• General University Scholarships-Undergraduate Admissions will automatically consider you for these scholarships.
• State Scholarships(HOPE, LIFE, and Palmetto Fellows) will be awarded automatically provided that you are eligible and the following requirements have been completed:
  • In-state residency has been confirmed with the Legal Residency office.
  • Final high school transcript has been evaluated by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
• Departmental Scholarships
  • Consult with your department of study to see if Academic Departmental Scholarships are available.

2.) Complete the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is required for federal financial aid including student loans. Allow 1 to 2 weeks for USC-Columbia to receive your application from the FAFSA Processor.

• Apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to sign your FAFSA electronically. If you need to provide parent information on the FAFSA, your parent will also need a PIN.

Notes: It is important to remember your PIN as you will use it frequently. USC-Columbia’s School Code is 003448.

3.) Check the status of your FAFSA. Federal aid will not be awarded until your status is complete.

• If you are a first-time user of VIP, set your VIP PIN.
• Submit any requested information by the priority deadline of April 1st. If your status is not complete by April 1st, then you may miss out on awards that have limited funding. However, you may still submit your FAFSA even if you miss the priority deadline.

Notes: A complete status includes the submitted FAFSA and any additional information requested.

4.) Check your awards. USC-Columbia begins awarding Federal Aid on April 1st. You will automatically be considered for Federal Grants and Direct Loans.

• After you have been awarded, use our cost estimator to help you decide if other aid is needed.
• Parents of dependent undergraduate students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan if more aid is needed.
• Only as a last resort, you may consider applying for a Private Educational Loan.

5.) Complete the State Scholarship Certification Statement on VIP if you have been awarded the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, or State Need-Based Grant.

Notes: The certification statement can be completed on VIP by clicking on the Financial tab and then “show me financial aid awards”.

6.) Accept or decline your Direct Loans on VIP. If you wish to make any other changes to your awards, submit your updated award letter to our office with your signature.

Notes: Accepting and/or changing your loans takes 48 hours to process.

• For Direct Loans
• For Perkins Loans

• For Direct Loans
• For Perkins Loans

10.) Send non-institutional scholarship checks to: Office of the Bursar; University of South Carolina; 516 South Main Street; Columbia, SC 29208.

Notes: Endorse your check if it is made co-payable to you and the University.

11.) Review Optional Fees and Pay Your Fees using VIP.

• Please note that there is a Fee Authorization that you will need to complete on the Financial Aid Awards page. Fee authorization is required and separate from fee payment
• You must apply your available financial aid to your bill using VIP. Failure to do this will result in the cancellation of your class schedule. Aid does not disburse automatically.

Notes: Once your fees are paid, your bill will no longer be available through VIP. If you wish to keep a copy for your records, print the bill before you pay.