MeritPlaybook / Take-home research
South Carolina · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer
Public flagship with two parallel merit ladders: a stat-driven general university scholarship for in-state and out-of-state freshmen, plus the invitation-only Top Scholars program (Stamps, McNair, Carolina, Horseshoe, 1801) that pairs a six-figure four-year package with the Honors College. Out-of-state Top Scholars uniquely receive the in-state tuition rate for four years.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
First 3 of 15 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
$3,000/year (four-year value $12,000) · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: Class rank: first in class.
Renewal: Renewable for 8 semesters with USC GPA ≥ 3.0
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/financial_aid/scholarships/scholarships_for_sc_residents
$1,000/year (four-year value $4,000) · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
SAT: 1450+ · ACT: 33+
Eligibility: Must be a named SC Palmetto Fellow.
Renewal: Renewable for 8 semesters with USC GPA ≥ 3.0
Other terms: Stacks on top of any other general university award. Combined with Palmetto Fellows ($6,700–$7,500), this builds a $7,700+/year base before adding any other USC merit.
https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/financial_aid/scholarships/scholarships_for_sc_residents
$3,300 (one-time, freshman year only) · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: Must be a Palmetto Fellows recipient enrolling in a STEM-eligible major (science, math, technology, or engineering).
Renewal: Not marked as renewable in this record. Ask the school whether renewal is available.
Other terms: Stacks on any general university award. After freshman year, the STEM Supplement role is taken by the multi-year Palmetto Fellows STEM Enhancement (state-funded), which adds approximately $2,500/year sophomore through senior year for students who earn 14 hours of math/science by end of freshman year.
Recorded stacking policy: USC's general university awards are mostly mutually exclusive: recipients receive only one general award, with three explicit exceptions (the Provost Scholars Award, Presidential Scholars Award, and USC STEM Supplement, each of which can combine with another general award). State scholarships (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE) explicitly stack on top of general university awards per state regulations. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/south-carolina/merit-aid
The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.
