COLUMBIA, S.C. — Some high school students in South Carolina may dream of attending the University of South Carolina but find one thing holding them back -- the cost of tuition. To help alleviate the strain of paying for that higher education, on Friday, the University of South Carolina announced the start of the USC Commitment that will cover the cost of tuition and academic fees on all system campuses for in-state students that meet certain criteria.
Beginning with the Fall 2024 freshman class, the USC Commitment will cover four years worth of tuition and academic fees for high school students who are:
- SC residents who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class
- students whose annual family income is less than $80,000
- students who have completed a Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- students must continue to meet academic eligibility requirements
USC has been able to hold tuition rates down for the past six years for South Carolina residents while increasing the number of students receiving need-based air and the average reward.
“Across South Carolina, we know there are bright, hard-working students who deserve the opportunity to earn their college degree but who do not have the financial resources to make this happen. We want them to know the doors are open for them at USC,” President Michael Amiridis said. “Together with our plan to admit the state’s top high school graduates, the USC Commitment ensures that a USC degree is within reach for all students who demonstrate merit and financial need.”
The USC Commitment is made possible through combining state and federal gift aid, private donor and other external scholarships, and part of the recent funding provided from the Governor and members of General Assembly for tuition mitigation. The program is available across all programs, at all USC system campuses.