Financial Aid

Awarded to entering South Carolina resident freshmen who have a final high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on the Uniform Grading Scale.

The HOPE Scholarship is not renewable, but students who earn a 3.0 GPA and 30 hours in the freshman year are eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship in the second year.

$2,800 for the first year only

Available to South Carolina residents who enroll full-time and meet two of the three following criteria:

Have a final high school cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on the Uniform Grading Scale; or

Have an SAT score of 1,100 (ACT of 24); or

Rank in the top 30 percent of the student’s high school graduating class;

Annual renewal, transfer and continuing student eligibility require the student to earn at least 30 semester hours for each year of attendance and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

$5,000 per year

Enhanced Life

Must meet renewal criteria for the LIFE Scholarship (earn an average of 30 hours each year with at least a 3.0 GPA). Available beginning sophomore year and renewable for up to two additional years.

During first year in college, must complete at least 14 credit hours in math and science

Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

Must be enrolled full time and in an approved math/science/health professions degree prior to the beginning of the fall term (visit www.che.sc.gov for eligible programs)

$7,500 per year ($5,000 LIFE + $2,500 Enhancement)

The recipients are selected by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. To be considered for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, a student must meet the following criteria:

Be a South Carolina resident; and

Have a minimum SAT of 1,200 (or ACT of 27); and

Have a minimum grade point average of 3.50; and

Rank in the top 6 percent of the student’s high school graduating class at the end of either the sophomore or the junior year; and

Submit an application by the Dec. deadline of the senior year (visit www.che.sc.gov for deadline date each year). Applications are available from your high school.

For renewal, students must have a 3.0 Lander GPA (transfer courses do NOT impact the LU GPA) and 30 credit hours EACH academic year (Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment credits do NOT count).  Transfer hours may be used during the same academic year toward the 30 hour requirement even though they do not affect the GPA.

$6,700 per year for freshmen

$7,500 per year for upperclassmen

Enhanced Palmetto Fellows

Must meet renewal criteria for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship (earn 30 hours each year with at least a 3.0 GPA). Available beginning sophomore year and renewable for up to two additional years.

During first year in college, must complete at least 14 credit hours in math and science

Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen

Must be enrolled full time and in an approved math/science/health professions degree prior to the beginning of the fall term (visit www.che.sc.gov for eligible programs)

$10,000 per year ($7,500 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship + $2,500 Enhancement)