Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence Scholarship Program (LIFE)
The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is a merit-based
scholarship program administered by the financial aid office at each eligible public
and independent institution in South Carolina. The LIFE Scholarship may be used towards
the cost-of-attendance for up to eight terms based on the students' initial college
enrollment date. Students with a baccalaureate degree are ineligible. The SC LIFE Scholarship award amount is up to the cost-of-attendance, not to exceed
$5,000. The funds are generally split between fall and spring terms.
All students must qualify for the LIFE Scholarship with a minimum 3.0 LIFE GPA. The LIFE GPA includes the student’s GPA earned at all eligible public or independent institutions
attended by the student. This means that a student (new or continuing) can take courses
at a regionally accredited public or independent institution located in SC or out
of state during any term (fall, spring and/or summer) and the grades earned will be
used to calculate a LIFE GPA at the end of each academic year.
Please note that the LIFE GPA will be used to determine LIFE Scholarship eligibility only and will not be used to determine graduation eligibility or standing. This also includes grades earned while dually enrolled during high school. The LIFE GPA will NOT include remedial, non-degree credit courses or continuing education courses.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that transcripts from all institutions attended are sent to the USC Beaufort Admissions Office by the beginning of each academic year (Fall semester).
In order to be considered for a LIFE Scholarship, students must meet the following general eligibility requirements:
- Graduate from high school or complete a home school program as prescribed by law;
- Attend an eligible South Carolina public or private college or university;
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder) at the time of high school graduation AND be a legal resident of South Carolina as defined in applicable State statutes governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purporsed at the time of high school graduation;
- Be enrolled as a full-time degree-seeking student in an eligible program of study;
- Certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies and has not been convicted of any second subsequent alcohol or other drug-related misdemeanor convictions within the past academic year;
- Verify that he or she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any Federal or State financial aid.
First time entering freshmen must meet two of the three following criteria to be considered for the LIFE Scholarship:
- Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale (SC UGS) upon high school graduation
- Score an 1100 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT (beginning in 2023-2024, ACT score of 22)
- Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class
Transfer students must have earned a of 3.0 LIFE grade point average on a 4.0 scale
at all transferring institutions. A student must have earned a minimum of 30 credit
hours (second year transfer), 60 credit hours (third year transfer), or 90 hours (fourth
year transfer) or an annual equivalent for a student who begins mid-year at the participating
institution and all prior institutions for the previous academic year to be eligible
for the scholarship.
When you are awarded the LIFE Scholarship, you will receive it for one year because
it is an annual award. In order to receive the scholarship in subsequent years, you
must meet the credit hour requirements and have a 3.0 LIFE grade point average by
the end of the academic year. The credit hour requirements are as follows:
- Students completing first year of college must have earned 30 credit hours.
- Students completing second year of college must have earned 60 credit hours.
- Students completing third year of college must have earned 90 credit hours.
Contact the Office of Financial Aid
The school code for USCB: 003450
Office Locations
Beaufort campus:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
1100 Boundary St, Suite 121
843-521-3104
fax: 843-521-3194
uscbfina@uscb.edu
Bluffton campus:
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Hargray Building, Room 124
843-208-8000
fax: 843-208-8290
uscbfina@uscb.edu
Mailing Address
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Office of Financial Aid
801 Carteret Street
Beaufort, SC 29902