South Carolina Scholarships
Living or studying in South Carolina qualifies you for scholarships that most students never see: statewide awards restricted to SC residents, where the applicant pool is a fraction of any national contest. These verified awards sit on top of the national scholarships and South Carolina's own state aid programs, so treat them as one layer of a larger funding plan.
- Open scholarships
- 4
- No essay required
- 3
- Next deadline
- Feb 5
Boone Foundation Scholarship
Amount variesRolling deadlineSouth Carolina residents, with preference for Horry County, may be nominated by their institution's financial aid office for Boone Foundation graduate scholarships through the Waccamaw Community Foundation. Award amounts and the number of recipients vary. Scholarships are renewable for students maintaining a 3.5 GPA and financial need. Nominees must be enrolled in graduate law or performing arts programs at the University of South Carolina, George Washington University, Converse College, or Winthrop University. Nominations must come through the school's Office of Financial Aid.
No essay requiredDuke University B.N. Duke Scholarship
Full-TuitionRolling deadlineNorth or South Carolina residents admitted to Duke University as first-year students are considered for the B.N. Duke Scholarship, established in 1986. Up to 12 scholars receive eight semesters of full tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees, plus funding for summer experiences. Rising sophomores complete the Carolina Summer of Service project. Selection weighs academic achievement and civic engagement. No separate application is required beyond the Duke admissions application. The scholarship is named for Benjamin N. Duke, who funded scholarships for Carolina students.
No essay requiredGolden Door Scholars
Full-TuitionAnnual: October 31DACA, TPS, undocumented, and other high-need students who are graduating high school seniors or recent graduates residing in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina may apply for the Golden Door Scholarship. Applicants need a minimum 3.2 GPA, demonstrated financial need, and a plan to major in a career-ready field. Awards cover full tuition and room and board for up to four years at a participating partner college, along with career coaching and mentorship. Exact amounts may vary by college match. Complete the full application, including required essay and video, plus academic transcripts and other requested materials. Recipients accept their college match and major in a preferred field.
No essay requiredJimmy Rane Foundation Scholarship
Amount variesDue Feb 5, 2027U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores under age 20 and residing in eligible states or the District of Columbia may apply. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or 2.75 GPA (college students), plus demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Award amounts vary based on need and may renew for up to four academic years. Complete the application with details on honors, leadership, community service, financial need, and future goals. Funds must be used at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Student-athletes in intercollegiate sports and exclusively online students are ineligible. The Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to help deserving students pursue college educations.
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Common questions
How many South Carolina scholarships are there?
Award Scholar currently lists 4 verified scholarships for South Carolina students, with amounts and deadlines checked against each sponsor's official page.
Do these scholarships require essays?
Not all of them. 3 of the current awards need no essay, so they take minutes to apply to. The essay-based ones tend to be less crowded and pay more, and Award Scholar can draft those essays in your own voice.
What South Carolina financial aid exists beyond scholarships?
South Carolina runs its own aid programs, including SC Need-Based Grant and LIFE & Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, administered by South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. File the FAFSA (Need-based grants: first-come, first-served while funds last. SC Tuition Grants (independent colleges): August 1, 2026.) to unlock them, then stack private scholarships on top. See the full South Carolina financial aid guide for deadlines and eligibility.
Can South Carolina students also win national scholarships?
Yes. Statewide awards restrict the applicant pool to South Carolina residents, which improves your odds, but they are one layer. Most winning students combine state-restricted awards, national scholarships that match their profile, and state aid.
When is the next deadline?
The next verified deadline in this group is February 5, 2027. Deadlines are spread across the whole year, so a miss is never fatal — new windows open every month.