LIFE Scholarship
LIFE—the Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence—is a South Carolina merit scholarship for residents attending an eligible in-state institution. The base award may reach $5,000 per academic year for up to eight terms, depending on the student’s initial college enrollment date. Sophomores and above in approved STEM, education, or accounting programs may qualify for an enhancement of up to $2,500, with a published combined maximum of $7,500, subject to cost of attendance an
About LIFE Scholarship
LIFE—the Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence—is a South Carolina merit scholarship for residents attending an eligible in-state institution. The base award may reach $5,000 per academic year for up to eight terms, depending on the student’s initial college enrollment date. Sophomores and above in approved STEM, education, or accounting programs may qualify for an enhancement of up to $2,500, with a published combined maximum of $7,500, subject to cost of attendance and current rules.
For first-year students at a four-year university, published rules require two of three criteria: a 3.0 GPA under the state uniform scale, SAT 1100 or ACT 22, or ranking in the top 30% of the class. At two-year institutions, guidance lists a 3.0 GPA pathway without test-score or class-rank requirements. Students also need state residency, full-time enrollment, and satisfactory academic and financial standing. The institution determines documentation and its internal deadline; there is no state application that replaces the campus file.
Each college administers the award, which should not be confused with Palmetto Fellows, a separate and more competitive scholarship. Students considering a STEM or teacher enhancement should check the current state-approved list; a science-sounding major alone is not sufficient. Review the file at each year’s end because LIFE requires GPA and completed credits for renewal. Before transferring or changing programs, ask in writing how the change affects remaining terms and enhancement eligibility.
Who it serves and what it can cover: LIFE—the Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence—is a South Carolina merit scholarship for residents attending an eligible in-state institution. The base award may reach $5,000 per academic year for up to eight terms, depending on the student’s initial college enrollment date. Sophomores and above in approved STEM, education, or accounting programs may qualify for an enhancement of up to $2,500, with a published combined maximum of $7,500, subject to cost of attendance and current rules. For first-year students at a four-year university, published rules require two of three criteria: a 3.0 GPA under the state uniform scale, SAT 1100 or ACT 22, or ranking in the top 30% of the class. At two-year institutions, guidance lists a 3.0 GPA pathway without test-score or class-rank requirements. Students also need state residency, full-time enrollment, and satisfactory academic and financial standing. The institution determines documentation and its internal deadline; there is no state application that replaces the campus file.
How to apply or get help: Each college administers the award, which should not be confused with Palmetto Fellows, a separate and more competitive scholarship. Students considering a STEM or teacher enhancement should check the current state-approved list; a science-sounding major alone is not sufficient. Review the file at each year’s end because LIFE requires GPA and completed credits for renewal. Before transferring or changing programs, ask in writing how the change affects remaining terms and enhancement eligibility. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
State college scholarship and aid program