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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Graduate Progress

Graduate student progress is contingent upon the university's satisfactory academic progress standards and the standards set by the respective school or college in which the student is enrolled. The guidelines for each school are different but are listed in the University of South Carolina Graduate Studies Bulletin

Student Responsibilities

To be eligible for financial aid at the University of South Carolina students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, based on federal, state and institutional requirements. Students must meet the following requirements.

  • Earn 67 percent of all hours accepted at USC plus transfer hours accepted regardless of whether federal financial aid was received
  • Degree programs must be completed within a maximum time frame, defined as 150% of the average credits to complete the degree program(maximum timeframe for graduate and professional students varies)
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) as established by the University and program of study.

Failure to meet the above SAP standards will result in the loss of financial aid eligibility. Students deemed ineligible due to SAP must submit a written appeal in order to have their eligibility reviewed and reconsidered. This determination applies without regard to any financial aid award notice that may have been sent or received prior to the time the SAP determination is made.

Doctoral Students

Doctoral students must earn 67 percent of all hours accepted at USC plus transfer hours accepted regardless of whether federal financial aid was received. 


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