A Student's Guide

To Financial Aid

Grants

Scholarships and Grants are outright gifts of money which do not have to be reimbursed. Eligibility is based on financial need as well as course of study. NOTE: Any portion of a scholarship or fellowship received after August 16, 1986, which is not used directly for tuition and fees is considered taxable income and must be reported on a 1040 tax form.

South Carolina State Need Based Grant (HP, N,) is designed to provide additional financial aid assistance to South Carolina's neediest students enrolled in undergraduate programs. The program assists students who wish to attend public or independent colleges or universities in the state. Awards vary annually based on funding but will not exceed $2,500. To be eligible, a student must: 1) complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid annually and be considered a "needy" student; 2) be a S.C. resident; 3) be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student; 4) be seeking for the first time an associate or baccalaureate degree.

Federal Pell Grant (HP, N,) is a federally supported grant available to all first baccalaureate degree undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The size of the grant is determined annually by a national formula and institutional costs. All undergraduate students are required to apply for a Pell Grant before being considered for other aid.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (HP, N,) provides aid for undergraduate students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree who demonstrate financial need. An FSEOG Award cannot be less than $100 or more than $4,000 per year with the actual amount determined by the institution.