You are eligible to apply for the state-awarded Palmetto Fellows Scholarship scholarship if you are a South Carolina high school student with exemplary academic credentials. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for LIFE or S.C. HOPE scholarships.
General Eligibility Requirements
- US Citizen/Legal Permanent Resident*
- SC Resident*
- No felony convictions
- No second or subsequent alcohol/drug misdemeanors
- Not in default of any state or federal loans
- Enroll in a degree-seeking program at an eligible SC institution
- Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
*Residency must be determined at the time of high school graduation.
Eligibility Requirements for Entering Freshman
There are two ways in which a student can meet the academic eligibility criteria for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship:
- Rank in the top 6% at the end of the 10th, the 11th , or the 12th grade academic year
- Rank can be used as an eligibility requirement for those schools/home school associations that have an official policy on rank that has been reviewed by the SC Commission on Higher Education for compliance with the established Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Regulations.
- Earn a 1200 (math and critical reading only) on the SAT or 27 on the ACT (through the June test administration of the graduating year)
- Earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA (based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Policy)
OR, you can qualify by meeting the alternate academic criteria eligibility requirements without
regard to rank:
- Earn a 1400 (math and critical reading only) on the SAT or 32 on the ACT (through the June test administration of the graduating year)
- Earn a 4.0 Cumulative GPA (based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Policy)
- Please note that you must apply to be a Palmetto Fellow during your senior year of high school to the SC Commission on Higher Education. Contact your high school guidance counselor for more information.
Eligibility Requirements for Transfer Students
- You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- You must request a transfer of your Palmetto Fellows through the SC Commission on Higher Education.
Eligibility Requirements for Continuing Students
- You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- You must also meet additional renewal requirements, including your GPA and how many credit hours you earn each academic year.