Scholarships

The South Carolina LIFE Scholarship

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 institution in South Carolina. The LIFE Scholarship may be used towards the cost-of-attendance for up to eight terms based on the students’ initial college enrollment date. Student’s 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.

SC LIFE Scholarship Award Amount:  Up to the cost-of-attendance, not to exceed $5,000.  Actual award amount is based on state allotment of funds. 

General Eligibility Requirements

•  Graduate from high school or complete a home school program as prescribed by law;

•  Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university;

•  Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment;

•  Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (who meets the definition of a eligible non-citizen according to State Residency Statutes);

•  Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student;

•  Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year;

•  Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid;

•  Must not be a SC HOPE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance recipient.

SC LIFE Scholarship Enhancement

The General Assembly established the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement in order to increase the number of students in the State majoring in mathematics and science and to increase the access to higher education, improve the employability of South Carolina’s students so as to attract business to the State, provide incentives for students to be better prepared for college, and to encourage students to graduate from college on time. Although students enrolled at two-year institutions are not eligible to receive a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, these students can receive an Enhancement if they transfer to an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. Students can receive the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement beginning their second/sophomore year in college (based on initial date of college enrollment).

General Eligibility Requirements

•  Graduate from high school or complete a home school program as prescribed by law;

•  Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university;

•  Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment; 

•  Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (who meets the definition of a eligible non-citizen according to State Residency Statutes);

•  Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student;

•  Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year;

•  Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid;

•  Must not be a SC HOPE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance recipient.

•  For a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, students must attend an eligible four-year South Carolina public or private college or university.

For additional information:  SC LIFE Scholarship

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established in 1988 to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors and encourage these students to attend college in the State.  The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.  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. Assuming continued eligibility, 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.  Beginning with the Fall 2007 freshman class and thereafter, Palmetto Fellows must also successfully complete at least fourteen 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.  Actual award amount is based on state allotment of funds.

For additional information:  Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

Donor Scholarships

Donor scholarships are institutional awards. All aid applicants are considered for numerous scholarships based on criteria set forth by individual donors. The amount of each scholarship is determined by the donor each year.  Donor scholarships are handled through individual Colleges, not the Financial Aid Office.  Please contact your College for more information on scholarships available to you.

College of Dental Medicine Scholarships

College of Health Professions Scholarships

College of Graduate Studies Scholarships & Fellowships

College of Medicine Scholarships

College of Nursing Scholarships

College of Pharmacy Scholarships
     
(Please note:  Scholarships are not available for freshmen.)

Contractual Scholarships

Contractual scholarships provide funding to assist students with meeting their educational expenses. In exchange for the scholarship, the student agrees to specified terms/conditions.

Armed Forces Contract offers full scholarships to Dental, Medical, Pharmacy and Anesthesia for Nurses students interested in the Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program pays full tuition/fees and reimburses for books and supplies in addition to a monthly stipend adjusted every July. The student commits to one year of service in exchange for each year of payment with a minimum period of service being two (2) years.

Interested students should contact the local recruiter of the branch of service they are considering or call (803) 735-0256.

J.T. Stevens Scholarship Program provides assistance to medical students who are from and agree to practice in Lancaster or Kershaw counties. The amount of this scholarship varies from year to year. The student signs a contract for a year of practice in one of the two counties for each year of support.  (College of Medicine only.  Please contact your College for more information.)

Outside Scholarships

Additional scholarships are available outside those handled by individual Colleges.

Outside Scholarships