Top Scholarships in SC

Quick Highlights:

Various scholarships support residents pursuing degrees in fields like nursing, business, science, and more.
Criteria typically include academic performance, financial need, specific career goals, and community involvement.
Scholarships are available for traditional and non-traditional students, including single parents and adults returning to school.
Some scholarships also target specific demographics within South Carolina, aiming to support local education and career advancement.

Research indicates that individuals who earn a college degree have better career options and receive higher salaries than those who do not hold degrees. However, the college also offers many more benefits than just the career benefits. College helps individuals grow intellectually and socially as well. Unfortunately, many people choose not to attend college because they believe they cannot afford tuition and other costs.

In South Carolina, there are many scholarships available specifically for residents of that state that can help make college attainable for students who may face financial obstacles.

Featured Programs

1. African American Network – Carolinas Scholarship Fund

The Carolina Chapter of the African American Network, which is an employee resource group of Duke Energy provides scholarships to students who plan to pursue the following degrees:

Accounting
Business Administration
Computer Science
Engineering
Finance
Mathematics
Science

There is no application as scholarships are awarded by participating colleges, universities or community service organizations. Selections are based on the student’s GPA and financial need. Students must be graduating from a high school in either North or South Carolina and plan to attend a four-year institute of higher education in either North or South Carolina.

2. ANSWER Endowment Scholarship

Women aged 25 or older who are raising school-aged children in their household are eligible to apply for The Anderson Nontraditional Scholarship for Women’s Education (ANSWER). ANSWER provides financial support and advice to adult women who want to further their education. The award is available to students who enroll in a two-year nursing or CPCC Health Career program or to women who enroll in any four-year degree program.

3. Bobbi Rossi Memorial Scholarship

The Bobbi Rossi Memorial Scholarship is for nursing students attending the University of South Carolina. Applicants must be a current student in upper division or have admission to the upper division of the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicant must be a full-time student during the fall and spring semesters. Recipients must uphold a commitment to USC and the local community through active participation in campus life and volunteer service. Academic achievement, school/community activities, financial need and the applicant’s personal statement will be considered during the application process.

4. Carolinas-Virginias Retail Hardware

The children of employees of businesses who are members of the Carolinas-Virginia Retail Hardware Association are eligible to apply for a scholarship of up to $1,250. Applicants must be residents of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia or West Virginia and eleven scholarships are available. Natural born, adopted or stepchildren are all eligible to apply. Wards or stepchildren must live in the employee’s household in order to apply, and their parents must be employed for two years as full-time employees. The company who employs the parent must be a member of the organization for at least one year. Applicants must also have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

5. CFIC Everett and Trudy Suddreth Scholarship of Excellence

Employees of member companies of the Carolina Food Industry Council (CFIC) may apply for the Everett and Trudy Suddreth Scholarship of Excellence. There are 40 scholarships available with a maximum award of $2,500 each. Spouses and dependents of employees are eligible as long as the employee has been with the company for one year or more. The award is available to both high school seniors or undergraduates already enrolled in a college or university.

6. Charleston Women in International Trade

Charleston Women in International Trade offers two $1,000 scholarships to females and males who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a career in international trade. Applicants must be a full-time resident of South Carolina. In addition, the group offers two $3,000 scholarships for students already in college and two $1,500 scholarships for high school seniors. The application must be completed on the website.

7. Daughters of the Holy Cross – Sara Hempley Scholarship

The Sara Hempley Scholarship offered through the Daughters of the Holy Cross provides $500 to a non-traditional student who is seeking a degree from a technical, two- or four-year college. Priority is given to students who are residents of Richland County School District and who have some degree of life and work experience beyond typical high school graduates. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and must demonstrate the ability that they can succeed in their chosen degree profession. Recipients must attend an accredited college or university, and the scholarship must be used for tuition, books, fees or equipment necessary for coursework.

8. David M. Cline Scholarship

The David M. Cline Scholarship provides $2,000 to one student who is a resident of South Carolina and who intends to major in law enforcement, criminal justice or forensic science. Applicants must be a senior in a public or private high school in South Carolina and must attend college in South Carolina.

9. Estelle Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Estelle Jones Memorial Scholarship provides a scholarship to a student who wishes to pursue a career in nursing. Applicants must be graduates of a public or private high school in Richland County. Preference is given to students who are members of Zion Damascus Church Number Two. If there are no qualified applicants from the church, the scholarship may be awarded to another applicant from the Hopkins community who satisfies all other criteria for eligibility. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to complete the degree program and must demonstrate a high-level of school and community involvement.

10. Estelle Jones Non-Traditional Students Scholarship

The Estelle Jones Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is for African-American residents of Richland County School District One in order to enable them to obtain a college or technical school education. Preference is given to applicants with some measure of life and work experience and applications are accepted throughout the year. The scholarship is for one year, although previous recipients may reapply. Applicants must be residents of Richland County and hold a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and the ability to complete their chosen degree. Recommendations from an employer, leaders of a faith community or instructors who are not related to the student.

11. First Choice Member Scholarship

First, Choice by Select Health offers a scholarship to members who have a high school cumulative GPA of 2.0 or a cumulative college GPA of 2.5. Applicants must agree to attend an undergraduate college, university, trade or vocational school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or equivalent regional accrediting agency. Applicants must submit an official transcript and a one-page essay explaining why education is important to the applicant. The essay must address the following points

What they plan to study and why
How education will change the applicant’s life
Why the applicant needs the tuition assistance from First Choice
What the applicant plans to do with their education

Applicants must also include at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor, clergy member, community leader, work supervisor or someone outside of family who has known the applicant for a number of years.

12. Foundation for the Carolinas Scholarship

Undergraduate students who declare a major that contributes to the arts are eligible to apply for the Foundation for the Carolinas scholarship. The scholarship is for up to $4,000, and applicants must be a college junior or senior in good academic stand

13. Grace Brooks and E. Perry Palmer Scholarship

The Grace Brooks and E. Perry Palmer Scholarship is for students who have graduated from high schools in Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter Counties who have been accepted to post-graduate seminary programs. One scholarship is awarded to a student who enrolls in a post-graduate seminary program at a school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools. Another scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion at Claflin University. All applicants must complete the FAFSA and preference is given to applicants demonstrating financial need as well as African-Americans. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must provide official transcripts, an essay of no more than 300 words outlining their aspirations and plans for the future, as well as two letters of recommendation.

14. Handel-Carter Assistance Fund Scholarship

In an effort to provide educational opportunities for people living in transitional housing in the Columbia area, the Handel-Carter Assistance Fund Scholarship offers an annual scholarship to a non-traditional student who is pursuing a technical or college degree to increase their self-sufficiency. Applicants must be living in residents operated by St. Lawrence Place, the Women’s Shelter or Habitat for Humanity of Central South Carolina. An application and letter of recommendation from an employer or case manager is required. Preference is given to applicants with some degree of life and work experience and funds may be used for part-time study. Funds must be used for tuition, books, fees or equipment needed for coursework while attending the college or technical school. The scholarship may be renewed in following years of study.

15. Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Scholarship

One South Carolina student who plans to study wildlife, fisheries, forestry, biology, zoology, marine science, environmental science or related fields is eligible to apply for the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund Scholarship. The award is $20,000, paid at $5,000 each year for four years, to a full-time resident of South Carolina who plans to attend a college or university in South Carolina. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher each year to receive funds for the following year.

16. James A. Broome Scholarship

The James A. Broome Scholarship was created in memory of a long-time English teacher and Key Club advisor at Columbia High School who was awarded the Key of Honor, the highest recognition given by Key Club International. Applicants must be graduating seniors from a high school in Richland County and must be a member of a Key Club sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Columbia for at least two semesters. Applicants must plan to attend an institute of higher learning accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or a comparable regional accrediting agency. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to successfully complete the academic program they have chosen.

17. Joye Law Firm Annual Scholarship Program

The Joye Law Firm offers six $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors who have achieved success in high school. An essay is required, and applicants must have applied to an institute of higher learning. Applicants must attend South Carolina High School.

18. Korean-American Scholarship Foundation – Southern Regional Chapter

Students of Korean heritage studying in the United States regardless of citizenship status may apply for the Korean-American Scholarship. Undergraduate, graduate, and high school students may apply but must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The application is online.

19. LinkScholars Program

The LinkScholars Program offers a scholarship through the Columbia Chapter of Links, Inc. The program provides more than financial assistance as it also offers emotional and social support to low-income African-American high school seniors from central South Carolina. Applicants must be African-American and graduating from a high school serving Fairfield, Lexington, Richland, Kershaw or Sumter Counties. Preference is given to applicants who chose to attend a historically black college or university in South Carolina. First-time applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 on the SC Uniform Grading Scale and have a combined Reading and Math SAT score of 900 or higher. Scholarships may be renewed with satisfactory academic performance, completion of 12 hours of coursework for each of the past semesters and review of the recipient’s character and motivation.

20. Lottery Tuition Assistance Program

Eligible full-time students in South Carolina are eligible to receive up to $1,200 per term while part-time students are eligible for up to $100 per credit hour toward the cost of tuition. All federal grants and South Carolina need-based grants must be awarded first. Award amounts are subject to change based on the number of eligible recipients and available funding.

21. Louetta Slice Scholarship

The Louetta Slice Scholarship is designed for someone who was not ready to attend high school immediately after high school, but would now like to further their education. The applicant must be 21 years or older and reside in the Greater Chapin area of Ballentine, Chapin, Little Mountain, Peak, Prosperity or White Rock. Applicants must intend to enroll in a two- or four-year college year accredited college. Applicants may attend either full- or part-time and must demonstrate financial need.

22. NIADA Foundation Region II Scholarships

The NIADA Foundation offers four scholarships, one for each region. Region II consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Applicants must be a high school senior residing in the region and have maintained outstanding academic achievement. An official transcript, as well as SAT or ACT scores, must also be submitted.

23. Palmetto Fellows

Palmetto Fellows are awarded academic scholarships based on annual guidelines. Currently, South Carolina residents with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, 1200 SSAT or 27 ACT and who rank in the top six percent of their class may apply. Applications are accepted by the student’s high school guidance office.

24. Pierce/Zimmerman Scholarship Fund

The Pierce/Zimmerman Scholarship Fund is designed to assist families and employees of South Carolina State University’s Facilities Management Division who wish to pursue a college education in any subject. If there are no qualified applicants, any student attending who is majoring in Computer Science, Engineering and Math may apply. An eligible employee is one who has been working within the Facilities Management Division of South Carolina University for at least 90 days prior to the submission of the application. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and must demonstrate a high level of school and community involvement. Applicants must complete the FAFSA in order to qualify for the program.

25. Rogers and Meredith Scholarship Fund

The Rogers and Meredith Scholarship Fund provides academic scholarships for students to attend the college or technical school of their choice. Eligible applicants are residents of Carolina Children’s Home, Thornwell Home and School for Children, students in custody of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and students attending Glenforest School. Applicants must be a senior in high school or a high school graduate preparing to enter college. Students currently attending an institute of higher learning and those who applied but did not receive the scholarship may also apply. The applicant must have a GPA of 2.25, and the scholarship is renewable with satisfactory performance of a 2.5 GPA, completion of 12 credit hours for each of the two semesters preceding the academic year applied for in the renewal.

26. Smart Matters Scholarship

The Smart Matters Scholarship was created by the Junior League of Columbia. It is open to high school seniors who have been accepted to technical, two- and four-year colleges. The applicant must have attended a Smart Matters school and preference is given to applicants with good attendance records. Applicants are judged based on scholastic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. The applicant must have achieved a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must demonstrate strong service to the school as well as an essay tied to the mission and vision statement of the Junior League of Columbia. The applicant should briefly discuss the impact of volunteer service and how they plan to serve their community in the years to come.

27. South Carolina Press Association Foundation

The South Carolina Press Association Foundation offers up to three scholarships each year to South Carolina college students interested in pursuing newspaper careers. Scholarships are open to student journalists who attend a four-year college in South Carolina or who reside in South Carolina but attend college elsewhere. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply.

28. South Carolina Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society Scholarship

The South Carolina Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society offers one scholarship for $1,000 for a South Carolina resident pursuing study in the fields of conservation or natural resources. The scholarship cannot exceed the cost of tuition and books. Applicants may attend part- or full-time and may not receive the scholarship for two consecutive years. Applicants must provide an essay, GPA, list of community involvement, statement of need and an outline of their career goals.

29. South Carolina Need Based Grants Program

The South Carolina Need-Based Grants Program provides additional financial aid to the state’s neediest students. In order to be considered, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All other scholarships and grants must be applied to college costs first, and all grants must be applied directly to the cost of attendance. Students must be enrolled in a degree-seeking program in their first year of an undergraduate program. Students may be seeking a two- or four-year degree program or may be seeking a pre-professional certificate that may not require a bachelor’s degree.

30. South Carolina Teaching Fellows

High school seniors in South Carolina, who are interested in becoming teachers, may apply for the South Carolina Teaching Fellow Scholarship. Students must be a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Up to 175 students may be chosen for the program and each student may receive up to $24,000 in funds as they complete a degree that leads to teacher licensure. Awardees must agree to teach in a South Carolina public school for one year for every year they receive the fellowship. Fellows must attend one of ten Teaching Fellows Institutes across the state and engage in a variety of professional development opportunities. Fellows are also expected to become involve with local communities and businesses in the area. There is a rigorous selection process that requires an application, interview in front of a panel of three educators, a presentation, and a writing sample.

31. South Carolina Tuition Grants Program

The South Carolina Tuition Grants Program provides need-based grants to South Carolina students who are seeking an initial undergraduate degree. Applicants must attend college full-time at a non-profit in-state institute of higher learning.

32. Wallace F. Pate Scholarship

The Wallace F. Pate Scholarship, created in honor of an offshore big game fishing pioneer in South Carolina, is for a full-time resident of South Carolina who is a senior in a private or public school in the state. The recipient must attend a college or university in South Carolina and must major in the natural resources discipline. Majors that are accepted include wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine science or environmental science. The scholarship is for one year only.

33. Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship

The Watson-Brown Foundation offers scholarships that are based on merit and need. Applicants must be high school seniors and undergraduate college students from 18 counties in Georgia and South Carolina. Scholarship awardees must attend four-year accredited colleges or universities in the United States. Applicants must provide transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, letters of recommendation and a financial need statement.

34. William S. and Elizabeth B. Heath Scholarship

The William S. And Elizabeth B. Heath Endowment Fund provides a scholarship to a qualified employee of the former Carolina Coca-Cola Bottling Company or a legal dependent of an eligible employee. A qualified employee is defined as one who worked for the former company for at least three years. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher during their junior and senior years of high school. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of school and community involvement through participation in extracurricular activities. Applicants must attend an accredited college or university and must complete the FAFSA in order to qualify. If there are no applicants that fit the criteria, the scholarship may be awarded to students from the following high schools:

Crestwood High School
Lakewood High School
Sumter Catholic High School
Sumter High School
Thomas Sumter Academy
Wilson Hall School

Other high schools in Sumter County may also be included. The scholarship may not be used to substitute grant aid and are renewable as long as the student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.5 while attending an institute of higher learning