SC Student Gift Aid: Government Funded Scholarships and Grants

Every state government struggles with student retention. In fact the largest obstacle is just ensuring every student gets a fair shake in the higher education realm. Costs for college have become prohibitive and even federal student loans fail to cover anywhere near the real cost of attendance. Stepping in are state governments with their lottery scholarships and need and merit based grants.

Scholarships and Grants for SC Students

  • LIFE Scholarships are a type of campus-based scholarship given to students with some financial need. Of course you must prove unmet tuition need for these funds. You can enroll in any type of undergraduate school in the state as long as it’s your first degree institution.
  • The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program is an indication of lottery dollars at work, however spare the eligible schools through which it might be leveraged. Funding varies depending upon year and type of institution. You must prove financial need for these dollars.
  • What better way to keep the academic elite in a state than to dangle thousands of dollars in front of them? That’s exactly what the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship does—strives to provide adequate monetary incentive so that they’d study at a college or university in SC. That’s worth up to $7,500 a year. Better yet any of those students willing to study math or science may squeeze $10,000 a year from the Palmetto Scholars program.
  • SC Need-Based Grant money is also campus-based program. Many students qualify based on financial need—allotted up to $2,500 annually through their financial aid offices. Eligible students must be working toward a first degree.
  • SC HOPE Scholarship is funded with state lottery dollars. For students that might otherwise fall through the cracks on other state scholarships and grants, the HOPE was developed. Eligible students must have a solid academic record and be enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program in SC. Funds vary from year to year.
  • Many of the major SC universities administer the SC Graduate Incentive Scholarship—a free gift aid program intended to attract ethnic minorities to fields of study traditionally lacking in such professionals. Eligible scholars must be enrolled in Masters or Doctoral degree programs. This is a loan forgiveness program with a service obligation built in.

Visit the SC Commission on Higher Education for current information on state-funded scholarship and grant programs for college students. File your FAFSA—only way you’ll be included.