At a glance
Free if eligible- What it covers
- Base awards are capped at $5,000 per academic year including the $300 book allowance. Four-year awards use up to $4,700 tuition plus books; two-year/technical awards use their specified tuition benchmark. The campus applies actual costs and all-aid limits; this is not full cost-of-attendance coverage.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- Income / financial rules
- LIFE is merit-based rather than a general need award; initial academic and continued GPA/credit rules apply. The scholarship combined with other grants/scholarships cannot exceed attendance cost.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- Who to check first
- Meet South Carolina residency and citizenship/permanent-residency conditions at the required school stage, graduate from high school/approved home schooling and enroll full-time in an eligible SC degree programme. Financial-aid default/refund and conduct conditions also apply.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- Application timing
- The college determines LIFE eligibility without a separate scholarship application. Meet its official-record and award-review timetable; no single year-specific final application day is established by the reviewed FAQ.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
Check your eligibility
Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.
How to apply
- 1Provide the college with final official school records, SC-UGP GPA/rank and qualifying test results when needed. The college determines LIFE eligibility automatically; contact its aid office if eligible but not notified.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- 2Confirm your first-enrollment date, degree-specific funded-term limit and renewal credits/LIFE GPA with the campus. If needing disability-related adjustments, register with Disability Services and obtain its annual written approval to Financial Aid.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
What to watch for
Common questions
What is the main benefit?
Base awards are capped at $5,000 per academic year including the $300 book allowance. Four-year awards use up to $4,700 tuition plus books; two-year/technical awards use their specified tuition benchmark. The campus applies actual costs and all-aid limits; this is not full cost-of-attendance coverage.
Is there an income limit?
LIFE is merit-based rather than a general need award; initial academic and continued GPA/credit rules apply. The scholarship combined with other grants/scholarships cannot exceed attendance cost.
When should I apply?
The college determines LIFE eligibility without a separate scholarship application. Meet its official-record and award-review timetable; no single year-specific final application day is established by the reviewed FAQ.
Sources & verification
Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.