connect with potential roommates and find information about available residences and sublets.
In-person support
The OCLNR office also provides in-person support for students seeking off-campus housing. Students can visit the office, located at Russell House 227 Columbia, SC 29208, or contact the office by phone (803-777-7130) or email ([email protected]) to speak with off-campus specialists. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can assist students with finding accommodations, subleases or roommate options, as well as provide support for local residents with off-campus living-related issues.
Legal support
The university also offers legal support and services for students in matters relating to landlords, tenants, housing and domestic relations. The Department of Student Life has teamed up with Student Legal Services to offer consultations and educational programming to fee-paying students. Students can request an appointment through the university website.
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Local neighbourhoods in Columbia, SC
Columbia, South Carolina, is a college town, with around one in four people being a student. The University of South Carolina (USC) is in downtown Columbia, and students enjoy the shops, restaurants, and entertainment along Main Street. The Vista, Columbia's Central Business District, is a cultural hub with nightlife, bars, clubs, and annual festivals. There are plenty of apartments in this urban area, and it is easily accessible from the USC campus.
There are various housing options near the USC campus, from historic homes to newer apartments. Brookland is a live-work-play complex with gorgeous river views, courtyards, a rooftop terrace, and restaurants. The area offers vibrant urban living, with easy access to State Street's boutiques, antique shops, and specialty stores.
University Hill is another popular neighbourhood for students, with many student-focused apartments and communities. The district also features beautifully restored estates, where USC faculty and professors reside.
Seven Oaks, a well-established suburb in northwest Columbia, is about a 10-mile drive from downtown. It offers a peaceful, family-friendly environment with urban amenities nearby. The area has parks, recreational facilities, and Lake Murray, a popular summertime destination for boating and fishing.
Rosewood is another student-friendly neighbourhood in Columbia. It is easily accessible from the USC campus by bus, on foot, or by bicycle. Many buildings in this area were converted into modern apartments for students, with options along Heyward Street and Whaley Street.
With about 36,750 college students in the city, Columbia has a thriving student population and a variety of neighbourhoods and housing options to choose from.
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Dining and meal plans
Graduate students at the University of South Carolina are not automatically assigned a meal plan. They have the option of cooking in their off-campus residence, eating at local restaurants, or purchasing a Commuter Meal Plan for Non-Resident students. They can also pay with cash or a credit card at any of the 25+ on-campus dining locations.
There are several meal plan options available at the University of South Carolina. The All Access plan offers unlimited daily meal swipes at all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, while the Weekly and Block Meal Plans deduct one meal from the balance with each swipe. The Declining Balance Meal Plan allows students to pay the door rate for each meal, which is $10.60 for breakfast and $14.80 for lunch or dinner. Retail swipes are also available, where students can use their meal swipes to purchase food at various retail locations on campus. The value of each retail swipe varies depending on the meal period, with breakfast having a lower value than lunch, dinner, or late-night options.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, students can sign up for a meal plan through the Self Service Carolina portal. Those who sign up for an All Access Plan will receive a $50 Grubhub credit, while those who choose a Weekly, Block, or Declining Balance Plan will receive a $25 Grubhub credit.
Additionally, the University of South Carolina Upstate offers meal plans that provide access to the CLC Cafe and Spartan Points, which can be used at various on-campus dining locations. Students living in Magnolia and Palmetto House are required to have a minimum plan of 19 meals in the CLC Cafe and 200 Spartan Points. Villa residents have a minimum plan of 9 meals per week in the CLC Cafe and 250 Spartan Points. Commuting students can also purchase meal plans, with a minimum requirement of 125 Spartan Points for full-time commuters.
For those living on campus at South Carolina State University, the 21 Meal Plan is mandatory unless students reside in University Village, where they can opt for the Commuter Student Meal Plan. The meal plan provides access to The Washington Dining Hall, where students can use one swipe to eat as much as they like. Alternatively, students can use multiple swipes or Bulldog Bucks to purchase meals from The Pitt. Bulldog Bucks function like a debit card and can be used at various dining locations on campus, including Washington Dining Hall, WOW, Mein Bowl, Which Wich, and Bulldog Cafe.
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Greek Village housing
The University of South Carolina offers a variety of housing options for graduate students both near the campus and in the neighbourhoods surrounding Columbia. Graduate students are, however, not guaranteed on-campus housing.
One of the housing options for graduate students at the University of South Carolina is the Greek Village housing. Greek Village is a collection of 20 facilities that house approximately 700 students from various fraternities and sororities. The Greek Village is managed and supported by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life in partnership with 20 local and national house corporations. Each facility in the Greek Village has a full-time staff member living in them to supervise the facility staff, provide support for student development and learning, and implement programs for residents.
The Greek Village facilities are required to adhere to the University's design guidelines for any construction or improvement projects. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life also has decoration guidelines for the facilities for implementing any decoration items for special events.
Students living in the Greek Village can choose a mix of cooking in their off-campus residences, dining at area restaurants, and/or purchasing a Commuter Meal Plan for Non-Resident students. They can also dine at any of the 25+ on-campus dining locations and pay with cash or a credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
Graduate students at the University of South Carolina are not guaranteed on-campus housing. However, some USC Housing may be available for graduate students.
There are a variety of housing options available near the University of South Carolina campus and in the neighbourhoods surrounding Columbia. The university has a dedicated staff to help students find the right place to live.
Graduate students are not automatically assigned a meal plan. They can choose to cook in their off-campus residence, eat at restaurants, purchase a Commuter Meal Plan, or dine at any of the 25+ on-campus dining locations and pay with cash or a credit card.
