University of South Carolina Scholarships ( & Merit-Based Awards)

The University of South Carolina offers scholarships for non-S.C. resident freshmen, awarded through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Students are automatically considered for merit scholarships when applying for admission. These scholarships are only awarded to first-time freshmen entering the fall semester. One Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, except the Provost Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section.

The scholarships include Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards, which recognize candidates with strong academic records and leadership qualities, plus the Provost Scholars Award for eligible National Merit Finalists who designate USC as their first-choice institution. The Academic Scholar Award applies to freshmen who apply by December 1 and covers general university merit-based scholarship packages. Award eligibility and amounts vary by incoming class, applicant pool size, competitiveness, available funding, and academic achievement.

For the Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards, candidates are invited to a mandatory interview and an in-person Top Scholar Weekend. Stamps, McNair, and Horseshoe Scholars are offered as a Top Scholar award, with designated numbers of Stamps Scholars, McNair Scholars, and Horseshoe Scholars. For the Provost Scholars Award, eligibility depends on being a National Merit Finalist and listing the University of South Carolina as first choice through the National Merit Corporation by the stated deadline. For the Academic Scholar Award, applicants are considered through the admission process and scholarship packages are based on eligibility and academic achievement.

Recipients of General University Scholarships must maintain eligibility to continue the award by being enrolled full-time each semester and maintaining a cumulative 3.0 USC system GPA. The page directs students to review the scholarship policy for further details, and notes that requirements and deadlines are linked to admission-based award consideration.

• Non-S.C. resident freshmen.
• First-time freshmen entering the fall semester.
• For Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Award: submit both a general university application and a South Carolina Honors College application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
• For Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Award: deadline for the Honors College application is Nov. 15.
• For Provost Scholars Award: eligible National Merit Finalists who designate USC as their first-choice institution will receive the award.
• For Provost Scholars Award: National Merit Finalists must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation by the stated deadline.
• For Academic Scholar Award: applicants must apply by December 1 to be considered for one of the general university merit-based scholarship packages.
• One Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, except the Provost Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section.
• Academic Scholar Award eligibility rule: 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.
• To keep the scholarship (General University Scholarships): recipients must be enrolled full-time each semester and maintain a cumulative 3.0 USC system GPA.

• Stamps Scholars Award: annual value approximately $25,810 plus tuition reduction to in-state rate.
• Stamps Scholars Award: four-year value approximately $219,000 plus $15,000 enrichment fund.
• McNair Scholars Award: annual value $24,000 plus tuition reduction to in-state rate.
• McNair Scholars Award: four-year value more than $199,000 plus $14,000 enrichment fund.
• Horseshoe Scholars Award: annual value $11,000 plus tuition reduction to in-state rate.
• Horseshoe Scholars Award: four-year value more than $147,000.
• Provost Scholars Award: valued at $6,000 annually ($24,000 over four years).
• Provost Scholars Award: annual award value includes $500 sponsored by the National Merit Corporation, if applicable.
• Academic Scholar Award: scholarship packages range in value from $6,500 to $30,000 annually.
• Academic Scholar Award: total four-year value of these scholarship packages ranges from $26,000 to $120,000.
• Academic Scholar Award: includes an Academic Scholar Award and an additional USC Scholarship with a value of at least $500.

1. Apply for admission to the University of South Carolina; applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships when they apply.
2. For Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards, submit both a general university application and a South Carolina Honors College application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
3. For the Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards, meet the Honors College application deadline of Nov. 15.

• General university application.
• South Carolina Honors College application (for Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Award).