The Academic Common Market , which is administered by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), allows for South Carolina residents who are enrolled in specific programs at public out-of-state institutions to be charged only the applicable in-state tuition by the institution in which the student is enrolled.  Eligible programs are those programs, which are at least 50 percent different in curricular content than programs offered in South Carolina.  Participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia (Florida and Texas participate at the graduate level only).    

A student must be accepted into the specific program desired on a full-time basis and must complete the attached South Carolina ACM1-Residency-FORM. When the completed form is returned to this office, a copy of the letter showing your acceptance into the specific program (the letter must state the degree level and the major) from the institution must be attached.  If we determine that the student is a State resident on the basis of information submitted, and that the chosen major is an eligible program, we will write a letter of certification to the student and provide a copy to the appropriate official at the institution. 

If the student is interested in a program, which is not on our current list, the student can request that we review the program.   The student would need to send the following information: a copy of the student's letter of acceptance into the specific program, the completed residency certification form, a general program description, and curricular information about the program including course descriptions and credit hour requirements.  Remember, though, that the ACM guidelines stipulate that only programs that are 50 percent different in course content from programs offered in the State can be included.  Thus, chances are that a program not included in the listing for programs at the SREB website will not be eligible.

Division of Academic Affairs & Licensing
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 300
Columbia, South Carolina 29201-3245
803-737-2274