South Carolina provides direct support to students pursuing higher education through a number of need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants, however you must prove residency in the state of South Carolina to apply for state-funded financial aid. For specific information on residency requirements, visit our SC Residency Information page.
Scholarship and Grant Overview
Detailed South Carolina Scholarship and Grant Information
- Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
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The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program recognizing the most academically talented high school seniors and encouraging these students to attend college in the state. Palmetto Fellows may receive up to $6,700 their freshman year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring term.
The scholarship must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received. Eligible Palmetto Fellows may receive scholarship funding for a maximum of eight full‑time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement was established in 2007 to increase the number of students who major in mathematics and science in South Carolina.
For enhancement eligibility, Palmetto Fellows must declare a major in an approved math or science program and must also successfully complete at least 14 credit hours of instruction in mathematics or life and physical science or a combination of both by the end of the first academic year. Eligible students may receive up to $10,000 (combined funds from the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Scholarship Enhancement) per year beginning with their second/sophomore year of college enrollment. Students may receive enhancement funding for a maximum of six full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor's degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SCHOOL COUNSELORS CAN SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS. SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS OR PARENTS WILL BE REJECTED. IF YOU ARE A PARENT OR STUDENT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP, YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
Approved Five-Year Programs (PDF)
Math and Science Scholarship Enhancements
Reapplication (Out-of-State / Gap Year) Form (PDF)
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Regulations (PDF)
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Legislation (PDF)
Year-Round Policy Guidelines (Summer Scholarship Award) (PDF)
CHE Contact / Additional Information:
Kathryn Harris, Scholarships and Grants, (803) 856-0738
- LIFE Scholarship
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The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program administered by the financial aid office at each eligible public and independent college and university in South Carolina.
The LIFE Scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms based on the student's initial college enrollment date. Students must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree.
Associate Degree Programs (68+ hours) Eligible for Three-Year LIFE Scholarships (PDF)
Math and Science Scholarship Enhancements
High School Early Graduation: Students who complete all requirements for high school graduation mid-year (December/January) may be eligible to participate in the state scholarship programs if they meet all initial and general eligibility criteria. Students are responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is submitted to their institution’s financial aid department by their established deadline. All decisions regarding students’ Early Graduation Applications will be based entirely on the documentation/information submitted to the institution by the institution’s established deadline. Students must check with their institution’s financial aid department for required documentation. Students must submit the minimum documents to their institution’s financial aid department:
- A final official high school transcript that demonstrates all required items
- A letter on school letterhead signed by the principal/school counselor stating that the student has completed all the SC graduation requirements
- SAT/ACT scores (if applicable)
*Please note: Students who graduate mid-year are not able to use rank as an eligibility criterion for the LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
LIFE Scholarship Regulations (PDF)
LIFE Scholarship Legislation (PDF)
Year-Round Policy Guidelines (Summer Scholarship Award (PDF)
CHE Contact / Additional Information:
Dr. Gerrick Hampton, Program Manager, (803) 856-0609
- South Carolina HOPE Scholarship (Freshmen)
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The SC HOPE Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship created for students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded during the freshman year of attendance only.
High School Early Graduation: Students who complete all requirements for high school graduation mid-year (December/January) may be eligible to participate in the state scholarship programs if they meet all initial and general eligibility criteria. Students are responsible for ensuring that all required documentation is submitted to their institution’s financial aid department by their established deadline. All decisions regarding students’ Early Graduation Applications will be based entirely on the documentation/information submitted to the institution by the institution’s established deadline. Students must check with their institution’s financial aid department for required documentation. Students must submit the minimum documents to their institution’s financial aid department:
- A final official high school transcript that demonstrates all required items;
- A letter on school letterhead signed by the principal/school counselor stating that the student has completed all the SC graduation requirements;
- SAT/ACT scores (if applicable)
*Please note: Students who graduate mid-year are not able to use rank as an eligibility criterion for the LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
SC HOPE Scholarship Regulations (PDF)
SC HOPE Scholarship Legislation (PDF)
CHE Contact / Additional Information:
Dr. Gerrick Hampton, Program Manager, (803) 856-0609
- South Carolina Need-based Grant
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The South Carolina Need-based Grant provides additional aid to South Carolina’s students with the greatest financial need. A student may receive up to $3,500 annually if enrolled full-time or up to $1,750 annually if enrolled part-time as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public institution. The grant can be applied in any semester of the academic year (i.e. fall, spring, or summer), assuming continued eligibility.
To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The financial aid office on each eligible state public college campus administers the South Carolina Need-Based Grant program, determines the students’ eligibility to receive grant funding, and the exact amount. All gift aid and scholarships must be applied first before awarding the grant. The grant must be applied directly towards the cost-of-attendance. Students may receive up to a maximum of eight full-time equivalent terms. The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission administers the Need-Based Grant Program for students attending an independent college or university.
Students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first pre-professional undergraduate degree, to include those pre-professional degree programs that may not require a baccalaureate degree at an eligible public state institution.SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
Foster Care Youth / Independent Living Brochure (PDF)
SC Need-based Grant Regulations (PDF)
SC Need-based Grant Legislation (PDF)
CHE Contact / Additional Information:
Kathryn Harris, Scholarships and Grants, (803) 856-0738
- Lottery Tuition Assistance
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The South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides a supplemental resource to South Carolina residents at two-year public or independent institutions.
For the current academic year (fall, spring, and summer terms), eligible students may receive $80 per credit hour to be used toward the cost-of-tuition. In calculating the amount a student is eligible to receive in Lottery Tuition Assistance, all federal grants and the South Carolina Need-Based Grant must be awarded first. The institution at which the student is enrolled will notify each student of the exact award amount.
Award amounts are subject to change each term based upon the number of eligible recipients and available funding.
In order to qualify for Lottery Tuition Assistance, a student must meet ALL of the following minimum requirements before being awarded:
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and complete the process to determine eligibility for federal student aid each academic year;
- Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident that meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State residency statutes;
- Be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes;
- Be enrolled at the time of the grant disbursement as a degree-seeking student in a minimum of six credit hours for the term and be making satisfactory academic progress;
- Verify that he or she does not owe a refund or repayment on a State Grant, Pell Grant or a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and is not in default on a loan under the Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan program;
- Not be a recipient of the HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.
Eligible Institutions
- Technical Colleges (All)
- USC-Lancaster - Lancaster, SC 2972
- USC-Salkehatchie - Allendale, SC 29810
- USC-Sumter - Sumter, SC 29150
- USC-Union - Union, SC 29379
- Spartanburg Methodist College - Spartanburg, SC 29301 (Private)
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program Regulations (PDF)
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program Legislation (PDF)
CHE Contact / Additional Information:
Dr. Gerrick Hampton, Program Manager, (803) 856-0609
- South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP)
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The South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP) offers financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard by providing incentives for enlisting or remaining for a specified time. SCNG CAP is administered by the Commission on Higher Education along with the South Carolina National Guard.
Army National Guard SCNG CAP recipients may receive up to a maximum of $5,500 enrolled in a two-year or four-year program at eligible SC Institutions per academic year. Air National Guard SCNG CAP recipients may receive up to a maximum of $11,000 per academic year if enrolled in a two-year program at two-year or four-year eligible SC Institutions OR a maximum of $5,500 at eligible SC four-year Institutions per academic year. The cumulative total of all SCNG CAP benefits received for FY-2023 *2024 is in proviso (funds are temporary and awarded for this year only) and may not exceed $22,000* (Upon approval by General Assembly for FY23-24). These SCNG CAP benefits can be awarded up to the cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulation. However, the benefit maximum per award year will be reduced if, in combination with other financial aid, the cumulative total of all aid received exceeds the cost of attendance.
Visit our Military and Veterans page for details on the SCNG CAP program.
- South Carolina Workforce & Industry Needs Scholarship (SC•WINS)
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The SC•WINS Scholarship is a statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina. The Scholarship supplements Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) to help cover any tuition and mandatory fees left after applying all other scholarships or grants.
For additional information, follow this link to the SC WINS Website or contact the SC Technical College System - Division of Academics, Student Affairs & Research at 803-896-5361, SystemOfficeAA@sctechsystem.edu
- Free Tuition for Residents Over 60
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South Carolina residents who are at least 60 years old are eligible for the state’s free tuition program.
South Carolina state law (59-111-320) authorizes public colleges to permit residents at least 60 years of age to attend classes without the payment of tuition, on a space-available basis, provided that such persons meet admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the university.
- Nursing Educator Tuition Reimbursement
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For nurses interested in pursuing further credentials to become nursing faculty, $10 million in tuition reimbursement has been allocated in the South Carolina state budget to support the BOLD (Better Outcomes, Less Debt) Career Pathways Nursing Faculty Loan Program. Participating students must enroll in Doctor of Nursing Practice, PhD or, graduate-level nurse educator programs and agree to assume a faculty role in a public nursing education program after graduation, for a minimum of two years for each year they receive financial support. Further details of this program as well as application instructions are available at: https://www.scstudentloan.org/career-pathways/bold-nursing-faculty-program.