Scholarships, Grants and Loans

Archibald Rutledge Scholarship

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence. Students compete for scholarships in creative writing, drama, music, and visual arts.

Awards: One-time scholarship - approximately $4,000.

Eligibility: Twelfth-grade students enrolled in a South Carolina public school and planning to attend a state college or university are eligible to participate in the scholarship competition. Jointly produced compositions are not eligible. Students receiving the scholarships must be United States citizens who have attended the state’s public schools for the past two consecutive years. High school student enrollment determines the number of entries a school can enter in each discipline area.

Contact: High School guidance counselor or Beth Cope at the State Department of Education, 803-734-8116
 

LIFE Scholarship

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. Its purpose is to increase access to higher education, improve employability of South Carolina students, provide incentives for students to be better prepared for college, and encourage students to graduate from college on time. The scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms, based on the student's initial college enrollment date.

Awards:  Vary depending on type of institution

Eligibility:  Entering freshmen must meet two of three academic criteria.  Students may regain or earn the LIFE scholarship.

Contact:  Dr. Tajuana Massie, 803-737-2271; more details available here.

 

Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides tuition assistance to South Carolina residents attending a two-year public or private institution.

Awards: A student may receive up to the cost-of-tuition.The college at which the student is enrolled will notify each student of the exact award amount based upon the number of eligible recipients and available funding each academic year.

Eligibility:  In addition to several other requirements, the recipient cannot be a HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows scholarship recipient.

Contact: Karen Wham, 803-737-4544, 877-349-7183

 

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is a merit-based program established to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors in South Carolina and to encourage them to attend college in the state. Its intent also is to retain talented minority students who might otherwise pursue studies outside the state.

Awards:  Not to exceed $6,700 per academic year

Eligibility: College entrance exam and residency requirements, among other criteria

Contact: Melissa Santilli, 803-737-2128, 877-349-7183

 

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program promotes academic excellence through federal funds.

Awards: The scholarship amount is determined by the amount of a United States Department of Education grant and is renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study.

Eligibility:  South Carolina high school seniors planning to attend post-secondary institutions within the United States, college entrance exam, and grade point average are among requirements.

Contact: Twelfth-grade guidance counselor for an application or Beth Cope at the South Carolina Department of Education, 803-734-8116

 

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship program is a merit-based scholarship for students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. This award is for the first year of attendance only.

Awards: Up to $2,650, including a  $150 book allowance, towards the cost of the first-year of attendance only.

Eligibility:  Must attend an eligible state public or private college or university full-time, among other criteria

Contact:  Gerrick Hampton, 803-734-4397; more details available here.

 

South Carolina Junior Scholars Program

The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was developed by the State Department of Education during the 1985-86 school year to identify eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent and to develop strategies for inclusion into special programs.

Awards: Special recognition in local award ceremonies, an Award of Merit certificate from the State Department of Education, and an opportunity to be invited to attend summer opportunities at participating South Carolina colleges and universities.

Eligibility:  Students must currently be enrolled in eighth grade in a public, private, or home school in South Carolina.

Contact: School guidance counselor or Beth Cope at the South Carolina Department of Education, 803-734-8116

 

South Carolina Teacher Loan Program

The South Carolina Teacher Loan Program encourages residents to enter the teaching profession. A teacher can cancel portions of his or her student loan by teaching in certain critical geographical and subject areas. Both rural and suburban schools are designated as critical geographic areas. These areas are designated annually by the State Board of Education. It is a recipient's responsibility to determine a school's designation prior to accepting employment.

Awards:  Freshmen and sophomores may borrow up to $2,500 per year. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students may borrow up to $5,000 per year. Career Changers may borrow up to $15,000 per year and up to an aggregate maximum of $60,000. Critical Needs Certification Program participants may borrow up to $1,000 per year, not to exceed an aggregate maximum of $5,000.

Eligibility:  Teachers who teach in critical geographical and subject areas

Contact:  For a list of the current subject areas, critical geographical school districts, and cancellation guidelines, contact the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, 800-347-2752.

 

South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program

The mission of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities. Each year, the program provides fellowships to up to 200 high school seniors.

Awards:  Up to $6,000 yearly scholarship for four years, including $300 a year for summer enrichment

Eligibility:  Written and oral application process, high academic achievement, a history of service to the school and community, and a desire to teach South Carolina's children

Contact: Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement, 800-476-2387

 

South Carolina Need-based Grant Program

The South Carolina Need-based Grant Program provides assistance to the state’s neediest students.  This program is for independent colleges and universities as a part of the Tuition Grants Program.

Award: A student may receive up to $2,500 annually if enrolled full-time and up to $1,250 annually if enrolled part-time. Half of the grant is awarded in the fall semester, and half is awarded in the spring semester, assuming continued eligibility.

Eligibility:  In addition to financial and residency requirements, there are other criteria.

Contact: Sandra Rhyne, 803-737-2280

 

South Carolina Tuition Grants Program

The South Carolina Tuition Grants Program's provides need-based grant assistance to eligible South Carolina undergraduate students attending eligible independent non-profit in-state colleges on a full-time basis.

Awards:  Amount determined by a combination of family resources, the cost of attendance of the independent college selected, and the final funding of the Tuition Grants Program by the South Carolina Legislature.

Eligibility:  There are academic and financial resources criteria.

Contact: South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission, 803-896-1120, or e-mail staff.

For additional information about financial assistance, contact the United States Department of Education and the Federal Trade Commission.

 

United States Senate Youth Program Scholarship

In 1962, the United States Senate voted unanimously to endorse a nationwide youth program to provide high school students the opportunity to spend a week in Washington, D.C. for a brief on-site introduction to the functions of the federal government and in particular the United States Senate.

Awards: Each delegate will be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors and provides funding for this program.

Eligibility:  Students must currently be enrolled as a high school junior or senior in a public, private, or home school in South Carolina.

Contact: Interested students should contact their guidance counselor or principal or Beth Cope at the South Carolina Department of Education, 803-734-8116