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The Aid Window

FAFSA 2027-28 · South Carolina

South Carolina FAFSA deadlineAug 1, 2027

August 1, 2027 is the FAFSA deadline for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program — need-based aid for residents attending participating independent (private nonprofit) colleges in the state. Commission on Higher Education need-based grants at other paths are first-come after October 1, 2026 while funds last.

View key dates

South Carolina: what to do, step by step

  1. 1

    Create StudentAid.gov accounts — student and parent

    The student and one parent each need their own account to sign the FAFSA. Identity verification can take a few days, so do this first.

    Create accounts at StudentAid.gov →

  2. 2

    File the FAFSA by August 1, 2027 (independent college path)

    For SC Tuition Grants, the FAFSA must reach the federal processor by August 1. List your participating independent college in the school section.

    Start the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov →

  3. 3

    Confirm program fit with the Tuition Grants Commission

    Review eligibility (residency, full-time enrollment, need) and the participating-college list. Public-college students should instead chase ASAP need-based filing and college dates.

    SC Tuition Grants — FAQ (August 1, 2027) →SC Tuition Grants — How to Apply →

  4. 4

    Check college dates, then set a filing reminder

    Your real deadline is the earliest of: August 1 (Tuition Grants), ASAP need-based filing if that is your path, or any earlier college date. Set a reminder for that date now.

    Add to Google Calendar Download .ics

    .ics includes state + federal deadlines with 30 / 14 / 7-day reminders.

  5. 5

    When a reminder arrives: finish filing

    That email or calendar alert means the deadline is close. Finish the FAFSA with the correct college code, then confirm with your school. Then you're done until aid offers arrive.

    Open the FAFSA →SC Tuition Grants FAQ →

Key dates

October 1, 2026ThursdayFAFSA opened
August 1, 2027SundaySouth Carolina Tuition Grants FAFSA deadline (independent colleges)
June 30, 2028FridayFederal FAFSA deadline
Date varies by schoolCollege deadlines

What South Carolina applicants need to know

  • Tuition Grants: list your participating independent SC college on the FAFSA; the Commission receives the record electronically — do not mail a FAFSA to the Commission.
  • Public / other need-based CHE grants: FSA says file ASAP after October 1; awards are first-come until funds run out.
  • Tuition Grants cannot be used at public colleges — confirm your school is on the participating independent list.

Watch out

August 1 only covers the independent-college Tuition Grants path. Public-college families who wait for August can miss first-come need-based funds.

Sources — checked 2026-10-25

Deadlines can change (some states have extended dates in past years). If an official source disagrees with this page, the official source wins — and please tell us via our data page. Cite this page: Source: The Aid Window, aidwindow.com/south-carolina (checked 2026-10-25).

Applying in another state too? See all verified deadlines by state or the FAFSA 101 guide.