South Carolina scholarships and grants
Every program the state of South Carolina runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Show service scholarships (1) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Up to $6,700 freshman year; up to $7,500 per year for sophomore, junior and senior yearsSouth Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Open now · due May 1, 2027South Carolina's top merit scholarship: up to $6,700 freshman year and up to $7,500 a year after that at an SC four-year college.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores + school nomination
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3.5+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Carolina Tuition Grants
Up to $5,000 for 2026-27 (amount based on need and funding)SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
Open now · due August 1, 2027Need-based grant up to $5,000 a year for SC residents attending one of 21 eligible SC private nonprofit colleges full-time.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)
Up to $5,000 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Apply any timeAutomatic SC merit scholarship: up to $5,000 a year at SC four-year, two-year and technical colleges.
- What it takes: transcript + test scores
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
SC WINS Scholarship (South Carolina Workforce & Industry Needs Scholarship)
Up to $5,000 per academic year after all other scholarships and grantsSC Technical College System (SCTCS)
Apply any timeUp to $5,000 a year for tuition, fees and course costs left over at SC's 16 technical colleges, for workforce-shortage programs.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- For eligible workforce-shortage programs at SC technical colleges students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Carolina Need-based Grant
Up to $3,500 per year full-time; up to $1,750 per year part-timeSouth Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Apply any timeNeed-based grant up to $3,500 a year (full-time) or $1,750 (part-time) at SC public colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (legal permanent resident) under SC residency statutes
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
Up to $2,800 for the freshman year (includes a $300 book allowance)South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Apply any timeOne-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.
- What it takes: transcript
- For students starting college
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for South Carolina Residents Age 60 and Over
Free tuition (fees and books not covered); space availableState of South Carolina (SC Code 59-111-320); administered by public colleges and technical colleges
Apply any timeSC residents 60 and older can take classes for credit or not at SC public colleges and technical colleges without paying tuition, space permitting.
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP)
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.South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) and the SC Technical College System
Apply any timePer-credit-hour tuition help for SC residents at technical colleges and other two-year schools, including dual-enrolled high schoolers.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident meeting SC's eligible non-citizen definition
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancements (STEM, Education, Accounting)
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)South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Apply any timeExtra $2,500 a year from sophomore year for LIFE and Palmetto Fellows recipients in approved STEM, education or accounting majors.
- Who it's for: LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient
- What it takes: transcript
- For undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- For STEM, education (teacher certification), accounting students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Free Tuition for Children of Firefighters, Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers Killed or Disabled in the Line of Duty
Free tuition for up to four years of undergraduate studyState of South Carolina (SC Code 59-111-110); administered by each state-supported college
Apply any timeUp to four years of free undergraduate tuition at SC public colleges for children of first responders killed or totally disabled on duty.
- Who it's for: Child of a firefighter, rescue squad member, Civil Air Patrol member, law enforcement or corrections officer (or certain state government employees) killed or totally disabled in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application
- For students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
SC Tuition Assistance for Certain War Veterans' Children
Free tuition (tuition waiver)South Carolina Department of Veterans' Affairs (SCDVA)
Apply any timeFree tuition at SC public colleges and technical colleges for children (26 or younger) of qualifying wartime veterans.
- Who it's for: Child of a qualifying wartime veteran (KIA, died in service or of service-connected cause, POW, MIA, 100% permanently and totally disabled, Medal of Honor or Purple Heart)
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
SC Need-based Grant for Foster Care Youth
The maximum $3,500 Need-based Grant plus up to $3,500 more toward unmet need (2026-27 per CHE; subject to funding)South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) with the SC Department of Social Services (DSS)
Check datesFoster youth at SC colleges get the maximum $3,500 Need-based Grant plus extra money toward unmet need.
- Who it's for: Foster youth: in SC DSS custody, the DSS Independent Living Program, or receiving DSS aftercare services
- What it takes: FAFSA + state application
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.