South Carolina State University

Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan

The Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan is designed to help families jump-start saving for college while enjoying federal and state tax benefits. Future Scholar is sponsored by the State of South Carolina and administered by the South Carolina State Treasurer's Office. To learn more on how Future Scholar can help invest your loved one’s higher education needs, click here.


South Carolina Teacher Loan Program

This award is given to South Carolina residents/U.S. citizen attending a state approved teacher education program limited to college juniors, seniors, and post baccalaureate candidates with a 2.75 GPA or higher. Recipients are obligated to teach one year in a South Carolina public school for each year the award was received or repay the loan with substantial interest. Application may be obtained through this office.


Minority Teaching Fellow Program

The award is given to entering freshman with a 2.50 high school GPA on a 4.00 scale, at least an 18 on the ACT or 780 on the SAT, or rank in top 25% of their high school graduating class.  They must agree to teach in a South Carolina public school (K-12) level.  Students must a be resident of South Carolina resident and a U. S. Citizen attending a South Carolina institution.  Awards cannot exceed $5,000 per academic year.  Applications can be obtained from your high school.


South Carolina Need-based Grant (SCNBG)

The SCNBG is sponsored by the South Carolina General Assembly. The award is given to students who have at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA, are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours, and are residents of South Carolina. Grants cannot exceed $2500 per academic year. Students must complete a FAFSA each academic year in order to maintain their eligibility. For more information about the South Carolina Need-based Grant Program, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Website at: http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/GoingToCollege/NBG_Hm.htm


Legislative Incentives for future Excellence (LIFE)

The LIFE Scholarship is sponsored by the South Carolina General Assembly and is available to degree seeking undergraduate students attending an eligible institution. Recipients must meet 2 of 3 of the following criteria: (1) earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA on the uniform grading scale. (2) earn an SAT score of 1100 or an ACT OF 24 (3)  and rank in the top 30 percentile of high school graduating class based on the uniform grading scale. Recipients must be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and be enrolled as a full-time student. For continued eligibility, students must meet the following criteria for the LIFE Scholarship: (1) Continue to meet all eligibility requirements as stated above. (2) Recipients must earn at least a 3.0 "LIFE Gpa" by the end of the academic year. (3) Recipients must earn at least 30 credit hours each academic year. Recipients may receive up to $5,000 per academic year, not to exceed the cost of attendance. For more information about the LIFE Scholarship Program, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Website at: http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/GoingToCollege/LIFE_Hm.htm


Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is available to South Carolina residents who graduate from high school the preceding spring with the following three requirements (1) earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA based on uniform grading scale at the end of their Junior year. (2) Score 1200 on the SAT/ 27 on the ACT and (3) rank in the top 6 percent at the end of their sophomore, junior or senior year. The award amount may be up to $6,700 per academic year not to exceed the cost of attendance. For more information about the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Website at: http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/GoingToColleges/PF_Hm.htm


SC HOPE Scholarship

The HOPE Scholarship Program is sponsored by the South Carolina General Assembly. It is a one-year merit-based scholarship for first-time entering freshmen that graduate from high school with a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average on the Uniform Grading Scale. Recipients must be a resident of South Carolina at the time of high school graduation and be enrolled full-time each term. Recipients may receive up to $2,650 towards the cost-of-attendance during the first-year of attendance only. However, funding for the program is dependent upon the annual proceeds generated by the SC Education Lottery. For more information about the HOPE Scholarship Program, visit the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s Website at: http://www.che.sc.gov/SNew_Web/GoingToCollege/HOPE_Hm.htm