Best College & Education in South Carolina — 19 resources

About College & Education for Women

Education resources for women include FAFSA-based federal aid (Pell Grants up to ~$7,000/year), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title IX protections against sex discrimination on campus, and dedicated single-mother scholarships through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards, and Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation. Community colleges offer low-cost two-year degrees and trade certificates, often with CCAMPIS-grant subsidized on-campus childcare. AAUW funds career development grants and fellowships for women. GED and HiSET programs run through state adult education offices, usually free. This directory covers FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education, and women's scholarships.

College & Education in South Carolina

South Carolina family courts handle divorce, custody, and support in each of its 16 judicial circuits. The Child Support Services Division operates under the Department of Social Services. Charleston, Columbia, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant are the largest cities. South Carolina Legal Services and the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) serve women.

19 Resources

1. SC Commission on Higher Education — Free

The SC Commission on Higher Education at 1122 Lady Street in Columbia administers state financial aid programs including the LIFE Scholarship, HOPE Scholarship, and SC Need-Based Grant. Phone 803-737-2260 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. The website lists eligibility for every SC state-funded scholarship.

803-737-2260 · 1122 Lady St Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

2. SC Technical College System

The SC Technical College System at sctechsystem.edu coordinates 16 affordable technical colleges (Midlands Tech, Trident Tech, Greenville Tech, etc.) offering associate degrees and career certificates. The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program covers tuition for most SC residents. Phone 803-896-5410 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

803-896-5410 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website

3. FAFSA — Federal Student Aid — Free

FAFSA at studentaid.gov is where SC mothers apply for federal Pell grants, subsidized loans, and work-study. The form opens October 1 each year; submit early to maximize SC state aid. Help line 800-433-3243 Mon-Fri. Free — no paid third-party services needed.

800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

,500/year to low-income undergraduate women attending eligible SC public and private colleges. Awarded after FAFSA filing; check eligibility through your college's financial aid office or CHE at 803-737-2260.

803-737-2260 · 1122 Lady St Suite 300, Columbia, SC 29201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

5. University of South Carolina — Women's and Gender Studies

USC's Women's and Gender Studies program at 1600 Hampton Street in Columbia offers undergraduate and graduate study plus a Women's Well-Being Initiative for nontraditional students. Phone 803-777-4007 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. USC offers strong financial aid including the Gamecock Guarantee for in-state low-income students.

803-777-4007 · 1600 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29208 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Clemson University — Women's Leadership

Clemson University in Clemson runs the Newman Institute for Leadership and the President's Leadership Institute focused in part on women's leadership development. Strong STEM, agriculture, and education programs. Phone 864-656-3311 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. In-state tuition with LIFE Scholarship covers most costs.

864-656-3311 · Clemson, SC 29634 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. SC Adult Education — GED Programs — Free

SC Adult Education at ed.sc.gov offers free GED preparation classes through every county school district plus the SC Technical College System. Day and evening sessions; many sites offer free childcare or transportation help. Phone 803-734-8347 Mon-Fri.

803-734-8347 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website

8. Benedict College — Columbia

Benedict College at 1600 Harden Street in Columbia is a private HBCU offering undergraduate degrees with strong programs in business, education, and STEM. Strong support for first-generation women college students. Phone 803-256-4220 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Pell, LIFE, and HOPE scholarships supported.

803-256-4220 · 1600 Harden St, Columbia, SC 29204 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program — Free

The Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP) covers tuition at every SC technical college for eligible SC residents enrolled in at least 6 credit hours. Apply through your tech college's financial aid office. Particularly impactful for returning mothers. Phone 803-896-5410 Mon-Fri.

803-896-5410 · Statewide · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

10. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free

StudentAid.gov is the U.S. Department of Education's single portal for the FAFSA, loan repayment, PSLF, and Income-Driven Repayment plans. The Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 helps with technical issues. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Federal Pell Grant — Free

Pell Grants at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell provide up to ~$7,400/year to low-income undergraduate women. Pell is need-based with no repayment required — particularly impactful for SC returning mothers attending technical college or USC. Apply via FAFSA.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

AAUW Fellowships and Grants at aauw.org fund women pursuing graduate degrees, dissertations, and career development. The American Fellowship is the longest-running of its kind. Application cycles open annually. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. P.E.O. International — Women's Education — Free

P.E.O. at peointernational.org administers six women-specific educational programs including the Educational Loan Fund, Scholar Awards, and the International Peace Scholarship. SC has chapters in many cities that nominate local candidates. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Award provides cash grants to women heads of household pursuing education. Apply through your local SC club starting each August. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free

Jeannette Rankin Foundation at rankinfoundation.org awards scholarships specifically to low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical training, an associate degree, or first bachelor's. Selection based on financial need and personal goals. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

The Patsy Mink Foundation at patsyminkfoundation.org awards Education Support Awards to low-income mothers with minor children pursuing post-secondary education. Annual cycle; awards based on essay and financial need. Free to apply.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. Scholarships.com — Free

Scholarships.com is a free national search engine letting women filter for women-only, single-mother, minority, and adult-learner awards. Set up alerts for new opportunities matching your profile. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. College Board — BigFuture — Free

BigFuture at bigfuture.collegeboard.org is the College Board's free college-search and scholarship tool. Filter colleges by SC proximity, women-focused programs, transfer-friendliness, and adult-learner support. Includes a free scholarship search. Free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

19. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Khan Academy's official SAT prep at khanacademy.org/sat is built in partnership with the College Board, with personalized practice based on PSAT/SAT scores. Free, no log-in required for most content. Useful for SC mothers returning to school.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in South Carolina?
Women's Corner tracks 19 college & education resources for women in South Carolina.
Are college & education resources in South Carolina free?
15 of the 19 listed college & education resources in South Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in South Carolina have college & education resources?
Listings span cities including Columbia, Clemson.
What are some examples of college & education resources in South Carolina?
Featured entries include SC Commission on Higher Education, SC Technical College System, FAFSA — Federal Student Aid, SC Need-Based Grant Program, University of South Carolina — Women's and Gender Studies.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 19 South Carolina college & education listings include phone numbers.
How do I pay for college as a single mom?
Start with FAFSA at studentaid.gov — single moms typically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year, not repaid). Add state grants, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships specifically for single mothers (Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream, Jeannette Rankin Foundation). Many community colleges have Single Parent Programs with childcare, books, and emergency funds.
Can I go to college while on welfare?
Yes — TANF rules now count post-secondary education toward work requirements in most states, especially CTE/vocational programs. The CCAMPIS program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. SNAP students with kids under 12 qualify for SNAP E&T benefits. Tell your TANF caseworker you're enrolling — they often have hidden funds for books, transportation, and uniforms.
How do I get a GED?
GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs 6–
44 depending on state, and many states waive fees for low-income test-takers. Call 211 or search 'adult education' + your state. Most centers offer free childcare during classes.
Are there scholarships specifically for women?
Yes — AAUW, P.E.O. International, Jeannette Rankin Foundation (women 35+), Society of Women Engineers, Live Your Dream Awards, and hundreds of state-specific awards target women, especially returning students and mothers. Search Fastweb and Scholarships.com filtered for 'women' and your major. Apply to many small scholarships — they're less competitive than big ones.