College & Career Readiness

HBCU Scholarships for South Carolina Students

South Carolina is home to several Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including two right here in Orangeburg. This guide gathers the national scholarship funds and campus awards Lake Marion students can use to pay for an HBCU education, plus the order to apply in.

National HBCU scholarship funds

TMCF Scholarships

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

AwardVaries by award
DeadlineRolling — varies by award

TMCF supports students attending its member public HBCUs, including South Carolina State University. One application opens access to multiple open awards.

Apply / Learn More

UNCF Scholarships

United Negro College Fund

AwardVaries by award
DeadlineRolling — varies by award

UNCF administers hundreds of scholarships for students attending UNCF member private HBCUs such as Claflin University, Benedict College, Voorhees University, and Allen University.

Apply / Learn More

Gates Scholarship

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

AwardFull cost of attendance
DeadlineApplications typically open in July

A last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, Pell-eligible minority high school seniors; recipients may attend an HBCU or any accredited U.S. college.

Apply / Learn More

Ron Brown Scholar Program

Ron Brown Scholar Fund

Award$40,000 ($10,000/year)
DeadlineEarly: November 1 · Final: January 9

For Black high school seniors who show academic promise, leadership, and community service. The award follows the student to the college of their choice.

Apply / Learn More

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Jackie Robinson Foundation

AwardUp to $30,000 ($7,500/year)
DeadlineApplications typically close in February

Four-year scholarship plus mentoring and leadership training for minority high school seniors attending an accredited four-year college, including HBCUs.

Apply / Learn More

HBCU Common Application Fee Waivers

Common Black College Application

AwardOne fee, many HBCUs
DeadlineOpen year-round

A single application and fee sends your information to dozens of participating HBCUs — a low-cost way to widen your options before scholarship decisions.

Apply / Learn More

How to apply, step by step

  1. 01Apply for admission first. Most HBCU scholarships are awarded from the admission application, so applying early puts you in the largest possible pool.
  2. 02Complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens. Need-based HBCU aid and SC state grants both depend on it.
  3. 03Stack state money. Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and SC HOPE can be used at SC HBCUs alongside institutional awards.
  4. 04Apply to national funds too. TMCF and UNCF awards are separate from the money your college offers.
  5. 05Track every deadline and keep copies of essays, your transcript, and recommendation letters so you can reuse them.

South Carolina HBCU campus scholarships

SC State University Scholarships

South Carolina State University (Orangeburg)

AwardMerit and access awards vary
DeadlinePriority consideration in the spring

Orangeburg's public HBCU offers merit, access, and departmental scholarships. Apply for admission early — many awards use the admission application.

Apply / Learn More

Claflin University Scholarships

Claflin University (Orangeburg)

AwardMerit awards vary
DeadlinePriority consideration in the spring

Claflin awards academic scholarships to entering freshmen based on GPA and test scores, with additional departmental and endowed awards.

Apply / Learn More

Benedict College Scholarships

Benedict College (Columbia)

AwardMerit awards vary
DeadlinePriority consideration in the spring

Academic and leadership scholarships for incoming freshmen, plus outside-scholarship stacking for admitted students.

Apply / Learn More

Voorhees University Scholarships

Voorhees University (Denmark)

AwardMerit awards vary
DeadlinePriority consideration in the spring

A UNCF member HBCU less than an hour from Orangeburg, offering academic scholarships and need-based aid packages.

Apply / Learn More

Allen University Scholarships

Allen University (Columbia)

AwardMerit awards vary
DeadlinePriority consideration in the spring

Academic and talent-based scholarships for entering students at this Columbia-based HBCU.

Apply / Learn More

Questions about HBCU applications?

Mrs. Margueritta Watson-Green, Lead Professional School Counselor at Lake Marion High School & Technology Center, can help you plan deadlines and request transcripts.