Save Money on South Carolina Tuition

Get South Carolina In-State Tuition

One of the more affordable ways to get a bachelor’s degree typically is to attend an in-State public school. Here is a website with information about how to qualify as a South Carolina resident: https://www.che.sc.gov/sc-residency-information. While in-State tuition for a public institution is not financial aid, it is subsidized. The cost of attending an in-State public institution should be compared against the cost of other institutions after financial aid awards are offered. Families often do not pay the sticker price.

South Carolina Need-Based Grants

SC Need-Based Grant

The SC Need-Based Grant provides up to $3,500 annually in need-based financial aid. This program is available to SC residents attending the State’s public colleges and universities. Students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA ® to apply for a grant under this program. College students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to remain eligible. Information about the program can be found at: https://www.che.sc.gov/sites/che/files/Documents/General%20Public/NBG_Q%26A.pdf

SC Tuition Grant

The SC Tuition Grant provides up to $4,500 annually in need-based financial aid. This program is available to SC residents attending participating private/independent colleges and universities in the State. Students complete the FAFSA ® to apply for a grant under this program. The annual application deadline is June 30. College students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, as defined by their institution, to remain eligible. Information about the program can be found at: https://sctuitiongrants.org/

South Carolina Merit-Based Financial Aid

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

The Palmetto Scholarships provide up to $7,500 per year to South Carolina resident students attending colleges in South Carolina. There is an “Enhancement” version of this program for upperclassmen majoring in math or science, which provides up to $10,000 per year. High school students qualify for the scholarship based on a combination of test scores, GPAs, and class rank. To maintain eligibility in college, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 credits a year. For more information, see: https://www.che.sc.gov/sites/che/files/Documents/General%20Public/PFS_QA_July2021.pdf. Palmetto Scholarship recipients are not eligible for assistance under the Lottery Tuition Assistance Program.

LIFE Scholarship Program

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program administered by financial aid offices at eligible South Carolina public and private colleges. Recipients receive up to $5,000 a year. While the maximum award is lower than it is for Palmetto Scholarships, the eligibility threshold is lower as well. High school students are eligible if they have:

(1) have a GPA of at least 3.0

(2) have an 1100 on the SAT or a 24 on the ACT, and

(3) be in the top 30 percent of their class.

To maintain eligibility, college students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 credits a year. For more information, see: https://www.che.sc.gov/sites/che/files/Documents/General%20Public/FAQ-LIFE-3_2021.pdf.

SC Hope Scholarship Program

This program provides up to $2,800 for a student’s freshman year only to attend a four-year college in South Carolina. To qualify, a high school student must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA. Recipients must not receive Palmetto, LIFE, or Lottery Tuition Assistance scholarships. For more information, please see: https://www.che.sc.gov/sites/che/files/Documents/General%20Public/FAQ_HOPE_2021.pdf.

Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides grants for South Carolina resident students to attend two-year colleges in South Carolina. The funds may be up to the cost of tuition. Students complete the FAFSA ® or a FAFSA waiver through their institution to apply for a grant under this program.