LIFE Scholarship South Carolina Amount

If you live in South Carolina and you’re planning to go to college in-state, there’s a scholarship waiting for you that’s so generous, so available, and yet so overlooked, it’s kind of wild.

It’s called the LIFE Scholarship, and it can seriously change how you pay for college—but only if you know how to use it.

Let’s break it down: who qualifies, how much it’s worth, and why this might be the most underrated financial aid in the state.

What Is the LIFE Scholarship?

The LIFE Scholarship (short for Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence) is a merit-based scholarship funded by the state of South Carolina.

If you're a South Carolina resident and you meet the basic academic requirements, you don’t even have to apply—you’re automatically considered.

Yep, automatic. As long as you go to an eligible SC public or private college, this award shows up on your tuition bill like magic.

How Much Money Are We Talking?

Here’s what the LIFE Scholarship gives:

Institution TypeAnnual Award :

Public 4-Year College/UniversityUp to $5,000 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)

Public 2-Year CollegeUp to $2,500 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)

Eligible Private CollegeUp to $5,000 per year (amount varies by tuition)

And if you’re a STEM student at a 4-year public college? There’s an enhancement worth an additional $2,500 starting your sophomore year—bringing your total to $7,500 per year.

Multiply that over four years, and we’re talking $20,000–30,000 in free money.

Who’s Eligible?

You’ll need to meet two of these three requirements:

1. GPA of 3.0 (SC Uniform Grading Scale)

2. Rank in the top 30% of your graduating class

3. 1100 SAT or 22 ACT composite score

For 2-year colleges, you only need the GPA.

And here’s the part students forget: you have to maintain your GPA in college to keep receiving it each year. No free rides—you’ve got to show up and do the work.

What Colleges Accept the LIFE Scholarship?

Almost all South Carolina public universities and colleges accept it, including:

• Clemson University

• University of South Carolina (all campuses)

• College of Charleston

• Coastal Carolina University

• Winthrop University

• All SC technical colleges

Plus, many private colleges like Anderson University, North Greenville, and Furman apply it as part of their aid packages.

Pro Tip from College Refocus

The LIFE Scholarship doesn’t require a separate application, but it does require a game plan.

• Keep your GPA solid in high school

• Know whether you need SAT/ACT scores

• Make sure the colleges on your list are eligible

• Track your credits and grades in college to keep it

And here’s a biggie: Combine it with other aid. LIFE can be stacked with Pell Grants, institutional scholarships, and work-study programs to drastically lower your out-of-pocket cost.

Final Thoughts

So many South Carolina students qualify for the LIFE Scholarship without even realizing it.
Don’t be one of them.

This isn’t just a little boost—it’s a real game changer, especially for families who don’t qualify for need-based aid but still need help affording college.

Call to Action

Need help calculating your LIFE eligibility or creating a college list that maximizes your aid?

📅 Schedule a strategy session with College Refocus and we’ll walk you through every dollar, deadline, and detail.

South Carolina’s investing in your future. Let’s make sure you cash in on it.