South Carolina Tuition Grant
South Carolina Tuition Grant is state need-based aid for undergraduates pursuing a first bachelor’s degree at one of 21 participating independent nonprofit institutions. It is not the South Carolina Need-Based Grant for public institutions, nor does it automatically cover a college’s full price. For 2026–27, the commission set a maximum of up to $5,000 for eligible full-time students; each award depends on need, cost of attendance, SAI, enrollment, and other sources already p
About South Carolina Tuition Grant
South Carolina Tuition Grant is state need-based aid for undergraduates pursuing a first bachelor’s degree at one of 21 participating independent nonprofit institutions. It is not the South Carolina Need-Based Grant for public institutions, nor does it automatically cover a college’s full price. For 2026–27, the commission set a maximum of up to $5,000 for eligible full-time students; each award depends on need, cost of attendance, SAI, enrollment, and other sources already paying tuition.
Published criteria require an annual FAFSA, financial need, state residency—12 months of domicile before fall for an independent student or the dependent student’s parent—at least 12 eligible credits per semester, degree-seeking status, and no completed bachelor’s degree. The campus must appear on the current list. Aid is credited to the student account by semester and may be reduced if other benefits, such as employer or veterans’ tuition assistance, pay tuition directly.
For 2026–27, the FAFSA had to reach the federal processor by August 1, 2026; that date has passed as of this review. The official page sets an absolute December 15 deadline during the academic year for certain files, but it is not an automatic extension for every new applicant. Ask the commission and college about review, appeal, or an approved spring-only application. For 2027–28, recheck the deadline when the cycle is published; do not enroll counting on aid that has not been awarded.
Who it serves and what it can cover: South Carolina Tuition Grant is state need-based aid for undergraduates pursuing a first bachelor’s degree at one of 21 participating independent nonprofit institutions. It is not the South Carolina Need-Based Grant for public institutions, nor does it automatically cover a college’s full price. For 2026–27, the commission set a maximum of up to $5,000 for eligible full-time students; each award depends on need, cost of attendance, SAI, enrollment, and other sources already paying tuition. Published criteria require an annual FAFSA, financial need, state residency—12 months of domicile before fall for an independent student or the dependent student’s parent—at least 12 eligible credits per semester, degree-seeking status, and no completed bachelor’s degree. The campus must appear on the current list. Aid is credited to the student account by semester and may be reduced if other benefits, such as employer or veterans’ tuition assistance, pay tuition directly.
How to apply or get help: For 2026–27, the FAFSA had to reach the federal processor by August 1, 2026; that date has passed as of this review. The official page sets an absolute December 15 deadline during the academic year for certain files, but it is not an automatic extension for every new applicant. Ask the commission and college about review, appeal, or an approved spring-only application. For 2027–28, recheck the deadline when the cycle is published; do not enroll counting on aid that has not been awarded. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
College financial-aid program