Navigating Self Service Carolina: Your Guide to Managing Your University of South Carolina Account

Self Service Carolina is your central online portal for managing your University of South Carolina (UofSC) account. Whether you need to pay your tuition, set up a payment plan, view your account statements, or manage authorized users, Self Service Carolina provides the tools you need. This guide will walk you through the essential functions of Self Service Carolina to help you efficiently manage your student account.

Adding Optional Fees

Sometimes you might need to add optional fees to your account, such as the Athletics Fee, the Foundation-Carolina Fund Fee, or the Commute Mail/Pkg Fee. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Start by visiting the University of South Carolina’s My Carolina portal at my.sc.edu and logging in with your credentials.
2. Navigate to Account Information: Once logged in, click on the Account Information tab.
3. Access Optional Fees: Next, click on the Optional Fees tab.
4. Select Term: Choose the relevant term from the dropdown menu and click Submit.
5. Enter Fee Amount: Enter the amount for the fee you wish to add and click continue.
6. Review and Submit: Carefully review your selected option. If everything is correct, click Submit. If you need to make changes, click Change Option.
7. View Transaction: After submitting, you will be able to view the transaction details.

Alt text: Self Service Carolina login page displayed on a laptop screen, highlighting the My Carolina logo and login fields.

Enrolling in a Payment Plan

UofSC offers payment plans to help manage tuition costs. Here’s how to enroll in a payment plan through Self Service Carolina:

1. Log in and Access Payment Gateway: Log into my.sc.edu, click Account Information, and then select Payment Gateway.
2. Enroll in Payment Plan: In the Payment Gateway, find the Balance information section and click Enroll in Payment Plan.
3. Select Account and Term: Choose the appropriate account and click Select. Then, select the term for which you want to enroll in the payment plan and click Select.
4. Review Payment Plan Details: General information about the Payment Plan will be displayed. Click Details for comprehensive information, including amounts and installment schedules. After reviewing, click Select.
5. Choose Payment Schedule: The next page shows the down payment due and the schedule for future installments. Crucially, decide whether to schedule automatic payments (charges on due dates) or opt out of automatic payments before clicking Continue.
6. Select Payment Method: Choose your preferred payment method. Note that credit or debit card payments incur a 2.5% convenience fee, while electronic checks (e-checks) are fee-free. Click Continue and enter your account details.
7. Enter Cardholder Information: Provide cardholder information. To save this payment method for future use, check the Option to Save box, name the payment method, and click Continue.
8. Agree to Terms: The Payment Plan Enrollment Agreement will appear. Remember the $75 administrative fee is nonrefundable. Review the terms, check I agree to the terms and conditions, and click Continue.
9. Finalize Enrollment: Click Continue to finalize the agreement.
10. View Receipt: An online receipt will be displayed, which you can print for your records.

Alt text: Screenshot of the Payment Gateway interface within Self Service Carolina, highlighting options for payment plans and making payments.

You can access your Payment Plan Agreement anytime through the Payment Gateway by selecting Payment Plans at the top, then Manage Plans for current plans or Plan History for past plans.

Understanding Exemptions

Exemptions can reduce your tuition costs, often lowering out-of-state tuition to in-state levels. If you have an exemption, it will be visible in Self Service Carolina under Account Information in the Account summary by period or account detail by term sections, listed under the Payment Column. Remember, this is a tuition adjustment, not a payment or scholarship.

If you expect an exemption but don’t see it, contact the department or office responsible for issuing it.

Paying with an Electronic Check (e-check)

Paying with an electronic check through Self Service Carolina is a cost-effective way to avoid credit card convenience fees. Follow these steps:

Important Notes:

• Corporate accounts, home equity lines, and traveler’s checks are not accepted.
• Savings accounts cannot be used for e-check payments; it must be a personal checking account.
• Do not use a debit card for the electronic check payment option.

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Access my.sc.edu and log in with your VIP ID and password.
2. Navigate to Payment Gateway: Click Account Information, then Payment Gateway.
3. Make a Payment: Once the payment portal loads, click Make Payment.
4. Select Payment Option: The Account Payment Screen will display your balance and pending payments. Choose Current Account Balance, Pay by Term, or Pay by line item.
5. Enter Payment Amount: Click Add to enter the payment amount and then click Continue.
6. Select Payment Method: Click the Select Method dropdown and choose Electronic Check (checking). You can also use saved checking accounts here.
7. Continue to Payment Details: Click Continue.
8. Enter Bank Details: Enter your Routing number, Bank account number, and billing information. Contact your bank for your routing number if needed.
9. Save Payment Method (Optional): To save this payment method for future use, check Save this payment method for future use and name the account.
10. Enroll in Direct Deposit for Refunds (Optional): Go to Security Settings in My Profile to enroll in direct deposit for refunds. Follow instructions under Signing Up for Direct Deposit.
11. Review Confirmation: Click Continue and check your confirmation details for accuracy.
12. Agree to Terms: Check the I agree to the terms and conditions box.
13. Print Agreement (Optional): Click Print Agreement for a copy for your records. Click Continue.
14. Submit Payment: Click Submit Payment to authorize the transaction. You will receive a confirmation email.
15. Review Payment History: Click Payment History to see your payment record.

Paying with a Credit or Debit Card

Credit and debit card payments are accepted online through Self Service Carolina, but they include a 2.5% convenience fee. Here’s how to pay:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Log onto my.sc.edu using your VIP ID and password.
2. Access Account Information: Click Account Information.
3. Go to Payment Gateway: Click Payment Gateway. You may need to use your multifactor authentication device.
4. Make Payment: Click Make Payment.
5. Select Payment Option: The Account Payment Screen will open, displaying your balance. Choose Current Account Balance, Pay by Term, or Pay by Line Item.
6. Continue to Payment Method: Click Continue.
7. Select Card Payment: Select Credit or Debit Card from the dropdown and enter your card number. You can also use saved cards.
8. Continue to Billing Information: Click Continue.
9. Enter Card and Billing Details: Enter your card and billing information. To save the card, check Option to save and name the card.
10. Review Payment Information: Click Continue and review your transaction details.
11. Submit Payment: Click Submit Payment to authorize. You will get a confirmation email.
12. Review Payment History: Click Payment History to view your payment record.

Alt text: Logos of major credit card brands accepted for online payments through Self Service Carolina.

Accessing Account Statements

You can view and print your account statements through Self Service Carolina.

For Students:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Go to my.sc.edu and log in.
2. Navigate to Payment Gateway: Click Account Information, then Payment Gateway.
3. Access OnDemand Statement: Click the OnDemand Statement button under Statements.
4. Select Semester: Choose the semester and click Submit to view your statement.
5. Print or Save Statement: To print, click Print at the bottom. To save as a PDF, click Print, then Destination and choose Save as PDF.

For Authorized Users:

1. Authorized User Login: Go to the Authorized User Login page.
2. Access OnDemand Statement: Click the OnDemand Statement button under Statements.
3. Select Semester: Choose the semester and click Submit.
4. Print or Save Statement: Click Print to print, or Print, then Destination, and Save as PDF to save.

Emailing Your Billing Statement

You can also email your billing statement directly from Self Service Carolina:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Log onto my.sc.edu with your VIP ID and password.
2. Access Account Information: Click Account Information.
3. Print Bill for Term: Click Print Bill for Term.
4. Select Term: Select the term and click Submit.
5. Email Statement: Click Email my Billing Statement.
6. Confirmation Message: You will receive a message confirming the email was sent.

Adding Authorized Users

To grant parents or other individuals access to view and potentially pay your bill, you can add them as Authorized Users:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Log onto my.sc.edu using your VIP ID & password.
2. Navigate to Authorized Users: Go to Account Information -> Payment Gateway -> Authorized Users.
3. Add Authorized User: Click Add Authorized User.
4. Enter Email Address: Enter the email address for the Authorized User (you can add multiple users).
5. Select Viewing Permissions: Choose YES/NO for the information the Authorized User can view.
6. Agree to Terms: Click Continue. Read the agreement, check I Agree, print the agreement, and click Continue.
7. Confirmation for Student and Authorized User: A message will confirm that the Authorized User will receive an email with their login details. Authorized Users will have their own ID and password.
8. Manage Authorized Users: You can delete Authorized Users and edit their permissions. You can also add more Authorized Users at any time.

Setting Up Direct Deposit for Refunds

Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive refunds from UofSC. Here’s how to set it up in Self Service Carolina:

1. Log in to my.sc.edu: Go to my.sc.edu.
2. Access Account Information: Click Account Information.
3. Go to Payment Gateway: Click Payment Gateway and complete multifactor authentication if prompted.
4. Select Electronic Refunds: Select Electronic Refunds.
5. Enroll in Two-Step Verification: Click Enroll in Two Step Verification or Complete Two Step Verification to update your refund method.
6. Choose Verification Method: Select a primary verification method (Text, Email, or Google Authenticator) and follow the prompts to receive a passcode.
7. Verify Passcode: Enter the passcode and click Verify.
8. Go to Refunds Tab: Click the Refunds tab.
9. Set-up Account: Click Set-up Account. If you have an account set up already, you can only edit or remove it. Note: Use personal checking accounts only. Fill in all requested information.
10. Name Account: Create a name for the account in the Save Payment Method As field and click Continue.
11. Agree to Terms: Read the agreement terms, check I Agree, and click Continue.
12. Confirmation: You will see a confirmation message if your account was saved successfully.

Note: To use a saved checking account for refunds that isn’t currently set up for refunds:

1. Go to My Profile and then Payment Profile.
2. Click Action next to the saved payment method.
3. Click Edit and then Send Code under Refund Options. Complete Two Step Verification.
4. Enter the passcode and click Verify.
5. Check Check here if you would like refunds to be deposited into this account.
6. Click Save.

Viewing Account Information and Detail

Self Service Carolina offers several ways to view your account information:

Account Information:

1. Log in to Self Service Carolina: Go to my.sc.edu.
2. Access Account Information: Click Account Information and then Account Information again.
3. View Account Details: See transaction dates, descriptions, terms, charges, Current Amount Due, and Account Balance at the bottom.

Account Detail for Term:

1. Log in to Self Service Carolina: Go to my.sc.edu.
2. Click Account Detail for Term.
3. Select Term: Use the dropdown to select the term.
4. View Term Details: See transaction dates, descriptions, charges, and payments by semester. Balances are at the bottom.

Account Summary:

1. Log in to Self Service Carolina: Go to my.sc.edu.
2. Click Account Summary.
3. View By Term or Period: Choose View By Term or View By Period from the dropdown. Select the term/period.
4. View Summary Details: See descriptions of charges, charge and payment amounts, and account balance.

Contacting for Billing Questions

If you have any questions about your bill, please contact the relevant office responsible for the charge.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to use Self Service Carolina to manage your University of South Carolina account. By following these steps, you can efficiently handle your financial transactions and stay informed about your account status.