An overview
The Carolina Scholarship was developed in 1969 and began with nine scholars. Today, up to 80 students hold this award annually, keeping bright South Carolinians in the state. In 1998, the McNair Scholarship was established with a $30 million gift from alumnus Robert C. McNair and his wife, Janice, to attract the nation’s most talented students. In 2013, the university partnered with the Stamps Scholars Program, which provides merit scholarships at nearly 40 schools across the country.
We also welcome up to 25 in-state 1801 Scholars and 20 out-of-state Horseshoe scholars annually. These scholars excel alongside their Carolina, McNair and Stamps peers to create a strong, unified body of Top Scholars at the University of South Carolina. From the beginning as first-year scholars, all the way to graduation, these students have four full years of programming and university support. To learn more about these programs and the donors who make them possible, visit our Benefactors page.
In-State Stamps Scholars
- Monetary Award: Up to $20,000 per year + $15,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad and more.
- The four-year value is at least $95,000.
- Faculty Mentor: First-year students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Stamps Scholars Programs: Stamps Scholars are members of a national network of scholars from more than 30 different colleges and universities. They will be invited to a biennial convention for networking and enrichment during their undergraduate experience.
Out-of-State Stamps Scholars
- Monetary Award: Up to $22,246 + tuition reduction to in-state rate + $15,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad and more.
- The four-year value is approximately $204,000.
- Faculty Mentor: First-year students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Stamps Scholars Programs: Stamps Scholars are members of a national network of scholars from more than 42 different colleges and universities. They will be invited to a biennial convention for networking and enrichment during their undergraduate experience.
- Monetary Award: $15,000 per year + $10,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad and more.
- The four-year value is $70,000.
- Faculty Mentor: First-year students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $10,000 per year.
- The four-year value is $40,000.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $22,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate.
- $12,000 enrichment funds with $10,000 to spend and $2000 of it reserved for a one-time McNair Signature travel experience spring semester.
- The four-year value is $200,000.
- Faculty Mentor: First-year students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $11,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate.
- The four-year value is more than $132,000
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
For the most up to date information regarding academic requirements and monetary awards, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.