The University of South Carolina Aiken Scholarships are established through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and the University community. These scholarships are designed to recognize qualities of leadership, merit and academic performance and to assist students in achieving their educational goals. USC Aiken offers over 275 academic scholarships each year. All fully admitted, degree-seeking students are automatically considered for these scholarships annually based on their student profiles.

There is no application requirement for continuing USCA students for consideration for these scholarships, with the exception of the following for nursing and fine arts students:

• Students who have been accepted into USCA's clinical nursing program must complete a web-based School of Nursing scholarship application by February 1st in order to be considered for scholarships designated for nursing students. This form is available online from November to February 1st.  For additional information, contact Kathy Simmons at (803) 641-3392 or kathers@usca.edu.

• Students majoring in fine arts should contact the USCA Department of Visual and Performing Arts for any additional requirements for fine arts scholarships.

Incoming students must meet the following requirements:

• Entering freshmen that submit a USCA admissions application, SAT or ACT scores and high school transcript by November 1st are given priority consideration for all freshman academic scholarships. Freshmen that apply for admission and submit the above documentation by February 1st* will be considered for remaining freshman and other institutional scholarships.  

• Transfer and readmit students must submit a USCA admissions application, SAT or ACT scores (if applicable) and appropriate transcripts by February 1st* to receive consideration for the University's institutional scholarships.

• Students transferring from another USC campus must submit a Change of Campus Request Form and be accepted as a USC Aiken student for the upcoming school year by February 1st*.
  
  * Students who are competitive for scholarships who miss the February 1st deadline will be placed on a scholarship waiting list and will be considered only if initial awards are declined by those who met the February 1st deadline.

Students who are awarded USC Aiken Academic Scholarships are notified by mail by the Office of Financial Aid. The awarding and notification process extends throughout the spring.

Chancellor's Scholarships
The University of South Carolina Aiken offers a limited number of Chancellor's Scholarships to outstanding students. Chancellor's Scholars are current high school seniors who excel academically, who maintain a high level of involvement in school and community activities, and who are of exemplary character. Preference will be given to students with an appropriate USCA scholarship index score. The Chancellor's Scholarship provides $7,000 per academic year. **

Valedictorian Scholarships
Valedictorian Scholarships are awarded to entering freshmen who are graduates of South Carolina public and private high schools or graduates of Georgia public and private high schools located in Richmond and Columbia Counties. The students must be ranked first in their class at the time of their admission to USCA or upon high school graduation. Students must have an appropriate USCA scholarship index score to qualify. The award amount of the Valedictorian Scholarship is $5,000 per academic year. **