Welcome to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education's resource page for high school counselors! Our goal is to enhance college access by providing resources to support our counselors as they help students on their higher education journey. As a partner for counselors across the state, the CHE Office of Student Affairs is committed to supporting your efforts in shaping the academic and personal growth of students as they pursue their higher education dreams.

Updated policies on college admission prerequisites and exam-based credit

CHE approved two policies in May that standardize preparatory course requirements for public four-year institutions and the award of college credit for nationally recognized examinations. The policies begin to take effect in fall 2026.

College prep course prerequisite policy: The updated College Preparatory Course Prerequisite Policy spells out the minimum high school coursework required for admission to the state’s public four‑year institutions, replacing previous guidance with a more detailed, college‑readiness‑focused roadmap. Beginning with students who enter high school in fall 2026, a 20‑unit sequence in English, mathematics, laboratory science, social studies, world language, arts, physical education or JROTC, and approved electives will form the baseline for freshman admission starting fall 2030.

Exam-based credit awards policy: A companion policy, the South Carolina Exam-Based Credit Awards Policy, creates a unified statewide approach to awarding college credit for nationally recognized examination programs. The policy covers the following examination programs: Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge Assessment International Education (AICE), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), DANTES Subject Standardized Test (DSST) and International Baccalaureate (IB).

CHE FAFSA First Challenge Results Announced

The CHE is excited to facilitate this friendly statewide competition to encourage schools to support completion of the FAFSA, opening the door to grants, scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities.

The goals of the competition are to increase the number of South Carolina seniors completing the FAFSA and celebrate schools that go above and beyond in supporting college and career readiness. Schools will be recognized in the following areas:

SC CAN GO College Access Events and Campaigns

SC CAN GO, facilitated by the CHE Office of Student Affairs, is a campaign designed to promote a college-going culture for students in our state, and also raise needed college access awareness. Each year, SC CAN GO facilitates access-related events such as College Application Month in the fall, College Goal SC (FAFSA completion) in the winter and spring, and College and Career Decision Day each May.

Visit the SC CAN GO web page to learn more or sign your school up for events.

Important Memos and Policies

• CHE Memo - ACT Concordance (PDF)
• CHE Memo - Final 12th Grade Ranking Reports Memo (PDF)
• College Preparatory Course Prerequisite Requirements for Entering College Freshmen Policy - May 2026 (PDF)
• South Carolina Exam-Based Credit Awards Policy - May 2026 (PDF)
• South Carolina Department of Education Memo - Transcripts for South Carolina State Scholarships (PDF)
• CHE Memo to Financial Aid Directors - Final Transcripts (PDF)

FAFSA

2025-26 FAFSA resources from Federal Student Aid:

• Read the “6 Things Students Need Before They Fill Out the FAFSA Form” article to learn what to gather to access and complete the FAFSA form.
• Visit the Pro Tips for the FAFSA Form webpage for key information that will help students fill out their forms and avoid issues.
• Use the FAFSA Help Center to find frequently asked questions, help articles, videos, infographics, webinars, and more.
• Watch the “What Happens After Submitting Your FAFSA Form?” video for information on next steps and communications students should look for while their FAFSA forms are being processed.

Additional resources

• 2025–26 Counselors and Mentors Handbook on Federal Student Aid
• 2025-26 FAFSA: A How-To Guide (National College Attainment Network)
• CHE New FAFSA Toolkit web page for students and families
• New FAFSA Explained Series (YouTube)
  • Student FSA ID Worksheet
  • Parent FSA ID Worsksheet
• CHE New FAFSA Prep Flyer (PDF)
• NCAN Better FAFSA Toolkit
• Discussing FAFSA With Your Students (PDF)
• CHE FAFSA Simplification Fact Sheet
• FAFSA Application Video Series

College Access Guides

• Paying for College
• Apply for College
• South Carolina's Higher Education Institutions (with interactive map)
• CHE Transfer Student Success Guide (Reminder: Dual enrollment and AP courses are considered transfer credits!)

State Lottery Scholarship Information and Resources

Note: General information on state scholarships and grants is located on our Scholarships and Grants Page

• Class of 2026 Early Application Tutorial
• ACT Science Optional Update
• Early Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Student Invite (PDF)
• Palmetto Fellows Application Status Report Guide
• Palmetto Fellows 25-26 Application Timeline
• 2026 Palmetto Fellows Student Info Packet (PDF)
• Class Rank for Scholarships Regulatory Guides (PDF)
• Class Rank Reports Process (PDF)
• Scholarship Regulations
• State Lottery Scholarships and Grants Printable Flyer (PDF)
• Act 156 Enhancements Guidance for Education and Accounting Majors - Fall 2024 (PDF)
  • Education programs eligible for scholarship enhancements (PDF)
  • Emergency LIFE Scholarship regulations (PDF)
  • Emergency Palmetto Fellows Scholarship regulations (PDF)

 

South Carolina College Graduate Earning Trends

• Visit our Post Secondary Employment Outcomes Explorer which shows the one, five and ten-year earning trends of South Carolina graduates by institution and program.

Academic Common Market: In-State Tuition For Out-Of-State Programs Not Available At State Institutions

The Academic Common Market allows South Carolina residents who are enrolled in specific programs at out-of-state institutions to be charged only the applicable in-state tuition by the institution in which the student is enrolled. Eligible programs must be at least 50 percent different in curricular content than programs offered in South Carolina. Participating states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia (Florida and Texas participate only at the graduate level.)

For additional information, visit our Academic Common Market page.

CHE College Process Ambassador Program

Visit the CHE College Process Ambassador Page to see current Ambassadors and learn about the application process.

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