The State of Carolina recognizes the importance of providing college scholarships to its students, to provide them with the education and skills necessary to succeed in life.
When students receive encouragement, and a helping, financial hand to help them through college, they are more confident of their abilities to earn a college degree.
What this all means to you, as a college-bound student in South Carolina, is that you have scholarships available to you, to help pay for college. That is not to say, people are just waiting in line to hand you money for college. Like everything else in life, it takes hard work, perseverance and attention to details to win college scholarships. South Carolina students need to complete a FAFSA, as soon as they can to make sure they receive the need-based aid, they are eligible for.
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education administers numerous, college scholarships based on a student’s financial need, academic merit and chosen field of study. South Carolina students should download the informative, college scholarships brochure, and keep it as a handy reference for deadlines, requirements and contact information.
College scholarships based solely on financial need, often just require a completed FAFSA as the application. Most college scholarships and the college financial aid office require the FAFSA by March 1, if you plan to attend college in September. Check out a few top South Carolina college scholarships below:
South Carolina Hope Scholarship
The South Carolina Hope Scholarship awards college scholarships to students entering their first year of college. These scholarships are based on merit, with the actual, state funds dispersed by the college or University a student is enrolled in. College students of South Carolina need to graduate high school with a 3.0 GPA, and attend a private or public college in South Carolina to be eligible for this scholarship. The awards are significant at, $2,800 with a $300 book allowance. These scholarships are not renewable, but they give South Carolina college students a good start.
South Carolina Life Scholarship
The South Carolina Life Scholarships are also merit based, requiring higher academic achievement than the Hope Scholarships. South Carolina students need to have a 3.0 GPA, 24 ACT score or 1110 on the SAT, and graduate in the top 30% of their graduating class. South Carolina students that meet these eligibility requirements can expect a yearly award of $4,700, and $300 to buy books. Additional scholarships of $2,500 per year are available starting sophomore year, if a student majors in Math or Science. College students need to carefully review the Life Scholarships guidelines for additional eligibility information.
South Carolina Needs Based Grant
• The South Carolina Needs Based Grant, or scholarship, makes awards to financially needy students attending private and public colleges at least part-time. Scholarships start at $1,250 for part-time attendance, and $2,500 for full-time, and are renewable each year, providing a student maintains a 2.0 GPA. These scholarships require a FAFSA application, with additional forms often required by the college financial aid office.