At a glance
Free if eligible- What it covers
- The current CHE page lists $80 per credit toward tuition for eligible fall/spring/summer study. Federal grants and SC Need-based Grant are applied first; actual term funding/amount can change. The page does not label that rate with a specific award year.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- Income / financial rules
- Lottery Tuition Assistance is not based on income or need, but federal grants and SC Need-based Grant must be considered first in the tuition calculation.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 SC residency and U.S. citizen/eligible permanent-resident conditions, and be a degree-seeking student at an eligible two-year institution in at least six credits with satisfactory progress. Eligible schools include the technical colleges, named USC regional campuses and Spartanburg Methodist.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- Application timing
- Check the intended college and term after completing FAFSA or an approved waiver. Rates depend on each term’s funding; no statewide year-specific final application day is established in these sources.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗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
- 1File FAFSA and finish federal-aid determination each academic year, then ask the eligible college for its Lottery aid assessment and current term rate.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
- 2If you already hold a bachelor’s, are in a non-Title-IV programme, dual-enrolled or cannot obtain parent tax information, ask the campus whether the FAQ’s FAFSA Waiver branch applies. Complete its required waiver/documents; do not simply skip the aid process.As of Oct 16, 2026 · South Carolina Commission on Higher Education ↗
What to watch for
Common questions
What is the main benefit?
The current CHE page lists $80 per credit toward tuition for eligible fall/spring/summer study. Federal grants and SC Need-based Grant are applied first; actual term funding/amount can change. The page does not label that rate with a specific award year.
Is there an income limit?
Lottery Tuition Assistance is not based on income or need, but federal grants and SC Need-based Grant must be considered first in the tuition calculation.
When should I apply?
Check the intended college and term after completing FAFSA or an approved waiver. Rates depend on each term’s funding; no statewide year-specific final application day is established in these sources.
Sources & verification
Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.