S.C. Promise FAQs
Q: What does the scholarship cover?
A: The scholarship covers any courses offered by one of the 16 S.C. technical colleges that lead to an associate degree, certificate or diploma. The S.C. Promise Scholarship will be applied toward the remaining cost of tuition, mandatory fees, program fees and books after other forms of financial aid such as S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and Pell are applied.
Q: Does the scholarship cover the cost of books?
A: Yes. The scholarship includes a $300 allowance for books.
Q: Does the scholarship include online classes?
A: Yes, the scholarship covers any courses offered by one of the 16 S.C. technical colleges that lead to a certificate, diploma or associate degree. These courses may be offered online, in-person, hybrid, evening, daytime, etc.
Q: I am eligible based on the graduation requirements, but I do not live in Berkeley County now. Can I receive the scholarship?
A: Yes. The scholarship is portable, meaning you may use it at Trident Tech or at any of the other 15 technical colleges in S.C. It also transfers with you if you transfer from one technical college to another technical college in S.C.
Q: Am I eligible if I have received a bachelor’s degree?
A: No
Q: If I graduated from a high school in Charleston or Dorchester County, can I get the scholarship?
A: You are only eligible if:
- You graduated from a public or private high school in Berkeley County from 2013 to 2018; OR
- You resided in Berkeley County and received a GED from 2013 to 2018; OR
- You resided in Berkeley County and graduated from a home school from 2013 to 2018.
Q: Can I enroll in Fall 2 with 6 hours and receive the scholarship?
A: Yes, you can apply scholarship funds to Fall 1, Fall 2 and Fall Full.
Q: Can I enroll in Spring classes and receive the scholarship?
A: The S.C. Legislature funded the scholarship with a finite amount. If funds are still available, you will be able to use the scholarship beyond Fall semester.
Q: I have already received an associate degree, certificate or diploma. Am I eligible to receive the scholarship for another associate degree, certificate or diploma?
A: Yes
Q: I have already enrolled for Fall Semester. Can I receive the scholarship for 2018-19?
Yes. You will need to complete the S.C. Promise application and meet all eligibility requirements.
Q: I took classes at Trident Tech a while back. Am I eligible?
A: If you do not have a bachelor’s degree and meet the eligibility requirements, you are eligible.
Q: Is the scholarship for only students who are starting college during the 2018-19 year?
A: No, current students are eligible.
Q: Is the scholarship based on need?
A: No
Q: I received other scholarships and/or financial aid. Am I eligible?
A: The S.C. Promise Scholarship will be applied after other forms of financial aid such as S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and Pell are applied.
Q: I was a Berkeley County resident who graduated from a home school 2013-2018 but my home school is located outside of Berkeley County. Am I still eligible?
A: Yes
Q: The form asks, “From which secondary school district did you earn your high school diploma...” I graduated from a private school, and my diploma was not issued by a school district. Am I eligible?
A: Yes
Q: I did not graduate from a Berkeley County high school but I did graduate from one of the other school districts listed. Am I eligible to attend Trident Technical College or do I have to attend the technical college in my area?
A: You can attend Trident Technical College. Any student from any of the eligible school districts is eligible at any S.C. technical college.
Q: If I use the S.C. Promise Scholarship at Trident Technical College in Fall Semester and then transfer to another S.C. technical college for Spring Semester, am I eligible to receive the scholarship at both colleges?
A: Yes, you can transfer and still be eligible for the scholarship up to $2,000 for the year. Although, it is important to note that each college has a set allocation. Once the college expends all of its allocation, awarding will cease. Example: if a college awards all of its allocation for Fall Semester, it will not make additional awards in the spring. The colleges will not all award in the same manner, nor will they run out of funding at the same time. Check with the college you plan to attend to determine availability of the scholarship.
Q: How does the $300 book stipend work?
A: This is an allowance, not a stipend. Regardless of the cost of a student’s books, the amount is capped at $300.
Q: Why can’t I get the full $2,000?
A: All other gift aid (Pell, other scholarships, etc.) credits to the student’s account first. The scholarship only covers remaining eligible costs (tuition, mandatory fees and up to $300 for books) required for the student’s program of study. This scholarship will not generate a refund to the student.