Financial Aid
Start Your Free Application Today!
The only application you will need to fill out to apply for financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as FAFSA. This will help you determine your scholarship, grant, student employment or loan options. All of your paperwork must be received before the annual June 30 priority deadline. | ![]() |
Definition of types of aid
Scholarships are awards that go directly to paying for your education and that do not have to be repaid.
Grants, like scholarships, do not have to be repaid, but often are based on financial need or some other criteria. Your eligibility will be determined by your federal student aid application.
Many of our students find they are able to help pay for their education with a part-time job while they are in school You may qualify for the federal work-study program, which is part of your federal student aid application.
To help you graduate with as little debt as possible, we recommend you exhaust your scholarship, grant and employment opportunities before taking out a student loan. We will notify you of your eligibility for federal direct loans, but recommend you research all of your options before borrowing.
Financial Aid Help Sessions
We offer in-person and virtual financial aid help sessions for current students of USC Upstate. Registration is recommended for the virtual session only. We hope you'll join us!
February 21 | 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Join our virtual session |
February 22 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Financial Aid Office (HEC suite 2081) |
Where do I start?
Before beginning your FAFSA application, please review the steps to apply and the important dates to remember.
Applying for Financial Aid
Students applying for financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov. The FAFSA must be completed yearly, and determines the amount of assistance and which program is appropriate for each applicant. FAFSA applications open October 1. Our priority deadline is March 1, of each year however FAFSAs received after this date will still be processed. It can take 2 - 3 weeks for USC Upstate to receive your FAFSA results.
Steps to Apply for Financial Aid
- You and your parent (if dependent) should create an FSA ID and password at www.studentaid.gov prior to starting FAFSA on the Web so that you can sign electronically. This can also be done at the time that you are completing the FAFSA. All applications must be signed electronically with your (and your parents') FSA ID.
- USC Upstate’s Title IV school code is 006951.
- You do not have to wait for your financial aid award before beginning your admissions, advisement and registration processes. However, to be awarded financial aid you must be admitted as a degree-seeking student to USC Upstate.
- Communication with Students: The majority of communications from the financial aid office will be sent to your USC Upstate email account. You must review your email and announcements regularly to ensure you have the latest information about your financial aid status.
- You are encouraged to respond to email and postal mailing as soon as possible to avoid delays in processing of your financial aid.
- For State Scholarship purposes, please make sure that final transcripts are sent as soon as possible.
- Make sure any non-institutional scholarship checks are sent to our office. (You may need to endorse a check if it is made payable to you and USC Upstate.)
- Check your awards on SSC.
- For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Dates to Remember |
March 1 | FAFSA priority deadline |
July 15 | Deadline for all loan and verification requirements for fall semester |
November 1 | Recommended deadline to submit verification documents for Spring semester |
Basic eligibility requirements for awards are:
Palmetto Fellows – in addition to the base Palmetto Fellows:
- Recipients with 30 hours, and who, as a freshman, earned 14 hours worth of math and/or science and who has declared one of the eligible majors (listed below) may receive an additional amount of up to $3,300 for a maximum of $10,000.
- Palmetto Fellows with 30 hours, but who do not meet the conditions above, may receive an additional amount of up to $800 for a maximum of $7,500.
- Entering freshmen, regardless of major, may receive a maximum of $6,700.
LIFE Scholarship – in addition to the base LIFE Scholarship:
- Recipients with 30 hours, and who, as a freshman, earned 14 hours worth of math and/or science and who has declared one of the eligible majors (listed below) may receive an additional amount of up to $2,500 for a maximum of $7,500.
- Entering freshmen, regardless of major, and upperclassmen who do not meet the above conditions, may receive a maximum award of $5,000.
Hope Scholarship
- $2,800 awarded during the freshman year of attendance only.
USC Upstate Eligible majors and codes as of July 2015:
- Biology – 106
- Chemistry – 109
- Computer Information Systems – 132
- Computer Science – 108
- Engineering Technology Management – 430
- Exercise and Sport Science – 331
- Information Management and Systems – 170
- Nursing Generic – 050
- Nursing RN to BSN Completion – 051
- Math – 145
- Secondary Education: 373
The major must be declared and showing in the USC Upstate system prior to the last day of drop/add for the fall semester for the award to be in place. Any majors changed/declared after this date will not be eligible for the enhanced award for the full academic year.
You may access www.che.sc.gov for more information.
Financial Aid Document Upload Form |
Upload Documents |
The forms below are Adobe Acrobat PDF files .
Used to ensure the accuracy of the information reported on the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and to report assets owned by you, and your parents (if dependent) or you and your spouse (if independent). |
Verification Form (2022-2023) |
Verification Form (2023-2024) |
Used to clarify a student's status as a Veteran before before processing their financial aid application. | Clarification of Veteran Status (2022-2023) |
Clarification of Veteran Status (2023-2024) |
This form is required to complete the processing of your financial aid application. | Asset Form (2022-2023) |
Asset Form (2023-2024) |
Used to confirm the information reported on your FAFSA. | High School Completion Form (2020-2021) |
High School Completion Form (2021-2022) |
Form that must be signed to certify use of Federal Financial Aid. | Identity /Statement of Educational Purpose (2022-2023) |
Identity /Statement of Educational Purpose (2023-2024) |
Used to verify that you (the student) have a dependent other than a spouse | Dependent Other Than Spouse Form (2022-2023) |
Dependent Other Than Spouse Form (2023-2024) |
Used to verify the information on your FAFSA | Income Expense Form (2022-2023) |
Income Expense Form (2023-2024) |
Used to review enrollment history for financial aid eligibility | Unusual Enrollment History Form (2023-2024) |
Used to appeal the termination of eligibility for financial aid for academic reasons | Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal |
Used to verify that you (the student) are accompanied by a liaison or persons other than a parent | Unaccompanied Youth Form (2022-2023) |
Unaccompanied Youth Form (2023-2024) |
Financial Aid Award Terms and Conditions | Terms and Conditions |
Instructions for Students Transferring To USC Upstate
If you plan to transfer to USC Upstate, you must complete the following steps in order to be considered for financial assistance:
- Transfer students must have been admitted to USC Upstate and have their current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at USC Upstate by November 1st for the spring semester or June 1st for the fall semester. Applications submitted after this date will be processed; however, aid may not be available by the first day of classes.
- If you wish to be considered for financial assistance at USC Upstate, you should add us to your processed FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov. In order for the Federal Processor to send USC Upstate your information they will need our school code 006951 and your "DRN" number from your Student Aid Report (SAR). USC Upstate does not have access to your "DRN" number. If you do not have your SAR, you may request a duplicate copy by calling 1-800-433-3243 or if you know your Department of Education PIN number, you may add our school code online to expedite the processing.
- Before USC Upstate can award you financial aid, any aid at your prior school must be cancelled.
- Your financial aid award at USC Upstate will be based on the academic credits that have been accepted and posted as of the day your financial aid award is made. Late transfer credits may result in higher loan eligibility.
Instructions for Students Transferring From USC Upstate
- If you will not be attending the upcoming semester at USC Upstate, the Financial Aid Office needs written notification in order to cancel any aid for the future term.
- If you have received student loans at USC Upstate, you must complete an exit interview in the financial aid office.
- If you wish to be considered for financial assistance at your new school, add yuor new school to your processed FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov.
- Contact the financial aid office at the new school to find out what other steps you must take to be considered for aid at their institution.
For more information, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Complete FAFSA - www.studentaid.gov (006951 Upstate School Code)
Log on to Self Service Carolina at www.my.sc.edu to complete the below:- Check for pending / missing requirements
- Send any requested information to the Financial aid Office
- Check Self-Service for Financial Aid awards
- Verify SC Residency
- Accept / Decline awards
- Financial Aid » Award » Award for Aid Year » USC Upstate as campus » select current academic year » Award Overview » Accept Award Offer tab
- Complete State Certifications (Terms & Conditions tab)
Financial Aid » Award » Award for Aid Year » USC Upstate as campus » select current academic year » Agree - Complete Title IV Fee Authorization (Resources/Additional Info tab)
Financial Aid » Award » Award for Aid Year » USC Upstate as campus » select current academic year » Agree - Use the College Financing Plan for estimated charges
- Review tuition and fees charges
Payments
- 529 and Tuition Assistance Payments - Cashier’s Office
- Setup tuition payment plan in Self-Service if needed
- Send outside scholarships to our Cashier’s Office or Financial Aid – these funds are posted to the student’s account once they are received
For VA Benefits - Contact Robin Hollis, VA Representative, in our Records and Registration Office
*CHECK YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL ACCOUNT OFTEN*
- Log in to Self Service Carolina – my.sc.edu
- Click the Financial Aid tab
- Click FINANCIAL AID then FINANCAIL AID FOR AID YEAR
- Click the Award Overview tab to review your award offers
- Click the ACCEPT AWARD OFFER tab
- The aid offer will be displayed separately if you receive more than one offer
- You must accept or decline each award offer by either:
- Selecting ACCEPT FULL AMOUNT ALL AID OR Accept or decline the full amount of each fund individually by using the drop-down box (This allows you to accept partial amount also)
- Click Submit Decision
How to access State Certification
- Log in to Self Service Carolina – my.sc.edu
- Click the Financial Aid tab
- Click FINANCIAL AID
- Then FINANCIAL AID FOR AID YEAR
- Select USC Upstate Campus
- Select the current academic year
- At the top select “Terms and Conditions”
- Read the terms for the State Certification
- Lastly, click the drop-down box and select “Agree”
Fee Authorization Instructions
- Log in to my.sc.edu
- Click the Financial Aid Tab
- Click FINANCIAL AID
- Then FINANCIAL AID FOR AID YEAR
- Select USC Upstate Campus
- Select the current academic year
- At the top select “Resources/Additional Information”
- Finally, click the drop-down box and select “Agree”:
First time loan borrowers must complete Master Promissory Notes (MPN) and Entrace Loan Counseling.
Complete Entrance Loan Counseling and Sign Master Promissory Notes
- Go to www.studentaid.gov
- Log in using student FSA ID and password
- Under “Complete Aid Process” tab at top of page, select “Complete a Master Promissory Note” Choose first option, MPN for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
- Once MPN is completed, under “Complete Aid Process” tab at top of page, select “Complete Entrance Counseling”
- Click start and complete counseling. Keep in mind, this is just a tool to help you under-stand loans and repayment. Any amount asked to be inserted is hypothetical and does not change awards.
- Go to www.studentaid.gov
- Click the “Parent” tab toward the bottom of the page.
- Click the first option under Popular Topics: “Apply for a Parent PLUS Loan”
- Click Log In and use parent FSA ID and password information to log in. It is important to use parent’s FSA ID to log in, not student’s FSA ID. If student’s FSA ID is used to log in on this screen, the PLUS application will not process correctly.
- Fill in the requested application information. You will be required to select the amount of the loan, the loan period, and if you would like to defer loan repayment. Note: Choosing the maximum loan amount will allow the school to certify the loan amount up to cost of attendance for the loan period requested. Leaving the loan amount blank will delay pro-cessing time. We recommend selecting the full academic year for the loan period (August to May) so that only one application needs to be completed per academic year.
- Once submitted, an immediate credit decision will be made. USC Upstate will receive the application at the school for certification within 24-48 hours.
a. If parent is approved, you will be required to complete a PLUS MPN for Parent Borrowers. A link will appear on the page to complete this step immediately.
b. If parent is denied, the student may be eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan amount based on eligibility.
Web Links
The College Board
Information about Admissions and Financial Aid.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
A Financial Planning Resource
The Financial Aid Site
An extensive and complete web site regarding financial aid.
Fastweb
An excellent scholarship service.
Good Call
Has the largest scholarship database in existence ($32 BILLION in scholarships).
Entrance/Exit Counseling
Conduct your counseling online at this site.
U.S. Department of Education
General site for the U.S. Department of Education.
FAFSA on the Web
Apply for federal aid at this site.
Selective Service Registration
Males can register for selective service at this site.
SC Student Loan Corporation
You can sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN), check on the status of your loans, repayment history, etc.
Citibank
You can sign your Master Promissory Note (MPN), check on the status of your loans, repayment history, etc.
Need more information or a better understanding of FAFSA? We can walk you through it. Contact Us!