Scholarship Enhancements Overview

Scholarship Enhancements are awarded to eligible students majoring in CHE approved programs beginning in their second academic year, based on their initial college enrollment date (freshmen are not eligible). LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, along with Scholarship Enhancements, must be used toward the cost of attendance at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. 

Scholarship Award Amounts

• LIFE Scholarship: Recipients receive up to $5,000 per academic year (assuming continued eligibility). With the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, eligible sophomores, juniors, and seniors may receive up to $7,500 per year ($5,000 LIFE Scholarship + $2,500 Enhancement).
• Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: Recipients receive up to $6,700 in their first academic year. Assuming continued eligibility, sophomores, juniors, and seniors receive up to $7,500 per year. With the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement, eligible students may receive up to $10,000 per year ($7,500 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship + $2,500 Enhancement). 

Types of Scholarship Enhancements 

There are two types of Scholarship Enhancements: 

1. STEM Enhancement
2. Education Enhancement 

General Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Enhancements:

To qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement, students must: 

• Be a recipient of the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
• Be enrolled as a full-time*, degree-seeking student in a CHE approved program at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina. (A list of approved majors by institution is available on the Commission’s website.) 

*Or an approved reduced course load through the Office of Accessibility/Disability services. 

STEM Enhancement Eligibility 

In addition to the general eligibility criteria, STEM Enhancement students must: 

• Earn 14 credit hours of approved STEM coursework before the start of their second academic year (based on initial college enrollment).
• Students can use AP, IB, CLEP, Exempt, and Dual Enrollment credit hours to meet the 14 credit-hour requirement (if applicable).  

Education Enhancement Eligibility 

In addition to the general eligibility criteria, Education Enhancement students must: 

• Sign a contractual agreement, committing to either:

1. Work in a South Carolina public school for each year they receive the enhancement, or
2. Repay the funds received if they do not fulfill the service requirement.

• Obtain teacher certification to qualify for scholarship forgiveness. 

Determining Eligibility 

The financial aid office at each eligible institution will determine Scholarship Enhancement eligibility.