USC Aiken is strongly committed to students' retention, progression, and graduation. National research on retention supports the idea that students engaged in their campus community are more likely to remain in school and be successful. Living in on-campus housing strongly facilitates students’ engagement with other students and campus life, contributing favorably to their retention.
Pacer Crossings is the first-year community at USCA. It is specially designed to support the needs of freshmen students and staffed with Resident Mentors who are trained to help our freshmen residents get acclimated to USCA and become connected to the Center for Student Achievement.
All freshmen entering college in the fall semester must live on campus for two semesters. All freshmen entering the spring semester must live on campus for one semester. A freshman is defined as any student who has not attended college after graduation from high school.
All newly admitted freshmen may request an exemption to the policy if any of the following apply:
- The student will live with their parent or guardian and reside within 35 miles of 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801. (Required documentation: Parent/Guardian must fill out the Parent/Guardian section of the Housing Exemption form)
- The student is married. (Required documentation: a copy of the marriage license)
- The student has a dependent or legal guardianship of a sibling. (Required documentation: a copy of the child's birth certificate or court order of legal guardianship)
- The student is now 24 years old or will be at the beginning of the semester.
A student requesting an exemption for one of the reasons stated above must complete the Housing Exemption Form and provide a personal statement indicating how they plan to engage with the community while living at home. The Housing Exemption form is due as soon as possible but no later than August 1. Housing Exemption Form submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning mid-February. Letters regarding the outcome of the exemption request will be sent to the email address provided on the application.