Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a tuition grants program for independent colleges?

Because the State of South Carolina offsets the cost of all students who attend the state’s public colleges, the State Legislature decided it would be equitable to assist those eligible South Carolinians who prefer to attend one of South Carolina’s twenty-two participating independent colleges. 

How do I apply for a tuition grant?

The application for a South Carolina Tuition Grant is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  You can complete the FAFSA online by click here.  By submitting the FAFSA directly to the federal government’s processor and by listing the participating South Carolina independent college of your choice in the college choice section, the Tuition Grants Commission will be able to electronically receive your application from the federal processor. The Commission will then use your application information to determine your eligibility for a South Carolina Tuition Grant. Since South Carolina Tuition Grants are available only to legal residents of South Carolina, it is very important that students and parents be sure to accurately complete all questions on the FAFSA regarding state residency.

When should I apply?

  The deadline for receipt of 2024-2025 applications was August 1, 2024. All eligible applications received by the federal processor by the August 1 deadline will be eligible for funding, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met.  The deadline for receipt of 2025-2025 applications is August 1, 2025.  The 2025-2026 FAFSA will be widely available on or before December 1, 2024. Complete the application (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov once it is available.

What factors are used to determine financial eligibility?

Because the South Carolina Tuition Grant is based on financial need, the information provided on the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility.  To have demonstrated financial need, the SAI calculated from your FAFSA form must be less than the total Cost of Attendance (COA) of your institution. COA – SAI* = Need.  *A negative SAI will be replaced with $0 during the need calculation.

What academic standards are required for eligibility?

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. For upperclassmen, the academic standard for eligibility requires full-time students to meet their college’s federal Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Students who do not meet these academic standards are ineligible for a South Carolina Tuition Grant regardless of financial need.

What is the amount of a tuition grant and how is that amount determined?

For students who qualified by demonstrating financial need and by meeting the academic standards, the maximum South Carolina Tuition Grant for 2023-2024 is $4,800. During the most recent academic year (2022-2023), the average South Carolina Tuition Grant award was approximately $4,142. The actual amount of each student’s grant is determined by a combination of family resources, the cost of attendance of the independent college selected, and the final funding of the Tuition Grants Program by the State Legislature.

Do I have to repay the grant?

No. However, if you withdraw from school, the unused portion of the grant must be refunded to the Tuition Grants program by your college.

When will the awardees be notified?

Applicants are notified of their tentative award or their ineligibility typically beginning in April. All awardees listing a valid e-mail address on their FAFSA will receive their tentative eligibility notice from the Commission via e-mail. Awardees accessing their tentative eligibility notice online are encouraged to print a copy for their records. Awardees not providing valid e-mail addresses will receive hard-copy eligibility notices. State of South Carolina funds will be issued after full-time registration for the Fall Term and all other eligibility requirements are confirmed by the attendee’s college and will be deposited into the student’s account at the participating college which the student has selected to attend.

If I receive a grant as a freshman, would I get to keep it for subsequent years?

A new application (FAFSA) is required every year. Students may receive a South Carolina Tuition Grant for a maximum of four years (eight semesters) provided they make satisfactory progress towards graduation, apply prior to the August 1 deadline annually, continue to demonstrate financial need, meet all other eligibility requirements, and provided funds are available.

What if I receive other scholarships or grants?

A South Carolina Tuition Grant cannot exceed the lower of a student’s calculated financial need or direct charges for tuition. Therefore, the Commission must consider all awards that a student receives and adjustments to the Tuition Grant may be made in certain situations.

What are some other limitations on the grant?

South Carolina Tuition Grants cannot be used toward part-time enrollment, room and board charges, books, summer school enrollment, or graduate school enrollment.  In addition, the Tuition Grant cannot be used toward a second or subsequent undergraduate degree for students who have already received a Bachelor’s degree.  Awardees MUST enroll in the Fall Term (or Non-traditional Program term enrolling during the same time period) to receive a Tuition Grant for the full year. Failure to enroll in the Fall forfeits the grant for the year.  All requirements for eligibility of South Carolina Tuition Grants can be found on the Program Eligibility Requirements page.

What if I need to appeal my eligibility or the loss of my Tuition Grant?

The Commission’s Appeals Committee reviews requests for residency consideration, spring-only grant disbursements, extension of grant eligibility for a 5th year, and other extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.  Students that are notified of ineligibility by the Commission or by his/her college or university can submit an appeal form.  All appeals must include a completed Appeals Form (PDF) and be submitted to the Commission no later than January 15th of the aid year the appeal is for (e.g.: an appeal for Fall semester in 2024-25 aid year would need to be submitted by January 15, 2025).  If you are unsure what documentation is needed (especially for residency consideration), please contact the Commission and a member of our Staff will be happy to assist you.

What if I transfer to another college?

Tuition Grants cannot be used for attendance at public colleges; however, they may be transferred for use at another participating independent college. Depending on several different factors, an adjustment may be necessary in the amount of the transferred grant.   To request a transfer to another participating college, please complete a Transfer Request (ONLINE) or the Transfer/Withdrawal/Correction Form (PDF).

May I use this grant at an out-of-state college?

No. The South Carolina Tuition Grant may only be used at one of the twenty-two participating independent colleges located in the state of South Carolina.

If I have other questions about the Tuition Grants Program, whom may I contact?

Further questions should be addressed to the Financial Aid Director at one of the listed colleges (See the “Participating Colleges” Link) or to the Tuition Grants Commission (See the “Contact Us” Link).