Understanding South Carolina Financial Aid

One of the most important conversations that you will have when preparing to attend college is: “how will I pay for it?” While having a plan is crucial when it comes to attending your dream school, it can also be pretty confusing to figure out the different scholarships, grants, and loans available in and out of state.

At Limestone College, 98% of students receive some type of financial assistance, and that’s not even mentioning all the South Carolina scholarships that are available to qualifying residents!

Understanding South Carolina financial aid is easier than you think, and it’s the first step towards achieving your educational goals. As a resident of the state, you may qualify for some unique South Carolina scholarships that could make your dreams of earning a college degree a reality!

First, let’s go over some important terms to help you unpack and understand the different types of financial aid in South Carolina:

Grant: Financial aid that you do not have to pay back (these may require specific application materials, so pay careful attention when you apply.)

Loan: Financial aid that you borrow with an agreement to pay it back (the most common source of loans is through completing the FAFSA.)

Scholarship: Financial aid that is awarded based on specific criteria (like GPA, athletic performance, etc.). There are many South Carolina scholarship opportunities that you may be eligible for!

It’s important to understand that certain scholarships or grants may be based on criteria like academic merit, financial need, leadership, performance in athletics, music, art, or theatre, and full-time enrollment. There are many grants, loans, and scholarships that, as a South Carolina resident, you may be eligible for, such as:

South Carolina Tuition Grant

Receive up to $3,300 towards your tuition costs if you are a qualifying South Carolina student! The application deadline is June 30th, so be sure that you turn in all the application materials in time to be considered – this is one opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.

South Carolina Teacher’s Loan

Calling all future teachers! This South Carolina scholarship program empowers Education majors to earn their degree affordably. If you are an education major in a critical area, you may be eligible to receive $2,500 during your first and second year of college, and then $5,000 during your third and fourth year of college.

South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

Are you a high school sophomore or junior with a 1200 SAT and a 3.50 GPA? If so, you may qualify for this South Carolina scholarship opportunity offering $6,700 towards the cost of your college education. If you qualify for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, you are not eligible for the LIFE or the HOPE Scholarships. For more information about the application process and important deadlines, make sure to contact your high school guidance counselor.

South Carolina Life Scholarship

Qualifying South Carolina high school students in the top 30% of their class, with an 1100 SAT score and 3.0 GPA, may be eligible for this scholarship totaling $4,700 and including a $300 textbook allowance. Recipients are not eligible for the Palmetto or Hope Scholarships.

South Carolina Hope Scholarship

Students with a 3.0 GPA may be eligible for this $2,500 scholarship and $300 textbook allowance. Recipients are not eligible for the Palmetto or LIFE scholarships. Remember, you must be a South Carolina resident to qualify for this scholarship.

So, did all of that make sense? Unpacking all of the financial aid possibilities that exist within the state is an important piece of the puzzle – one that will ultimately lead you to the school of your dreams! So dust off that calculator and figure out how to make things work with the help of the generous scholarship, grant, and loan options explained above. To make things even easier, use the Net Price Calculator to find out how much your education at Limestone College could cost! It’s also important to determine if you’re eligible for the Federal work study program, which allows you to work at your college or institution and pay towards your education at the same time.

If you have any questions about the complexities of financial aid, our enrollment experts are here to help. Speak with someone today about making your education the most affordable it can be at Limestone College!