South Carolina scholarships: Free money for SC students

The Golden Door Scholarship is open to graduating high school students or students who have graduated from a United States high school, or have earned or will earn a high school equivalency diploma. Applicants must reside in one of the eligible regional states. They must be willing to relocate to and enroll full-time in a bachelor's degree program. Applicants can not be a current college student. Scholarship recipients will receive funding for a four-year degree at a Golden Door Scholars regional partner school beginning in the Fall 2026 semester. Additional benefits include mentorship and career coaching. Students who have applied to or are interested in other colleges not considered a GDS partner school should still plan to apply. Students at non-partner schools in the regional areas of NC, SC, and GA may still receive support on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must be willing to pursue majors aligned with Golden Door Scholars' preferred majors list. Software engineering, data analytics, business analytics, and digital marketing are a few popular career paths that meet these criteria. Preference is given to applicants interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree that is career-ready and has high earning potential, meaning applicants will not require an advanced degree to begin their careers. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The mission of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities. Students may receive up to $6,000 of yearly scholarship for four years, including $300 a year for summer enrichment. Qualifying applicants are invited to a regional screening and all applicants are notified as to whether they have been selected for this second phase of the identification process. The regional screening includes an interview, a presentation, and an assessment of writing ability. The purpose of the interview and presentation is to assess the following: communication skills, commitment to education, knowledge of educational issues, leadership potential, originality in responses, and problem-solving ability. Applicants who have been invited to participate in a regional screening also will be scheduled to complete a 30 minute assessment of writing ability. Students will be screened through a written and oral application process, and will be selected based on high academic achievement, a history of service to the school and community, and a desire to teach South Carolina's children. Please visit the award's website for more information.

The James Cothran, KD3NI, Scholarship will be awarded to those with any active Amateur Radio License Class. Applicants must be residents of the Atlantic Division, the Roanoke Division, the Southeastern Division or Washington, D.C. Applicants may be pursuing any field of study in any institution. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the ARRL Foundation Inc. for more information.

The James F. Byrnes Foundation College Scholarship is available to seniors in high school who have lost one or both parents and who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree. Applicants must have a satisfactory academic record and have received their SAT/ACT score. They must also demonstrate excellence in character, ability, and enterprise to indicate that the student will make worthwhile contributions to society. The annual award is applied for each year of a four-year bachelor's degree program, for the sum of 4 years. To access the application, students must submit an email request first. Upon receipt, a link to the application will be sent directly to the student. Once the application is submitted, reference forms will be sent to the listed references for completion and return. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarships are awarded to students from communities in and near the Savannah River valley where Brown was raised and spent the majority of his adult life. The primary mission of the Watson-Brown Foundation is providing scholarships to select Georgia and South Carolina students attending accredited four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Eligible students must be from one of the eligible 23 counties in Georgia and South Carolina. A student's permanent address must be within the designated county region at the time of high school graduation. Current high school seniors or current undergraduate students may apply for the scholarship. Students must plan to attend a 4 year, regionally accredited, non-profit college. The Foundation recognizes colleges and universities accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies, such as SACS. Scholarship funds may only be used to cover approved cost of attendance expenses for a recipient's first four eligible years of undergraduate study. The number of eligible funding semesters awarded to new recipients is determined based on the applicant's total years of post-secondary education completed as of the initial semester of award eligibility. Applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher/professor, religious leader, coach, employer, or others who have important roles in their life. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Ted G. Wilson Memorial Scholarship is available to all students, high school seniors and above, who plan to further their education in the construction industry. Only those that are a resident of, or plan to attend a school or university in the states where PCEA has an established Chapter will qualify. The scholarship will be awarded based on the following threefold considerations: academic ability, need, and desire to enter the Construction Industry. Recipients shall pursue a course of study leading to a B.S. degree in Construction or Engineering directly related to the Construction Industry. Applicants must submit one evaluation form completed by their High School Guidance Counselor or College Faculty Advisor, whichever is applicable at time of the application. High School Principal evaluation is acceptable when Counselor information is not available. Applicants must also submit one evaluation form completed by an adult not related to the applicant. Finalists may be interviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program provides tuition assistance to South Carolina residents attending a two-year public or private institution. The first step to apply for Lottery Tuition Assistance is to complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The student should contact the institutional financial aid office for questions of any additional steps that are necessary to be considered for Lottery Tuition Assistance. Please visit the award's website for more information and the list of all eligible institutions.

The Whitehead Scholars Program is a regional scholarship designed especially for women. Scholarship requirements focus on a holistic "head, heart, and hands" education model, fostering well-rounded individuals through the integration of work, service, and reflection. Applicants must be self-identified as Christian. They must be residents of one of the following southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. Its purpose is to increase access to higher education, improve employability of South Carolina students, provide incentives for students to be better prepared for college, and encourage students to graduate from college on time. The scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms, based on the student's initial college enrollment date. There is no application for the LIFE Scholarship. The college or university will automatically determine eligibility and will notify students if they are eligible for the scholarship. If you believe that you are eligible, but have not received notification from the institution, please contact the financial aid office at the college or university for additional information.