The University of South Carolina announced in October the USC Commitment, a new affordability initiative to cover tuition and academic fees on all system campuses for in-state students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class and whose family’s annual household income is below $80,000.

The USC Commitment initiative, which will begin with the fall 2024 freshman class, follows an admissions plan unveiled in August offering guaranteed systemwide admission to South Carolina high school students who are ranked in the top 10 percent of their class for USC Columbia and in the top 20 percent for all other USC campuses.

 

Eligible Palmetto College students must meet the following criteria:

• South Carolina residents who graduate in the top 10 to 20 percent of their high school class
• Students whose annual family income is below $80,000
• Students who have completed a Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Students must continue to meet academic eligibility requirements.
  
  

The program is made possible by combining state and federal gift aid, private donor and other external scholarships, and part of the recent funding provided from the Governor and members of General Assembly for tuition mitigation.

 

“The regional Palmetto College Campuses at USC Lancaster, USC Salkehatchie, USC Sumter, USC Union, and USC Palmetto College - Columbia are extremely pleased to participate in this new USC System initiative to bring a more affordable degree opportunity to students in the Top 10 to 20 percent of their high school classes across the state. The mission of our Palmetto College campuses is to provide accessible, affordable and flexible USC degrees in areas of South Carolina that are often underserved and underrepresented in higher education. Providing free tuition and fees to these academically talented students in the regions we serve will certainly lead to greater educational and workforce opportunities for the students and their families and have a positive economic impact on the communities that we serve across the Palmetto State.”

— USC Palmetto College Chancellor Susan Elkins