South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
One-year merit scholarship up to $2,800 for SC freshmen at four-year colleges who have a B average but don't qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows.
- How much
- Up to $2,800 for the freshman year (includes a $300 book allowance)
- Who qualifies
- First-time entering freshman at an eligible SC four-year institution, full-time and degree-seeking; 3.0 cumulative SC UGP GPA at high school graduation; SC resident at high school graduation; does not qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows and isn't receiving Lottery Tuition Assistance. No felony; no second alcohol/drug misdemeanor in the past year; not in default.
- For students starting college
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
- When to apply
- Apply any time No application; determined by the college at enrollment (freshman year only).
- How to apply
- No application
- The college's financial aid office determines eligibility from your final high school transcript
- What you'll need
- transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (che.sc.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
For first-time freshmen at an eligible SC four-year public or private college who graduated high school with at least a 3.0 SC UGP GPA but do not qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows. Up to $2,800 (including a $300 book allowance) toward cost of attendance, freshman year only (up to two eligible terms), half fall and half spring. Not renewable, but a HOPE recipient who earns a 3.0 LIFE GPA and an average of 30 credit hours by the end of the first year moves into the LIFE Scholarship for year 2.
More money from South Carolina
- Palmetto Fellows ScholarshipUp to $6,700 freshman year; up to $7,500 per year for sophomore, junior and senior years
- LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)Up to $5,000 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)
- SC WINS Scholarship (South Carolina Workforce & Industry Needs Scholarship)Up to $5,000 per academic year after all other scholarships and grants
- South Carolina Tuition GrantsUp to $5,000 for 2026-27 (amount based on need and funding)
- South Carolina Need-based GrantUp to $3,500 per year full-time; up to $1,750 per year part-time
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Georgia, North Carolina
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.