South Carolina Hope Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by South Carolina Commission on Higher Education

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