LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancements (STEM, Education, Accounting)
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Extra $2,500 a year from sophomore year for LIFE and Palmetto Fellows recipients in approved STEM, education or accounting majors.
- How much
- Up to $2,500 per year on top of LIFE or Palmetto Fellows (LIFE total up to $7,500; Palmetto Fellows total up to $10,000)
- Who qualifies
- LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient
- Must be a current LIFE or Palmetto Fellows recipient, full-time (or approved reduced load) in a CHE-approved program at an eligible SC four-year institution, sophomore or later. STEM and accounting: 14 approved math/science credit hours by the end of the first year. Education: sign a contract to teach in an SC public school one year per year funded, or repay.
- For undergrads
- For STEM, education (teacher certification), accounting students
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
- When to apply
- Apply any time No application; colleges determine eligibility each year from year 2 onward.
- How to apply
- No separate application
- Your SC four-year college's financial aid office determines enhancement eligibility
- Education majors must sign the service contract
- What you'll need
- transcript
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (che.sc.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Add-on to the LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, starting in the second academic year (freshmen are not eligible) at an eligible SC four-year institution. LIFE + Enhancement = up to $7,500/yr ($5,000 + $2,500); Palmetto Fellows + Enhancement = up to $10,000/yr ($7,500 + $2,500). Three types: STEM Enhancement (declared CHE-approved STEM major + 14 credit hours of approved math/science coursework before year 2; AP, IB, CLEP, exempt and dual enrollment credit can count); Education Enhancement (CHE-approved program leading to teacher certification; the student signs a contract to work in an SC public school one year for each year of the enhancement or repay the funds); Accounting Enhancement (accounting majors who earned 14 math/science credit hours in the first year). Up to six full-time terms (three years) toward the first bachelor's degree; eight terms for approved five-year programs.
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
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