Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs
USC Lancaster recognizes that a college education is a major expense in most family budgets. It is important to know that there are many federal, state, local and institutional sources available to help students meet those expenses. We are here to help! Please read on for more information. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your campus Financial Aid Office. We are here to help!
Students should review the Financial Aid Process to learn how to apply for financial aid and what additional steps may be required. Once a student has completed applications for Scholarships and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for grants, loans and other aid, they can view their financial aid and submit decisions to accept, modify or decline the awards on Self Service Carolina.
For detailed instructions, students should visit the “My Financial Aid” page.
For important public information please see our Consumer Information page.
If you have questions regarding how to apply for financial aid, scholarships and veterans benefits, please call the Financial Aid and Veteran Affairs Office at 803.313.7068 , or usclfa@mailbox.sc.edu , or through LIVE chat.
- Permission to Release Financial Aid Information (See our FERPA policy)
- Scholarships
- USC Lancaster Academic Bulletin
- Academic Calendars (know the drop/add and withdrawal dates)
- About Financial Aid
- Financial Aid Process
- My Financial Aid
- Forms and Certifications
- Palmetto College Central Financial Aid Office
- Consumer Information
- Financial Literacy and Default Prevention
- Resources and Links
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Self Service Carolina
- Veteran Affairs and Military Benefits
- Work-Study Employment For Students
The Palmetto College Central Financial Aid Office is a centralized resource for students who attend any of the four Palmetto College campuses. Visit their website to find out about the types of available financial aid, to read important consumer information, to learn how to apply or to complete a required form.
Students interested in federal or state grants, Federal Work Study and student loans should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is something you’ll need to do annually to be considered for aid each year you’re in school. To apply for scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To manage your academic, financial, and personal information, visit Self Service Carolina (SSC), the University’s secure website.
Once admitted, before you can access Self Service Carolina, you will need to claim and manage your account and university email through https://myaccount.sc.edu/iam/ .
The USC Lancaster Net Price Calculator allows prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account.
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides eligible students with part-time employment to assist with the costs of their education. It can also provide you with invaluable professional skills and an opportunity to serve your community. To receive FWS, eligible degree-seeking students should complete a FAFSA application. If you have been awarded work study, Contact us or find a work study job on campus or through community service.
Students not awarded work study, can find help through our Office of Career Services.
The Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Office assists service members, veterans, and their families in applying for and using their financial benefits. There are many programs available to help service members, veterans and their families pay for college. For more information please see the Veteran Affairs and Military Benefits page.
New students who are eligible for VA benefits must apply for initial eligibility through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and then submit their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and enrollment certification request form to the Veteran Affairs Office. Instructions can be found on our Veteran Affairs and Military Benefits page.
Active-duty service members and reservists may also apply for tuition assistance and reduce tuition rates. Each agency has its own process. For more information please see the Veteran Affairs and Military Benefits page.
All students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA every October 1 and complete the Scholarship application by March 1.
All students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (FASAP). This standard is required to be eligible for state and federal aid and may also be applied to other forms of financial aid. You can find this policy, the “FASAP standards” detailed information about Satisfactory Academic Progress here.
All students deemed ineligible to receive financial aid as a result of failing to meet any component of this policy have the right to appeal. All appeals must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs by the deadlines indicated below. Appeals are approved on a case-by-case basis by two committees. If the first level committee does not approve the appeal it is sent to the second committee for decisions to approve or deny the appeal. The student must have experienced one or more specific, mitigating or other unforeseen circumstances that interfered with the completion of his or her coursework.
Contact the Financial Aid Office for help with your appeal.
SAP Appeal Deadlines
Semester | Priority Deadline | Final Deadline |
Fall | August 1st | December 1st |
Spring | December 1st | April 1st |
Summer | April 1st | June 1st |
Any appeals received after these dates may not be reviewed because would be insufficient time remaining in the semester for the full processing of financial aid.
SC Residents in Dual Enrollment Courses taking 6 or more credit hours in a single semester are eligible for Lottery Tuition Assistance. You must complete the Dual Enrollment Packet (admissions, citizenship, immunization, residency, school LTAP form, and student LTAP form). For more information on Dual Enrollment, the forms to complete and the deadlines for Lottery Tuition Assistance, please see the Dual Enrollment Website.
- USC Lancaster Scholarships
- USC Lancaster Academic Bulletin
- Academic Calendars (know the drop/add and withdrawal dates)
- Community Services and Resources (free services for students in need)
- Get Smart SC (helping all students find their best path to higher education in South Carolina)
- Protecting Student Privacy (FERPA)
- Tax Information for Students (Your 1098-T form is available on SSC (“Account Information”)