Scholarships for S.C. Residents
General University Merit-Based Awards for S.C. Residents
Scholarship awards are determined annually based on the size, strength and competitiveness of the applicant pool, available funding and specific eligibility criteria. While most university merit scholarships cannot be combined, they may be paired with a South Carolina state lottery–funded scholarship. Scholarships that are eligible to be combined are indicated with an asterisk (*).
The SAT and ACT scores reported in each section below represent the averages for those students who chose to have their test scores considered in the previous year’s admissions process. The GPA and ranking figures represent the average from the prior year’s class.
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Stamps Scholars annual value: Approximately $20,000
Enrichment fund: $15,000
Four-year value: Approximately $95,000Carolina Scholars Award annual value: $15,000
Enrichment fund: $10,000
Four-year value: $70,0001801 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 34) and an average high school GPA of 5.3 and were in the top 1% of their high school class, on average.
To apply for these awards, you must submit both a general university application and an Honors College application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for the Honors College application is Nov. 15.
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Annual value: Up to $10,000
Four-year value: Up to $40,000The university awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists. The competition for these awards begins with taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the 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 another general university award.
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Annual value: $8,000
Four-year value: $32,000Sponsored by the University of South Carolina Alumni Association, these awards signify outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, talent and service. Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high school GPA of 5.4 and were in the top 2% of their high school class, on average.
Note: A separate Honors College application must be completed by Nov. 15 to be considered for the Alumni Scholars Award.
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Annual value: $5,000
Four-year value: $20,000
This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen based on academic merit and financial need. Candidates typically present outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, talent and service. Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1480 (ACT score of 34) and an average high school GPA of 5.3 and were in the top 3% of their high school class, on average.
Note: A separate Honors College application must be completed by Nov. 15 to be considered for the Trustees’ Endowment Scholars 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 years. Class rank is the sole criterion for this award. Students must be S.C. residents graduating from an S.C. high school to be eligible.
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Annual value: $3,000
Four-Year value: $12,000
Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1379 (ACT score of 31) and an average high school GPA of 5.1 and were in the top 5% of their high school class, on average. Palmetto Fellows automatically qualify for this award. -
Annual value: $2,000
Four-year value: $8,000Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1312 (ACT score of 29) and an average high school GPA of 4.9 and were in the top 5% of their high school class, on average.
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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: $500
Four-year value: $2,000Recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1265 (ACT score of 27) and an average high school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 15% of their high school class, on average.
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Annual value: $3,300 freshman year only
To support students pursuing degrees in science, math, technology and engineering fields (STEM fields), USC offers this one-time, freshman-year-only award supplement to all admitted freshmen who are named Palmetto Fellows and who enroll in a STEM-eligible major — a list made available through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The University of South Carolina STEM Supplement may be added to any other Admissions Merit Award.
State Scholarships for S.C. Residents
The state offers several lottery-funded scholarships to eligible South Carolina residents. Any one of these awards may be combined with a general university scholarship.
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Annual value: up to $6,700 for the first year
Four-year value: up to $29,200You are eligible to apply for this state-awarded scholarship, worth up to $6,700 for the first year and up to $7,500 for each of the next three years, if you are an SC high school student with exemplary academic credentials. Students who are named Palmetto Fellows will receive a minimum $3,000 Dean's Scholars award or equivalent (such as Valedictorian, if applicable). For more information, contact your high school guidance counselor or the SC Commission on Higher Education. Palmetto Fellows recipients are not eligible for LIFE or SC HOPE scholarships.
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Annual value: $5,000
Four-year value: $20,000The Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence Scholarship is a state-awarded scholarship valued at $5,000 per year. If you meet two of the following three requirements, you are eligible for this scholarship: 1) your final, cumulative grade point average is at least a “B” (3.00); 2) your SAT score is at least 1100 on critical reading and math sections combined (ACT composite score of at least 22); or 3) you graduate in the top 30 percent of your class.
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Annual value: up to $2,500 beginning sophomore year
Three-year value: up to $7,500Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients enrolled in certain math and science majors may be eligible for an enhancement award beginning in their second year of enrollment. Eligible students must have completed 14 hours in mathematics or life or physical science, or any combination of both, during their first year. Complete information on the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement and Palmetto Fellows Enhancement are available through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
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Annual value: $2,800
The S.C. HOPE scholarship is state-awarded and valued at $2,800 for the freshman year only. If your final, cumulative GPA is at least a “B” (3.00) and you do not qualify for a Palmetto Fellows or LIFE scholarship, you are eligible to receive this scholarship.
**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.