The General Assembly established the S.C. Need-based Grant Program in 1996 to provide additional financial assistance to South Carolina’s neediest students attending eligible SC public institutions.  Eligible full-time students may receive the following:

  • Up to $3,500 per year if enrolled full-time or up to $1,750 per year if enrolled part-time
  • Up to eight (8) full-time equivalent terms of funding
  • Foster care youth may receive the maximum award in addition to Need-based Grant funds specifically for foster care youth. This is a self-identifying process in which the youth will work with the financial aid office at their home institution. The youth must complete the required form and provide the required additional documentation in order to receive additional funds.
Initial Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year
  • Must be enrolled and attending or have completed at the time of the grant disbursement a minimum of six credit hours if part-time or twelve credit hours if full-time for the term
General Eligibility Requirements:

In order to qualify for consideration for a South Carolina Need-based Grant, a student must meet ALL of the following minimum requirements each academic year:

  • Be a needy student as defined by Title IV Federal Student Aid Programs for determining eligibility for federal student financial aid. The student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form;
  • Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State residency statutes;
  • Be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes;
  • Be enrolled at the time of the grant disbursement in a minimum of twelve credit hours if full-time or six credit hours if part-time for the term at an eligible public institution;
  • Have not been convicted of any felonies or been convicted of any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offenses within the past academic year by submitting a signed affidavit to the financial aid office at the institution at which the student is enrolled;
  • Does not owe a refund or repayment on a State Grant, Pell Grant, or a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and not be in default on a loan under the Federal Perkins Loan or Federal Stafford Loan program; and
  • Complete any other documentation required by the financial aid office at the institution at which the student is enrolled.