University of South Carolina
PAE-10: Affordability and Access Programs

Since 1966, USC TRIO Programs have fostered the collaboration of university, school, and community interests to promote educational opportunities in the Columbia area. These partnerships help us to address the unique needs of academically capable individuals who have the highest level of financial aid eligibility and who are without a family history of college attendance. Our university mission is the education of our state's diverse population through teaching, research, creative activity, and service.

Increasing South Carolinian' access to a high-quality college education is vital to their success and the future of our state. That's why the University of South Carolina launched Gamecock Guarantee. The Guarantee is a need-based financial- and academic-support program that will help make attendance at the University more affordable - and a South Carolina degree attainable for academically qualified residents of our state. The Gamecock Guarantee promises that each eligible student's undergraduate tuition and technology fee will be covered for up to four years if the student meets the program’s academic, financial, and participation criteria. At a minimum, it provides each participant an award of $2,500 per year. And while all University students have access to an array of programs and services that help bolster their academic achievement, students who qualify for the Gamecock Guarantee will benefit from a coordinated network of offerings that can enrich their undergraduate experiences. To become acclimated to campus and the University's academic expectations, first-year Gamecock Guarantee Opportunity Scholars Program recipients will attend an extended orientation program, receive intensive academic advising, and enroll in University 101 sections designed especially for them. Career exploration sessions and academic-support services will help these students excel and achieve their academic and personal goals. Students enrolled in the South Carolina Honors College or Capstone Scholars Program will participate in their respective programs and services.

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs offers training sessions to help faculty and staff become better aware of the issues facing students from low-income backgrounds.

Upward Bound is a pre-college program for TRIO-eligible students attending high school in Richland County. It provides extensive academic support that includes weekend and evening activities, a six-week summer residential component, and college-placement services. The program serves students from the 10 high schools in Richland School Districts One and Two. The Upward Bound program helps students take advantage of the educational opportunities provided by their high schools and to realize their potential and meet their academic and career goals.

They submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1. Their families' taxable income for the most recently completed tax year is not greater than 150% of the Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines. They are eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant.

Educational Talent Search (ETS) counselors work with 12 high schools and 7 middle schools in Richland County, serving over 1,300 students each year with grade-specific services that help students prepare for college. Services and activities, such as leadership conferences and college fairs for middle school students, cultural enrichment activities, college visits, and etiquette training for 8th grade students, are designed to encourage an interest in higher education. Beginning their work with students in the sixth grade, Educational Talent Search counselors work with students and their parents to encourage them to consider college, to ensure that they are enrolled in college preparatory high school courses, and to assist them in completing admissions and financial aid applications.

Both the ETS program and the Upward Bound program mentioned above target local area schools with low-income families to recruit them into their higher education training.