The College of Charleston (CofC) is initiating a new statewide project aimed at increasing college access for South Carolina residents and retaining outstanding academic talent in the state.
Starting in Fall 2026, the new South Carolina Talent Initiative (SCTI) will ensure that qualifying in-state students with financial need receive at least 65% of their needs met. This funding will be supplied through a strategic mix of scholarships, institutional aid, and grants.
The initiative is intended not just to help students enroll, but also to ensure their persistence and graduation. Beyond financial assistance, the project will provide critical tools, such as mentors and life-design coaches, to help students succeed throughout their college careers.
School authorities anticipate that the SCTI will serve a demographic roughly equivalent to the current low-income student body, as seen by the 19% of undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants. The college expects at least 1,000 students to be recipients next year.
CofC underlined the program’s inclusive aspect, claiming that every in-state student who applies is entitled for the various benefits provided by the SCTI. While the 65% guarantee is the foundation of the effort, it also offers special options for transfer students, Meeting Street Scholars, and high-achieving students including valedictorians, salutatorians, and those who finish in the top 10% of their class.
The College of Charleston will immediately set aside $4 million to fund the program.
