The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship Program was established under the South Carolina Education Lottery Act during the 2001 legislative session. The program is a merit-based scholarship created for students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded during the freshman year of attendance only. Funding for the program is included in the annual appropriation to the Commission on Higher Education and will be dependent upon the annual proceeds generated by the South Carolina Education Lottery.
Award Amount and Renewal
• Up to $2,800 towards the cost of attendance. This amount is based on the previous year’s funding and is determined each year by the S.C. General Assembly
Renewal Requirements:
• The HOPE Scholarship is for the first year only.
• Students must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA and 30 credit hours (excluding Foundations classes) to receive the SC LIFE Scholarship for subsequent years.
How do I apply for the SC HOPE Scholarship?
There is no application required for the SC HOPE Scholarship. The college or university will determine
eligibility based upon the final official high school transcript and will notify students if eligible to receive the
scholarship. If you believe that you are eligible, but have not received information from the college or
university, please contact the financial aid office at the college to inquire about your eligibility.
How long can I receive the South Carolina HOPE Scholarship?
Students are eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship for no more than two terms (or its equivalent) during
the first year of attendance only. The maximum number of terms of eligibility is based on the student’s
initial college enrollment date with the exception of credit hours earned during the summer session
immediately prior to the student’s initial college enrollment. For example, if a student enrolls in college in
Fall 2005, the last term of eligibility to receive the HOPE Scholarship will be Spring 2006.
Can I qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship if I graduated from a high school outof-state or completed an approved home school program as prescribed by law?
Yes, as long as you can provide verification to the college that you were a dependent of a South Carolina
resident at the time of high school graduation and at the time of college enrollment and you met all other
eligibility criteria.
If you were home schooled, this information must be provided by the approved home school association or
the parent. If you attended an out-of-state high school, then the information must be provided by the public
high school you would have attended if you did not attend an out-of-state high school. An official letter on
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Can you please answer this question for me? If a student fails to maintain a 3.0 gpa after receiving the hope scholarship during freshmen year, is it possible for them to get the life scholarship junior year if their gpa is brought up softmore year.