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• Start the process by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid, also known as the FAFSA. This form is the government’s way of
determining how much money you and your family can afford to pay
towards college. You will need Federal Tax
Returns and other financial paperwork for the previous calendar year. Be
sure to check with your college’s financial aid office for FAFSA
application deadlines.
• Filling out your FAFSA is a good start for all of the federal programs such
as the Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Academic
Competitiveness Grant, and the three fundamental types of federal student
loans, the Stafford Loan, the PLUS Loan, and the Perkins Loan. The
FAFSA starts the process for the SC Higher Education Tuition Grant if
you are attending an eligible independent college or university in South
Carolina.
• Most of the state scholarship programs like the LIFE scholarship, HOPE
scholarship, and Lottery Tuition Assistance are automatic for South
Carolinians if you attend a college or university in SC. The school will
review your academic transcript, and if you meet the eligibility
requirements, you’ll be awarded the scholarships. For the Palmetto
Fellows Scholarship, you should check with your high school guidance
counselor regarding eligibility criteria.
• Look for “private” scholarships; free scholarship search engines are
available which will match you with scholarships you may qualify for.
Apply for as many scholarships as you can because you might be
pleasantly surprised with the results.
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