Finding Money for College2012

South Carolina Commission on Higher

Education

State Scholarships and GrantsHow do students earn it?How do students keep it?

• Step 1 Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Step 2 Document everything: file all copies of forms and communications

• Step 3 Be prompt in communications with colleges and agencies

Students - Make A Plan: Manage Time (Time = Money)

Do not assume you will not qualify

Do not rule out applying to a college because of costDo have a back-up plan

DO NOT pay an application fee to a scholarship search service or to file your FAFSA

STATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship LIFE Scholarship Scholarship Enhancements SC HOPE Scholarship Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTAP) SC Need-based Grant

Initial Eligibility Requirements

1 •Must be a US citizen/legal permanent resident•Must be a South Carolina resident

2 •No felony convictions (exception is Lottery Tuition Assistance)•Not have any second or subsequent alcohol/drug misdemeanors

3 •Not in default of any state or federal loans•Enrolled in a degree-seeking program at an eligible SC institution

Palmetto Fellows Initial Eligibility

Early Awards

• 1200 SAT (math & reading only) or 27 ACT

• 3.5 GPA on SC Uniform Grading Policy

• Rank in top 6% of sophomore or junior class

Final Awards

• 1200 SAT (math & reading only) or 27 ACT

• 3.5 GPA on SC Uniform Grading Policy

• Rank in top 6% of sophomore, junior, or senior class

Palmetto Fellows ALTERNATE Eligibility

Not in the top 6%:

• 1400 SAT (math & reading only)/32 ACT

• 4.0 GPA on SC Uniform Grading Policy

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

Must be a SC resident at the time of initial college enrollment

Must attend an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina immediately upon high school graduation (Fall term)

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Student Responsibilities

Students must submit their signed Certification & Authorization or Declination Form to the Guidance Counselor as soon as possible

Recipients must submit Designation Form to the SC Commission on Higher Education.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Application Deadlines

Early award recipients notified March 2012 by email

Late Application Period opens mid-April 2012 Late Award recipients notified the end of

July 2012 by email

How Do I Keep My Palmetto Fellows Scholarship?

3.0 cumulative institutional

GPA(Cannot

transfer grades from other colleges)

Earn 30 credit hours each

academic year(fall, spring, and summer

terms)

LIFE Scholarship

Eligibility at 2-year

institution:

• 3.0 GPA based on SC Uniform Grading Policy

Award:• Up to the cost of tuition• Maximum award cannot exceed $5,000• Up to four consecutive terms of

eligibility (excluding summers)

LIFE Scholarship

Eligibility at 4-year

institution:

•Earn 2 out of 3:•3.0 GPA on SC Uniform Grading Policy; or•1100 SAT/24 ACT; or•Top 30% of graduating class

Award:• Up to $5,000 (not to exceed cost-of-

attendance)• Up to eight consecutive terms of

eligibility (excluding summers)

“Facts of LIFE”

No application

process

Not required to

begin college

immediately after high

schoolMUST be a SC resident at the time

of high school

graduation AND initial

college enrollment

Can earn the

scholarship while in college

“A Walk Through LIFE”Freshman Class of Fall 2011

By end of Summer

2012

3.0 LIFE GPA

30 credit hours

By end of Summer

2013

3.0 LIFE GPA

60 credit hours

By end of Summer

2014

3.0 LIFE GPA

90 credit hours

LIFE GPA: Grades and Credit Hours

Dual Enrollment and college enrollment while in high school and/or prior to enrolling in college

Grades and credit hours earned at colleges and universities (in-state, out-of state, abroad)

Includes “F” and “D” Grades

Grades and credit hours earned while enrolled in college (including summer school)

LIFE GPA

SC HOPE ScholarshipFreshman Scholarship

Eligibility: • 3.0 high school GPA based on SC Uniform Grading Policy

No application process – based on high school transcripts

Must be a SC resident at the time of high school graduation AND initial college enrollment

Must attend eligible 4-year SC institution;Freshman Only- 2 terms$2,800

Eligibility: SC HOPE to LIFE

SC HOPE LIFE

After 1st year at an eligible SC four year college or university:

•Earn 30 credit hours; and•3.0 LIFE GPA = LIFE Scholarship

Scholarship Enhancements: LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships

Must declare major in

mathematics, science, or

health related field;

To be eligible for Enhancement, during the first year in college, student must earn 14 credit

hours in math/science or

combination; and

Must be a recipient of the LIFE or Palmetto

Fellows Scholarship to be

eligible to receive the

Enhancement.

www.che.sc.gov

Mathematics, Science, or Health-related MajorsFourteen Credit Hour Requirement

All credit hours from an eligible institution

Dual Enrollment

Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarship Enhancements

Must attend an eligible SC

4-year college or university

Starts in second year

May receive maximum

$2500 (not to exceed cost

of attendance)

Palmetto Fellows or LIFEScholarship Enhancements Awards

$6,7001st year (all Palmetto Fellows)

$5,0001st, 2nd , 3rd, 4th year

$10,0002nd , 3rd, 4th Year

$7,5002nd , 3rd, 4th year

Palmetto Fellows LIFE

Eligible Math, Science or

Health Majors

Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP)

2-Year Eligible SC

Institutions

CertificateDiplomaAssociate’s

Degree

Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP)

File FAFSAeach academic year

Lottery Tuition Assistance

Awarded to eligible students

enrolled in eligible 2-year

institutions Fall, Spring, and Summer terms

May attend part-time or full-time

Minimum number of credit hours per term:

6

Award amounts may vary each academic year

Amount adjusted based on other grants

applied to tuition costs

Award amounts for 2010-11 are $936 Full-time

or $78 per credit hour

South Carolina Need-based Grant

SC Public Colleges and Universities

2-Year and 4-Year Eligible SC Public Institutions

US Citizen and SC Resident

Must be “needy” based on Title IV

Degree-seeking: diploma, certificate, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree

Must file the FAFSA each academic

year

SC Independent Colleges and Universities: South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants

Commission

101 Business Park Blvd. Suite 2100Columbia, SC 29203-9498

803-896-1120 (phone)803-896-1126 (fax)

www.sctuitiongrants.com

South Carolina Need-based Grant

Maximum award amount

for eligible part-time

students is $1,250

Eligible SC foster care youth may

receive maximum plus

additional funding

SC CAN GOThe SC CAN GO Campaign is an integrated marketing and advertising campaign

• Funded by the US Dept of Education: College Access Challenge Grant

•Promote a college-going culture in South Carolina and raise needed college access awareness throughout the state

•Encourage South Carolina students and families to take an active role in pursuing higher education

• Show South Carolina students and their families how to overcome perceived barriers

www.SCCANGO.org

SC Commission on Higher Education

Contact Information: www.che.sc.gov

Dr. Karen Woodfaulk, Director of Student Services

Office 803-737-2244, Email kwoodfaulk@che.sc.gov

Elizabeth Caulder Palmetto Fellows, SC Need-based Grant & Lottery Tuition

Assistance Program Manager

Office 803-737-2262, Email ecaulder@che.sc.gov

Gerrick Hampton, LIFE, SC HOPE, and Residency Program Manager

Office 803-734-4397, Email ghampton@che.sc.gov

Financial Aid and College Countdown00:00 12:00

Start – February MAY - Decision August- Enter College

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Check your financial aid budget : www.fafsa.govCheck your eligibility status for State Scholarship/Grants

Make your decision by May 1st

Prepare for college immediately - Summer sessions? Work for extra money?

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