SC College Scholarships 2025

Finding funds for college in South Carolina just got a little easier. In addition to traditional merit awards, 2025 brings some fresh opportunities. Whether you're a rising senior or planning ahead—here are the top South Carolina college scholarships in 2025 you should know about:

1. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $6,700 for freshman year; $7,500 annually thereafterscstategives.org+10Scholarships360+10Access Scholarships+10Scholarships.com+4CHE+4University of South Carolina+4

• Eligibility: Top 6% of your class or 3.5 GPA plus a 1200 SAT/25 ACTUniversity of South Carolina

• Why It Stands Out: Highest merit award for outstanding academic achievers.

2. LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)

• Amount: $5,000/year, plus $300 book allowance

• Bonus: STEM majors receive a $2,500 annual enhancement starting sophomore yearScholarships360+4People.com+4Going Merry+4scstategives.org+4CHE+4scsu.edu+4

• Eligibility: Meet two of these: 3.0 GPA, top 30% class rank, or 1100 SAT/22 ACTUniversity of South Carolina+1

3. SC HOPE Scholarship

• Amount: $2,800 (first year only)

• Eligibility: 3.0 GPA, specifically for students who don’t qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellowsscstategives.org+12University of South Carolina+12South Carolina Department of Education+12

4. University of South Carolina Merit Awards

• Notable Awards:

  • Alumni Scholars – ~$32,000 over four years (top 2% of class)Scholarships.com+1

  • Trustees' Award – ~$20,000 valueScholarships.com+1

• Plus: USC’s scholarships can often stack with LIFE or Palmetto FellowsScholarships.comUniversity of South Carolina

5. South Carolina State Fair – “Ride of Your Life” Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $10,000 total ($2,500/year)Scholarships360+13South Carolina State Fair+13scstategives.org+13

• Eligibility: SC seniors with solid academics, extracurricular accomplishments, communication skills, and financial need

Additional Opportunities Worth Exploring in 2025

• Bold.org offers unique, high-impact awards like:

  • Wood‑Bond Legacy Scholarship (~$3,500 for nurse-midwifery students)

  • TTOG Scholarship (~$36,000 for high-achieving, low/middle-income SC students)South Carolina Student Loan+4Bold Scholarships+4South Carolina State Fair+4

• Creative & Specialty Scholarships:

  • Harry Hampton Wildlife Fund — Up to $20,000 for environmental majorsGoing Merry

  • Archibald Rutledge Scholarship — For arts students (writing, dance, visual arts, etc.)South Carolina Department of Education

Step-by-Step: How to Stack These Scholarships

1 Start with merit-based state awards like LIFE or Palmetto Fellows

2 Add institutional scholarships (e.g., USC Alumni or Trustees)

3 Explore creative, cause-based awards (e.g., Wildlife Fund, Archibald Rutledge)

4 Apply early and stay organized—don’t miss deadlines.

5 Keep your GPA up and stay informed about eligibility or renewal rules.

This multi-layered strategy can maximize your aid year after year.

Final Thoughts from College Refocus

South Carolina offers one of the strongest scholarship ecosystems in the country—spanning robust state aid, university awards, and innovative programs. The key is to plan strategically, apply early, and take advantage of every opportunity.

Call to Action

Want help crafting your SC scholarship roadmap for 2025?

📅 Book a Scholarship Strategy Session with College Refocus and we'll help you navigate deadlines, stack awards, and plan wisely.