South Carolina Need-Based Grant

The South Carolina Needs-Based Grant offers state funds during fall and spring semesters to provide additional financial assistance for South Carolina residents.  The funding from this program is based on availability of funds.

Eligibility:

• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
• Complete a PTC SC Need Based/Federal Program Certification Form.
• Be a South Carolina resident for a minimum of one year if an independent student. If a dependent student, parents must have resided in South Carolina for a year.
• Have financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• Be enrolled and maintain six credit hours fall and spring semester in a certificate, degree or diploma program.
• As a returning student, must have successfully completed prior year enrollment
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Cannot have previously received an associate’s or baccalaureate degree.
• Cannot receive this grant for more than 8 semesters.

LIFE Scholarship

• Graduate from a SC High School with a 3.0 GPA on the state's uniform grading system (UGS). Student can be a graduate of an approved home school program or a graduate of a preparatory school outside this State if a dependent of a parent or guardian who is a legal SC resident who has custody of the dependent. 
• Ensure that the Enrollment Center has a copy of your high school transcript. If you are a not a recent high school graduate, further information may be required
• Complete a PTC LIFE Certification Form.
• Enroll in at least 12 credit hours for the fall and spring terms of non-remedial courses; however, to retain the scholarship, 30 credit hours have to be earned within the academic year (fall – summer). Remedial courses are RDG, ENG or MAT 010-099. These are not counted toward the 30 credit hour requirement
• All 100 level courses count in the eligible hours to receive the LIFE scholarship if students are seeking a certificate or a diploma in the first year of college; however, the hours earned in 100 level courses are not counted toward the 30 credit hour requirement to retain the scholarship for the following year. 
• Students have 2 terms of eligibility for a diploma or certificate program or 4 terms of eligibility in an associate degree program. Terms of eligibility begin with the students’ first term of enrollment. 
• All college credits and GPAs earned at South Carolina colleges and universities will be counted toward LIFE eligibility.  This GPA is the LIFE GPA.  To find out what your LIFE GPA is please contact the PTC Financial Aid Office. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to submit transcripts from all institutions attended to determine eligibility for the LIFE scholarship.  Institutions will verify this information 
• Students can progress from a certificate or diploma into an associate degree but must be in the associate degree program by the 2nd year of eligibility.
• Students can receive the LIFE Scholarship in addition to PELL; therefore, all students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Once a student receives the LIFE Scholarship, the student cannot receive LTA within the same academic year (fall-summer).

The LIFE Scholarship award will be cost of full time tuition for fall and spring semesters in addition to a $300 book allowance.

South Carolina Education Lottery

Please see our Lottery Information

Additional information on these state programs can be found at the S.C. Commission on Higher Education's Web site under the Student Services link.