Grants 

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based award that does not have to be repaid. It is only available to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and are eligible based on the FASFA. Award amounts vary based on enrollment status, such as full-time or half-time enrollment and the student's SAI (Student Aid Index). Pell Grant eligibility is limited to six years, or 12 semesters.
For more information, please visit the Federal Pell Grant website.

Children of Fallen Heroes and Iraq & Afghanistan Service Grant

The FASFA Simplification Act changes eligibility and award amounts for what were formerly called the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) and Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Award. Beginning with the 2024-25 award year, students who meet the Special Rule Pell Grant eligibility under HEA Section 401(c) will receive the Maximum Pell Grant, regardless of their calculated Student Aid Index (SAI).

To receive the Maximum Pell Grant under the Special Rule, the student must be the child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while:

• Serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or
• Actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; and
• Less than 33 years old as of January 1 prior to the award year the student is applying.

Required Information

Students must provide the following parent/guardian information:

• Name of Parent/Guardian (printed)
• Date of Parent/Guardian's Birth
• Date of Parent/Guardian's Death

Acceptable documentation

Documentation may include, but is not limited to:

• A Public Safety Officers Benefits (PSOB) determination letter from the Department of Justice
• A written attestation or determination from a state or local government official
• Documentation of state tuition or other benefits for children of public safety officers (42 U.S.C. 3796b) or fire police officers
• Other credible documentation describing the death and the parent/guardian's occupation
• Copy of the service member's DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty)
• Copy of the service member's DD Form 214 and death certificate
• Department of Veteran Affairs Death Narrative Document

Students must self-identify this status and submit documentation to the student financial aid office.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 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.

For additional information, please visit the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

South Carolina State Need Based Grant

The SC State Need Based Grant 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 $3,500. To be eligible, a student must: 1) complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually and be considered an “of-need” 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.

For additional information, please visit the South Carolina State Need Based Grant