Financial Aid in South Carolina (2026–27)
Your FAFSA deadline, South Carolina's grant programs, and how to get every dollar you qualify for: federal, state, and scholarships.
South Carolina FAFSA deadline for state aid
Need-based grants: first-come, first-served while funds last. SC Tuition Grants (independent colleges): August 1, 2026.
The FAFSA for 2026–27 opened October 1, 2025; the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and school funds often run out well before deadlines, so file early either way.
Not sure what you'll get? Estimate your federal aid in 2 minutes
South Carolina grant programs
SC Need-Based Grant
Grant for lower-income South Carolina residents at in-state public colleges.
LIFE & Palmetto Fellows Scholarships
Merit awards for South Carolina students based on GPA, class rank, and test scores.
Administered by South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Filing the FAFSA is how you're considered for most state programs.
Scholarships for South Carolina students
Grants and federal aid have income cutoffs. Scholarships don't, and they stack on top of everything above. Award Scholar matches South Carolinastudents with scholarships they actually qualify for (including state-specific awards) and writes the application essays. It's free.
Common questions
When is the FAFSA deadline in South Carolina?
For 2026–27 state aid: Need-based grants: first-come, first-served while funds last. SC Tuition Grants (independent colleges): August 1, 2026. The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and school money often runs out far earlier, so file as soon as you can.
What grants does South Carolina offer?
SC Need-Based Grant: Grant for lower-income South Carolina residents at in-state public colleges. LIFE & Palmetto Fellows Scholarships: Merit awards for South Carolina students based on GPA, class rank, and test scores. You're considered for most of these automatically when you file the FAFSA as a South Carolina resident.
How do I apply for financial aid in South Carolina?
File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It covers federal aid (Pell Grants, loans, work-study) and is how South Carolina Commission on Higher Education determines state awards. Then apply to scholarships separately; they stack on top of everything else.