South Carolina college grants and scholarships are funded mostly by the South Carolina Education Lottery and split into merit and need-based programs. The merit side is led by the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship (up to $6,700 freshman year and up to $7,500 after), the LIFE Scholarship and SC HOPE. The main need-based program is the South Carolina Need-based Grant, worth up to $3,500 a year for full-time students at public colleges. You must be a South Carolina resident for any of them.
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) oversees these programs and publishes their rules (CHE, Scholarships and Grants for SC Residents). The amounts below are those listed on CHE’s page as of November 2026; CHE does not attach a single award year to each figure.
South Carolina programs at a glance
| Program | Type | Amount CHE publishes | Where to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmetto Fellows Scholarship | Merit | Up to $6,700 freshman year; up to $7,500 later years | Eligible SC four-year institutions |
| Palmetto Fellows + Enhancement (STEM, education, accounting) | Merit | Up to $10,000 a year combined, from sophomore year | Eligible SC four-year institutions |
| LIFE Scholarship | Merit | Set by the institution | Eligible public and independent SC colleges |
| SC HOPE Scholarship | Merit, freshman year only | Not stated on CHE’s page | SC four-year institutions |
| SC Need-based Grant | Need | Up to $3,500 full time; up to $1,750 part time | Eligible public SC institutions |
| Lottery Tuition Assistance | Supplemental | $80 per credit hour for the current year | Two-year public and independent institutions |
South Carolina Need-based Grant
CHE says the Need-based Grant “provides additional aid to South Carolina’s students with the greatest financial need.” A student “may receive up to $3,500 annually if enrolled full-time or up to $1,750 annually if enrolled part-time as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public institution.”
- Apply: complete the FAFSA. There is no separate state application.
- Who decides: the financial aid office at each eligible public college determines eligibility and the exact amount.
- Order: all gift aid and scholarships are applied first, then the grant.
- When: it can be applied in fall, spring or summer.
- Limit: up to eight full-time-equivalent terms, for a first certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree.
Because colleges award from limited funds, file the FAFSA early and meet your college’s priority date. The 2027-28 FAFSA is open now; CHE notes it became available “earlier than anticipated.”
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Palmetto Fellows is CHE’s top merit award “recognizing the most academically talented high school seniors.” Half is paid in fall and half in spring, applied to cost of attendance after other gift aid. Fellows can receive funding for up to eight full-time terms toward a first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year South Carolina institution.
You do not apply on your own. CHE says applications “are initiated through the student’s school counselor or homeschool administrator,” who sends eligible students the application link. If you think you qualify, talk to your counselor early in senior year.
The enhancement for STEM, education and accounting
Fellows who declare an approved math or science major and complete at least 14 credit hours of math or life and physical science by the end of the first year can receive up to $10,000 a year combined, starting sophomore year, for up to six full-time terms. CHE added education and accounting enhancements in 2024 and publishes the approved program lists.
LIFE Scholarship
The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is merit-based and administered by the financial aid office at each eligible public and independent college. CHE says it may be used toward cost of attendance for up to eight terms, counted from your initial college enrollment date, for a first certificate, associate, bachelor’s or first professional degree. STEM, education and accounting majors may also qualify for enhancements.
Because colleges administer LIFE, ask your college how it confirms your eligibility and what documents it needs.
📨 Get Free Scholarships Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
SC HOPE Scholarship
SC HOPE is a merit award for students at four-year institutions who do not qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, and it is awarded for the freshman year only.
Lottery Tuition Assistance at two-year colleges
For the current academic year, CHE says eligible students at two-year public or independent institutions “may receive $80 per credit hour” toward tuition. Federal grants and the SC Need-based Grant are applied first. Requirements include filing the FAFSA each year, South Carolina residency, at least six credit hours and satisfactory progress. Students receiving HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows are not eligible.
Early graduates
Students who finish high school mid-year may still qualify for state scholarships. CHE says they must give their college a final official transcript, a signed letter from the principal or counselor, and SAT/ACT scores if applicable. Mid-year graduates cannot use class rank to qualify for LIFE or Palmetto Fellows.
South Carolina checklist
- Confirm South Carolina residency for tuition and scholarship purposes.
- File the 2027-28 FAFSA; our guide on how to fill out the FAFSA walks through it.
- Seniors aiming for Palmetto Fellows: ask your counselor about the application link.
- Check which majors qualify for STEM, education or accounting enhancements.
- Look up each college’s priority date; see our FAFSA deadlines guide.
A federal rule to know: for award years beginning on or after July 1, 2026, a student whose non-federal aid equals or exceeds the cost of attendance is not eligible for Pell, according to a June 4, 2026 Federal Student Aid electronic announcement. Strong merit packages can approach cost of attendance, so ask your aid office how your awards stack.
Questions South Carolina families ask
Can I receive both a merit scholarship and the Need-based Grant?
The Need-based Grant is awarded after all other gift aid and scholarships are applied, so a merit scholarship is counted first. Your college’s aid office then decides whether you still have need for the grant and how much.
Can I get Lottery Tuition Assistance and LIFE at the same time?
No. CHE says LTAP recipients must not be receiving the HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.
Do I have to apply for LIFE?
LIFE is administered by the financial aid office at each eligible college, not by a central CHE application. Ask your college which documents it needs, especially if you graduated mid-year.
Who do I call about Palmetto Fellows?
CHE says students and parents with questions about applying should contact the student’s school counselor or homeschool administrator first.
Where to go next
Compare South Carolina with other states in our guide to state grants for college, and use our free scholarship finder for private awards. CHE’s Need-based Grant contact is Tanya Weigold at 803-856-0672.