S.C. HOPE Scholarship

The S.C. HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award funded by the South Carolina Education Lottery and available to eligible South Carolina residents attending the College of Charleston for the first time. Designed for students who meet a strong academic standard in high school, HOPE provides financial support during the critical first year of college — and may serve as a stepping stone to the S.C. LIFE Scholarship beginning in sophomore year.

No separate application is required. The College of Charleston automatically reviews all incoming South Carolina resident students for HOPE eligibility based on the final official high school transcript.

  • Award amount: Up to $2,800
  • Duration: First year of enrollment only (fall and spring semesters)

The information on this page is subject to change by either the South Carolina General Assembly or the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. View the most recent guidelines for the Palmetto Fellows program at S.C. Commission on Higher Education (CHE).

Read More: HOPE Scholarship at CHE

What you need to know about the S.C. HOPE Scholarship

The S.C. HOPE Scholarship has specific eligibility requirements set by the State of South Carolina. Here are some quick answers to help guide you through the process at the College of Charleston.
  • Do I qualify for the HOPE Scholarship?

    To be eligible for the S.C. HOPE Scholarship at the College of Charleston, students must meet all of the following requirements:

    • Graduate from a S.C. high school, complete an approved home-school program, or graduate from a preparatory school outside S.C. while a dependent of a S.C. resident parent or guardian
    • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and a legal resident of South Carolina at the time of high school graduation and college enrollment
    • Be enrolled full-time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) as a degree-seeking student
    • Earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher on the S.C. Uniform Grading Scale upon high school graduation
    • Not be receiving the S.C. LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
    • Not owe a refund or be in default on any federal or state financial aid
    • Have no felony convictions and no second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year

    Note: The HOPE Scholarship is intended for students who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship. If you qualify for either of those awards, you will receive that scholarship instead.

  • What Happens After My First Year?

    The HOPE Scholarship is a first-year award only and does not renew. However, students who meet the S.C. LIFE Scholarship eligibility requirements after their freshman year may transition to LIFE beginning in their sophomore year. To become eligible for LIFE after your first year, you must:

    • Have earned a cumulative LIFE GPA of 3.0 or higher across all college coursework
    • Have completed at least 30 credit hours during your freshman year

    This pathway means HOPE can serve as the beginning of a multi-year state scholarship experience at the College of Charleston. Talk with the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs about your eligibility after your first year.

     

  • How does the HOPE Scholarship work with other College of Charleston aid?

    The HOPE Scholarship is applied directly toward your cost of attendance at the College of Charleston. A few things to keep in mind:

    • HOPE Scholarship recipients cannot receive the Plametto Fellows Scholarship or S.C. LIFE Scholarship
    • The HOPE Scholarship can be combined with College of Charleston institutional aid, up to the total cost of attendance as defined under federal Title IV regulations
    • If dropping below full-time enrollment or withdrawing, contact the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs before making any changes. Doing so may impact your HOPE Scholarship award and could require repayment