Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

Scholarship Sponsored by South Carolina Commission on Higher Education

Here’s a clearer, teacher-friendly version of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship information. I’ve organized it so a student (or parent) can quickly see what the scholarship is, how much it’s worth, who can apply, and what steps to take. Overview - The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for academically outstanding South Carolina high school seniors. It was created in 1988 and is managed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE). Award amounts and how payments are made - Freshman year: up to $6,700. - Sophomore, junior, senior years: up to $7,500 per year. - Payments are split: half is paid in the fall term and half in the spring. - The scholarship pays toward the cost of attendance after other gift aid is applied. How long you can receive the scholarship (renewal and term limits) - Funding is limited to the student’s first completed credential at an eligible SC institution and is subject to continued eligibility: - Up to 2 consecutive terms for a one-year certificate or diploma program. - Up to 4 terms (counted from initial college enrollment) for the first associate degree or two‑year diploma. - Up to 8 terms (counted from initial college enrollment) for the first bachelor’s degree or for an eligible program that leads to graduate study without requiring a bachelor’s. - For certain approved five‑year bachelor’s programs, coverage is limited to no more than 10 terms (counted from initial college enrollment). Purpose (what the program aims to do) - Recognize the most academically talented high school seniors in South Carolina. - Encourage talented students to attend college in South Carolina. - Retain talented minority students who might otherwise leave the state for college. Who may apply: general eligibility checklist (students must meet all) - Be enrolled in one of the following at the time of application: - An approved South Carolina public or private high school, - An eligible South Carolina homeschool program, or - A preparatory high school outside SC while a dependent of a legal SC resident. - Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at high school graduation, and be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined by state residency rules for tuition and fees at that time. - Be seriously considering, have applied to, or have been accepted at an eligible college or university in South Carolina. - Submit a signed affidavit to the college financial aid office certifying no felony convictions and no second-or-subsequent alcohol or other drug–related misdemeanor offenses within the past academic year. - Not receive the LIFE Scholarship, SC HOPE Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition Assistance in the same academic year. Academic eligibility for Early Awards (what students must meet) - Application timing: the school counselor or authorized school representative must submit the student’s Palmetto Fellows application and required documents to CHE by April 15 of the student’s senior year. If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the deadline is the preceding Friday. - Important: Early Awards criteria cannot be reused to qualify for Late Awards—follow CHE guidance if you miss the Early Award deadline. - To qualify for an Early Award, a student must meet one of these two sets of academic standards by the March national test administration (SAT/ACT) and at the end of the junior year for GPA/rank: 1) SAT ≥ 1200 (ACT ≥ 25), cumulative GPA ≥ 3.50 on the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy (SC UGP) at the end of junior year, and class rank in the top 6% at the end of either the sophomore or junior year; OR 2) SAT ≥ 1400 (ACT ≥ 31) and cumulative GPA ≥ 4.00 on the SC UGP at the end of junior year. Quick next steps for students - Talk with your school counselor early—they must submit the application. - Confirm your SC residency status and that you meet the enrollment requirements. - If you’re aiming for an Early Award, schedule SAT/ACT tests so scores are available by the March national test administration and make sure your counselor files by April 15. - Keep copies of transcripts, test score reports, and the signed affidavit required for criminal history certification. If you want, I can convert this into a one‑page checklist you can print for your counselor or a timeline showing deadlines and test dates. Which would help you most?