The state of South Carolina provides financial aid to qualifying in-state students through a variety of scholarships: Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, Lottery Tuition Assistance, and the Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SC WINS). Explore state-sponsored financial aid offerings to see if you might qualify.
Palmetto Fellows
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program, administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE), that recognizes the most academically talented high school Seniors and encourages these students to attend college in the state of South Carolina. Palmetto Fellows recipients may receive up to $6,700 their first year and up to $7,500 for subsequent years. The Palmetto Fellow scholar must complete a Palmetto Fellows Affidavit every year in order to be awarded.
See Palmetto Fellows details from CHE.
General Information
Students receiving the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship are not eligible to receive the LIFE scholarship, Lottery Tuition Assistance, or SC WINS.
Recipients of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship must enroll full-time, at least 12 credit hours per semester, in order to receive any scholarship funds. Remedial course studies do not count toward degree requirements. In addition to this, Palmetto Fellows scholars must be first degree seeking undergraduates.
A Palmetto Fellows Scholar must complete a Designation Form notifying CHE of school selection. CHE then notifies TCL when the student has completed the Designation Form and is eligible for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
General Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen under state residency statutes.
- South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and during the period of the award.
- Graduated from a South Carolina high school or was a dependent of a parent or guardian who was a legal resident of South Carolina at the time of the student’s high school graduation.
- Full-time undergraduate seeing a first degree
- Must not have been judged delinquent nor have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony in any state.
- Must not have been convicted of any second alcohol– or drug-related misdemeanor in any state for 12 months prior to the period of award.
- Must not be in default or owe a refund or repayment on any federal or state financial aid.
First-year Student Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the following three academic criteria to be eligible to apply:
- Score at least 1200 on the SAT (25 on the ACT). Test scores must be submitted to CHE by no later than the established deadline in December.
- Earn a cumulative 3.50 GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale at the end of the junior year.
- Rank in the top six percent of the class at the end of either the sophomore or the junior year.
OR
- Score at least 1400 on the SAT (32 on the ACT) through the June test administration of the senior year.
- Earn a minimum 4.00 cumulative GPA on the South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale at the end of the junior year without regard to class rank.
Continuing Student Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements for their Palmetto Fellows scholarship to be renewed each year.
- Must earn a total of 30 credit hours each academic year. Any hours earned prior to high school graduation, hours exempted by examination and Advanced Placement credit do not count toward the 30-hour requirement.
- You must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on all courses taken at TCL. Courses taken at other institutions will not affect the grade point average requirement for Palmetto Fellows.
- If you do not meet the above criteria at the end of the Spring semester, your Palmetto Fellows award will be withdrawn. If you make up the deficiency during the Summer semester, please notify us and the award will be reinstated.
- Coursework taken at other institutions and accepted for credit By TCL can be used to satisfy the 30-hour requirement.
Award Amount
The Palmetto Fellows award amount is determined annually by the South Carolina General Assembly. Currently, the maximum value is $6,700.
Note: The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship in combination with all other scholarships and grants may not exceed the cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulations.
Disbursements
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is credited to your student account to satisfy any charges. Excess aid is refunded to the student. If all tuition and fees are satisfied and you are enrolled full-time, excess aid is refunded to the student and can be used for any college-related expenses, including housing.
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is typically available during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Dropping Below Full-time or Withdrawing
A student who is part-time in their final semester prior to graduation may receive a pro-rated Palmetto Fellows award. All other students who are part-time will not receive a disbursement unless approved for a reduced course load by the ADA office title.
If you are receiving the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship or any other financial aid, dropping below full-time status or withdrawing completely may affect your eligibility to receive aid. Under some circumstances, withdrawing from the College may require you to repay part, or all, of any financial aid received.
If you are considering dropping a class (and will be enrolled in less than 12 credit hours as a result) or considering withdrawing from the College, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@tcl.edu to determine the effect on your financial obligations.
Life Scholarship
The LIFE Scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year. To receive the LIFE Scholarship, students must meet specific academic requirements. There is no application process for the LIFE Scholarship. Students will automatically be reviewed and awarded the scholarship by TCL. In order for funds to be disbursed, students must complete the LIFE Scholarship Affidavit. The form is available in the Self-Service Financial Aid portal for students who have been awarded.
General Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen under state residency statutes.
- South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and during the period of the award.
- Graduated from a South Carolina high school or was a dependent of a parent or guardian who was a legal resident of South Carolina at the time of the student’s high school graduation.
- Full-time undergraduate seeing a first degree
- Must not have been judged delinquent nor have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony in any state.
- Must not have been convicted of any second alcohol– or drug-related misdemeanor in any state for 12 months prior to the period of award.
- Must not be in default or owe a refund or repayment on any federal or state financial aid.
Note: Students do not have to enroll in college full time immediately after graduating from high school to be eligible for the LIFE Scholarship. If the high school criteria were met at the time of graduation and the student has not attended college parttime before starting full-time college enrollment, they are eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship and begin college later.
First-year Student Eligibility Requirements
- Must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- Must meet two of the three requirements listed below:
- A 3.0 final high school grade point average based on the Uniform Grading Scale
- A minimum SAT score of 1100 (or 22 on the ACT).
- Graduated in the top 30 percent of your high school class.
Transfer Student Requirements
- Must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- Eligibility for the first year at TCL is based on your initial college enrollment and the cumulative GPA and hours earned (nonremedial) at your previous institution(s). This will include both in-state and out-of-state institutions.
- After your first year at TCL, all the requirements for continuing students will apply.
Continuing Student Requirements
Renewal Eligibility Requirements
- Must meet all general eligibility requirements.
- Earn an average of 30 credit hours per academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer).
- A total of 30 hours is required for a rising second-year student.
- Any credit earned before high school graduation, hours exempted by examination and Advanced Placement credit approved by TCL will be used toward the credit hour requirement. Duplicate credit courses do not count in the total.
- Earn a minimum cumulative LIFE GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the academic year. The LIFE GPA must include all grades earned at TCL plus all grades attempted (excluding remedial) at all other institutions, both in-state and out-of-state.
The LIFE GPA is used for determining eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship only. It is distinctively different from your cumulative TCL GPA that is used for graduation purposes and the awarding of other merit-based scholarships.
Terms
You may receive the LIFE Scholarship through the eighth consecutive semester following initial college enrollment. The eight semester limit is a time limit only. The limit is not determined by the number of semesters the LIFE Scholarship has actually been received and may include periods of nonenrolment.
Timeline
Once a student begins college (assuming they have met the initial criteria to be awarded the scholarship), they have up to eight semesters of potential eligibility.
Award Amount
The LIFE Scholarship award amount is determined annually by the South Carolina General Assembly.
Currently, the maximum valued is $5,000 per academic year ($4,700 related to tuition plus $300 based on the costs of textbooks).
Note: The LIFE Scholarship in combination with all other scholarships and grants may not exceed the cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulations.
Disbursements
The LIFE Scholarship is credited to your student account to satisfy any charges. If all tuition and fees are satisfied and you are enrolled full-time, excess aid is refunded to the student and can be used for any college-related expenses, including housing.
The LIFE Scholarship is typically available during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Dropping Below Full-Time or Withdrawing
If you are receiving the LIFE Scholarship or any other financial aid, dropping below full-time status or withdrawing completely may affect your eligibility to receive aid. If you are considering dropping a class (and will be enrolled in less than 12 credit hours as a result) or considering withdrawing from the College, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@tcl.edu to determine the effect on your financial obligations.
LIFE GPA
The LIFE GPA is a GPA used only for the purpose of LIFE Scholarship awards. It represents an all-college GPA, consisting of the combined total of a student’s Grade (Quality) Points divided by the cumulative number of attempted credit hours from all schools attended to earn college credits, even while still enrolled in high school. The GPA must be 3.0 or higher.
Note: The law requires that a student receiving the LIFE Scholarship sign an affidavit confirming that they have sent all transcripts to TCL representing an accurate LIFE GPA. This would include ALL transcripts, even those from a school that a student attended while still in high school and college coursework that a student didn’t successfully transfer because of low grades.
Summer Transient Courses
Summer transient courses (nonremedial) taken at any institution (in-state or out-of-state) may be used toward the credit hours requirement. Any courses taken at TCL or any other LIFE-eligible institution in-state or out-of-state will affect your LIFE GPA. Please note that your LIFE GPA cannot be recalculated until official transcripts have been received and processed by the Registrar’s Office.
This information is subject to change by either the South Carolina General Assembly or the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. You may view the most recent guidelines for the LIFE program at South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Lottery Tuition Assistance
A portion of Education Lottery revenues are used to fund tuition assistance for technical college students. The actual amount of tuition assistance available to each student will be determined each semester by the State Board for Technical Education.
General Information
Most student financial aid is awarded on the basis of financial need. Lottery Tuition Assistance is an exception and is not awarded on the basis of financial need. However, to apply for Lottery Tuition Assistance, a student must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education or meet one of the qualifications to complete the FAFSA Waiver form.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Qualify for in-state residency.
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR complete the FAFSA Waiver form—this form is only used for students who have earned a bachelor’s degree, or students who are enrolled in programs that are not eligible for Title IV aid.
- Be enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or associate degree program (continuing education programs are not eligible and maintain enrollment of at least six credit hours each semester.
- Make clear progress toward completion of a certificate, diploma, or associate degree (maintain a 2.0 GPA after completing 24 credit hours of study).
- Must not have received Lottery Tuition Assistance for more than one certificate, diploma, or degree earned within any five-year period unless the additional certificate, diploma, or degree constitutes progress in the same field of study (as determined by the institution).
- Not be a LIFE Scholarship award recipient.
- Not be a Palmetto Fellows Scholar.
- Not be in default on any government student loan program.
2024–2025 Award Amount
For 2024–2025, full- and part-time students are eligible for $75 per credit hour (with a six-credit-hour minimum and a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester).
- LTA is not available to assist with book expenses
- Students whose tuition is fully covered under another grant are not eligible for LTA.
- LTA funds are not eligible to be refunded and can only pay up to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees.
SC Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SC•WINS)
General Information
SC•WINS is a statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina. The scholarship supplements Lottery Tuition Assistance to help cover any tuition and mandatory fees left after applying all other scholarships or grants. Students may receive up to a maximum award amount of $5,000 per academic year for no more than three years if student is enrolled in an associate’s degree program, or no more than two years if enrolled in an IRC, diploma, or professional certificate program.
General Eligibility Requirements
- Be a South Carolina resident.
- Be enrolled in a career education program that meets the eligibility guidelines as determined by the State Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education.
- Meet one of the following criteria:
- Be employed
- Take a financial literacy course offered via CashCourse
- Complete one hundred hours of voluntary time contributing to a nonprofit or public service organization approved by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education
- Complete the SC WINS Affidavit
- Maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA
Eligible Programs
The South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS) shall be limited to South Carolina residents enrolled in critical workforce programs that lead to an industry-recognized credential (IRC), certificate, diploma, or degree in the following areas:
- Healthcare
- Computer Technology and Information Technology
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Hospitality/Tourism Management
- Construction
- Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Early Care and Education
- Human Services
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Business Management and Administration
Priority programs include the following critical workforce programs:
- Commercial Truck Driving (non-credit program)
- CompTIA (non-credit program)
- Cybersecurity
- Diesel Technician (non-credit program)
- Electric Vehicle Technology (non-credit program)
- Emergency Medical Technician (non-credit program)
- Heavy Equipment Operator (non-credit program)
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
- Lineman Technician (non-credit program)
- Manufacturing Technician (non-credit program)
- Mechatronics (non-credit program)
- Nursing
- Nursing Assistant (non-credit program)
- Patient Care Technician (non-credit program)
- Phlebotomy (non-credit program)
- Plumbing
- Welding (non-credit program)
Award Amount
SC WINS covers tuition, mandatory fees, and qualifying course-related materials after applying all other scholarships and grants for South Carolina residents enrolled in a qualified program. Award amounts cannot exceed $5,000 per year and may be adjusted or canceled due to changes in enrollment or the availability of funds. A student enrolled in a qualified associate degree program may only receive the scholarship for three years. Students enrolled in a qualified diploma or certificate program may only receive the scholarship for two years.
Qualifying students are awarded $2,500 Fall and Spring (awards can be adjusted to cover cost of tuition and mandatory fees up to $5,000). Any leftover funds are awarded for hours enrolled during the Summer semester.
SC WINS is a last dollar in scholarship and may only be applied after all other eligible federal and state aid has been awarded.
Additionally, SC WINS is available to high school students who are taking classes at TCL as part of the college’s Dual Enrollment program, meet the general eligibility criteria, and are enrolled in a SC WINS eligible program.
Changing Academic Majors
Changing academic majors is allowed within the acceptable disciplines in workforce program areas. Before changing academic majors, students should contact the Office of Financial Aid (financialaid@tcl.edu) to determine how their aid may be affected.
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
General Information
South Carolina Need-Based Grant is funded by the state of South Carolina. SC Need-Based funds are awarded to undergraduate Pell Grant recipients with exceptional need, on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Early applicants are given first priority for consideration. The South Carolina Need-Based Grant awards up to $3,500 annually
General Eligibility Requirements
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Be a South Carolina resident
- Enroll in at least 6 credit hours.
- Submit a SC Need-Based Grant Affidavit
Renewal Requirements
- Complete a FAFSA early and be eligible for Pell grant.
- Submit a SC Need-Based Affidavit
- Enroll in at least 6 credit hours and can be awarded up to two semesters during an academic year.
- If previous award was based on full-time enrollment during entire academic year, student must complete 24 credit hours.
- If previous award was based on part-time enrollment (6 to 11 credit hours a semester), student must complete 12 credit hours.
- If student is awarded full-time one semester and part-time the other semester, student must complete 18 credit hours.
- If awarded for one semester only as a full-time enrollee, student must complete 12 credit hours.
- If awarded for one semester only as a part-time enrollee (6 to 11 credit hours) student must complete 6 credit hours.
- Must have a 2.0 GPA in each regular academic year (Fall/Spring semesters only).
Note: Students who have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree are ineligible for the South Carolina Need-Based Grant.
For more information on the South Carolina Need-Based Grant and additional eligibility requirements visit South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
