When you apply for admission, you are automatically considered for merit scholarships. These scholarships are only awarded to first-time freshmen entering the fall semester. Only one Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, with the exception of the Provost Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section.
Stamps Scholars annual value: approximately $23,610 + tuition reduction to in-state
rate + $15,000 enrichment fund Horseshoe Scholars annual value: $11,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate The Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards are the most prestigious awards offered
by the university to nonresident students. Forty-five students with strong academic
records and leadership qualities are offered a Top Scholar award each year. Five will
be named Stamps Scholars, 20 will be named McNair Scholars, and up to 20 will be named
Horseshoe Scholars. Candidates for these awards will be invited to participate in
a mandatory interview and an in-person Top Scholar Weekend. Last year, nonresident
Top Scholars had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high
school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 1% of their high school class, on average. Recipients
qualify for the in-state tuition rate. Please note: To apply for these awards, you must submit both a general university application and a South Carolina Honors College application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline for the Honors College application
is Nov. 15. Annual value: up to $6,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate The university awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists. The competition for
these awards begins with taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the junior year of high school.
To be eligible, National Merit Finalists must list the University of South Carolina
as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation by the stated deadline.
The annual award value includes $500 sponsored by the National Merit Corporation,
if applicable. The Provost Scholars Award may be combined with another general university
award. Annual value: $8,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate Sponsored by the University of South Carolina Alumni Association, these awards signify
outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, talent and service. Recipients of
this award had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high
school GPA of 5.4 and were in the top 2% of their high school class, on average. Annual value: $4,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate Recipients of the Elite Award had an average SAT score of 1533 (ACT score of 35) and
an average high school GPA of 4.9 and were in the top 3% of their high school class,
on average. Annual value: $2,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate Recipients of the Excellence Award had an average SAT score of 1517 (ACT score of
35) and an average high school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 5% of their high school
class, on average. Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction to in-state rate Recipients of the Superlative Award had an average SAT score of 1430 (ACT score of
32) and an average high school GPA of 4.7 and were in the top 8% of their high school
class, on average. Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction Recipients of the Distinction Award had an average SAT score of 1370 (ACT score of
31) and an average high school GPA of 4.4 and were in the top 15% of their high school
class, on average. Recipients of this award receive a significant tuition reduction
of nearly half of the nonresident rate. Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction Recipients of the Merit Award had an average SAT score of 1313 (ACT score of 29) and
an average high school GPA of 4.4 and were in the top 15% of their high school class,
on average. Recipients of this award receive a significant tuition reduction. Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction Recipients of the Recognition Award had an average SAT score of 1240 (ACT score of
29) and an average high school GPA of 4.6 and were in the top 25% of their high school
class, on average. Recipients of this award receive a tuition reduction. *May not be combined with any other general university merit-based scholarship offered
by the University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions, except for
Provost Scholars Award.
Four-year value: approximately $225,000
McNair Scholars annual value: $22,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate + $12,000
enrichment fund
Four-year value: more than $198,000
Four-year value: more than $142,000
Four-year value: up to $122,800
Four-year value: more than $130,000
Note: A separate Honors College application must be completed by Nov. 15 to be considered
for the Stamps, McNair, Horseshoe and Alumni Scholars Awards.
Four-year value: more than $114,000
Four-year value: more than $106,000
Four-year value: more than $100,000
Four-year value: more than $68,000
Four-year value: more than $44,000
Four-year value: more than $24,000
For important and frequently asked questions about UofSC's freshman scholarships and policies, review the Scholarship FAQs.