Scholarships & Financial Aid

Need-based financial aid is determined from a federal formula and is primarily based on what a family can reasonably be expected to contribute to their child's college education. Using the family's contribution, the college will come up with a financial aid package which can be made up of grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.

While some colleges require institutional financial aid forms, all schools will require the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA gives you access to federal loans and college work-study, and this form is used as the primary financial aid form for most colleges. This form is processed without a fee and is available on October 1st.

The CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is a supplemental aid application required by many institutions in addition to their own form and/or the FAFSA. The College Scholarship Service of the College Board administers the Profile; students must pay a registration fee as well as a processing fee for each college aid application. The Profile should be filled out early in the application cycle and in accordance with the colleges' financial aid application requirements. Both the FAFSA and the Profile can be submitted online ( www.studentaid.gov and http://www.collegeboard.com/).

All colleges are required to provide a Net Price Calculator on their website. This tool will allow you to discover what the estimated cost of the college might be for you and your family. For more information on aid estimators, visit the U. S. Department of Education's aid estimator.

You may find the following websites helpful as you apply for, and consider, need based financial aid options.

http://www.studentaid.gov/(FAFSA online)

https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/ (FAFSA Toolkit)

http://www.collegeboard.org/ (CSS Profile)

https://www.debt.org/students/financial-aid-process.

 

Merit Scholarships: Merit Scholarships are scholarships awarded to students on the basis of their academic achievement or a special talent or skill. Scholarships may be offered by the college or university itself or awarded through outside organizations (such as corporations or state and local organizations). These scholarships are usually competitive in nature and can require additional paperwork and requirements. Each scholarship has its own deadlines and dollar amounts vary.

ROTC Scholarships : Many scholarship opportunities are available through Army, Air Force, Marine, and Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps. A student who is thinking of a career in the military or who wants leadership experience should consider applying.

Other Scholarships : Many organizations and foundations offer scholarships for students attending college. Conducting a search for scholarships in the community, through your church, or on the web may provide applications and the opportunity to qualify for outside scholarships.

State Grants: South Carolina residents who decide to attend an in-state institution (public or private) may be eligible for a Palmetto Fellows, Life or Hope Scholarship. The requirements for these awards seem to vary slightly from year to year, as does the award. As information unfolds for next year, information will be made available to students. There is not a separate application required for the Life or Hope Scholarship – colleges determine your eligibility based on your final GPA as computed based on the South Carolina Uniform Grading Scale.

1. Palmetto Fellows – Students must meet the following three criteria to be eligible:

a) Score at least 1200 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT.
b) Earn a cumulative 3.50 GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale.
c) Rank in the top six percent of the class.

2. Life Scholarship – Students must meet at least two of the following criteria to be eligible:

a) 3.0 GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale.
b) 1100 SAT or 24 ACT.
c) Top 30 percent of graduating class.

3. SC Hope Scholarship - Initial eligibility requirements are:

a) 3.0 GPA on the Uniform Grading Scale.
b) Not be a recipient of the Palmetto Fellow Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship, or Lottery Tuition assistance.

Scholarships and Grants for SC Residents

https://www.che.sc.gov/students-families-and-military/scholarships-and-grants-sc-residents

We have included some specific examples of area scholarships. Please visit the scholarship website for up to date eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and application materials. The header of each scholarship contains a link to the scholarship website.

Area and Local Scholarships

Admiral James B. Osborn Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded to Tri-County high school seniors. Please see website for application and requirements. 

AFCEA Scholarship

Awarded to college-bound students entering science and engineering fields of study who demonstrate academic excellence.

Charleston Women in International Trade Student Scholarship

Applicants must be high school or college students who demonstrate a degree specific to international trade or engineering. Men and women are invited to apply.

Coastal Community Foundation General Scholarship Program

Students can apply for several scholarships by completing one application.

Isle of Palms Exchange Club Scholarship

The Isle of Palms Exchange Club offers scholarships to students who are from the Charleston tri-county area or are children of past or present Exchange Club members. 

James F. Byrnes Scholarship

For high school seniors residing in South Carolina who have one or more deceased parents.

Kittie Moss Fairey Educational Fund Scholarship

Applicants must be South Carolina residents enrolled in a South Carolina high school, have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0, have a combined SAT score of at least a 1100 or a minimum ACT composite of 26, and be planning to attend a college or university located in South Carolina. In addition, applicant's parents must have a household adjusted gross income not exceeding $40,000.

Mount Pleasant Artist Guild

For high school seniors with a strong interest in visual arts - visutal art major preferred. To be eligible, students must be residents of the East Cooper area, which includes Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Sullivan's Island, Awendaw, McClellanville and Daniel Island.

Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

For high school seniors residing in the East Cooper area of Charleston. For application information and deadlines, visit the Chamber of Commerce website.

Peck Law Firm Scholarship

Open to high school seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Porter Fleming Literary Competition

Students ages 18 years of age and older residing in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee may enters a literary work in the following categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, one-act play.

Reverend Pinckney Scholars

To be eligible, students must be high school seniors who reside in either Berkeley, Charleston, or Jasper county and who plan to attend a 2-year or 4-year university.

Rotary Club of St. Andrews

Eligible candidates must be residents of West Ashley or James Island and plan to attend a private or public South Carolina college or university.

South Carolina Association of Counties

Four $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually to South Carolina high school students who plan to attend a South Carolina college or university. To apply, students must include an essay as well as two letter of recommendation. For more information and to access a scholarship application, visit the program website.

South Carolina Council on the Holocaust

Open to high school seniors in the state of South Carolina. As part of the application, students must write a convincing argument about the importance and relevance of Holocaust education today.

South Carolina Federal Credit Union Scholarship

Eligible students must be a member of the SC Credit Union or be eligible for membership in the SC Credit Union.

South Carolina Jr. Golf Foundation Scholarship Program

Eligible applicants must be SC residents, seniors in high school, have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, have a competitive or recreational interest in golf, and attend a SC public or private university.

SC State Fair, "Ride of Your Life," Scholarship

To be eligible, students must be SC residents, high school seniors and attend a college or university in the state of South Carolina. Visit website for scholarship application and deadline information.

Southern Automotive Women's Forum Scholarship

Open to female students pursuing a degree in a STEM related field enrolling in a college or university in the state of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia.

 

Scholarship search websites can be a great tool for finding scholarship opportunities. It can also be overwhelming to sort through the amount of information that is provided on these sites. To get you started, we have included some specific examples of national scholarships with broad eligibility criteria. Please visit the scholarship website for up to date eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and application materials. For scholarships with more narrow eligibility requirements or information about additional scholarship programs, please use the resources at the bottom of this list.

National Scholarship Programs

AFSA High School Scholarship Contest 
Sponsored by the American Fire Sprinkler Association. To be eligible, students read an essay and complete an online form including questions about the essay. Correct responses are entered into a scholarship drawing.

Ayn Rand Essay Contests
To apply, students must submit an essay on a topic related to Atlas Shrugged or The Fountainhead. See website for specific topics and application instructions.

Burger King Scholarship
Eligible students are high school seniors with a GPA or at least 2.5 and are passionate about serving the community. Scholarship application window open from October 15 to December 15 each year.

Create Real Impact
Submit a creative entry (video, poem, piece of visual art, etc.) which demonstrates how to prevent distracted and reckless driving.

Cameron Impact Scholarship
Awarded by the Bryan Cameron Education Foundation, this scholarship awards full-tuition, merit based scholarships to exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, leadership and community service. To be eligible students must have a cumulative high school grade point average of 3.7 or higher and demonstrated excellence in a variety of extracurricular activities.

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Applicants must be 18 years of age or under as of October 1 in the year of application. Applications accepted in the categories of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, music, literature, philosophy and outside the box. See website for more details and application deadlines.

Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award
To be considered for scholarship, students must submit an essay in response to a prompt on efforts to reduce cyber bullying. See website for more details.

Doodle for Google
This scholarship requires you to enter an original doodle and explain how it represents your inner strength. Doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity, and theme communication. National finalist winners receive $5,000 each, and the grand prize winner receives $30,000.

DoSomething.org Scholarships
DoSomething.org Scholarships award young people, ages 13 - 25 for the social change they do in the community. To be considered in a drawing for scholarships, students must complete a specified task and upload a photo of them completing the task. See website for specific instructions.

Foot Locker Scholar Athletes
Eligible students are scholar athletes. Scholarship deadline occurs in December of senior year.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
Eligible students will have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate attributes of leadership, drive, integrity and citizenship.

Horatio Alger Scholarship
Recognizes students with demonstrated critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income) who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Deadline to apply, October 25.

My BioSource Scholarship
Two scholarship programs: one program for high school seniors entering STEM fields of study; one program for non-STEM field majors.

National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Award
Competition open to all high school seniors who are U.S. citizens and are planning careers of service to the United States in local, state, or federal government. All awards are for one year.

Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship
Eligible students are those who have shown significant effort to provide solutions toward ending hunger in their communities. Annual application period October 5 - December 5.

Tom Joyner Foundation Full Ride Scholarship
One selected scholarship winner each year will receive full tuition and stipends for up to 10 semesters to cover on-campus room and board and books. To qualify, students must be a US citizen, have a GPA of 3.50 or higher, an SAT of 1400 or higher or an ACT of 30 or higher and must apply and be accepted to a Historically Black College or University by July 1, 2019.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship
Each year the makers of TYLENOL® award annual scholarships to well deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare. 30+ years later, we’re proud to continue a tradition that supports those dedicated to a lifetime of caring for others.

William Randolph Hearst Service Learning Scholarship 
To apply for this scholarship students must be currently enrolled in an NAES school and should have a strong record of Service Learning experience; proven leadership in school and community; and a commitment to worship and community service in their school and their parish church. The William Randolph Hearst Service Learning Scholarship of $10,000 has been given each year since 1997 to one or two NAES high school seniors who matriculate at one of these eight AEC colleges or universities: Bard College (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY), Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Geneva, NY), Kenyon College (Gambier,OH), St. Augustine College (Chicago, IL), St. Augustine's University (Raleigh, NC), The University of the South (Sewanee, TN), Voorhees College (Denmark, SC), and Universite d'Haiti (Port-au-Prince, Haiti).

 

Scholarship Search Websites

Fastweb.com

Chegg.com

Collegenet.com

SallieMae.com