2027 University of South Carolina Top Scholars Awards (US Based)

Scholarship Awarding University:

Type of degree:

Bachelor’s

Scholarship Deadline:

Applications for this scholarship will end on the

Scholarship Summary:

The Top Scholar awards are the University of South Carolina’s most prestigious awards bestowed on academically gifted domestic freshmen. If you have a strong academic record and are a leader in your high school and community, you are encouraged to apply for the Top Scholars competition for these awards.

Scholarship Applicant Criteria:

As reference, past Top Scholars had an average SAT score of 1530 (ACT score of 35), an average weighted high school GPA of 5.3 and were in the top 1% of their high school class, on average.

Value of Scholarship:

The Top Scholar Awards are valued as follows;

1. For South Carolina residents:

i. Stamps Scholars annual value: Up to $20,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund {Five awards available}
Four-year value: Approximately $80,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund

ii. Carolina Scholars Award annual value: $15,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund {Twenty awards available}

Four-year value: $60,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund

iii. 1801 Scholars Award annual value: $10,000 {Twenty-five awards available}
Four-year value: $40,000

2. For out-of-state residents:

i. Stamps Scholars annual value: Approximately $25,810 + tuition reduction to in-state rate + $15,000 enrichment fund {Five awards available}
Four-year value with tuition reduction: Approximately $219,000 + $15,000 enrichment fund

ii. McNair Scholars annual value: $24,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate + $14,000 enrichment fund {Twenty awards available}
Four-year value: More than $199,000 + $14,000 enrichment fund

iii. Horseshoe Scholars annual value: $11,000 + tuition reduction to in-state rate {Twenty awards available}
Four-year value with tuition reduction: More than $147,000

Scholarship Application Guide:

To apply;
i. Submit a completed general UofSC admissions application, preferably by the early action deadline.

Students should answer a “yes/no” question on the general application to indicate their interest in applying to the South Carolina Honors College.

ii. Submit the . This application requires completion of two essay prompts (500-1000 words) and one personal interest statement (150-300 words). Deadline is stated above.

The separate Honors College application supplement will be added to the USC Admissions Portal approximately 48 hours after submitting the freshman application. Students will receive an email from the USC office once the application supplement is available

iii. One supplemental material of your choice: self-reported SAT/ACT scores, self-reported AP/IB/AICE scores or a graded writing assignment. Submit all required supplemental admission materials.
iv. One letter of recommendation
v. Resume (optional, but highly recommended)
vi. Approximately, 50 SC residents and 45 out-of-state students with strong academic records who are leaders in their high schools and communities, will be invited to participate in an interview weekend.

Honors College admission notifications will be sent via email by mid-February. If you are named a Top Scholar Candidate, you will be invited to participate in a mandatory interview and in-person event.

vii. Of these candidates, 20 candidates will be named Carolina Scholars, 25 are named 1801 Scholars, 20 will be named McNair Scholars and 20 will be named Horseshoe Scholars.
viii. The top five SC candidates and the top five out-of-state candidates will be named Stamps Scholars and will receive the top scholarship along with an enrichment stipend to fund opportunities such as undergraduate research, study abroad, service projects or unpaid internships.

Scholarship Website:

Find further information on this scholarship opportunity at the University of South Carolina Resident Scholarships Page or University of South Carolina Non-Resident Scholarships Page.

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