University of South Carolina Upstate is a renowned public institution located in Spartanburg, South Carolina (SC), USA. The university is ranked 15 among Regional Colleges South as per US News. USC Upstate strongly supports students who possess the potential to return the benefits of receiving a quality university education. Upstate Scholarships are awarded to students based on their academic ability, educational goals, career plans, and community service. Nearly 70 per cent of the students at USC Upstate receive financial aid offers, with the average financial aid amounting to USD 6,500. A student might be eligible for many scholarships and stipends combined with other financial assistance sources. However, a student can not receive more than one full-tuition fee university scholarship. To be considered for the Upstate scholarship, a student must be unconditionally accepted by the university before the scholarship application deadline. USC Upstate students who receive scholarships need to be academically strong and free of any violation of the current discipline code. In this article, we will look at the top Upstate scholarship opportunities, the latest specific scholarships to apply for, their eligibility criteria, and their registration process.
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Top Upstate Scholarship Programs
University of South Carolina Upstate (USC) offers various opportunities for financial aid to the students in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, work and study programs, fee waivers, and other resources. The Upstate scholarship opportunities offered by USC Upstate are as follows:
USC Upstate Scholars Program
The University of South Carolina Upstate Scholars Program for new and continuing students helps academically talented individuals to pursue higher education. The scholarship is rewarded on academic merit and is handled by the Financial Aid Office. The scholarship is provided to individuals whose academic excellence will benefit USC Upstate and the Upstate region. Scholarships will be awarded to eligible candidates. The number of awards to be given, however, will be determined by the university. The applicants are encouraged to apply early for the Upstate Scholarship to be considered for the same.
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Chancellor Scholarships
Chancellor Scholarships are worth USD 10,000 (for boarding students) and USD 5,000 (for commuting students). Eligibility Requirements The scholarships are annually given to entering freshmen who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- The candidate must have a minimum SAT score of 1300 or an ACT score of 29
- They must rank in the top 10 per cent of their high school class
- The applicants should have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.75
Valedictorian Scholarships
The valedictorian scholarships comprise awards worth USD 10,000 (for boarding students) and USD 5000 (for commuting students) annually given to entering freshmen. Eligibility Requirements
- The candidate or high school senior must be ranked first in their class at the time of admission to the university or starting with the academic year or upon their high school graduation
- The Valedictorian Scholars must also present a minimum SAT score of 1000 or an ACT score of 23
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Transfer Scholarships
Scholarships worth USD 2,000 are awarded annually to entering students who have transferred from another university or college. Eligibility Requirements
- The candidate must have earned at least 60 semester hours of transferable credit from a two-year technical college or an Associate of Science or Arts degree from an accredited college
- The candidate for the scholarship must have a minimum GPA of 3.5
- The transfer Upstate scholarship is available to the recipients for a duration of two academic years (four semesters — spring and fall semester, not summer)
Dean Scholarships
In the Dean Upstate Scholarship, an amount of USD 2000 is awarded annually to freshmen who are eligible for the opportunity. Eligibility Requirements
- The candidate must have a minimum SAT score of 1100 or an ACT score of 24
- They should rank in the top 30 per cent of their high school class
- The minimum GPA of the applicant should be 3.25
Provost Scholarships
The scholarships award an amount of USD 3000 to prospective undergraduate students. Eligibility Criteria
- The candidates must present a minimum SAT score of 1200 or an ACT score of 27
- They should rank in the top 20 per cent of their high school class
- The minimum GPA required for the Provost Scholarships is 3.5
National Merit Scholarships
Through the National Merit Scholarship Program, annual awards are awarded to the students. At USC Upstate, the Merit Scholarships are worth USD 500 annually and are renewable for the four years of undergraduate study of the candidate if they maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. Eligibility Requirements
- Students awarded other general USC Upstate scholarships are also eligible to receive a Merit Scholarship
- However, the total general USC Upstate scholarship package for these students must not exceed the resident, on-campus, cost of attendance amount
- To be eligible for the scholarship, the students must be accepted by USC Upstate
- They should be a National Merit finalist
- They must have listed USC Upstate as their first choice on the National Merit application
Out of State Scholarship
The Out of State Upstate scholarship awards USD 500 to 10000 USD for a year and in-state tuition rates to a new freshman. Eligibility Requirements
- The candidates must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
- They should have a 1000 score on the SAT exam
- They must rank in the top 20 per cent of the high school class
- New transfer students who have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and a minimum of 60 credit hours are also eligible to apply for the scholarship
University of South Carolina Alumni Scholarship
University of South Carolina Alumni Scholarship has awards of varying amounts for which freshmen are selected from the various judicial circuits in South Carolina and other metropolitan areas from outside the state. Eligibility Requirements
- The awards are renewable and are given based on the academic ability of the candidate
- The re-submission of documents and official transcripts is required to be considered for the scholarship offer
Note: The specific application for this scholarship should be sent to the USC Alumni Association in Columbia, SC.
USC Faculty or Staff Dependents’ Scholarship
The USC Faculty Upstate Scholarship is open for application by any dependent spouse or child of a full-time employee of the University of South Carolina system. Only a limited number of scholarships are provided each year. Eligibility Requirements
- To be eligible for the consideration, the applicant must be accepted for enrollment or enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or a graduate student on one of the eight campuses of the University
- They should have attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- The eligibility of freshman applicants is determined by their high school class rank and SAT or ACT scores
In case of any doubts or concerns regarding the scholarship applications, students can also leave a mail or contact the Financial Aid Office. Disclaimer: All the academic awards that are a part of the Upstate Scholarship require the candidate to have a 3.0 GPA for renewal.
Renewal Policy of Upstate Scholarship
The renewal policy and criteria for the different types of Upstate Scholarships are as mentioned below:
- The Chancellor, Metropolitan, and Valedictorian scholarships are renewable for additional seven consecutive semesters on the condition the student maintains a cumulative GPA in USC Upstate of 3.0
- They should earn a minimum of 24 semester hours during their fall and spring semesters
- Transfer scholarships are renewable for an additional three consecutive semesters on the condition that the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Transfer students should earn a minimum of 24 semester hours during their fall and spring semesters
State Scholarships
Upstate students are also eligible to apply for state scholarships. Many stipends and scholarships can be combined with other financial assistance sources. The different state scholarships offered are as follows:
- Palmetto Fellows Scholarships
- South Carolina Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship
- South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
- Enhanced LIFE Scholarship, Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and Hope Scholarship
Non-University Scholarship Funds
USC Upstate students can also avail of non-university scholarship funds, including the following:
- Abbott & Fenner Scholarship
- African American Leadership Greenville (AALG) Scholarship
- Agent Media Internet Marketing Scholarship
- AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
- American Dream Scholarship
- Big South’s Sunbelt Rentals Scholarship
- Captain James Ahn Special Forces Memorial Scholarship
- The Department of Homeland Security Scholarship and Fellowship Program
- The Financial Literacy Scholarship (Deadline: October and April)
- Friends of Lake Robinson (FOLR) Scholarship
- The JE Sirrine Scholarship Program
Grants
Grants are generally gifts that do not require any kind of repayment by individuals. The grants offered include:
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- State Need-Based Grant Program (SNBG)
- TEACH Grant Program
Application Process for Upstate Scholarship
The application process for the Upstate scholarships is as follows:
- To apply to an Upstate scholarship that requires the submission of an application, the candidate must first sign-in on the campus login portal on the official website of the university using their registered email and password.
- The applicant can also go to the scholarship section of the university and click on the direct link for the scholarship form.
- They will then have the opportunity to fill in a general application and apply for specific scholarships if they are eligible.
- Once they complete a general application, they will have the opportunity to apply for all the eligible scholarships automatically.
- Once the application is submitted and the deadline for the scholarship is closed, the form will be reviewed by the admissions team, and a candidate who meets all the eligibility requirements and qualifications will be selected.
- The scholarship status or the application status can be checked from the portal used to apply online to the internship.
If the candidate is selected for the scholarship, they will be notified of the same by an email from the admissions office. The email will also contain other details regarding the scholarship offer, which the student must accept within a specific deadline.
Documents Needed for Application
The documents needed for the application for admission and the scholarship offer include:
- Official transcripts of graduation in case of Master’s degrees and 10th and 12th (intermediate) in case of bachelor’s degrees must be submitted by the candidate.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Credential evaluation report
- Financial statements
- Certificate of health insurance
- English language proficiency test scores
Conclusion
Upstate Scholarships help individuals gain educational benefits from the reputed university of South Carolina even if they are not financially strong. The college also offers a Federal Work-Study Program that provides students who need financial expenses with part-time employment opportunities to meet their educational expenses. By applying to the university, a candidate is automatically considered for scholarships unless there is another requested application procedure. To qualify for a grant, an applicant needs to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Medical students and graduate students in clinical psychology and public health are also considered eligible for additional unsubsidised loan limits. The interest rates are the same as in the case of subsidised loans. Upstate Scholarships are a type of funding for a student’s education that they do not need to pay back. The university offers scholarships based on the need and the merit or academic or athletic achievement of an individual. The graduates of the university find employment in top companies like eBay, Apple, Amazon, HSBC, Bowing, ESPN, Deloitte, LinkedIn, and Bain and Company. LeapScholar can help you study abroad, get admission to the university of your choice, and help you throughout the admission process to the university. Contact our team today. Frequently Asked Questions
What are the various loan options available for Upstate Carolina students?
Upstate Carolina offers various loan options that students can avail of. Loans must be repaid, but not until after a student completes their period of studies. It includes the Federal Direct Loan Program and Federal PLUS Loan.Federal Direct Loan – Subsidised
The subsidised Direct Loan Program provides low-interest and long-term need-based loans to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. The interest rate on these loans varies as per the date of the application.Federal Direct Loan – Unsubsidised
The unsubsidised Federal Direct Loan program is not based on the financial need of the individuals. The interest payments of this loan are not subsidised by the federal government but rather are the sole responsibility of the borrower.South Carolina Teacher Loan Program
The program is available to the residents of South Carolina attending college to become certified teachers employed in the school system of the state. – For loan recipients who eventually become certified, the loan shall be cancelled at the rate of 20 per cent for every full year of teaching, up to 100 per cent. – In case the loan recipients are not certified teachers, they shall be responsible for repaying the entire amount of loan funds borrowed plus interest.
What are the top courses offered by the University of South Carolina Upstate (USC)?
The most popular courses offered by the University of South Carolina Upstate are as follows:Bachelor of Science (BSc) Computer Science
Master of Science (MSc) Informatics
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Business Administration and Economics
Bachelor of Science (BSc) Physical Education (Teacher Education)
Bachelor of Science (BSc) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Interdisciplinary Studies
Master of Education (MEd) Special Education – Visual Impairment
Master of Science (MSc) Nursing (Clinical Nurse Leader)
What are the requirements for admission to the University of South Carolina Upstate?
The academic and documentation requirements for admission to USC are as follows:Applicants must have proof of a minimum CGPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or 5.0 CGPA on a 10.0 point scale or equivalent.
They must submit either their SAT or ACT scores along with their application.
The accepted range of the scores at USC are:
SAT Scores – 920 to 1100
ACT Scores – 18 to 22
All International students must also submit their English language proficiency test scores.
The accepted range of the scores is as given below:IELTS score – 6 or above
TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) – 500 or above
TOEFL CBT test – 173 or above
TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) – 61 or above
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