Top 5 Scholarships for South Carolina Students
College is expensive—but if you’re a student in South Carolina, you’ve got access to some incredible scholarships that can take a big bite out of tuition.
Here are the top 5 scholarships every SC student should know about, plus a quick breakdown of who qualifies and how much they’re worth.
🎓 1. LIFE Scholarship (Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence)
Amount: Up to $5,000 per year (includes a $300 book allowance)
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA in high school, OR top 30% of class rank, OR 1100 SAT/22 ACT
Bonus: STEM majors can receive an additional $2,500 per year starting sophomore year.
Why It Matters: Nearly every qualified SC student can access this scholarship—it’s one of the most widely used.
🎓 2. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6,700 for the first year, and up to $7,500 for subsequent years
Eligibility: Extremely competitive; based on GPA, test scores, and class rank (minimum 1200 SAT/25 ACT and top 6% of class or 3.5 GPA)
Why It Matters: This is one of the highest merit-based awards in South Carolina—students with top grades and scores should aim for it.
🎓 3. HOPE Scholarship
Amount: Up to $2,800 (for the first year of college only)
Eligibility: 3.0 GPA in high school, but not eligible for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows
Why It Matters: A strong stepping-stone scholarship—perfect for students with solid grades who just miss the higher award thresholds.
🎓 4. South Carolina Tuition Grants
Amount: Up to $4,800 annually
Eligibility: South Carolina residents attending private colleges in SC (e.g., Anderson, North Greenville, Columbia College, etc.)
Why It Matters: Helps make private colleges in South Carolina more affordable for in-state students.
🎓 5. Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP)
Amount: Up to $2,100 per year at technical colleges
Eligibility: Students enrolled at eligible SC technical or two-year colleges
Why It Matters: A great option for students pursuing associate degrees, certifications, or planning to transfer later.
💡 Extra Tip: Stack Scholarships for Maximum Impact
The beauty of South Carolina scholarships is that some of them can be stacked with federal aid, institutional merit awards, and private scholarships.
That means a smart strategy could save you thousands—sometimes even leading to a near full-ride.
🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus
South Carolina offers some of the most generous state scholarships in the country. But knowing the rules, maintaining GPA requirements, and meeting deadlines is essential to keep them.
Don’t leave free money on the table.
🎯 Call to Action
Want help making sure you qualify—and stay qualified—for South Carolina scholarships?
📅 Book a Scholarship Strategy Session with College Refocus and we’ll help you maximize state, local, and private aid so college is as affordable as possible.