The Washington Semester Program is more affordable than you might think. Students usually find that spending a semester in Washington, DC with the Washington Semester Program does not cost them much more than what they would spend studying and living at their home college or university. Additionally, students receive a stipend of $2,500 over the cost of the semester to help with living expenses in D.C. Cost should not stop you from applying to the program.
Students from participating South Carolina colleges enroll at the University of South Carolina as transient students for the semester and pay the USC tuition rate. University of South Carolina - Columbia, pay their regular tuition for the semester.
Tuition at USC- Columbia for each academic year can be found on the Bursar's website at http://www.sc.edu/bursar/studentfees.shtml In addition to the current semester's tuition, students pay the current technology fee. There are no other academic fees for the Washington Semester Program.
Tuition and fees are reviewed by the USC Board of Trustees each summer and are open to revision. The University usually announces the tuition rate in July of each year. Students from S.C. State University do not enroll at USC, but remain as students at their home university, thus paying their home institution's regular tuition and fees.
Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) manages the housing for students while they are participating in the program. Housing costs for the 2010-2011 academic year are $3,969 for the semester. This includes all utilities plus cable and Internet. Additionally, WISH charges a non-refundable processing fee of $200 and a security deposit of $200, refundable depending on the condition of the house at the end of the semester. These fees ($400) are due at orientation in the semester prior to the one spent in D.C. WISH requires full payment of rent for the semester prior to moving in, but WISH will work on payment schedules with students on scholarship or with exceptional circumstances.
Most students have to invest in business clothing for their fellowships. Eating out and groceries will run about 30% more in D.C. than in South Carolina. However, there are typically no textbook requirements during the semester, so that is a significant savings. Travel costs vary considerably depending on how far the student is traveling to get to work and how often the student returns home during the semester. Students working on Capitol Hill can walk to work. Students with placements off Capitol Hill may spend over $350 a semester on Metro subway charges traveling to and from work depending on their placement location. Some internship offices provide a weekly commute Metro card for their student interns.
"I could not imagine a more enriching experience than my semester in Washington, D.C. My internship, the city and my classes all taught me not only about our government, but also about myself. I know I have a firmer understanding of what I want and what I don't want in the future." -Sophia Lee, Spring 2009 Fellow
"I could not imagine a more enriching experience than my semester in Washington, D.C. My internship, the city and my classes all taught me not only about our government, but also about myself. I know I have a firmer understanding of what I want and what I don't want in the future."
-Sophia Lee, Spring 2009 Fellow
For USC students, financial aid applies as usual. Almost all other participating colleges and universities have made special arrangements to permit their students to retain their financial aid while attending USC for the Washington Semester Program. However, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that all financial aid questions and concerns are resolved at their home university before leaving for DC. South Carolina sponsored scholarships (Hope, Life and Palmetto) areapplicable for this semester in D.C. Some department and universityscholarships apply as well. Honors directors and the financial aid offices at each of the participating colleges and universities are available to assist students with any financial aid questions.
If you have questions about the costs and expenses, please speak to the Washington Semester Program staff, your school's honors program director, or alumni of the program.