Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP)
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and the SC Technical College System
Per-credit-hour tuition help for SC residents at technical colleges and other two-year schools, including dual-enrolled high schoolers.
- How much
- Per credit hour toward tuition: CHE's program page says $80 per credit hour for the current academic year; CHE's Aug 2026 counselor sheet says $75. The college sets the exact award.
- Who qualifies
- SC resident; enrolled in at least 6 credit hours as a degree-seeking student at an eligible two-year institution; satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA after 24 attempted hours); not owing a grant refund or in loan default; not a LIFE, HOPE or Palmetto Fellows recipient. The felony/drug rule that applies to other lottery scholarships does not apply to LTAP.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident meeting SC's eligible non-citizen definition
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA (or waiver) each academic year; awarded per term by the college.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (or a FAFSA waiver if exempt, e.g. dual-enrolled students or students with a bachelor's degree) every year, then contact your college's financial aid office
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (che.sc.gov), page 2, page 3, page 4 and page 5
The details
Supplemental tuition aid for SC residents at two-year public or independent institutions: all 16 SC technical colleges, USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, USC Sumter, USC Union and Spartanburg Methodist College. Paid per credit hour toward tuition after federal grants and the SC Need-based Grant; the college sets the exact amount, which can change each term with funding and the number of recipients. Requires at least 6 credit hours as a degree-seeking student making satisfactory academic progress; after 24 attempted hours, at least a 2.0 GPA. Generally one certificate, diploma or degree within five years unless the next one is progress in the same field. Not available to LIFE, HOPE or Palmetto Fellows recipients. Dually enrolled high school students are FAFSA-exempt (FAFSA waiver) and receive LTA: the SC Technical College System reports 15,414 dual-enrolled students received LTA in 2024-25 (about $935 average).
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.