The Commission is honored to be able to assist thousands of South Carolinians in their pursuit of higher education by administering this important program, and we are thrilled that the award amount can be increased this year thanks to the support of the General Assembly.

Tentative eligibility notifications will begin going out to students on March 31st. Program eligibility requirements can be found on the Eligibility Information page.

The Data Center consolidates essential reports and interactive dashboards into one convenient location, making it easier than ever to explore the agency’s data and understand how the Tuition Grants Program opens doors to opportunity across South Carolina.

Visitors to the Data Center will find a clean, intuitive layout that provides information in the following areas:

• FAFSA Completion Data: Dashboards tracking FAFSA completion status for the high school graduating class of 2026 statewide.
• Annual Reports: Access to the five most recent Annual Reports, along with new dashboards offering deeper insights into the data featured in the 2024–25 Annual Report.
• Accountability Reports: Links to the most recent five fiscal years of Accountability Reports, ensuring transparency in agency operations.
• Historical Data and Summaries: A comprehensive Historical Report dating back to the 1970s, paired with dashboards that visualize long-term trends in the Tuition Grants Program.

“Launching the Data Center is an exciting moment for our agency,” said Katie Stevens, Commission Executive Director. “We’re bringing together years of work in a format that is transparent, accessible, and genuinely useful. Our goal is to make it easier for college administrators, state legislators, students, and families to find the information they need and to demonstrate the lasting impact of the Tuition Grants Program across South Carolina.”

The new Data Center reflects the agency’s commitment to modernizing communications and empowering stakeholders with clear, student-centered information. This new tool also enhances transparency and makes it easier for the public to understand how state resources support college access.

“Interactive data visualizations allow for clearer review and understanding,” said Zachary Christian, Deputy Director. “By enabling students and other key stakeholders to explore the impact of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, we can provide a stronger, more compelling narrative.”

By combining traditional reports with dynamic, interactive visualizations, the agency is making complex data easier to explore and understand. The goal is simple: to give every visitor a clearer view of how Tuition Grants support student success in South Carolina.

The public is invited to explore the Data Center at sctuitiongrants.org/data to see firsthand how Tuition Grants continue to make a difference across the state.

For over 50 of those years, our agency has proudly supported Limestone students through the Tuition Grant Program. We understand the profound impact this news may have on the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have called Limestone home.

To the students who were planning to attend Limestone University during the upcoming academic year, please know that our strong commitment to your educational journey remains. The higher education community in South Carolina stands with you. Many institutions have announced they will offer seamless transfer opportunities for Limestone students. We encourage you to explore these options and to not lose sight of your educational goals.

If you choose to enroll at one of the 21 other participating independent colleges in the state, you are eligible to transfer your Tuition Grant by visiting our Transfer Information Page.

If you need assistance with transferring your grant or identifying other eligible institutions, please review the Participating Colleges and Universities page or contact our office directly. Our priority is to provide uninterrupted support during this time of uncertainty, and we are here to help.

“Our agency is passionate about supporting individuals in their pursuit of higher education, and we are committed to helping increase the State’s workforce-ready population by providing opportunities for student success in postsecondary studies,” said Katie Harrison, Executive Director of the Tuition Grants Commission. “In recent years, the Governor and the General Assembly have generously expanded the State’s investment in need-based financial assistance programs for college students, allowing us to provide increased Tuition Grants to a larger number of state residents. It is thanks to this increased support that we can now provide students an additional month to apply as they make their final decisions about where to attend college.”

Tuition Grants Commission Chair Dr. Boone Hopkins, President of Converse University, added, “The Commission enthusiastically supports extending the deadline in service to our mission as we provide greater opportunities to more students in South Carolina. This decision reiterates our commitment to opening access to more deserving students in our state who will greatly benefit from the transformative power of a college education.”

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program for all eligible South Carolina residents. There is no additional application to be considered for the grant. To apply for assistance for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year, students should complete the FAFSA online at https://studentaid.gov/ by the August 1 deadline.

Created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1970, the SC Tuition Grants Program’s mission is to provide access and opportunity for more South Carolinians to pursue a postsecondary education by providing need-based tuition grants to students who choose an independent higher education. The Commission has provided funds to over 500,000 eligible college students since the inception of the Program.

The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Boone J. Hopkins, President of Converse University, as Commission Chair. At its June 20, 2023 meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Hopkins to a three-year term as Chair of the Tuition Grants Commission, succeeding Mr. Scott Cochran, President of Spartanburg Methodist College.

As Chair of the Commission, Boone will work closely with the staff of the Tuition Grants Commission to provide critical support and oversight for the Tuition Grants Program, a need-based student aid grant awarded to eligible South Carolina residents who can utilize the funds to attend a participating in-state independent college or university. Since the program’s inception in 1970, nearly 500,000 college students have benefited from the Tuition Grant, which helps open doors to postsecondary success by making independent higher education more affordable for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the college of their choice.

“It is a privilege to serve as Chair of the Tuition Grants Commission,” stated Hopkins upon his appointment to the position. “Without this critical assistance, many students are unable to pursue the education they desire. The South Carolina Tuition Grant makes the dream of attending one of our outstanding institutions a reality for many deserving individuals.”

Originally from Gainesville, Georgia, Dr. Hopkins experienced an innovative undergraduate liberal-arts education through a unique partnership between Brenau University and Gainesville State College, a two-year state institution now known as the University of North Georgia. After completing a bachelor’s degree, Dr. Hopkins received his MFA in Directing and Acting Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University followed by a Ph.D. in Theatre Studies from the University of Kansas.

Dr. Hopkins delights in helping those with whom he collaborates reach new heights and achieve excellence. In this spirit of collaboration, the Tuition Grants Commission looks forward to working with Dr. Hopkins to continue the success of our program and to support the Commission’s mission to provide access and opportunity for more South Carolinians to pursue a postsecondary education by providing need-based tuition grants to students who choose an independent higher education.

“The changes coming to the South Carolina Tuition Grant are monumental in making higher education more affordable for students attending eligible non-profit in-state colleges and universities,” said Limestone University President Dr. Darrell Parker, who Chairs the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission. “The South Carolina Tuition Grant is making it even more affordable to attend of our outstanding institutions – either on-campus or through the non-traditional programs such as online higher education. We greatly appreciate the annual appropriation by the State General Assembly for the South Carolina Tuition Grant that lessons the financial burden of our future scholars and our leaders of tomorrow.”

All colleges and universities are required to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that meets federal requirements for Title IV Federal Student Aid.  The Commission previously required additional conditions on Tuition Grant recipients, in some cases creating additional obstacles for students who would otherwise benefit from the Program.  The newly approved change to the Program’s SAP policy to align with institution’s federal SAP policy ensures the focus of the Tuition Grants Program on being a need-based grant first, without creating additional barriers to access.  Commission Staff estimate an additional 1,000 students may be eligible based on these changes and are encouraged by the opportunity to expand access to more students working on their first baccalaureate degree.

In addition to adjusting the SAP policy, the Commission approved to allow the Commission’s Appeals Committee to accept and review appeals from students requesting to receive up to an additional two semesters (one academic year) of SC Tuition Grants funding beyond the 8-semester/4-year maximum grant limit currently in place.  With this approval, students who are on-track to graduate within 1-2 semesters beyond the 8^th received semesters, can appeal to request SC Tuition Grants funding for their final year.  Students must meet all eligibility requirements, including being enrolled full-time and submit documentation from an Academic Advisor confirming the student is on-track to graduate in a timely manner.

Another change impacting Program policies, the Commission voted to approve setting Maximum Grants for approved Non-Traditional Programs the same as the Maximum Grant for all colleges’ Traditional Program.  Previously, the Maximum Grant for an approved Non-Traditional Program was pro-rated based on the Tuition & Fees when compared to the colleges’ Traditional Program Tuition & Fees charges.  This led to varying Non-Traditional Maximum Grant Amounts, different at each college and university with an approved Non-Traditional Program.  With the approval of this adjustment, the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program Maximum Grant will be the same across all programs at all participating colleges and universities.

Lastly, after voting to approve the above policy changes, the Commission voted unanimously to set the Initial Maximum Grant Amount to $4,500 at all participating colleges and universities across all approved programs.  This amount is a $110 increase over the 2021-2022 Maximum Grant and is the highest grant amount in the Program’s 52-year history.

“At the Tuition Grants Commission, our mission is to provide our state residents with the opportunity to attend the postsecondary institution of their choice, while placing an emphasis on their individual needs and career goals,” said Katie Harrison, Executive Director of the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission.  “We are excited that we now have the ability to expand the reach and the value of the Tuition Grants Program to additional students by implementing these significant changes.”

Today, Commission staff began sending Tentative Eligibility Notifications to students who indicated at least one eligible college or university on their 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used as the official application for a South Carolina Tuition Grant.  These electronic notifications are sent via email to the valid email address provided on the FAFSA.  Tentative Eligibility Notifications will continue to be sent, on a weekly basis, until the beginning of the Fall semester.  Students who have yet to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA must do so on or before the Tuition Grants application deadline of June 30, 2022.

The final Award Amount for 2022-2023 is contingent on final funding approved by the General Assembly with the State Budget and is subject to change.

In 2013, Clinton College, formerly known as Clinton Junior College, received authorization from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) to begin awarding baccalaureate degrees, and the accrediting agency recognized their status as a Bachelor level institution.

Effective with the 2022-2023 Academic Year, eligible South Carolina residents attending Clinton College will become eligible to be awarded Tuition Grants. The 2022-2023 version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the official application for consideration for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, will become available on October 1, 2021.  Students will have from October 1, 2021 until June 30, 2022 to submit their FAFSA for consideration for a 2022-2023 South Carolina Tuition Grant.  Tentative Eligibility Notifications are based on the first eligible independent college or university listed on a student’s FAFSA, and are sent to students beginning in April, annually. 

The Tuition Grants Commission staff look forward to working with the Administration and Staff at Clinton College as the mission of the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission to provide opportunity by promoting choice extends to South Carolina students who enroll at Clinton College during the fall 2022 semester.

For further information concerning the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, please review our Frequently Asked Questions and the Eligibility Requirements web pages.

Currently, the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program awards roughly 12,200 – 13,500 students annually at the 21 participating independent colleges and universities in the State.  During the 2020-2021 academic year, the Commission has awarded 12,215 students a total of over $39,700,000 in Tuition Grants.

To celebrate the 51^st Anniversary of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, the Commission will be making daily #SCTGCFiftyFUNSpiritWeek posts on our social media (Facebook and Twitter) accounts, encouraging students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is the official application for consideration for the South Carolina Tuition Grant by the Program’s June 30 application deadline.  Through the use of the Tuition Grant, South Carolina students have the opportunity to attend the higher education institution of their choice.

For further information concerning the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program, please review our Frequently Asked Questions and the Eligibility Requirements web pages.

The Commission is also happy to announce that, as a result of increased appropriations by the South Carolina General Assembly, the maximum amount of the South Carolina Tuition Grant for the 2019-2020 award year has increased from $3,450 to $3,500.  The Commission voted to increase the Maximum Grant during the June 19, 2019 Commission Meeting.  This increase was made possible thanks to the 2019-2020 state budget ratified by the General Assembly on May 22, 2019.

The Commission is honored to be able to assist thousands of South Carolinians in their pursuit of higher education by administering this important program, and we are thrilled that the award amount can be increased this year thanks to the support of the General Assembly.

“The slogan ‘Providing Opportunity. Promoting Choice.’ captures the essence of the Tuition Grants program, which provides the opportunity for a high-quality post-secondary education to South Carolina students who are able to choose the college that best meets their academic needs. In fact, the Commission’s mission statement, located at https://sctuitiongrants.org/about-us/, references both opportunity and choice as part of the program’s purpose. The graduation cap represents the ultimate goal of student persistence ad graduation, while the Palmetto tree ties the program to our wonderful state,” said Katie Harrison, Commission Executive Director, when announcing the new logo to the Presidents and Financial Aid staff at the 21 participating colleges and universities.

The new logo and slogan will be used for many years to come as the Commission continues providing opportunity and promoting choice to students of South Carolina.

Additional information about the SC Tuition Grants program can be found on our FAQ page. Please contact the Commission at 803-896-1120 or info@sctuitiongrants.org with any questions.