Scholarships for South Carolina Residents

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 Scholars Finalists are chosen.  Of these finalists, 25 students will be selected for the Carolina Scholars Award.  Typical candidates have excellent grades on a strong high-school curriculum and present average SAT scores over 1300 on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 29).  Finalists receive awards of $28,000 ($7,000 per year), and Carolina Scholars receive awards of $40,000 ($10,000 per year).  These awards are renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average.   To apply for this scholarship, both an application for general University admissions and a University Honors College and Scholarship Application must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The postmark deadline for the applications is November 15.

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.  The award is up to $10,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average.  To be eligible, National Merit Finalist must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit application.  National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.  The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send us the names of the scholars selected for the program.  No scholarship application is required.

Approximately 15 freshmen with outstanding academic records receive awards of $5,000 from the Carolina Alumni Association.  Successful candidates typically present SAT scores above 1300 on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 29) and achieve a GPA above 3.80.  Students must also be accepted for enrollment at the University of South Carolina’s - Columbia campus.  Criteria used in choosing Alumni Scholars include academic achievement, leadership, talent, and service.  This award is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a “B” average.  To apply for this scholarship, both an application for general University admissions and a UniversityHonorsCollege and Scholarship Application must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The postmark deadline for the applications is November 15.  The student does not have to be a dependent of a the University of South Carolina alumnus to be considered.

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.  The award is worth $3,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average. If you are ranked first in your class, be sure that your high-school guidance counselor notes it on your application for admissions to the University.  No scholarship application is required.

This award is offered to incoming freshmen who present competitive SAT scores and high grade point averages. Candidates are selected based on a strong academic curriculum, leadership, and community service. This award is worth $ 3,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a "B" average. No scholarship application is required.

Freshman recipients of the University Scholars Award generally present scores above 1200 on the SAT on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 28) and have excellent grades in high school.  The award is worth $2,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average. No scholarship application is required.

Scholarships for Nonresidents

Forty out-of-state students with strong academic records who are leaders in their high schools and communities will be selected as McNair Scholar Finalists.  Of these finalists, 20 students will be chosen to receive the McNair Scholars Award.  Typical candidates have excellent grades on a strong high-school curriculum and present average SAT scores over 1300 on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 29).  Finalists receive awards of $44,000 ($11,000 per year), and McNair Scholars receive awards of $60,000 ($15,000 per year).  These awards are renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average.   To apply for this scholarship, both an application for general University admissions and a University Honors College and Scholarship Application must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The postmark deadline for the applications is November 15.  All nonresidents students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well.

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.  The award is up to $6,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average.  To be eligible, National Merit Finalist must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit application.  National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.  The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send us the names of the scholars selected for the program.  No scholarship application is required.  All nonresidents students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well.

Approximately 3 freshmen with outstanding academic records receive awards of $5,000 from the Carolina Alumni Association.  Successful candidates typically present SAT scores above 1300 on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 29) and achieve a GPA above 3.80.  Students must also be accepted for enrollment at the University of South Carolina’s Columbia campus.  Criteria used in choosing Alumni Scholars include academic achievement, leadership, talent, and service.  This award is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a “B” average.  To apply for this scholarship, both an application for general University admissions and a UniversityHonorsCollege and Scholarship Application must be received by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The postmark deadline for the applications is November 15.  The student does not have to be a dependent of a the University of South Carolina alumnus to be considered.  All nonresident students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well.

Freshman recipients of the Cooper Scholars award generally present scores above 1350 on the SAT on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 30) and have excellent grades in high school.  The award is worth $4,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average. No scholarship application is required.  All nonresidents students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well.

Freshman recipients of the McKissick Scholars Award generally present scores above 1250 on the SAT on critical reading and math sections combined (or ACT composite score of 28) and have excellent grades in high school.  The award is worth $2,000 per year and is renewable for up to three years as long as you maintain at least a B average. No scholarship application is required. All nonresidents students receiving this scholarship receive a reduced tuition benefit as well.