The Stamps Carolina Scholars, Carolina Scholars and Hamilton Scholars Awards are the University of South Carolina most prestigious awards bestowed on South Carolina residents. Students who have strong academic records and are leaders in your high school and community are encouraged and are leaders in your high school and community are encouraged to apply for the Top Scholars competition for these awards. Fifty scholar candidates are invited to participate in an interview weekend, after which 25 candidates are names Carolina Scholars and 25 are named Carolina Scholars and 25 are named Hamilton Scholars.
Additionally, the top five candidates named as Carolina Scholars will be nominated as Stamps Carolina Scholars and will interview for the chance to receive an enrichment stipend to fund opportunities such as undergraduate research, study abroad, service projects or unpaid internships. Candidates must participate in the entire weekend (February 20-22, 2016) in order remain in consideration for these awards. In 2015, Carolina and Hamilton Scholars had an average SAT score of 1436 (ACT score of 33) and had an average weighted GPA of 4.80.
Please note: To apply for these awards students must submit both a USC application and a Top Scholars application supplement to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline is November 15, 2015.
Stamps Carolina Scholars Award:
Annual value: $10,000 * Enrichment fund: $8,000 * Four year value: $48,000
Carolina Scholars Award:
Annual value: $10,000 * Four year value: $40,000
Hamilton Scholars Award:
Annual value: $7,000 * Four year value: $28,000
Lieber Scholars Award: Up to $10,000
The university annually awards scholarships to National Merit Finalists, National Achievement Finalists, and National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars. The competition for these awards begins when students take the PSAT/NMSQT in the junior year of high school. To be eligible, National Merit Finalist must list the University of South Carolina as their first choice through the National Merit Corporation. National Achievement Finalists must send a copy of the National Achievement Finalist certificate to the admissions office. The National Hispanic Recognition Program will send USC the names of scholars selected for its program. No scholarship application is required. The Lieber Scholars Award is one of only tow USC scholarships that can be combined with another university issue scholarship.
Alumni Scholars Award: $5,000
Sponsored by the Carolina Alumni Association, these awards signify outstanding achievements in academics, leadership, talent, and service. In 2015, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1510 (ACT score of 34) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4,89. To apply for this award, students must submit both a USC application and a Top Scholars application to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The deadline to apply is November 15.
Trustees' Endowment Scholars Award: $5,000
Students may receive this scholarship if they are incoming freshmen who are academically talented or who demonstrate financial need. This scholarship is one of our premier awards, and candidates typically present high SAT or ACT scores and an excellent GPA.
Valedictorian Scholars Award: $3,000
If your student is ranked first in his or her class at the end of the junior year or later. The sole criterion for this award is class rank.
Dean's Scholars Award: $3,000
In 2015, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1382 (ACT score of 31) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.56. Note that students named a Palmetto Fellows Scholar by the Commission on Higher Education will automatically qualify for the Dean's Scholars Award.
University Scholars Award: $2,000
For freshmen entering in 2015, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1297 (ACT score of 29) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4,19.
Thornwell Scholars Award: $500
In 2015, recipients of this award had an average SAT score of 1224 (ACT of 27) and an average weighted high school GPA of 4.27.
USC STEM Supplement: $3,300
To support students pursuing degrees in science, math, technology, or engineering fields (STEM fields). USC offers this one time freshman year only award supplement to all admitted freshmen who are named Palmetto Fellows and who enroll in a STEM eligible major.
For more information visit www.sc.edu/financialaid/scholarships.
(Referenced from USC Admission brochure.)