South Carolina Hope Scholarship Program

The SC HOPE Scholarship Program was established under the SC Education Lottery Act and was implemented beginning with the 2002-03 academic year. It is a one-year merit-based scholarship created for first-time entering freshmen attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, but graduate from high school with at least a B average. Funding for the program is dependent upon the annual proceeds generated by the SC Education Lottery.

Award Amount:

Students attending an eligible four-year public or private college or university will receive up to $2,800 towards the cost-of-attendance during the first-year of attendance only.

In order to qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, a student MUST meet the following general and initial eligibility requirements:

General Eligibility Requirements

A) Graduate from high school or complete an approved home school program as prescribed by law;

B) Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university;

C) Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of high school graduation and be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes at the time of high school graduation;

D) Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student;

E) Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year;

F) Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid; and

G) Must not be a recipient of a LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance.

Initial Eligibility Requirements:

In order to qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship, first-time entering freshmen must meet the following criteria:

Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point ratio (GPR) based on the Uniform Grading Policy (UGP) upon high school graduation