The Best Scholarships in South Carolina

This list is your one-stop-shop for the best scholarships in South Carolina.  Paying for college is one of the primary considerations for every student entering an institution of higher learning.  The average in-state tuition for South Carolina schools is $12,903, and the most expensive school comes with a $47,968 price tag. Unfortunately, these costs are only on the rise.  South Carolina financial aid is vital for students hoping to attend a college, university, or technical school.  With 48,000 South Carolina students entering an institution of higher learning in 2019, scholarships are more competitive than ever, so check out our list of scholarships for South Carolina students.

Not only can find information on the best scholarships for South Carolina students, such as the South Carolina LIFE scholarship requirements, or the guidelines for receiving the South Carolina Tuition Grant, but you can find niche scholarships related to your field of interest. College is hard enough, paying for it shouldn’t have to be. Don’t miss out on the chance to fund your college experience. Take a look at South Carolina major-specific scholarships, scholarships for diverse students, scholarships for academic achievement, and scholarships from the most popular South Carolina institutions to find a scholarship where you and your unique experiences will shine.

Looking for scholarships in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.

This post is part of our Ultimate FAQ for Applying to Scholarships.

The Best Scholarships in South Carolina for High Achieving Students

1. Joye Law Firm Annual Scholarship Program

• Description: The Joye Law Firm offers six scholarships to well-rounded, high-achieving students who have demonstrated commitment to the community and plan to attend a four-year institution.
• Amount: $2,000
• Requirements: Students must be a legal South Carolina resident entering or attending a South Carolina educational institution. By the end of junior year of high school, students must have achieved at least a 1200 SAT, 3.5 GPA, and rank in the top six percent of their class, OR have achieved at least a 1400 SAT and 4.0 GPA.
• How to Apply: Applications must be postmarked by April 1^st, including high school transcripts, completed application form, photograph, and response to a prompt provided by Joye Law Firm. More information can be found on their website.

2. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

• Description:  The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship provides funds for academically successful students who intend to pursue a math or science major.  The award seeks to retain South Carolina students and encourage them to join the South Carolina workforce.
• Amount: Cost of attendance up to $6,700 (First year); $7,500 (Second, third, fourth year)
• Requirements: Students must be a legal South Carolina resident entering or attending a South Carolina educational institution. By the end of junior year of high school, students must have achieved at least a 1200 SAT, 3.5 GPA, and rank in the top six percent of their class, OR have achieved at least a 1400 SAT and 4.0 GPA.
• How to Apply: School counselor or school representative must submit the electronic application and documentation by April 15^th (Early Deadline) or June 30^th (Late Deadline) of the student’s year of graduation. More information can be found on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website.

3. South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

• Description: Designed for high-achieving students who are ineligible for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows scholarships, the South Carolina HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award that serves to support South Carolina students in their first and second years of higher education.
• Amount: Cost of attendance up to $2,800
• Requirements: Students must be a legal South Carolina resident entering or attending a South Carolina educational institution. Students must have graduated high school with a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• How to Apply: Students will be notified of their eligibility by their college or technical school. More information can be found on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education Website.

4. Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship

• Description: Funded by the General Assembly, the South Carolina LIFE scholarship is a merit-based program for students designed to increase access to higher education and support the development of employable South Carolina Students.
• Amount: Cost of attendance up to $5,000
• Requirements: Students must be a legal South Carolina resident entering or attending a South Carolina educational institution. Students must have achieved a 3.0 GPA upon graduation, scored a 1100 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT, and rank in the top 30% of their graduating class. To continue receiving the LIFE Scholarship, students must have declared a math or science major at the beginning of their second year.
• How to Apply: Students will be notified of their eligibility by their college or technical school. More information can be found on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website.

5. University of South Carolina Stamps Scholar Award

• Description: The Stamps Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available at University of South Carolina.  The scholarship is awarded to top students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and community service throughout their high school career.
• Amount: Cost of attendance up to $20,000
• Requirements: Students must be a legal South Carolina resident entering the University of South Carolina. There are no specific GPA or test score requirements, though previous awardees had an average weighted GPA of 4.88, SAT score of 1508, and/or ACT score of 34.
• How to Apply: Students must submit an application for the award in addition to their application for admission to USC by November 15^th. Students being considered for the award must take place in an interview day prior to the start of school. More information can be found on the University of South Carolina website.

The Best Scholarships in South Carolina for Minorities or Underrepresented Groups

1. African American Network: Carolinas Scholarship

• Description: The African American Network Carolinas Scholarship is a merit and need-based award for students planning to major in engineering, math, science, computer science, accounting, finance or business administration. Its goal is to provide opportunities for diverse students and increase diversity in the workforce.
• Amount: $2,000
• Requirements: Students must be a legal North or South Carolina resident entering or attending a North or South Carolina four-year institution.
• How to Apply: Applications are due March 1^st, More information can be found on their website.

2. Korean-American Scholarship Foundation – Southern Regional Chapter

• Description: The KASF offers scholarships to students with a Korean heritage who demonstrate financial need and personal achievement.  Additional funds are available for descendants of veterans of the Korean-American war.  Students do not have to be US citizens to be considered.
• Amount: $500-$5,000
• Requirements: Students must demonstrate financial need, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 upon high school graduation, and be accepted at a Southern educational institution (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee).
• How to Apply: Complete the application, essays, and provide financial documentation.  Applications are due June 30^th, and application materials can be found on the KASF website.

3. Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarships

• Description: Established by Walter J. Brown to support students of the Savannah River valley, The Watson-Brown Foundation provides merit and need-based scholarships to South Carolina and Georgia students attending a four-year non-profit institution.
• Amount: $500-$5,000
• Requirements: Students must reside in one of the following South Carolina counties: Aiken, Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenville, McCormick, or Spartanburg. While there are no test score or GPA requirements, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 at their institution of choice to renew the scholarship each year.
• How to Apply: Submit the online application and supplemental materials on the Watson-Brown website by February 15.

4. James F. Byrnes Foundation

• Description: Supporting students who have lost one or both parents, the James F. Byrnes scholarship is available to South Carolina students attending a four-year institution. Scholarship recipients are also invited to attend celebratory events throughout their collegiate career.
• Amount: $3,250
• Requirements: Students must be high school seniors residing in South Carolina. Students must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, and a commitment to public service.
• How to Apply: Submit the application package found on the Byrnes Scholars website by the February 15^th deadline.

5. Rogers and Meredith Scholarship Fund

• Description: The Rogers and Meredith Scholarship Fund supports students who have been in custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice or other South Carolina foster care institution.
• Amount: $3,000
• Requirements: Students must be high school seniors or current college/technical school students residing in South Carolina. Students must have achieved a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.25.
• How to Apply: Submit the application package including transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, names of recommenders, personal statement by the March 5^th deadline. More information can be found on the Central Carolina Community Foundation website.

The Best In-State Scholarships and Grants for South Carolina Colleges

1. South Carolina Tuition Grant

• Description: Administered by the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission, Tuition Grants are provided to eligible South Carolina students attending participating South Carolina independent colleges. This program exists to make attending independent colleges more equitable.
• Amount: Varies
• Requirements: Students must be legal South Carolina residents who meet at least of the following requirements: graduate in the upper 75% of their high school class, graduate with a 2.7 cumulative GPA, achieve a 900 SAT score, or achieve a 19 ACT score.
• How to Apply: Students must submit a FAFSA and notifications begin on a rolling basis in early April. More information can be found on the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission website.

2. Abney Foundation Scholarship Fund

• Description: The Abney Foundation Scholarship Fund provides endowments to students at universities across South Carolina. Scholarships are administered respectively by eligible schools.  The Foundation is committed to access to higher education for South Carolina students.
• Amount: $2,500
• Requirements: Students must be legal South Carolina residents attending a participating South Carolina institution. Students must have graduated with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• How to Apply: Students must submit a FAFSA and apply through their college or university. More information about the fund can be found on the Abney Foundation website.

3. Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

• Description: The Lottery Tuition Assistance Grant provides funds for students who do not meet the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows, HOPE, or LIFE scholarship requirements. LTAP funds are allocated for students attending a two year technical or independent institution. Eligibility is determined based on financial need and Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Amount: $2,280
• Requirements: Students must be U.S. citizens and legal South Carolina residents attending a participating South Carolina institution.
• How to Apply: Students complete the FAFSA and are notified by their institution.

4. South Carolina Need-Based Grant Program

• Description: The Need-Based Grant Program serves students of South Carolina who need additional financial aid after other scholarships, grants, and loans are applied. Students may be part-time or full-time at an eligible South Carolina public institution.
• Amount: $2,500
• Requirements: Students must be U.S. citizens and legal South Carolina residents attending a South Carolina college, university, or technical school.
• How to Apply: Students complete the FAFSA and are notified by their institution’s office of financial aid if eligible. More information can be found on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education website.

5. South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Foundation

• Description: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association supports South Carolina students attending a South Carolina college, university, or technical school.  There are no GPA or test score requirements, but students are expected to write about current topics in law enforcement as a part of their application package.
• Amount: $3,000
• Requirements: Students must be U.S. citizens and legal South Carolina residents attending a South Carolina institution.
• How to Apply: Students must complete the application and submit the accompanying essay to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Foundation via post by the February deadline. More information is available on the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers’ Association website.

The Best South Carolina Field-Specific Scholarships

1. Charleston Women in International Trade

• Description: The Charleston Women in International Trade Scholarship is awarded to students either beginning or continuing their education with a serious interest in a field related to International Trade.
• Amount: $3,000
• Requirements: Students (of any gender) must be accepted at a South Carolina institution of higher learning.
• How to Apply: Submit the application package including their personal statement, letters of recommendation, official transcript, and resume by the February 1^st deadline.  More information can be found on the Charleston Women in International Trade website.

2. Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund

• Description: The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund encourages students pursuing a career in natural resources, such as environmental science, wildlife science, or environmental biology. The scholarship is renewable each year of study.
• Amount: $5,000
• Requirements: Students must be a legal resident of South Carolina and accepted at a designated South Carolina institution.  Students must intend to pursue a major related to natural resources, and cannot be on a pre-medical or pre-veterinary track.
• How to Apply: Submit the application package including essays, transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, and letters of recommendation by January 31^st. More information can be found on the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund website.

3. South Carolina Teaching Fellows

• Description: Funded by the South Carolina General Assembly, the Teaching Fellows program funds four years of education leading to a teaching license. Recipients must demonstrate an interest in teaching in South Carolina, academic achievement, and a history of public service.
• Amount: $6,000
• Requirements: Students must be a U.S. citizen and legal resident of South Carolina accepted at a designated South Carolina institution.
• How to Apply: Submit the application package found on the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement website by the December 1^st deadline.  A number of applicants will be selected for an additional interview to take place in February.

4. Cornelia G. Walker Music Scholarship

• Description: Sponsored by the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs, the Cornelia G. Walker Music Scholarship provides an annual award to students pursuing a music major at a South Carolina institution.
• Amount: $4,000
• Requirements: Students must be a resident of South Carolina and have achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• How to Apply: Students will submit the application found on the South Carolina Federation of Music Clubs website by April 1^st. Students will also participate in a 15-minute audition in the Spring of their senior year of high school.

5. Archibald Rutledge Scholarship

• Description: Awarded to students pursuing an arts education, the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship is available to South Carolina students who have demonstrated artistic and academic excellence. Students compete in one of five categories: Creative Writing, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.
• Amount: $4,000
• Requirements: Students must be a U.S. citizen attending a South Carolina high school and accepted into a South Carolina college or university.
• How to Apply: Students submit a piece in one of the five arts categories, along with the respective application form. Entries must have been completed during the school year of application. Applications are due at the beginning of February and more information can be found on the South Carolina Department of Education website.

Now that you have had a chance to consider some of the South Carolina scholarships available, it’s time to get those application materials together, write those essays, and apply! Wherever you attend school, there is a South Carolina scholarship for you.  Whether you are headed to a state school and pursue the South Carolina LIFE scholarship, go for a South Carolina Tuition Grant at a private university, or show off your achievements with a Palmetto Fellows or South Carolina HOPE scholarship, a scholarship can help ease your financial burden and let you concentrate on your studies. Scholarships for South Carolina students may be competitive, but with a little work and the right fit, you can find a scholarship (or two!) that’s right for you.

Applying to schools in another state? Check out our other scholarship lists here.

Also, check out our guide to the top scholarship database sites here.

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