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Veterans and Military Services

Scholarships

Access a range of financial aid options that are reserved for students who are veterans or military dependents.

The Colonel W. Patrick Naylor Military Endowed Scholarship Fund

Col. (Dr.) Naylor, Class of 1968, had two periods of military service (1968-1972 and 1981-1999). In gratitude and recognition for the opportunities he enjoyed while on active duty, he and his wife, Penelope, endowed this scholarship to support and thank today’s military service members in pursuit of their dreams at the University of South Carolina. Although preference is given to Air Force personnel meeting the award criteria, this scholarship is open to all qualified applicants from any of the armed services.

Awards will be awarded and administered by the Office of Veterans Services with consultation from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships within the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. A committee will review the applicant pool to determine recipients.
  1. wounded warriors
  2. veterans
  3. spouses of honorably discharged veterans and retired military personnel
  4. widows or widowers of honorably discharged veterans and retired military personnel
  • Applicants must be in good academic standing, based on the university’s general guidelines, and attending the university as a full-time student. This award is available to undergraduate and graduate students studying at South Carolina.
  • Applicants must provide documentation of honorable service by the military member (DD Form 214).
  • Awardees may reapply for the scholarship annually provided they continue to meet the criteria for the award, but will compete on equal footing with new applicants.
  • Priority will be given to Air Force personnel in the above categories, followed by the other uniformed services in equal weight.
  • Essay describing the applicant's merit for the award based on the given criteria. In the essay, applicants should explain educational goals, career aspirations and how the award will help meet these objectives.
  • Copy of the military member's DD Form 214 to show honorable service and branch of service.
  • For submissions being considered under either the "wounded warrior" or "widow/widower" categories, supporting documentation of the statuses is required. Spouses will need to provide a copy of a marriage license.
After graduating from South Carolina, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and entered basic training in San Antonio, Texas. Over the following four years he was trained and served as a Russian linguist. His work as an intelligence analyst entailed domestic and overseas assignments to include a remote facility in northern Japan followed by a final assignment at the National Security Agency at Ft. Meade, Maryland. He subsequently completed his dental education at Georgetown University with specialty training at Harvard University (two schools) and Indiana University under Air Force sponsorship for most of his nine years of professional training. 

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Veterans Alumni Council - Salute to Service Scholarship

This scholarship is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Alumni Association's Veterans Alumni Council. 

 The Salute to Service Scholarship is awarded to a well-deserving veteran, based on academic achievement, leadership ability, service, and sacrifice. This award is exclusive to veterans. Applicants must have a minimum weighted GPA of 2.0, as calculated by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or 3.0 GPA by the Office of Graduate Admissions. 

Awarding of this scholarship is based on academic achievement, leadership ability, service, and sacrifice. Recipients must attend the Columbia campus of the University of South Carolina.

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Palmetto College Scholarships

Palmetto College offers a variety of scholarships and awards to students, including those enrolled through Base Education Centers at Fort Jackson and Shaw Air Force Base. 

Awarded to military students enrolled in either the associate degree program at USC Fort Jackson or one of the Palmetto College online bachelor’s degree programs. Award preference will be assigned as follows: 1. active-duty enlisted soldiers; 2. military service veterans; 3. National Guardsmen; 4. reservists; 5. spouses of active-duty military. Application required. Applications are accepted at all times.

For deadlines for upcoming terms or other questions, contact the USC Fort Jackson office at 803-782-8810. 

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Awarded to students at Shaw AFB who are enrolled at USC Sumter and Palmetto College. This scholarship covers active military, reservists, veterans, National Guardsmen and their families.

Priority of award goes to:

  1. active-duty, enlisted service members
  2. veterans
  3. National Guardsmen
  4. reservists
  5. spouses.

The scholarship is to be used to pursue an associate degree from USC Sumter or one of the 14 available bachelor’s degrees through Palmetto College.

The scholarship covers any educational expenses not covered by VA educational benefits.

To apply for a scholarship, you can download an application [pdf] or visit the USC Sumter Office of Financial Aid, Scholarships and Veterans Affairs.


National ROTC Scholarships

High school students, current college students and enlisted services members may be able to access funding through national ROTC programs. Learn more about the requirements and commitments for scholarship options.

 

Third-Party Scholarships

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