t’s no secret that college is expensive. The average cost of tuition and fees for the 2019-2020 school year was $36,880 at private colleges, $26,590 at out-of-state public colleges, and $17,560 at in-state public colleges, according to The College Board. And that’s not even considering the cost of room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses. Fortunately, there are several ways to offset the cost of college, including scholarships.
Scholarships are awards of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. They are typically based on academic merit, but many need-based scholarships are also available.CEO Hunter Hobson shares popular scholarships for Charleston students. “It’s never too early to start looking for scholarships,” says Hobson. “Many students and parents don’t realize that there are a lot of scholarships available to students right here in the Lowcountry.”
HOPE Scholarship
The Hope Scholarship is a need-based scholarship offered by the state of South Carolina. To be eligible, students must have a family income of less than $60,000 per year. The amount of the scholarship varies depending on financial need, but it can be up to $5,000 per year.
The HOPE Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship that provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate academic promise and require financial aid to attend college. The scholarship is available to residents of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
LIFE Scholarship
The LIFE Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that provides financial assistance to South Carolina residents who attend an eligible college or university. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and SAT scores of at least 1100 (composite) or 24 (ACT). To apply for the LIFE Scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit a completed LIFE Scholarship application, which is available online.
Palmetto Fellows
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the state of South Carolina. It is a merit-based scholarship that provides full tuition plus a stipend for books and supplies to students who attend an eligible college or university in the state. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and SAT scores of at least 1270 (composite) or 28 (ACT).To apply for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit a completed Palmetto Fellows Scholarship application, which is available online.
Tuition Grants
The Lowcountry Leaders
The Lowcountry Leaders Scholarship is another popular scholarship for Charleston students. The scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership in their school or community. The scholarship provides full tuition and fees for up to four years of study at any accredited two- or four-year college or university in South Carolina.
The Coastal Community Foundation
The Coastal Community Foundation Scholarships are also popular among Charleston students. These scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who demonstrate financial need and who are planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Various Coastal Community Foundation Scholarships are available, each with its specific eligibility requirements.
The Tuition Grant Program
The Tuition Grant Program is a need-based grant offered by the state of South Carolina to eligible full-time undergraduate students who attend participating private colleges and universities in the state. To qualify for this grant program, students must have a family income of less than
The Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market is a program that allows residents of participating states to enroll in out-of-state colleges and universities at in-state tuition rates. The Academic Common Market is available to students pursuing degrees in fields not offered at public colleges and universities in their home state. Students must be residents of one of the participating states to be eligible for the Academic Common Market. They must be accepted into a suitable program of study at a participating college or university.
The Southern Regional Education Board
The Southern Regional Education Board offers several different scholarships for residents of SREB member states. These scholarships are available to high school seniors, community college students, and students transferring from one college or university to another. To be eligible for an SREB scholarship, students must meet the eligibility requirements for the specific scholarship they are interested in.
Other Scholarships
In addition to the scholarships listed above, many other scholarships are available to Charleston students. These include private scholarships, employer-sponsored scholarships, and military-sponsored scholarships. Students should contact their guidance counselor or financial aid office for more information about these and other scholarship opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Many different scholarships are available to students who wish to attend college in Charleston, South Carolina. These scholarships can help cover the cost of tuition, fees, and other expenses associated with attending college. To find out more about these and other scholarship opportunities, students should contact their guidance counselor or the financial aid office at their chosen college or university.
