South Carolina Scholarships

Granted to children of international missionaries to assist with college expenses. Preference is given to missionaries from South Carolina. Application Deadline February 1 / Awarded in April Criteria for All Scholarship Applicants: Our primary mission focus is to assist Baptist students and/or entities, with activities that further the cause of Christ around the world. To be eligible for an MK scholarship, applicants must show that their parents are affiliated with a Southern Baptist-related entity.

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. Its purpose is to increase access to higher education, improve employability of South Carolina students, provide incentives for students to be better prepared for college, and encourage students to graduate from college on time. The scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms, based on the student's initial college enrollment date. Awards: Vary depending on type of institution Eligibility: Entering freshmen must meet two of three academic criteria. Students may retain or earn the LIFE scholarship. General Eligibility Requirements: • Graduate from high school or complete a home school program as prescribed by law; • Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university; • Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment; • Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (who meets the definition of a eligible non-citizen according to State Residency Statutes); • Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student; • Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second of subsequent alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year; • Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid; • Must not be a SC HOPE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance recipient. • For a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, students must attend an eligible four-year South Carolina public or private college or university. Initial Eligibility Requirements for a LIFE Scholarship: In order to qualify for the LIFE Scholarship, first-time entering freshman attending an eligible four-year institution must meet two of three of the following criteria: 1. Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale upon high school graduation a. The grade point average must be reported to two decimal places (minimum) and cannot be rounded. The GPR must be calculated after official completion of courses required for graduation. 2. Score an 1100 on the SAT or an equivalent 24 on the ACT a. SAT/ACT scores will be accepted through the June national test administration of the high school graduation year. b. It is permissible to select the highest SAT Critical Reading score (formerly known as SAT Verbal) combined with the highest SAT Math score from different test administrations. Students cannot use the SAT Writing subsection score to meet the minimum 1100 SAT requirement. c. The ACT composite score must be at one test sitting. 3. Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class a. The ranking percentages must be reported in two decimal places (minimum) and cannot be rounded. The class rank must be based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale. b. The rank must be based on all students who received their diploma during the traditional graduation ceremony typically in May/June. The graduating class cannot include any students who graduated during the summer. First-time entering freshmen attending an eligible two-year or technical institution must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA based on the UGS as described in (1a) above. The standardized test score and class rank requirements are waived.

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides tuition assistance to South Carolina residents attending a two-year public or private institution. Awards: A student may receive up to the cost-of-tuition. The college at which the student is enrolled will notify each student of the exact award amount based upon the number of eligible recipients and available funding each academic year. In order to qualify for Lottery Tuition Assistance, a student must meet ALL of the following minimum requirements before being awarded: · File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and complete the process to determine eligibility for federal student aid each academic year; · Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident that meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State residency statutes; · Be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes; · Be enrolled at the time of the grant disbursement as a degree-seeking student in a minimum of six credit hours for the term and be making satisfactory academic progress; · Verify that he or she does not owe a refund or repayment on a State Grant, Pell Grant or a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and is not in default on a loan under the Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan program; and · Not be a recipient of the HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships.

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established in 1988 and is administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The annual award amount for the freshman year is up to $6,700. The award amount for the sophomore, junior and senior years is up to $7,500 per year. Half of the Scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring. The Scholarship must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received. Assuming continued eligibility, Palmetto Fellows may receive scholarship funding for a maximum of eight consecutive terms of full-time study toward the first bachelor’s degree or ten consecutive terms of full-time study toward the first approved five-year bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. Purpose of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: • RECOGNIZE the most academically talented high school seniors in S.C.; • ENCOURAGE academically talented students to attend college in the State; and • RETAIN talented minority students who might otherwise pursue studies outside the State. Initial Eligibility Requirements: General Requirements: • In order to be eligible to apply for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, a high school senior must also meet all of the following general eligibility requirements: 1) Be enrolled in an approved SC public or private high school, an approved SC home school program of study or a preparatory high school located outside the State while a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina; 2) Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of high school graduation and be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes at the time of high school graduation; 3) Be seriously considering attending, have applied, or have been accepted for admission to an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina; 4) Certify that he/she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second or subsequent alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor offenses within the past academic year by submitting a signed affidavit to the college financial aid office; and 5) Cannot be a recipient of the LIFE Scholarship, SC HOPE Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance in the same academic year.

What is the SC HOPE Scholarship Program? The SC HOPE Scholarship Program was established under the SC Education Lottery Act and was implemented beginning with the 2002-03 academic year. It is a one-year merit-based scholarship created for first-time entering freshmen attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, but graduate from high school with at least a B average. Funding for the program is dependent upon the annual proceeds generated by the SC Education Lottery. Award Amount: Students attending an eligible four-year public or private college or university will receive up to $2,800* (including a $300 book allowance) towards the cost-of-attendance during the first-year of attendance only. *Funding is awarded half in the fall term and half in the spring term. The HOPE Scholarship in combination with all other scholarships and grants shall not exceed the cost-of-attendance as defined in Title IV regulations for any academic year. In order to qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, a student MUST meet the following general and initial eligibility requirements: General Eligibility Requirements • Graduate from high school or complete an approved home school program as prescribed by law; • Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university; • Be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment; • Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (who meets the definition of a eligible non-citizen according to State Residency Statutes); • Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student; • Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year; • Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid; and • Must not be a recipient of a LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance. Initial Eligibility Requirements: In order to qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must meet the following criteria: • Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point ratio (GPR) based on the Uniform Grading Policy (UGP) upon high school graduation

The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was developed by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) during the 1985-86 school year to identify eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent and to develop strategies for inclusion into special programs. What does the program include? The program includes a process for screening a potential talent pool of students, identifying and recognizing those students with exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability, and sponsoring summer opportunities in collaboration with participating South Carolina colleges and universities. When does the program begin? Students are screened and identified in the eighth grade. Educational plans are developed following identification. How will the students be recognized? Students who qualify for this special recognition will be recognized in local award ceremonies, receive an Award of Merit certificate from the South Carolina Department of Education, and may be invited to attend summer opportunities at participating South Carolina colleges and universities. Eligibility for testing criteria: Students must currently be enrolled in eighth grade in a public, private, or home school in South Carolina. Home-schooled students must meet home school statute eligibility (statutes 59-65-40, 59-65-45, 59-65-47) to participate. For public schools, potential Junior Scholars may include those students who scored Exemplary in English language arts and mathematics on the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) in the seventh grade. For private and home schooled students, the respective associations will determine the selection of potential Junior Scholars. To be eligible, all students must apply through a designated Junior Scholars School District Coordinator or a designated Junior Scholars Private or Home School Association Coordinator. Identification criteria include: Eligible students who score 50 or higher on the PSAT in verbal, math, or writing will be identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars, or Eligible students who participated in Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP) during their seventh-grade year, who met the eligibility requirements as outlined by that program, and were identified and recognized by Duke TIP at the State Recognition or Grand Recognition ceremony will be identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars.

The mission of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities. Each year, the program provides fellowships to up to 200 high school seniors. Awards: Up to $6,000 yearly scholarship for four years, including $300 a year for summer enrichment. Eligibility: Written and oral application process, high academic achievement, a history of service to the school and community, and a desire to teach South Carolina's children.

Awards: Each delegate will be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors and provides funding for this program. Eligibility: Any high school junior or senior student is eligible for the program provided he or she has not previously been a delegate to Washington Week and has not received a USSYP scholarship. The student is required to be currently serving in an elected or appointed capacity in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations: A. Class President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer B. Student Body President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer C. Student Council Representative D. Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a district, regional or state-level civic and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator. Contact: Interested students should contact their guidance counselor or principal or Wanda Davis at the South Carolina Department of Education, 803-734-8485.

The Dayco Scholarship is a merit-based/need-based scholarship administered by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. To be eligible, applicants must be either an employee or a dependent of an employee of Dayco Products, Inc. employed by a branch of the company located in South Carolina for at least four calendar years. The Dayco Scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms based on the student's initial college enrollment date. Students must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree.

The General Assembly established the S.C. Need-based Grant Program in 1996 to provide additional financial assistance to South Carolina’s neediest students attending eligible SC public institutions. Eligible full-time students may receive the following: ♦ Up to $2,500 per year if enrolled full-time or up to $1,250 per year if enrolled part-time ♦ Up to eight (8) full-time equivalent terms of funding ♦ Foster care youth may receive the maximum award in addition to Need-based Grant funds specifically for foster care youth. Youth must self-identify by May 1st. Initial Eligibility Requirements: ♦ Must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year ♦ Must be enrolled and attending or have completed at the time of the grant disbursement a minimum of six credit hours if part-time or twelve credit hours if full-time for the term ♦ Must meet all general eligibility criteria