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My USC Lancaster

Financial Aid

The Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office provides service to both incoming and current students regarding how to apply for and maintain eligibility requirements for student financial aid.

The Palmetto College Central Financial Aid Office is a centralized resource for students attending any of the four Palmetto College campuses.  On their website you can find out more about the types of aid available and the eligibility requirements.  We have links to all of their pages below.

 

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The University of South Carolina is working with the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to actively monitor the novel coronavirus outbreak and any potential impact to our campus community.

UofSC Covid-19 Emergency Relief Fund

CARES ACT FEDERAL GRANT

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides economic relief to students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This includes eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. The availability of this award is not continuous.

To fulfill the Department of Education’s guidance, USC Lancaster will be awarding grants to students across all levels as determined by the FAFSA with amounts ranging from $300 to $650. Pell Grant recipients will be awarded $650 and all other eligible students may receive $300.  In early September, any CARES funding that had been declined by awardees was reallocated to students who accepted an initial CARES award and maintained eligibility for Title IV federal student financial aid.  This additional award was $281 per recipient. The grants must be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare). The grants may not fully cover the expenses a student has incurred due to the disruption.       

 The grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

  • USC-Lancaster has received an official FAFSA as of May 7, 2020
  • Meet the Title IV Federal eligibility requirements
  • Be a degree-seeking student enrolled for Spring 2020 term
  • Not enrolled in an exclusively online program on or prior to March 13, 2020
  • Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements

This one-time award will be placed on the student’s account for Spring 2020 and an award notification email will be sent to students to view their awards on SSC. The student must also accept the certification to receive the funds.  However, if you did not incur any expenses, please decline the awards via SSC.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our campus Financial Aid Office at usclfa@mailbox.sc.edu or by phone 803-313-7068 . You can also chat with us online.

Palmetto College CARES Act Federal Grant frequently asked questions, click here.

Beware of Scams about CARES Act Funding 

Cares Reporting

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 12/31/2020 (Lancaster)

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 09/30/2020 (Lancaster)

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 08/15/2020 (Lancaster)

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 06/30/2020 (Lancaster)

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Reporting as of 05/19/2020 (Lancaster)

 

Important Information

Academics and Financial Aid

Presentations about Financial Aid

News

Financial Aid Reminders: FAFSA, Textbook Scholarship, Child Care Grant

 

What is a Liberal Arts Degree Worth?

  • “Among workers with liberal arts B.A.s, 82 percent are working (70 percent full-time), and the average full-time worker earns $55,000 annually, $20,000 more than high school graduates,” the report says. “Two out of five liberal arts graduates, however, go on to earn graduate degrees, which further boosts their earnings to $76,000 annually, on average.”

2020-2021 FAFSA

  • File
  • Available on October 1st, 2019
  • File using 2018 income tax information
  • Priority deadline April 1st
  • Fall Deadline August 1st, 2020 (after this you may not be awarded before the bill comes due)

Thelathia Bailey Emergency Textbook Scholarship Application

  • Not able to afford your books without a loan? Apply for our $300 Scholarship.

Quick Points

  • Don't pay for the FAFSA, it is free!
  • Don't pay for help to apply for other Financial Aid. We do it for free!
  • Don't share your SSN or FSA ID with anyone you do not trust.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Deadlines

  • Fall - Priority Deadline: August 1st; Final Deadline: December 1st 
  • Spring – Priority Deadline: December 1st ; Final Deadline: April 1st
  • Summer - Priority Deadline: April 1st; Final Deadline: June 1st  
  • Appeal Forms

South Carolina Teacher Loan/Career Changer

SC Student Loan has now updated the online application for the SC Teacher Loan/Career Changer program for the 2019/2020 academic year. 

Summer Aid

  • If you had Pell Grant in Fall and Spring you can now also get it in summer!
  • Application will be available on Self Service Carolina by April 1st
  • Priority deadline May 1st ; Final Deadline June 1st
  • More Information

Dual Enrollment

SC Residents in Dual Enrollment Courses taking 6 or more credit hours in a single semester are eligible for Lottery Tuition Assistance. You must complete the Dual Enrollment Packet (admissions, citizenship, immunization, residency, school LTAP form, and student LTAP form). For more information on Dual Enrollment, the forms to complete and the deadlines for Lottery Tuition Assistance, please see the Dual Enrollment Website.

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