Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Columbia, SC
How students pay for the University of South Carolina-Columbia
Sticker price $32,193 a year. After grants, the average student pays $22,197, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $13,832 to $28,504.
- 60%admitted
- 29,820undergraduates
- 79%graduate
- 71%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
Gamecock Guarantee
Who: First-generation, Pell-eligible South Carolina residents entering as first-time, full-time freshmen who apply for admission by December 1, file the FAFSA early, and have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline; limited number invited after April 1 What: At least $5,000 a year for four years, increased as needed so grants and scholarships cover undergraduate tuition, the technology fee and average program fees (not housing or meals)
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $37,376 a year versus $12,688 for South Carolina residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
71%grant from University of South Carolina-Columbiaavg $2,982
19%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,402
50%state grantavg $5,799
48%federal student loanavg $5,383
Scholarships from University of South Carolina-Columbia
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Stamps, Carolina and 1801 Scholars Awards (S.C. residents)Stamps about $20,000 a year; Carolina $15,000 a year; 1801 $10,000 a year (plus enrichment funds for Stamps and Carolina)
About 50 top South Carolina resident freshmen each year, chosen after a mandatory interview and Top Scholar Weekend.
- Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards (nonresidents)Stamps about $25,810 a year; McNair $24,000 a year; Horseshoe $11,000 a year; each plus tuition reduction to the in-state rate
About 45 top out-of-state freshmen each year, chosen after a mandatory interview and Top Scholar Weekend.
- Academic Scholar Award packages (nonresidents)$6,500 to $30,000 a year
Out-of-state first-time freshmen entering in the fall, based on academic record; includes an extra USC Scholarship of at least $500.
- Provost Scholars AwardUp to $10,000 a year for S.C. residents; $6,000 a year for nonresidents
National Merit Finalists who list USC as their first-choice school; can be combined with other USC merit awards.
- Valedictorian Scholars Award
South Carolina residents ranked first in their class at an S.C. high school with at least 20 graduates.
- University of South Carolina STEM Supplement$3,300, freshman year only
Qualifying South Carolina resident freshmen in STEM fields, as listed with the resident merit awards.
Priority FAFSA deadline: April 1 (to be considered for all financial aid resources).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · South Carolina
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
Set each year by the state and awarded by your college; at the University of South Carolina it is $100 to $1,500 per semester
Who qualifies: South Carolina residents with financial need, enrolled full-time in a first bachelor's degree at an eligible South Carolina college.
How: File the FAFSA; no separate application. No state deadline is published, so file early and ask your aid office for its date.
Official rules →State grant · South Carolina
LIFE Scholarship
Up to $5,000 a year at a four-year college ($4,700 for tuition plus $300 for books); up to $7,500 for eligible science and math majors from the second year. The state sets the amount each year.
Who qualifies: South Carolina residents who graduated from a South Carolina high school (or were dependents of a resident) and met two of three: a 3.0 high-school GPA on the state's Uniform Grading Scale, an SAT of 1100 or ACT of 22, and a top-30% class rank.
How: No application: your college checks eligibility and awards it automatically.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Columbia
| Studio | $1,330/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,510/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $820/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 29208. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in South Carolina
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 4 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage applies. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$20,500median federal debt≈ $233/month over 10 years
$69,024median earnings10 years after enrolling
79%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for University of South Carolina-Columbia
Does University of South Carolina-Columbia offer free tuition?
Yes: Gamecock Guarantee. First-generation, Pell-eligible South Carolina residents entering as first-time, full-time freshmen who apply for admission by December 1, file the FAFSA early, and have household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline; limited number invited after April 1 At least $5,000 a year for four years, increased as needed so grants and scholarships cover undergraduate tuition, the technology fee and average program fees (not housing or meals).
What scholarships does University of South Carolina-Columbia offer?
Stamps, Carolina and 1801 Scholars Awards (S.C. residents) (Stamps about $20,000 a year; Carolina $15,000 a year; 1801 $10,000 a year (plus enrichment funds for Stamps and Carolina)); Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards (nonresidents) (Stamps about $25,810 a year; McNair $24,000 a year; Horseshoe $11,000 a year; each plus tuition reduction to the in-state rate); Academic Scholar Award packages (nonresidents) ($6,500 to $30,000 a year); Provost Scholars Award (Up to $10,000 a year for S.C. residents; $6,000 a year for nonresidents); Valedictorian Scholars Award (Not stated on the page). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does University of South Carolina-Columbia really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $22,197 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $13,832 to $28,504. The full cost of attendance before aid is $32,193.
Does University of South Carolina-Columbia give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 71% of first-year students received a grant from University of South Carolina-Columbia itself, averaging $2,982. 19% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,402).
How much is rent near University of South Carolina-Columbia?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (29208) is $1,510 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,640 for a two-bedroom, about $820 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
Yes. The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $20,500, about $233 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $69,024.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of South Carolina-Columbia. How these pages work.
More in South Carolina: All colleges in South Carolina →