Scholarships can take the sting out of college costs
With the cost of going to college rising year after year, it means that most families have to become more creative and more aggressive in meeting tuition and living expenses of students pursuing degrees. Don't let stickershock drive you away when you start looking at schools. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Make sure you know what your options are in terms of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study awards. There are thousands of opportunities for students to apply for scholarships and grants. Scholarships all have some eligibility requirements, but they aren't always determined by the applicant with the highest GPA or the one with the greatest financial need. If you take the time to do some early research, you may find many scholarships to apply for based on academic performance, career goals, hobbies and interests, religious affiliations, family heritage, and competitive events. The high school guidance counselor can direct you to lots of online resources to help you with your search. Begin your search early. Apply for lots of things -- large and small. Any money that comes to you as a scholarship doesn't
have to be paid back.
Below are a few opportunities the State of South Carolina has to offer through the Commission on Higher Education:
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
Created to keep academically talented students in the state, the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship provides eligible full-time students attending an eligible four-year state institution up to $6,700 a year for a maximum of four
years or eight terms. Eligible students must meet one of the following two requirements:
- Score at least 1200 on the SAT (math and critical reading), or 27 on the ACT, earn a 3.5 GPA, and rank in the top six percent of their class; or
- Score at least 1400 on the SAT (does not include writing), or 32 on the ACT, and earn a 4.0 GPA.
Palmetto Fellows has both December and June deadlines for applications. LIFE Scholarship
The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program, which provides for:
- scholarships up to $5,000 for eligible students attending four-year colleges or universities in South Carolina; or
- cost-of-tuition, plus a $300 book allowance per year, for students attending a two-year or technical college in South Carolina.
To be eligible for the LIFE Scholarship, a first-time freshman attending an eligible four-year institution must meet two (2) of three (3) of the following criteria:
- earn a 3.0 GPA;
- receive an 1100 (math and critical reading) or higher on the SAT* or 24 on the ACT; and/or
- graduate in the top 30 percent of the graduating class.
First-time entering freshman attending an eligible twoyear or technical institution must earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Standardized test scores and class rank are waived.
SC HOPE Scholarship
The SC HOPE Scholarship is a one-year merit-based scholarship for eligible first-time freshman attending an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. The award is valued up to $2,650 for a maximum of one year or two terms. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be state residents.
Lottery Tuition Assistance Program
The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible students taking at least six hours of classes in a degree-seeking program. Awards from this program may not be used for more than one
certificate, diploma, or degree within a five-year period, unless the additional degree advances the student in the same field of study.
Note: All of the above named state-supported programs do not allow for you to receive money from more than one program at any given time. You can't double dip. For more information contact the high school guidance counselor or the SC Commission on Higher Education website at www.che.sc.gov.
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