These awards are the most prestigious undergraduate scholarships at the University of South Carolina, and our current and incoming Top Scholars represent the best our nation has to offer.
All Top Scholars are guaranteed the following benefits
Holistic Advising and Top Scholar Appointments: A Top Scholar Program's staff member is available to discuss academic and co-curricular plans all four years. First- and second-year Top Scholars receive special invitations to initiate these connections. Appointments are easy to schedule for students to chat with staff members on any topic. Note: Separate academic advisors will provide guidance on your course selection.
Calendar of Programs: Top Scholars join others for various events throughout the year, including a fall dinner, etiquette dinner, spring donor dinner and other programs as resources allow.
Communication: Top Scholars receive a weekly email with reminders of office-sponsored programs and deadlines, as well as opportunities and university announcements.
Invitations to Special Events: Top Scholars are invited to special events and engagements where they are often asked to speak about their university experience.
National Fellowships Advisement: Top Scholars interested in considering these competitions have full access to National Fellowships and Scholar Program staff who can help them navigate the process.
Scholar Big: Freshmen are assigned an upperclassman to correspond with the summer before they begin college.
First-Year Scholar Programs: Top Scholars attend a special Orientation and Welcome Reception and participate in a retreat. They are also assigned to small groups led by a peer leader, who serves as a guide to help them navigate their first year on campus.
First-Year Housing: Top Scholars have priority registration for the Honors Residence Hall.
Parking: Beginning freshman year, Top Scholars have priority registration for parking spaces and garages.
Choose a program below to see additional associated benefits:
In-State Stamps Scholars
- Monetary Award: Up to $20,000 per year + $10,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad, and more. The four-year value is at least $90,000.
- Freshman Mentor: Students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Stamps Scholars Programs: Stamps Scholars are members of a national network of scholars from more than 30 different colleges and universities. They will be invited to a biennial convention for networking and enrichment during their undergraduate experience.
Out-of-State Stamps Scholars
- Monetary Award: Up to $21,240 + tuition reduction per year + $10,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad, and more.
- The four-year value is approximately $191,000.
- Freshman Mentor: Students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Stamps Scholars Programs: Stamps Scholars are members of a national network of scholars from more than 42 different colleges and universities. They will be invited to a biennial convention for networking and enrichment during their undergraduate experience.
- Monetary Award: $15,000 per year + $10,000 one-time enrichment stipend to use for research, internships, study abroad, and more.
- The four-year value is $70,000.
- Freshman Mentor: Students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $10,000 per year. The four-year value is $40,000.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $22,000 + tuition reduction per year.
- $12,000 enrichment funds with $10,000 to spend and $2000 of it reserved for a one-time McNair Signature travel experience spring semester.
- The four-year value is $184,000.
- Freshman Mentor: Students are assigned a university faculty member within their major or another area of interest.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.
- Monetary Award: $11,000 + tuition reduction per year. The four-year value is more than $128,000.
- Calendar of Programs: Spring dinner with donors and other programs planned as resources allow.