South Carolina Tuition Grants
SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
Need-based grant up to $5,000 a year for SC residents attending one of 21 eligible SC private nonprofit colleges full-time.
- How much
- Up to $5,000 for 2026-27 (amount based on need and funding)
- Who qualifies
- Independent student or parent(s) of a dependent student domiciled in SC at least 12 months before the fall term; full-time (12+ credit hours) at one of 21 eligible SC independent colleges; no prior bachelor's degree; Title IV eligible; first-time freshmen must be fully admitted without conditions; returning students meet the college's satisfactory academic progress.
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Open now · due August 1, 2027 FAFSA by August 1 before the award year (2026-27 deadline was Aug 1, 2026); all eligibility steps and appeals by December 15 of the award year.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA by August 1 and list your eligible SC independent college
- The Commission gets your data from the federal processor
- Complete verification (if selected) and your college's annual state felony/drug/alcohol affidavit by December 15
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (sctuitiongrants.org), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Need-based grant for SC residents earning a first undergraduate degree full-time at one of the 21 eligible independent (private nonprofit) SC colleges. The Commission set the 2026-27 maximum at $5,000. The amount depends on income, assets, family size, the college's cost of attendance and state funding, and may be reduced if other funds pay tuition (employer tuition aid, veterans benefits, ROTC). Renewable for up to eight semesters with a new FAFSA by August 1 each year; no preference for renewals. Must enroll in the fall (spring-only grants need an approved appeal). All eligibility requirements (including FAFSA verification and the annual state drug/alcohol affidavit) must be met by December 15 of the award year.
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 Need-based GrantUp to $3,500 per year full-time; up to $1,750 per year part-time
- South Carolina HOPE ScholarshipUp to $2,800 for the freshman year (includes a $300 book allowance)
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.