Only one Admissions Merit Award per individual is allowed for nonresidents, with the exception of the Provost Scholars Award, which can be added to any other award listed in this section.
Note: The SAT and ACT scores reported in each section represent the averages for those students who chose to have their test scores considered in the previous year’s admissions process. The GPA and ranking figures all represent the average from the prior year’s class.
Stamps Scholars annual value: approximately $22,246 + tuition reduction to in-state
rate + $15,000 enrichment fund
Four-year value: approximately $204,000
McNair Scholars annual value: $22,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate + $12,000
enrichment fund
Four-year value: more than $200,000
Horseshoe Scholars annual value: $11,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: more than $132,000
The Stamps, McNair and Horseshoe Scholars Awards are the most prestigious awards offered by the university to nonresident students. Forty-five students with strong academic records and leadership qualities are offered a Top Scholar award each year. Five will be named Stamps Scholars, 20 will be named McNair Scholars, and up to 20 will be named Horseshoe Scholars. Candidates for these awards will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview and an in-person Top Scholar Weekend. Last year, nonresident Top Scholars had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 1% of their high school class, on average. Recipients qualify for the in-state tuition rate.
Please note: To apply for these scholarships, both an application for general university admission and an Honors College application supplement must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. All students are encouraged to complete the general admissions application by October 15. A separate Honors College application supplement must be completed for Top Scholars award consideration no later than November 15.
Annual value: up to $6,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: up to $112,000
The university awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists. The competition for these awards begins with taking the PSAT/NMSQT in the junior year of high school. To be eligible, National Merit Finalists must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation by the stated deadline. The annual award value includes $500 sponsored by the National Merit Corporation, if applicable. The Provost Scholars Award may be combined with another general university award.
Annual value: $8,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: more than $120,000
Sponsored by the University of South Carolina Alumni Association, these awards signify
outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, talent and service. In 2023, recipients
of this award had an average SAT score of 1550 (ACT score of 35) and an average high
school GPA of 4.8 and were in the top 2% of their high school class, on average.
Note: A separate Honors College application supplement must be completed by Nov. 15
to be considered for the Stamps, McNair, Horseshoe and Alumni Scholars Awards.
Annual value: $4,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: more than $104,000
Recipients of the Elite Award had an average SAT score of 1555 (ACT score of 35) and an average high school GPA of 4.7 and were in the top 3% of their high school class, on average.
Annual value: $2,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: more than $96,000
Recipients of the Excellence Award had an average SAT score of 1520 (ACT score of 34) and an average high school GPA of 4.6 and were in the top 5% of their high school class, on average.
Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction to in-state rate
Four-year value: more than $90,000
Recipients of the Superlative Award had an average SAT score of 1430 (ACT score of 32) and an average high school GPA of 4.6 and were in the top 8% of their high school class, on average.
Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction
Four-year value: more than $63,000
Recipients of the Distinction Award had an average SAT score of 1370 (ACT score of 30) and an average high school GPA of 4.4 and were in the top 15% of their high school class, on average. Recipients of this award receive a significant tuition reduction of nearly half of the nonresident rate.
Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction
Four-year value: more than $41,000
Recipients of the Merit Award had an average SAT score of 1300 (ACT score of 29) and an average high school GPA of 4.4 and were in the top 15% of their high school class, on average. Recipients of this award receive a significant tuition reduction.
Annual value: $500 + tuition reduction
Four-year value: more than $22,000
Recipients of the Recognition Award had an average SAT score of 1300 (ACT score of 29) and an average high school GPA of 4.2 and were in the top 25% of their high school class, on average. Recipients of this award receive a tuition reduction.
*May not be combined with any other general university scholarship offered by the University of South Carolina Office of Undergraduate Admissions, except for Provost Scholars Award.