Self Service normally works great for me, but one end-user was problematic. Each time that particular student launched Self Service, it was empty. No categories. No policies.
Searching JAMF Nation, I did not find a fix. Thus, I am now sharing my ultimate solution. For the problematic end-user, delete the file:
~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.WebFoundation.plist
The client was running Mac OS 10.7.5. CasperSuite is at version 8.63.