S.C. Code Ann. Regs. 62-1200.5 – Program Definitions.

A. “Academic year” is defined as the twelve month period during which a full-time student is expected to earn thirty credit hours. The period of time used to measure the academic year will consist of the fall, spring and summer terms (or its equivalent).
B. A student who has earned a GED diploma or SC High School Diploma through Adult Education without a cumulative GPA may be eligible to earn the LIFE Scholarship at the end of the first academic year of a non-GED program. The student must meet the annual credit hour requirement (or equivalent) and a 3.0 “LIFE GPA” at the end of the first academic year. To qualify for subsequent years, the student must meet all eligibility requirements as stated in Section 62-1200.15., Continued Eligibility section of the LIFE Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship Enhancement.
C. An “approved five-year bachelor’s degree program” shall mean a five-year bachelor’s program as defined and approved by the Commission on Higher Education to receive the LIFE Scholarship for a maximum of ten terms at the same eligible institution to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree. An approved five-year bachelor’s degree program does not include inter-institutional and cooperative “3+2” programs (normally in a science degree field and an engineering program).
D. “Annual credit hour requirement” shall be defined as an average of thirty (30) credit hours earned at the end of the academic year based on initial college enrollment at all eligible institutions attended, excluding hours for remedial, continuing education, and non-degree coursework. Credit hours earned before high school graduation, including Advanced Placement (AP) credit hours, International Baccalaureate (IB) credit hours, exempted credit hours as well as credit hours earned on active duty, must be placed on the student’s official college transcript by the institution at which they are earned, and must be counted toward the annual credit hour requirement. Eligible LIFE Scholarship recipients may prorate their award amount for the term of graduation (see section 62-1200.10.P.).
E. “Associate’s degree program” is defined as a two-year technical or occupational program, at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor’s degree as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
F. “Attempted credit hours” shall be defined as courses in which a student earns a grade and is included in the grade point calculation for that institution. Eligible credit hours that do not transfer must also be included. Credit hours earned through dual-enrollment prior to high school graduation must be included in the LIFE GPA. Exempted credit hours, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), remedial/developmental courses, non-degree credit courses for an associate’s degree or higher, Pass/Fail, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory and non-penalty withdrawal credit hours are excluded from the “attempted credit hours.” If a student transfers, refer to the institution’s grading policy where the credit hours were earned. Any credit hours attempted or earned before high school graduation, hours exempted by examination, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit hours do not count against the terms of eligibility.
G. “Bachelor’s degree program” is defined as an undergraduate program of study leading to a bachelor’s degree as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
H. “Book allowance” shall mean funds that may be applied to the student’s account for expenses towards the cost-of-attendance including the cost of textbooks.
I. “CIP Code (Classification of Instructional Program)” The U.S. Department of Education’s standard for federal surveys and state reporting for institutional data (majors, minors, options and courses). For the purpose of receiving the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, CIP codes have been approved or identified by the Commission on Higher Education for eligible degree programs in the fields of education, mathematics and science.
J. “Cost-of-attendance” as defined by Title IV Regulations and may include tuition, fees, living expenses, and other expenses such as costs related to disability or dependent care.
K. “Cost-of-tuition” shall mean the amount charged for enrolling in credit hours of instruction and mandatory fees assessed to all students. Other fees, charges, or cost of textbooks cannot be included.
L. “Declared major” shall be defined, for the purposes of the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, as a degree program in which a student is enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student. The student must meet all requirements as stipulated by the policies established by the institution and the academic department to be enrolled as a declared major in an eligible program. Students cannot minor in or take courses related to a specific program without meeting institutional and departmental policies and be considered as a declared major. Students must be enrolled as a declared major in an eligible program that is approved and assigned a CIP code by the Commission. Eligible programs are those listed as such on the Commission’s website.
M. “Degree-seeking student” is defined as any full-time student enrolled in an eligible institution which leads to the first one-year certificate, first two-year program or associate’s degree, or first bachelor’s or program of study that is structured so as not to require a bachelor’s degree for acceptance into the program and leads to a graduate degree. Upon completion of the first one-year certificate, first two-year program or associate’s degree, first approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours, or first bachelor’s or program of study that is structured so as not to require a bachelor’s degree for acceptance into the program and leads to a graduate degree, the student cannot use scholarship funds to pursue a program in the same or preceding level. Students are eligible to receive the Scholarship for a maximum of eight terms (or its equivalent) towards an undergraduate degree, as long as all other eligibility requirements are met and the program is approved by the Commission on Higher Education. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in order to receive a LIFE Scholarship and a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement each academic term. In cases where students are enrolled in a program of study that is structured so as not to require a bachelor’s degree for acceptance into the program and leads to a graduate degree, which will be the students’ first academic degree awarded, the students must maintain their undergraduate status to be awarded the LIFE Scholarship and the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, with the exception of students declaring a major in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at South University, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Presbyterian College, the Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the University of South Carolina-Columbia, and the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree are not eligible to be awarded a LIFE Scholarship or a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement. Students enrolled in a CHE approved five-year bachelor’s degree program may be eligible to receive a LIFE Scholarship for a fifth year of full-time, undergraduate work and a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement for a fourth year of full-time undergraduate coursework. All programs must be approved by CHE for the purposes of receiving the scholarship enhancement.
N. “Eligible institution” shall be defined, solely for the purposes of the annual credit hour requirement and the LIFE GPA calculation, as an accredited public or independent postsecondary, degree-granting institution located in-state or out-of-state. The institution must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federally funded financial aid programs. This list may be found on the US Department of Education’s website.
O. “Eligible program of study” is defined as a program of study leading to: 1) at least a one-year educational program that leads to a first certificate or other recognized educational credential (e.g., diploma); 2) the first associate’s degree; 3) at least a two-year program that is acceptable for full credit towards a bachelor’s degree; 4) the first bachelor’s degree; or 5) a program of study that is structured so as not to require a bachelor’s degree for acceptance into the program and leads to a graduate degree. Students are eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship for a maximum of eight terms (or its equivalent) towards an undergraduate degree as long as all eligibility requirements are met and the program is approved by the Commission on Higher Education. Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s or graduate degree are not eligible for Scholarship or Enhancement funding. Students enrolled in an approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours may be eligible to receive a LIFE Scholarship for a maximum of six consecutive semesters at an eligible two-year institution. Students enrolled in an approved five-year degree program may be eligible to receive a LIFE Scholarship for a fifth year of full-time, undergraduate work and a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement for a fourth year of full-time undergraduate coursework. (see Section 62-1200.20 (C))
P. “Eligible degree program/Qualifying degree program” shall be defined, for the purposes of the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, as a degree program in education, mathematics or science as approved by the SC Commission on Higher Education. These programs shall include education, science and mathematics disciplines, accounting, computer science or informational technology, engineering, and health care and related disciplines including medicine and dentistry as defined by the Commission on Higher Education. Enrollment in a minor does not meet the requirement of an eligible degree program for a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement. Students must be enrolled as a declared major in an eligible program that is approved and assigned a CIP code by the Commission. Eligible programs must be approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Eligible/Qualifying programs are those listed as such on the Commission’s website.
Q. “Felonies” shall be defined as crimes classified under State statute (16-1-10) and typically require imprisonment for more than one year.
R. “Fifth year/senior year” shall mean any student who is enrolled in his or her ninth or tenth semester of full-time, undergraduate coursework in an approved five-year program following high school graduation. The student is in his/her fifth year of consecutive, full-time college enrollment based on the student’s initial date of college enrollment after graduation from high school.
S. “First year student/Freshman” is defined as any student who is enrolled as a first year student in his or her first or second semester of undergraduate coursework following high school graduation.
T. “Fourth year/senior year” shall mean seventh or eighth semester of full-time, undergraduate coursework following high school graduation. The student is in his/her fourth year of consecutive, full-time college enrollment based on the student’s initial date of college enrollment after graduation from high school.
U. “Full-time student” shall mean a student who has matriculated into an eligible program of study and who enrolls full-time, usually fifteen credit hours for fall and spring terms or twelve credit hours for fall, eight credit hours for winter, and twelve credit hours for spring trimester terms. The student must earn an average of thirty credit hours per academic year to receive a LIFE Scholarship. In order for the student to be eligible for Scholarship disbursement, the student must be enrolled full-time at the home institution as stipulated by Title IV Regulations, except that credit hours may not include remedial/developmental, continuing education, and non-degree credit courses for an associate’s degree or higher. Eligible LIFE Scholarship recipients may prorate their award amount for the term of graduation (see section 62-1200.10.P.).
V. “General Educational Development (GED) Diploma” is defined as a GED high school diploma that was completed in South Carolina or outside of the state while the student was a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina who had custody or paid child support and college expenses of the dependent GED diploma student. A student who earns a GED diploma cannot receive a LIFE Scholarship during his/her initial year (or equivalent) of college enrollment but may earn the scholarship in subsequent years.
W. “High school” is defined as a public, private, charter, virtual, Montessori or Magnet high school located in South Carolina, recognized home school association or program as defined in the State Statute, (Sections 59-65-40, 45, and 47) or a preparatory high school located outside of the state while the student is a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina who has custody or pays child support and college expenses of the dependent high school student in accordance with State Statute 59-112-10. A “preparatory high school” (out-of-state) is defined as a school recognized by the state in which the school is located to offer curricula through the twelfth grade and prepares students for college entrance.
X. “Home institution” shall mean the institution where the student is currently enrolled as a degree-seeking student and may be eligible for financial aid at the same institution.
Y. “Independent institutions/private institutions” are those institutions eligible to participate in the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program as defined in Chapter 113 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code, which stipulates that an “independent institution of higher learning means any independent eleemosynary junior or senior college in South Carolina which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or an independent bachelor’s level institution chartered before 1962 whose major campus and headquarters are located within South Carolina; or an independent bachelor’s level institution which was incorporated in its original charter in 1962, was granted a license to operate in 1997 by the Commission on Higher Education, has continued to maintain a campus in South Carolina, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Institutions whose sole purpose is religious or theological training or the granting of professional degrees do not meet the definition of ‘public or independent institution’ for purposes of this chapter.”
Z. “Ineligible degree program” shall be defined, for the purposes of the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, as a degree program that is not included on the Commission’s posted list of approved eligible programs and assigned a CIP code.
AA. “Initial college enrollment” shall mean the first time the student enrolls into a postsecondary degree-granting institution after high school graduation, completion of a GED/Adult Education Program or completion of an approved home school program. The terms of eligibility and the annual credit hour requirement are based upon initial college enrollment and continuous enrollment. This means that students must adhere to the 30 credit hour requirement even if they have a break in enrollment. Any break in enrollment (excluding summer) will also count against the terms of eligibility.
BB. “LIFE GPA” shall be defined as the cumulative grade point average calculation that includes credit hours and grades earned at all eligible institutions based on a 4.0 scale. The LIFE grade point average must not include attempted credit hours earned for continuing education courses, non-degree credit courses for an associate’s degree or higher and remedial/developmental courses. See Section 62-1200.60 for the steps to calculate the “LIFE GPA.”
CC. “LIFE Scholarship recipient” is defined as a student who meets all of the eligibility requirements to receive a LIFE Scholarship and is awarded LIFE Scholarship funds during a given academic year. Students who meet the eligibility requirements for a LIFE Scholarship but do not receive any LIFE Scholarship funds, due to the cost of attendance being met by other sources of financial aid, do not meet the definition of a LIFE Scholarship recipient.
DD. “Military mobilization” is defined as a situation in which the U.S. Department of Defense orders members of the United States Armed Forces to active duty away from their normal duty assignment during a time of war or national emergency.
EE. “Misdemeanor offenses” shall be defined as crimes classified under State statute (16-1-100) which are typically punishable by fine or imprisonment for less than one year. A complete listing is located in title 16 of State statute. Examples of alcohol and drug misdemeanors in South Carolina include but are not limited to possession of alcohol under the age of 21, possession of marijuana/illegal drugs, open-container, transfer of alcohol to person under 21, false information as to age (fake ID), etc.
FF. “Non-degree credit courses” shall be defined as courses that count towards graduation in a certificate or diploma program only. Non-degree credit courses must not be used in the “LIFE GPA” calculation or towards the annual credit hour requirement for an associate’s degree or higher.
GG. A “one-year educational program” is defined as an undergraduate program of study leading to recognized credentials (e.g., certificates or diplomas), as defined by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federally funded financial aid programs and which prepares students for gainful employment in recognized occupations.
HH. “Private institutions” are those institutions eligible to participate in the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program as defined in Chapter 113 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code, which stipulates that an “independent institution of higher learning means any independent eleemosynary junior or senior college in South Carolina which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or an independent bachelor’s level institution chartered before 1962 whose major campus and headquarters are located within South Carolina; or an independent bachelor’s level institution which was incorporated in its original charter in 1962, was granted a license to operate in 1997 by the Commission on Higher Education, has continued to maintain a campus in South Carolina, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Institutions whose sole purpose is religious or theological training or the granting of professional degrees do not meet the definition of ‘public or independent institution’ for purposes of this chapter.”
II. “Program of study that is structured so as not to require a bachelor’s degree for acceptance into the program and leads to a graduate degree”, which will be the student’s first academic degree awarded. Students are eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship for a maximum of eight terms (or its equivalent) and the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement for a maximum of six terms (or its equivalent) as long as all other eligibility requirements are met and the program is approved by the Commission on Higher Education. Students who have been awarded a bachelor’s or graduate degree are not eligible for Scholarship funding. Students must maintain their undergraduate status in order to receive a LIFE Scholarship and a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement each academic term, with the exception of students declaring a major in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at South University, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at Presbyterian College, the Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program at the Medical University of South Carolina, the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the University of South Carolina-Columbia and the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. All programs must be approved by CHE for the purposes of enhancement eligibility.
JJ. “Public institutions” are institutions of higher learning as defined in Chapter 103 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code, which stipulates “public higher education shall mean any state supported postsecondary educational institution and shall include technical and comprehensive educational institutions.”
KK. “Remedial/developmental coursework” shall mean sub-collegiate level preparatory courses in English, mathematics, reading and any courses classified as remedial by the institution where the course is taken.
LL. “Satisfactory academic progress” shall be defined as the academic progress in the declared major as required by the institution and academic department in which the student is enrolled as a full-time, degree-seeking student. The student must meet all requirements for satisfactory academic progress towards completion of the declared major as established by the policies of both the institution and academic department in which the student is enrolled to meet the requirements of satisfactory academic progress.
MM. “Second year/sophomore year” shall mean any student who is enrolled in his or her third or fourth semester of full-time, undergraduate coursework following high school graduation. The student is in his/her second year of consecutive, full-time college enrollment based on the student’s initial date of college enrollment after graduation from high school.
NN. “South Carolina resident” shall be defined as an individual who satisfies the requirements of residency in accordance with the State of South Carolina State Statute for Tuition and Fees, Section 59-112-10 and all related guidelines and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education as established by the institutional residency officer each academic year. A student must be considered a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation, and at the time of initial college enrollment, in order to receive a LIFE Scholarship.
OO. “Third year/junior year” shall mean the fifth or sixth semester of full-time, undergraduate coursework following high school graduation. The student is enrolled in his/her third year of consecutive, full-time enrollment based on the student’s initial date of college enrollment after graduation from high school.
PP. “3 plus 2 programs” is defined, for the purposes of the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement, as a program (typically an engineering major) in which a student completes three years of a baccalaureate program at one institution, at which time the student transfers to a second institution and completes the remaining two years of an undergraduate degree program. When the student completes the fourth year of enrollment, credit hours are transferred back to the initial institution, which confers the first baccalaureate degree (e.g., physics) using articulated credits from the second institution. At the end of the second year of enrollment at the second institution, the student receives the second baccalaureate degree (e.g., engineering). 3 plus 2 programs for the purposes of receiving the LIFE Scholarship Enhancement shall be defined and approved by the SC Commission on Higher Education. Students must be enrolled as a declared major in an eligible program that is approved and assigned a CIP code by the Commission. Enrollment in a minor does not meet the requirement of an eligible degree program for a LIFE Scholarship Enhancement award.
QQ. “Transfer student” shall be defined as a student who has changed enrollment from one institution to a SC public or independent institution.
RR. “Substantially deviates” shall be defined, for the purposes of reviewing out-of-state preparatory high school grading scales, as being less than equivalent to the 2007 Uniform Grading Policy.
SS. “Preparatory high school” (out-of-state) is defined as a school recognized by the state in which the school is located to offer curricula through the twelfth grade and prepares students for college entrance.
TT. “Lawful Presence” is defined as individuals who are US citizens, permanent residents, or non-US citizens and non-permanent residents who are legally present in the US. When verifying the lawful presence of an individual, institutional personnel shall not attempt to independently verify the immigration status of any alien, but shall verify any alien’s immigration status with the federal government pursuant to 8 USC Section 1373(c).
UU. “Continuously enrolled” is defined as enrollment without an interruption that would require the student to pursue a formal process of readmission to that institution. Formal petitions or applications for change of degree level shall be considered readmissions. Students who attend summer terms or are selected for military mobilization are considered continuously enrolled. Students who are enrolled in internships, cooperative work programs, travel study programs, or National or International Exchange Programs that are approved by the home institution are considered continuously enrolled.
VV. An “approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours” shall mean an associate’s degree program as approved by the Commission on Higher Education that requires a minimum of 68 earned credit hours to complete the degree at an eligible two-year institution. A student initially enrolling in an approved associate’s degree program that requires a minimum of 68 credit hours may receive a maximum of six consecutive terms of LIFE Scholarship funding.

Editor's Note

See SCSR 44-6 Doc. No. 4966, effective May 18, 2020 for 90 days, which promulgated emergency amendments to SC ADC 62-1200.1 to 62-1200.75, providing high school students with an opportunity to take the ACT test examination through July 2020, and to use the earned scores to meet the qualifications for state scholarships, and the opportunity to take a break in enrollment during the Fall 2020 academic term and still maintain their remaining terms of LIFE Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship Enhancement eligibility.

See SCSR 44-8 Doc. No. 4973, effective August 14, 2020 for 90 days, which promulgated emergency amendments to SC ADC 62-1200.1 to 62-1200.75, providing high school students with an opportunity to take the ACT test examination through July 2020, and to use the earned scores to meet the qualifications for state scholarships, and the opportunity to take a break in enrollment during the Fall 2020 academic term and still maintain their remaining terms of LIFE Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship Enhancement eligibility.

See SCSR 48-7 Doc. No. 5274, effective July 9, 2024 for 90 days, which promulgated emergency amendments to SC ADC 62-1200.1 to 62-1200.75, providing institutions the ability to award and disburse the LIFE Enhancement Stipend for education and accounting majors, effective for the Fall 2024 term.

See SCSR 49-1 Doc. No. 5368, effective January 2, 2025 for 90 days, which promulgated emergency amendments to SC ADC 62-1200.1 to 62-1200.75, providing institutions the ability to award and disburse the LIFE Enhancement Stipend for education and accounting majors, effective for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 terms.

HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 33, Issue No. 6, eff June 26, 2009. Amended by State Register Volume 35, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2011; SCSR 45-5 Doc. No. 5004, eff May 28, 2021; SCSR 46-5 Doc. No. 5052, eff May 27, 2022; SCSR 49-5 Doc. No. 5321, eff May 23, 2025.