Over half of SC State students cannot live on campus. Here’s its plan to fix that.
A new and a renovated residence halls at South Carolina State University could expand on-campus housing as the school struggles to find enough beds for its students.
The university previously announced plans to build a new residence hall and complete renovations on another. Together, the projects are expected to add over 600 beds for on-campus housing. This week, both dorms received approval from the state to borrow the millions necessary to pay for the projects.
The residence halls will help accommodate a growing number of students at the Orangeburg HBCU. South Carolina State University can currently only house 45% of its student body, according to a project summary. The university offered one-time $1,000 vouchers to upper classmen to find housing off campus this year, The State previously reported.
At the beginning of the fall semester, South Carolina State University had about 1,800 available beds on campus for students, said Sam Watson, the director of university relations. Watson said a vast majority of South Carolina State University students want to live on campus, or in housing affiliated with the university.
Building a new residence hall, including interest, is expected to cost over $57 million, with construction wrapping up in May 2027, according to budget documents. The university had previously aimed to open the dorm in 2026.
The State Fiscal Accountability Authority approved the second phase of construction on the project Tuesday. The authority, which includes the governor and lawmakers responsible for writing the budget, also allowed the university to borrow up to $60 million under the Higher Education Revenue Bond Act and the Higher Education Act for the residence hall, according to meeting documents.
“Per the university, due to the increase in enrollment there is an urgent need for additional housing to address the needs of the student body,” said a project summary signed by Kevin Etheridge, the acting office director in the South Carolina Executive Budget Office.
The State Fiscal Accountability Authority also allowed the university to borrow up to $12 million for renovations to its Truth Hall, another residence building on campus. The project cost swelled by nearly $10 million since the authority approved the second phase of the project in June, according to meeting documents. The cost grew after the university decided to make additional improvements, Watson said.
The renovations to Truth Hall will add 268 beds to campus and replace the roof. Construction completion is anticipated for August 2026, according to a project summary.
This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 5:30 AM.