You are eligible to apply for the state-awarded Palmetto Fellows Scholarship if you are a South Carolina high school student with exemplary academic credentials. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for the LIFE Scholarship or the SC HOPE Scholarship.
General Eligibility Requirements
- US Citizen/Legal Permanent Resident*
- SC Resident*
- No felony convictions
- No second or subsequent alcohol/drug misdemeanors
- Not in default of any state or federal loans
- Enroll in a degree-seeking program at an eligible SC institution
- Must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress
*Residency must be determined at the time of high school graduation.
Eligibility Requirements for Entering Freshman
There are two ways in which a student can meet the academic eligibility criteria for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship:
- Rank in the top 6% at the end of the 10th, the 11th , or the 12th grade academic year
- Rank can be used as an eligibility requirement for those schools/home school associations that have an official policy on rank that has been reviewed by the SC Commission on Higher Education for compliance with the established Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Regulations.
- Earn a 1200 (math and critical reading only) on the SAT or 27 on the ACT (through the June test administration of the graduating year). Effective for Fall 2023 and afterwards, the ACT test score will be 25.
- Earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA (based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Policy)
OR, you can qualify by meeting the alternate academic criteria eligibility requirements without
regard to rank:
- Earn a 1400 (math and critical reading only) on the SAT or 32 on the ACT (through the June test administration of the graduating year). Effective for Fall 2023 and afterwards, the ACT test score will be 31.
- Earn a 4.0 Cumulative GPA (based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Policy).
- Please note that you must apply to be a Palmetto Fellow during your senior year of high school to the SC Commission on Higher Education. Contact your high school guidance counselor for more information.
Eligibility Requirements for Transfer Students
- You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- You must request a transfer of your Palmetto Fellows through the SC Commission on Higher Education.
Eligibility Requirements for Continuing Students
- You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- You must also meet additional renewal requirements, including your GPA and how many credit hours you earn each academic year.