Types of Financial Aid

SC Scholarship Education Enhancement

The SC Scholarship Education Enhancement is available to qualified students who are in an approved education major and receiving their second, third, or fourth year of SC LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows.

The Education Enhancement award amount is $2,500 per year in addition to the base SC LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows award. The SC LIFE Scholarship/Palmetto Fellows and the Education Enhancement in combination with all other scholarships and grants may not exceed the cost of attendance as defined in Title IV federal student aid regulations.

The Education Enhancement requires recipients to work in a South Carolina public school for each year they receive the enhancement or they must repay the enhancement funds if they do not fulfill the work requirement after graduation or discontinue enrollment in an approved program.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a recipient of the base SC LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows for the current year.
  • Have completed at least two semesters after high school graduation and be in your second, third, or fourth year.
  • Be in an undergraduate program that leads to a teaching degree at graduation.
  • Complete a South Carolina Education Enhancement Agreement each year stating that you agree to teach in a South Carolina public elementary or secondary school in order to receive the Education Enhancement. Failure to fulfill the teaching requirement as listed in the service agreement will result in repayment of the full amount of the Education Enhancement funds received.
  • Majoring in one of the following majors:
    • BA-Art General, Teacher Education
    • BA-Dance, K-12 Teacher Certification
    • BA-English, Teacher Education
    • BME-Music Choral Music Education
    • BME-Music Instrumental Music Education
    • BS-Early Childhood
    • BS-Elementary Education
    • BS-Middle Level Education, English-Language Arts
    • BS-Middle Level Education, Mathematics
    • BS-Middle Level Education, Science
    • BS-Middle Level Education, Social Studies
    • BS-Physical Education Teacher Education
    • BA-Social Studies-9–12
    • BS-Special Ed, Multi-Categorical w/Severe Disabilities
    • BA Modern Languages, French/Teacher Education
    • BA Modern Languages, Spanish/Teacher Education
    • Theatre, K-12 Teacher Licensure
  • Be making progress in your program by meeting the following:
    • Prior to Year 2 - C or better in EDCO 200 or EDCO 185, or have provisional admission to the Teacher Education Program, or have full admission to the Teacher Education Program.
    • Prior to Year 3 - have provisional admission to the Teacher Education Program or have full admission to the Teacher Education Program.
    • Prior to Year 4 - have full admission to the Teacher Education Program.

**Students with an area of emphasis in math and science that are already receiving the LIFE STEM Enhancement will not be eligible for the LIFE Education Enhancement for 2024-2025.

How to Apply

2024-2025 - Complete and submit the SC Education Enhancement Request (pdf - 1.0 M) to the Office of Financial Aid (must contain real signatures). Please allow 2-3 weeks for review.

2025-2026 - Application will be posted in June 2025.