Admissions

Scholarships for South Carolina Residents

 

Carolina Scholars Award *
Annual Value: $10,000 ($7,000 for finalists)
Four-Year Value: $40,000 ($28,000 for finalists)

If you have a strong academic record and are a leader in your high school and community, we encourage you to apply for the Carolina Scholars competition. Fifty Carolina Scholar Finalists are chosen. Of these finalists, 20 students are selected through an interview process for the Carolina Scholars Award. Last year, Carolina Scholars and Finalists had an average SAT score of 1491 (ACT score of 34) and had an average high school GPA of 4.81. Finalists receive awards of $28,000 ($7,000 per year), and Carolina Scholars receive awards of $40,000 ($10,000 per year). Please note: To apply for this scholarship, both an application for general University admission and a scholarship application must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for Carolina Scholars Award applications is Nov. 15.

Lieber Scholars Award*
Annual Value: up to $10,000
Four-Year Value: $40,000

The University annually awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. The competition for these awards begins when you take the PSAT/NMSQT in your junior year of high school. To be eligible, National Merit Finalists must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation. National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the admissions office. The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send us the names of the scholars selected for that program. No scholarship application is required. The Lieber Scholars Award can be combined with other University scholarships.

Trustees' Endowment Scholars Award*
Annual Value: $5,000
Four-Year Value: $20,000

You may receive this scholarship if you are an incoming freshman who is academically talented or who demonstrates financial need. No scholarship application is required. All students admitted into the incoming freshman class will automatically be considered for this award. This scholarship is one of our most prestigious awards, and candidates typically present high SAT or ACT scores and achieve an excellent GPA.

Valedictorian Scholars Award*
Annual Value: $3,000
Four-Year Value: $12,000

If you are ranked first in your class at the end of your junior year or later, you may be eligible for the Valedictorian Scholars Award. If you are ranked first in your class, be sure your high school guidance counselor notes it on the guidance counselor evaluation form (part of your University application) and on your transcript. The award is offered automatically if you qualify. No scholarship application is required. The sole criterion for this award is class rank; your scores on standardized tests do not influence your eligibility for this scholarship.

Dean's Scholars Award*
Annual Value: $3,000
Four-Year Value: $12,000

In 2012, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of1384 (ACT score of 31) and an average high school GPA of 4.54. Consideration is automatic upon admission to the University. No scholarship application is required.

University Scholars Award*
Annual Value: $2,000
Four-Year Value: $8,000

For freshmen entering in 2012, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1298 (ACT score of 29) and an average high school GPA of 4.05. Consideration is automatic upon admission to the University. No scholarship application is required.

Thornwell Scholars Award*
Annual Value: $500
Four-Year Value: $2,000

In 2012, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1223 (ACT score of 27) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.15. Consideration is automatic upon admission to the University. No scholarship application is required.

 

*Academic scholarship awards are based on merit and strong academic potential and require that you maintain a "B" average (3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale) to continue receiving them throughout your four years of study.

 

State Scholarships for S.C. Residents

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Annual Value: up to $6,700 for the first year
Four-Year Value: up to $29,200

You are eligible to apply for this state-awarded scholarship, worth up to $6,700 for the first year and up to $7,500 for the next three years, if you are an S.C. high school student with exemplary academic credentials. For more information, contact your high school guidance counselor or the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for LIFE or S.C. HOPE scholarships. Recipients must enroll on a full-time basis and be in a degree-seeking program. Renewal information is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships' website.

LIFE Scholarship
Annual Value: $5,000
Four-Year Value: $20,000

The Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a state-awarded scholarship valued at $5,000 per year. If you meet two of the following three requirements, you are eligible for this scholarship: 1) your final, cumulative grade point average is at least a "B" (3.00); 2) your SAT score is at least 1100 on critical reading and math sections combined (ACT composite score of at least 24); or 3) you graduate in the top 30 percent of your class. Recipients must enroll on a full-time basis and be in a degree-seeking program. Renewal information is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships' website.

Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship Enhancements
Annual Value: up to $2,500
Three-Year Value: up to $7,500

Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients enrolled in certain math and science majors may be eligible for an enhancement award beginning in their second year of enrollment. Eligible students must have also completed 14 hours in mathematics or life or physical science or any combination of both during their first year. Complete information on the enhancements is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships' website.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
Annual Value: $2,800

The S.C. HOPE scholarship is state-awarded and valued at $2,800 for the freshman year only. If your final, cumulative GPA is at least a "B" (3.00) and you do not qualify for a Palmetto Fellows or LIFE scholarship, you are eligible to receive this scholarship. Recipients must enroll on a full-time basis and be in a degree-seeking program. Complete information is available on the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships' website.