" I live in Pacer Downs and I love it. I love how I can go back to my room during the day if I have a break between classes. I also feel that I have met more people by living on campus. I do not think that I would have had a good college experience if I would not have lived on-campus."
- Katie Gerth , Early Childhood Education major
Did You Know?
USC Aiken has some of the best professional schools in South Carolina. All three - business, nursing, and education - have received the highest level of accreditation possible. This means more opportunities for you to learn from the best and brightest the University has to offer.
"After coming to USC Aiken, I was really able to get involved in alot of great community service projects tha benefit both the local community and beyond."
- Marcus Allen, Business Marketing major
"In each of our housing facilities, you'll find RAs like me, as well as professional staff members, who have undergone special training to help students deal with some of the common issues that may arise when living away from home for the first time."
- Erin Smith, Elementary Education major
"The best part of being a nursing major and actually being in the nursing program is the reputation USC Aiken nursing students carry. Many students and professors know that to get into the program here is competitive, and to be in the program is an accomplishment."
- Shelby Williams, Nursing major
"During the course of my freshman and sophomore years, I was a resident in the Pacer Downs. When I first met my roommate my freshman year, we became the best of friends from the get-go. We found out that we were so much alike in many ways. We connected like brothers, and we are still roommates today during our junior year. "
- Anthony (T.J.) Langford, Communications major
"Being a communication major at USC Aiken has definitely prepared me for effective communicating in a real world setting. I've even been able to communicate in a different language for guests at Disney, thanks to the French courses I’ve taken at USC Aiken. I constantly find myself using concepts that I’ve learned in the classroom; some of which I wouldn’t have been able to use until later after college. "
- Paige Jeffcoat, Communications major
Intern for The Walt Disney Company
"USC Aiken was my very first choice because it wasn't too far from home, but I still got to leave home and experience something new. There were other colleges that I looked at, such as Emory, Winthrop, and USC Columbia, but I'm glad that I chose USCA. "
- Shantivia Boneparte, Exercise & Sports Science major
"I enjoy the small campus environment. My professors know me and speak to me even when I’m not in class. I enjoy walking around the quad and seeing people I know, and I am able to meet new people everyday."
- Lehe Drawdy, Political Science major
"I chose USC Aiken because you have more time one-on-one time with your professors, and the beauty and cleanliness of the campus and its surroundings are great. Also, I received a scholarship to play baseball."
- Houston Taylor, Secondary Education (History) major
"Our campus is just the right size to get involved. You can get connected through Greek life, community service, sports, theatre, music, academic clubs, or student government - just to name a few. At USC Aiken, you'll develop relationships with other students, making our campus your perfect home away from home."
- Brittany Leverette, Communications major
"At USC Aiken, everything we do is with you in mind. Come to our campus, and you'll witness our professors, our staff, our students - the entire USC Aiken community - working together toward one common goal: your success. Our small class sizes offer a setting for personal attention from faculty - so you're an individual, not a number."
- Annie Zhao, Business major
"For many of our students, getting involved in community service is an essential piece of their college mosaic. Making a difference in the lives of others is what USC Aiken is all about."
- Jon Boyles, Business major
"We want to provide you with the tools for a successful future. From the moment you set foot on our campus, you'll discover a multitude of programs to mold you into a more engaged citizen and prepare you for success. Through opportunities like the First Year Experience or organizations like Peer Educators, you'll learn what it takes to be a more well rounded individual."
- Ken Kennedy, Nursing major
Giving Options
GIFTS OF CASH
A gift of cash is the most popular type of charitable gift. The gift is considered made on the date it is hand-delivered or a check is mailed (postmark on envelope). A contribution on a credit card can be deducted when the charge is made even though the donor's record is updated at a later time. Gifts of cash are fully deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income. Any excess over the 50 percent deduction ceiling may be carried forward as a deduction on one's personal income tax return for up to five additional years. Checks should be made payable to the Aiken Partnership.
MATCHING GIFTS
Thousands of corporations and businesses now have programs to match employee gifts either in whole or in part. In some cases, gifts from spouses, directors and retired employees are matched. We urge you to explore this possibility as it may double or, in some cases, triple your gift. Ask your employer about it or check here to see if your company is listed as a matching gift company. You can learn more about matching gifts here.
GIFTS OF APPRECIATED ASSETS
A contribution of long-term appreciated assets entitles you to a charitable contribution deduction equal to the fair market value of the assets, such as securities, at the time of the gift. And you avoid capital gains tax on any appreciation of those securities. Gifts of appreciated assets are fully deductible up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income for that year. Any excess of the 30 percent deduction may be carried forward up to five additional years. When making a gift of long-term appreciated assets, you save twice -- on income tax and capital gains tax. You get a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift and you save the capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if you sold the appreciated asset.
Valuation
Securities are considered a gift to the University on the date the certificate and stock power pass unconditionally from your control (the postmark date if mailed or the date on which we receive an overnight delivery package) or the date the securities are transferred directly to a University of South Carolina Foundation brokerage account. To value the securities, we calculate a mean price using the average of the high and low of the security on the day you relinquish control to the University, as per IRS rules.
GIFTS OF CLOSELY-HELD STOCK
Gifts of closely held stock exceeding $10,000 in value must have a fair market value placed on them by a qualified independent appraiser as required by the IRS for valuing gifts of non-publicly traded stock. An independent CPA who maintains the books for a closely held corporation is deemed to be qualified to value the stock of the corporation. Gifts of $10,000 or less may be valued at the per-share cash purchase price of the most recent transaction.
GIFTS OF REAL PROPERTY
You may contribute real property to the University, either as a bequest or, more commonly, by a lifetime transfer, and realize significant tax benefits. The University looks at possible gifts of property on a case-by-case basis. It is a detailed process but very workable and the rewards are great. Gifts of real property may consist of almost any type of property: a personal or recreational residence, a farm or ranch, a commercial building, subdivision lots or any undeveloped parcel of land. The gift may be for all of your interest in the property or an undivided fractional interest. Individual charitable goals and financial needs determine which of the following methods of giving real property is most appropriate for your situation.
Outright Gift
You transfer the property by deed to the University of South Carolina Development Foundation or to one of the other University affiliated foundations, and it is subsequently sold unless there is a special reason for holding the particular parcel of real property.
Life Income Gift
Real property is transferred to a trust where it is sold by the trustee. The income is paid to you and/or other named beneficiaries. The income paid to the beneficiaries for life depends on the net proceeds realized on the sale of the real property in combination with a previously agreed upon rate of return. At the death of the last of the life beneficiaries, the assets of the trust pass to one of the University's Foundations.
Life Tenancy Gift
In very limited situations, ownership of the real property may be transferred to one of the University's Foundations, but you retain the right to live on the property for your lifetime. You receive an income tax charitable contribution deduction for the present value of the remainder interest of the gift. Upon the death of the "life tenant," the property may be sold or used by the University.
GIFTS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
The University's Library is enriched by gifts of personal property such as rare books, manuscripts, paintings, artifacts and other art objects. Our classrooms and research capabilities are also enriched by contributions of computer hardware and software.
If you have any questions, please contact:
University Advancement
Phone: 803-641-3408
Fax: 803-641-3362