Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program recognizing the most academically talented high school seniors and encouraging these students to attend college in the state. Palmetto Fellows may receive up to $6,700 their freshman year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring term.

The scholarship must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received. Eligible Palmetto Fellows may receive scholarship funding for a maximum of eight full‑time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement was established in 2007 to increase the number of students who major in mathematics and science in South Carolina.

For enhancement eligibility, Palmetto Fellows must declare a major in an approved math or science program and must also successfully complete at least 14 credit hours of instruction in mathematics or life and physical science or a combination of both by the end of the first academic year. Eligible students may receive up to $10,000 (combined funds from the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Scholarship Enhancement) per year beginning with their second/sophomore year of college enrollment. Students may receive enhancement funding for a maximum of six full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor's degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.

Purpose of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship:

• RECOGNIZE the most academically talented high school seniors in S.C.;
• ENCOURAGE academically talented students to attend college in the State; and
• RETAIN talented minority students who might otherwise pursue studies outside the State.

Initial Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to apply for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, a high school senior must also meet all of the following general eligibility requirements:

1) Be enrolled in an approved SC public or private high school, an approved SC home school program of study or a preparatory high school located outside the State while a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina;

2) 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;

3) Be seriously considering attending, have applied, or have been accepted for admission to an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina;

4) Certify that he/she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second or subsequent alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor offenses within the past academic year by submitting a signed affidavit to the college financial aid office; and

5) Cannot be a recipient of the LIFE Scholarship, SC HOPE Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance in the same academic year.