South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

South Carolina palmetto fellows scholarship
Deadline: Early Award: April 15, Late Award: June 30 ( Annual)
Bachelor’s Degree
Study in: South Carolina, USA

Palmetto Scholarship Description:

This Scholarship in USA is a merit-based initiative started in 1988 to identify and support the state’s top high school seniors who are academically gifted. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education oversees the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program.

The south carolina based Scholarship is $6700 for the first year and $7500 for the second, third, and fourth years. The SC Palmetto Scholarships are academic merit-based scholarships offered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

The award must be used to cover the full cost of attendance, less any other gift aid that was received. The first eight full semesters of study toward a bachelor’s degree at a South Carolina four-year institution that accepts Palmetto Fellows may be supported.

Host Institution(s):

Qualified Institutions in South Carolina, USA.

Scholarship Benefits:

The scholaship beneficialies enjoy the following:

• Palmetto Fellows in their first year receive $6,700.
• Palmetto Fellows in their second, third, or fourth year will receive $7,500.
• An additional $2,500 for second, third, or fourth year Palmetto Fellows majoring in math or science who meet all of the Palmetto Fellows Enhancement requirements.
• Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall semester and half in the spring semester.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen under state residency statutes.
• South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation and during the period of the award.
• Graduated from a South Carolina high school or was a dependent of a parent or guardian who was
• a legal resident of South Carolina at the time of the student’s high school graduation.
• Full-time undergraduate seeking a first baccalaureate degree.
• Must not have been judged delinquent, nor have been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony in any state.
• Must not have been convicted of any second alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor in any state for 12 months prior to the period of the award.
• Must not be in default or owe a refund or repayment on any federal or state financial aid.

Academic Requirements:

Early Awards: By April 15th of the student’s senior year, the school counselor or representative must submit the application and all necessary documentation to the Commission on Higher Education (CHE). The preceding Friday is the deadline if the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday (students cannot use the Early Awards criteria to be eligible for the Late Awards). If a student satisfies one of the following sets of academic requirements, they may apply:

• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 on the SC Uniform Grading Policy (SC UGP) by the end of the junior year and place in the top six percent.
• Score at least 1200 on the SAT (or 27 on the ACT) by the national test administration in March.
• Finish in the top three of the class at the end of either the sophomore or junior year; OR
• Achieve a minimum SAT score of 1400 (ACT score of 32) by the March national test administration and a minimum SC UGP cumulative GPA of 4.00 by the end of the junior year.

Late Awards: The school counselor/representative must apply to the CHE for the scholarship and provide proof by June 30th of the student’s senior year. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the preceding Friday is the deadline. High school seniors who meet one of the following sets of academic requirements are eligible to apply:

• Earn a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA2 on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year; and rank in the top 6% of the class at the end of the sophomore, junior, or senior year; OR
• Earn a minimum of 1400 on the SAT (32 on the ACT)1 by the June national test administration of the senior year, and a minimum of 4.00 cumulative GPA2 on the SC UGP by the end of the senior year.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement:

A merit-based incentive for Palmetto Fellows to major in math and science was created during the 2007 legislative session. During their first year, Palmetto Fellows are not qualified for the Enhancement. From their sophomore year to their senior year, Palmetto Fellows may become qualified for the Enhancement. For students receiving both the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Scholarship Enhancement, the total annual award amount (the sum of the $7,500 Palmetto Scholarship plus the $2,500 Enhancement) cannot exceed $10,000.

To be Eligible, by the end of the first academic year:

• You must successfully complete at least 14 credit hours of instruction in mathematics, life and physical science, or a combination of both
• Declare a major in a recognized math or science program to be eligible for enhancement.
• Beginning with their second/sophomore year of college enrollment, eligible students may receive up to $10,000 (combined funds from the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Scholarship Enhancement) per year.
• At a South Carolina four-year institution that qualifies, students may receive enhancement funding for up to six full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree.

Application Process:

Applications for the scholarship can only be submitted by school counsellors.  A student’s or parent’s submission will be rejected. If you wish to apply for this scholarship, you must contact your school councellor.

• During the fall of the student’s senior year of high school, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education mails application materials to all high schools and home school associations in the State.
• The Palmetto  Scholarship and the deadlines for applications for the current graduating class are also announced in a news release that the Commission distributes to all of the major newspapers in South Carolina.
• Out-of-state high school students are personally responsible for getting in touch with the Commission about the application procedure and must follow the same deadlines.
  By giving the students an application to complete, counselors can help to ensure that all eligible students are given the chance to apply.

Apply Here

FAQs:

How is the qualifying score on the SAT (and equivalent ACT score)determined?

The highest Math score paired with the highest Critical Reading score must be used to calculate the SAT score. Students cannot use their Writing subsection score to meet the SAT minimum. The ACT can now be Superscored beginning with the 2022 high school graduation class. The greatest English, Math, Reading, and Science subject scores must be used to produce a Superscored ACT, and the four scores must be added together. Multiply the total of the four scores by four. Round to the nearest whole number if necessary. The ACT Superscore calculator is available at https://cloud.e.act.org/superscore-calculator.

How much does the S.C. Life scholarship pay?

$5000 per year, the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship is currently $5000 per year for a maximum of four years. LIFE Scholars in their second year and after may also be eligible for a $2500 Enhancement.

What are the 2 ways to be eligible for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship?

Academic Excellence and origin. Refer to the eligibility and academic requirements listed above.

How much is the Palmetto Fellows scholarship?

$6700 for a student’s first year, and $7500 for the second, third, and fourth years.

Can I receive the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship in combination with the LIFE or SC HOPE Scholarship?

No, You cannot receive the LIFE or SC HOPE Scholarships during the same academic year if you are also earning a palmetto fellows and life scholarship. The LIFE Scholarship may be available to you the next academic year, but, if you lose your Palmetto Scholarship at the end of the current academic year.