South Carolina Scholarships

There are many scholarships in South Carolina:

  • SC Hope ($2800): 3.0 GPA
  • Life ($5000): 3.0 GPA, SAT 1100 or ACT 22, rank in top 30% of graduating class
  • Palmetto Fellows ($6700 year 1, $7500 year 2-4): 3.5 GPA, SAT 1200 or ACT 25, rank 6% in either 10, 11, 12 OR 4.0 GPA, SAT 1400 or ACT 31.
  • Lottery Tuition Assistance: 2 year institutions only, complete FAFSA or FAFSA waiver, enroll in at least 6 credit hours.
  • SC Need-based Grant ($3500 full time): determined by FAFSA.

Here are the detail information for each of the SC scholarships.

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program recognizing the most academically talented high school seniors and encouraging these students to attend college in the state. Palmetto Fellows may receive up to $6,700 their freshman year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring term.

The scholarship must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received. Eligible Palmetto Fellows may receive scholarship funding for a maximum of eight full‑time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. 

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement was established in 2007 to increase the number of students who major in mathematics and science in South Carolina. 

For enhancement eligibility, Palmetto Fellows must declare a major in an approved math or science program and must also successfully complete at least 14 credit hours of instruction in mathematics or life and physical science or a combination of both by the end of the first academic year. Eligible students may receive up to $10,000 (combined funds from the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Scholarship Enhancement) per year beginning with their second/sophomore year of college enrollment. Students may receive enhancement funding for a maximum of six full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.


PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SCHOOL COUNSELORS CAN SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS. SUBMISSIONS FROM STUDENTS OR PARENTS WILL BE REJECTED. IF YOU ARE A PARENT OR STUDENT AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP, YOU MUST CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR.