South Carolina LIFE Scholarship Program

Currently, the LIFE Scholarship award amount at the University of South Carolina is $5,000. In addition to the general eligibility requirements below, please note the requirements for the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement must be completed during your freshman year.

Lost eligibility may be regained by meeting eligibility requirements in the next academic year. Recipients must also be mindful that the LIFE Scholarship and the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, in combination with all other scholarships and grants, may not exceed the cost of attendance as defined in Title IV federal student aid regulations.

General Eligibility Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen under state residency statutes.
• You must be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and during the period of award.
• You must have graduated from a South Carolina high school or graduated from a high school outside of South Carolina while a dependent of a parent or legal guardian who is a legal resident. If you graduated from a high school outside of South Carolina, you are expected to self-identify to the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships in order to be assured that you are not overlooked during the university's review of LIFE-eligible students.
• You must be a full-time undergraduate student seeking your first baccalaureate degree.
• You must not be receiving the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
• You must not have been convicted of any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor in any state within the past academic year.
• You must not have been judged delinquent, nor have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony in any state.
• You must not be in default or owe a refund or repayment on any federal or state financial aid.
• You must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Eligibility Requirements for Entering Freshman

• You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
• You must meet two of the three requirements listed below:
  • Have a 3.00 final high school grade point average based on the SC Uniform Grading Policy.
  • Have a minimum SAT test score of 1100 on critical reading and math sections combined or ACT test score of 24. Effective for Fall 2023 and afterwards, the ACT test score will be 22.
  • Have graduated in the top 30 percent of your high school graduating class.

Eligibility Requirements for Transfer Students

• You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
• Your eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship during your first year at the USC  is based on your initial college enrollment and all non-remedial hours earned and cumulative grade point average at your previous institution(s).

Eligibility Requirements for Continuing Students

• You must meet all general eligibility requirements.
• In addition to maintaining your in-state residency, continuing students must also meet additional renewal requirements, including your GPA and how many credit hours you earn each academic term.
• There are also restrictions related to summers and co-op experiences.