South Carolina Tuition Grants
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HomeSouth Carolina Tuition Grants Eligibility

South Carolina Tuition Grants Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for a South Carolina Tuition Grant, students must meet the following criteria at the eligible independent college or university the student attends on a full-time basis:

  • -Students, and parent(s) if dependent, must be a legal South Carolina resident, domiciled in the State for a period of not less than 12-months prior to the start of the Fall Semester, according to the South Carolina Residency Regulations
  • -Enroll full-time (at least 12 eligible credit-hours per semester) at one of the 22, eligible by law, independent colleges and universities in the State, as a degree-seeking, undergraduate student who has not yet received a bachelor’s degree
    • The South Carolina Tuition Grant is not available for graduate programs or second baccalaureate degrees
    • The Tuition Grant is awarded on a yearly basis. Students who do not enroll during the Fall semester forfeit the Tuition Grant for the entire academic year
  • -Meet all eligibility requirements for federal (Title IV) financial aid programs, including completing the Verification process, if selected. Please contact your financial aid office for information concerning your Title IV eligibility
  • -Complete the required State Drug and Alcohol Affidavit annually via your college’s State Affidavit collection process
  • -Meet the Tuition Grants Program’s academic requirements:
    • First time Freshmen must have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED or Adult Education Diploma) and be fully admitted as a degree-seeking student based on the college’s academic requirements for admission.
    • Returning Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Requirements at the college/university.
  • -Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually by the August 1 deadline
  • -Have Financial Need as demonstrated by the information provided on the FAFSA.  Financial Need is determined by taking the total Cost of Attendance (COA) of your institution and subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) which is calculated based on the information provided on the FAFSA: (COA-SAI=Need)

January 15 Eligibility/Appeals Deadline

The South Carolina Tuition Grants Program has an absolute eligibility deadline of January 15 for the Academic Year in which the student is receiving a South Carolina Tuition Grant (ex. January 15, 2025, for the 2024-2025 Academic Year).  Students must meet all eligibility requirements, including completing the Verification process (if selected) and completing the Annual Drug and Alcohol Affidavit, by January 15 to be eligible for the academic year.  The Tuition Grants Commission encourages all students to satisfy any and all financial aid requests in a timely fashion to avoid missing any deadlines.

Students who are deemed not to be eligible for a South Carolina Tuition Grant based on the requirements outlined above can submit an appeal request to the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission office.  All appeal documentation must be submitted on or before January 15 for consideration. Incomplete appeal requests or appeal requests received after January 15 will not be considered under any circumstance.  Please include a completed Appeal Request Form (PDF) with all requests.

Determination of Award Amount and Other Information

The amount of your South Carolina Tuition Grant is determined by criteria such as income, assets, family size, the cost of attendance at your college, and the amount of money appropriated for the Program.  Your grant may be reduced or canceled if you receive funds from other sources that are used to specifically pay your tuition (e.g., employee tuition assistance, Veterans educational benefits, ROTC tuition scholarships).

The South Carolina Tuition Grant is renewable, and you may receive a South Carolina Tuition Grant for up to eight semesters provided you remain eligible.  No preference is given to renewal applicants.  A new application (FAFSA) is required annually.

Your full-time enrollment is an indication of your choice to use the South Carolina Tuition Grant funds to attend and pay tuition at the selected South Carolina independent college of your choice, the student, and not by the State of South Carolina.  Tuition Grants funds are disbursed, on a semester basis, directly to your student account to assist with direct tuition and fees charges.