South Carolina LIFE Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence, or LIFE Scholarship, is South Carolina merit aid administered by the financial-aid office at each eligible in-state public or independent college. The regular award is limited to tuition for 30 credit hours plus a $300 book allowance, up to $5,000 per academic year. Eligible students at four-year institutions may receive a separate enhancement of up to $2,500 beginning after the freshman year when they meet the prerequisite coursework and declare a Commission-approved STEM, education, or accounting program. This replaces the misleading $28,000 amount and December 1 deadline found in some directories: there is no separate public student application, and each institution sets its documentation deadline. First-time freshmen at a four-year institution generally must meet two of three measures—3.0 South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy GPA, 1100 SAT or 22 ACT, and top 30% class rank. Students from non-ranking schools generally need the GPA and test score; entrants at eligible two-year institutions generally need the 3.0 GPA. Recipients must also satisfy state residency, lawful-presence, conduct, aid-standing, full-time enrollment, and degree rules. Renewal normally requires a 3.0 cumulative LIFE GPA across eligible institutions and an average of 30 earned credit hours for each completed academic year.

Eligibility

• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who meets the state definition of an eligible non-citizen
• Be a legal South Carolina resident under the applicable tuition and scholarship residency rules
• Enroll full time in an eligible undergraduate program at a participating South Carolina institution
• At a four-year institution, meet two of three initial criteria: 3.0 SC UGP GPA, 1100 SAT or 22 ACT, and top 30% class rank
• If entering through a non-ranking school, generally meet both the 3.0 SC UGP GPA and qualifying test-score criteria
• If entering an eligible two-year institution, generally earn at least a 3.0 SC UGP high-school GPA
• Not already hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree and remain within the applicable program and term limits
• Meet state conduct restrictions and remain in good standing on specified grants and federal student loans
• For renewal, earn a 3.0 LIFE GPA and an average of 30 eligible credit hours for each completed academic year
• Provide official transcripts and other records by the institution’s financial-aid deadline