SC Need-based Grant for Foster Care Youth
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) with the SC Department of Social Services (DSS)
Foster youth at SC colleges get the maximum $3,500 Need-based Grant plus extra money toward unmet need.
- How much
- The maximum $3,500 Need-based Grant plus up to $3,500 more toward unmet need (2026-27 per CHE; subject to funding)
- Who qualifies
- Foster youth: in SC DSS custody, the DSS Independent Living Program, or receiving DSS aftercare services
- Must meet the SC Need-based Grant rules (SC resident, eligible SC institution, FAFSA). Adopted youth and those who voluntarily left foster care/DSS are not eligible. Ask your case worker and financial aid office about federal ETV (Chafee) funds too.
- For students starting college, undergrads
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Check dates FAFSA each year; CHE's FAQ says foster youth receive the maximum grant if they self-identify by June 1.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA
- Complete CHE's SC Need-based Grant Waiver Form for Foster Care Youth with your DSS case worker, who must also send a letter verifying DSS custody / Independent Living participation
- Send one copy each to CHE (kharris@che.sc.gov), SC DSS Foster Care/Independent Living, and your college's financial aid office
- Self-identify by June 1
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 23, 2026, against the official page (che.sc.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Youth in DSS custody, in the DSS Independent Living Program, or receiving DSS aftercare services who attend an eligible SC institution are entitled to the maximum SC Need-based Grant ($3,500) plus additional funding toward unmet need, subject to funding. CHE's 2026-27 counselor quick reference (Aug 2026) says 'the maximum grant plus up to $3,500 toward unmet need'; CHE's Need-based Grant FAQ (revised 5/2025) and foster youth flyer say 'up to $2,000 above the $3,500 maximum'. Students who were adopted or voluntarily left foster care/DSS are not eligible.
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.