Scholarships for S.C. Residents
Stamps Scholars Award annual value: $20,000
Four-year value: $80,000 + $15,000 enrichment fundCarolina Scholars Award annual value: $15,000
Four-year value: $60,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund1801 Scholars Award annual value: $10,000
Four-year value: $40,000The Stamps, Carolina and 1801 Scholars Awards are the most prestigious awards offered by the university to South Carolina residents. Fifty students with strong academic records and leadership qualities are offered a Top Scholar award each year. Five will be named Stamps Scholars, 20 will be named Carolina Scholars and up to 25 will be named 1801 Scholars. Candidates for these awards will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview and an in-person Top Scholar Weekend. Last year, S.C. Top Scholars had an average SAT score of 1530 (ACT score of 35) and an average high school GPA of 5.3 and were in the top 1% of their high school class.
To apply for these awards, you must submit both a general university application and a South Carolina Honors College application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for the Honors College application is Nov. 15.
Annual value: Up to $10,000
Four-year value: Up to $40,000Eligible National Merit Finalists who designate USC as their first-choice institution will receive the Provost Scholars Award, valued at up to $10,000 annually (up to $40,000 over four years).
Competition for these awards begins with taking the PSAT/NMSQT in a student's 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 by the stated deadline. The annual award value includes $500 sponsored by the National Merit Corporation, if applicable.
The Provost Scholars Award may be combined with any other university merit-based scholarship.Annual value: $3,500
Four-year value: $14,000
Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1382 (ACT score of 31) and an average high school GPA of 5.2 and were in the top 3% of their high school class, on average. Palmetto Fellows automatically qualify for this award.Annual value: $3,000
Four-year value: $12,000These scholarships are awarded to students ranked first in their class at the end of their junior or senior year. Class rank is the sole criterion for this award. To be eligible, students must be S.C. residents at an S.C. high school with a graduating class of 20 or more students.
Annual value: $2,500
Four-year value: $10,000Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1323 (ACT score of 28) and an average high school GPA of 5.0 and were in the top 10% of their high school class, on average.
Annual value: $1,000
Four-year value: $4,000
This award is for students who are named Palmetto Fellows and score a minimum of 1450 on the SAT or 33 on the ACT. The Presidential Scholars Award may be combined with another general university award.Annual value: $1,000
Four-year value: $4,000Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1286 (ACT score of 27) and an average high school GPA of 4.9 and were in the top 15% of their high school class, on average.
Annual value: $3,300 freshman year only
The university offers this one-time, freshman-year-only award supplement to all admitted freshmen who are Palmetto Fellows and enroll in a STEM-eligible major. This supplement may be combined with another general university award.
*May not be combined with any other general university merit-based scholarship offered by the University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions, except for Provost Scholars Award, Presidential Scholars Award and USC STEM Supplement.
State Scholarships for S.C. Residents
The state of South Carolina offers several lottery-funded scholarships to eligible residents. Students who qualify for more than one receive the scholarship with the highest award amount. Each state-funded lottery scholarship may be combined with a general university merit scholarship.
Annual value: up to $6,700 for the first year
Four-year value: up to $29,200South Carolina residents with exemplary academic credentials may be eligible for the state-awarded Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, worth up to $6,700 the first year and up to $7,500 for each of the next three years. The initial application is submitted by your high school counselor. For eligibility and application information, contact your high school counselor or the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Students named Palmetto Fellows also receive a minimum $3,500 Dean's Scholars Award from USC's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Note: Most incoming freshmen who receive the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship are awarded $6,700. However, state policy caps the total amount of gift aid a student may receive. If the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship combined with other federal, state, USC or private scholarships and grants exceeds the cost of attendance, the Palmetto Fellows award will be reduced to prevent an overaward.Annual value: $5,000
Four-year value: $20,000The LIFE Scholarship is a state-awarded scholarship valued at $5,000 per year. To qualify, you must meet at least two of the following three requirements:
- Earn a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
- Score at least 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT.
- Graduate in the top 30% of your high school class.
Annual value: up to $2,500 beginning sophomore year
Three-year value: up to $7,500Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients in eligible math and science majors may qualify for an enhancement award beginning in their second year. To qualify, students must complete at least 14 credit hours in mathematics, life sciences, physical sciences, or a combination of these fields during their first year. For complete eligibility requirements, visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Annual value: $2,800
The S.C. HOPE Scholarship is a state-awarded scholarship valued at $2,800 for the first year. To qualify, you must have a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 and not qualify for the Palmetto Fellows or LIFE scholarships.