SC nonpublic postsecondary bonds.
From $100.

The bond a nonpublic postsecondary institution files with the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) to protect students’ tuition if the school closes. The CHE sizes it to your gross income; pricing is 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum, and your exact price appears at the application.

Required under S.C. Code § 59-58-80 for a CHE-licensed nonpublic postsecondary institution
Amount is roughly 10% of anticipated annual gross tuition income — confirm the figure with the CHE
From $100 — the application collects no credit information; enter your required bond amount and apply
From $100priced at 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimumInstantapproval for mostNo SSNin the application
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Capital
McKinney
Terra
JLL
Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard tuition bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the CHE. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your institution details, the bond amount the CHE required, and the effective date — that is the entire application.

MOSTLY INSTANT

Approved for most applicants

The application collects no credit information, and the bond is priced at 1% of the amount, with a $100 minimum — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay. Larger amounts may get a quick review.

SAME DAY

File with the CHE

Submit the executed bond with your nonpublic postsecondary license application or renewal. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Commission insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the bond actually covers

South Carolina licenses private, non-degree and degree-granting nonpublic postsecondary institutions through the Commission on Higher Education under S.C. Code § 59-58-80. The CHE may require a surety bond as a condition of licensure, conditioned on the institution faithfully performing its contracts for tuition and instructional fees.

The bond is a student-protection guarantee: if the school closes or fails to perform its tuition contracts, the bond — together with the state's student tuition recovery fund — pays refunds of unearned tuition and prepaid fees to enrolled students.

The CHE sets the amount by rule, generally as a percentage of anticipated annual gross tuition income (commonly around 10%, in increments, with a stated minimum; out-of-state institutions are sized on income from South Carolina residents). Enter the amount on your license and we issue it starting from $100 — the application collects no credit information. An institution may also pledge other collateral acceptable to the State Treasurer in lieu of the bond.

S.C. Code § 59-58-80S.C. Code Ann. § 59-58-80 authorizes the Commission on Higher Education to require a surety bond from a licensed nonpublic postsecondary institution, conditioned on faithful performance of its tuition and instructional-fee contracts, alongside a student tuition recovery fund. The CHE sets the amount by regulation — generally a percentage of anticipated annual gross income, in increments, with a minimum. Confirm the exact figure on your CHE license; we'll issue that amount.

You need this bond if you are

A nonpublic postsecondary school applying for or renewing a CHE license
A career, trade, or technical college that charges tuition for South Carolina students
An out-of-state institution enrolling South Carolina residents and licensed by the CHE
Replacing collateral with a surety bond to free up cash pledged to the State Treasurer

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with the bond amount the CHE set — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the South Carolina nonpublic postsecondary bond?Pricing is variable — it depends on the bond amount, which is set by the Commission on Higher Education (generally a percentage of your anticipated annual gross tuition income, with a stated minimum). It is priced at 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. Enter the figure on your license at the application and your exact price appears there.
How does the CHE size the bond?By regulation, generally around 10% of anticipated annual gross income in set increments, with a minimum; out-of-state institutions are sized on income from South Carolina residents. The CHE gives you the exact figure — send it to us and we issue that amount.
What does the bond protect against?It backs the school's tuition and instructional-fee contracts. If the institution closes or fails to perform, the bond and the student tuition recovery fund pay refunds of unearned tuition and prepaid fees to students.
Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information at all. Most applications approve instantly; if a check ever runs on a larger bond amount, it's a soft pull that won't touch your score.
Can I pledge collateral instead?The statute lets an institution pledge other collateral acceptable to the State Treasurer in lieu of the bond. Most schools post the surety bond instead — from $100, rather than tying up the full amount in cash.
Related bonds

Other South Carolina bonds.

Tuition bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. Enter the amount the CHE set and file the same day.

Your premiumfrom $100
Apply now →