Understanding Clemson University's LIFE Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide

Clemson University offers a variety of scholarships to help students finance their education. Among these, the LIFE Scholarship stands out as a significant opportunity for eligible students. This article delves into the specifics of the LIFE Scholarship at Clemson, outlining the requirements, benefits, and other crucial details.

LIFE Scholarship Overview

The S.C. Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarships are valued at $5,000 per year. There is no application process for the LIFE Scholarship. To receive the LIFE Scholarship, students must meet specific academic requirements.

Key Features of the LIFE Scholarship:

Award Amount: \$5,000 per year
Application: There is no separate application process.
Renewal: Renewable for up to three additional years of continuous undergraduate study, totaling a potential of eight semesters of funding.
Eligibility Review: Scholarship renewal for the following academic year is checked at the end of the previous Spring semester.

Eligibility Requirements for the LIFE Scholarship

Eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship is primarily based on academic performance and enrollment status. Here's a breakdown of the key requirements:

Initial Eligibility: Eligibility for the first year at Clemson is based on your initial college enrollment and the cumulative GPA and hours earned (nonremedial) at your previous institution(s).
GPA Requirement: Earn a minimum cumulative LIFE GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale by the end of the academic year. The LIFE GPA is used for determining eligibility for the LIFE Scholarship only.

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Credit Hours: A minimum of 12 credits completed each semester (24 credits per school year) is required for renewal. Any credit hours earned before high school graduation, hours exempted by examination and Advanced Placement credit approved by Clemson University will be used toward the credit hour requirement. Summer transient courses (nonremedial) taken at any institution (in-state or out-of-state) may be used toward the credit hours requirement. Any courses taken at Clemson or any other LIFE-eligible institution in-state or out-of-state will affect your LIFE GPA.
Continuous Enrollment: You may receive the LIFE Scholarship through the eighth consecutive semester following initial college enrollment. The eight-semester limit is a time limit only. Once a student begins college (assuming they have met the initial criteria to be awarded the scholarship), they have up to eight semesters of potential eligibility. If a student graduates before using all eight semesters, the student forfeits any remaining LIFE Scholarship semesters (stipends).

Important Considerations:

Cooperative Education and Internships: If you participate in the Cooperative Education Program and/or certain sanctioned internship programs, you are not eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship during the term of participation.
Full-Time Status: If you are receiving the LIFE Scholarship or any other financial aid, dropping below full-time status or withdrawing completely may affect your eligibility to receive aid.
Transient Courses: Summer transient courses (nonremedial) taken at any institution (in-state or out-of-state) may be used toward the credit hours requirement.
Transcript Submission: The law requires that a student receiving the LIFE Scholarship sign an affidavit confirming that they have sent all transcripts to Clemson representing an accurate LIFE GPA.

Understanding the LIFE GPA

The LIFE GPA is a GPA used only for the purpose of LIFE Scholarship awards. It represents an all-college GPA, consisting of the combined total of a student's Grade (Quality) Points divided by the cumulative number of attempted credit hours from all schools attended to earn college credits, even while still enrolled in high school. You can calculate your current LIFE GPA under the S.C.

LIFE Scholarship and Study Abroad

Some study abroad programs allow students to use their LIFE scholarship funds for the semester abroad. Students will determine during the study abroad preparation if their scholarship can be used for the study abroad term. If you study abroad and your transcripts from a foreign school are not sent back to Clemson before the next school year starts, there may be a delay in awarding your LIFE scholarship for the next term. Some students will have enough cumulative credits to award the LIFE scholarship before their study abroad transcript arrives and is posted. Once eligibility is confirmed, the LIFE Scholarship can be awarded after the school term has started.

Using the Book Allowance

The LIFE Scholarship includes a \$300 book allowance. The book allowance is credited toward the student's University account combined with the rest of the LIFE Scholarship funds.

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Academic Forgiveness and LIFE Eligibility

Renewal for Clemson and state scholarships is based on your GPA and your earned credit hours.

Regaining LIFE Scholarship Eligibility

If a student does not have the LIFE Scholarship now, but get their GPA back up to 3.0 after the Fall term, they cannot get the LIFE Scholarship for the Spring term. The LIFE Scholarship is awarded for one year (Fall and Spring terms) at a time. Students are reviewed at the end of the Spring term for eligibility for the following year's awards.

Taking a Semester Off

The semester you are not enrolled in is still counted as one of the eight total terms of potential eligibility. A student might also file an appeal to the Commission on Higher Education for a review of their file under certain circumstances.

Medical Withdrawals

There are instances where a student must leave school for documented medical reasons, including psychological reasons.

Transferring Schools

A student should contact the school they are transferring to for information on that school's LIFE Scholarship review of entering transfer students.

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Other Scholarship Opportunities at Clemson

In addition to the LIFE Scholarship, Clemson University offers various other financial aid opportunities. These include:

First-Year Recruiting Scholarships: These scholarships are only available to incoming first-year students and are extremely competitive. These scholarships range from \$500 per year to the full cost of attendance and can be renewed for an additional three years if you maintain the minimum requirements.
Need-Based Grants and Merit Awards: Students who show financial need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application will be considered for renewable grant funds and merit awards.
Special Program and Alumni-Funded Scholarships: Clemson considers all admitted first-year students (in-state or out-of-state) for scholarships funded by special programs, alumni and other friends of the University. Special programs are reviewed annually for their enrollment objectives within the Clemson Elevate strategic plan.
Out-of-State Tuition Scholarships: Students receiving Out-of-State Tuition Scholarships will receive a named award (typically donor-funded) of up to \$500. This named award is included in the total amount of the award offer and is renewable for up to eight semesters.
Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is the state’s premier scholarship, valued at \$6,700 for the first year and \$7,500 for subsequent years.
HOPE Scholarship: The HOPE Scholarship is valued at \$2,800 and is nonrenewable. To receive the HOPE Scholarship, students must graduate with a minimum 3.0 GPA on the uniform grading scale.

It is important to note that you cannot apply for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship if you have the LIFE Scholarship.

ClemsonLIFE Program Scholarships

Financial aid is available for students with intellectual disabilities attending post-secondary programs.

South Carolina Commission on Higher Education- Transition Program Scholarship: \$15,000. If you are a South Carolina resident we encourage you to complete your FAFSA so you will receive the CTP scholarship from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. This scholarship is NOT need based.
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education- Transition Program Grant-in-Aid: up to \$10,000. If you are a South Carolina resident we encourage you to complete your FAFSA so you may be eligible to receive the CTP grant-in-aid from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
CSS Profile: The CSS form is not mandatory, but if you would like to be considered by ClemsonLIFE for Grant-in-aids you will have to fill out the form. Clemson University’s School Code is 5111. Cost for the CSS Profile is \$25 for the initial application and one college or program report. Each additional college report is \$16.

ClemsonLIFE Traditional Program

Please use the following link to apply for the ClemsonLIFE Traditional Application for the 2026-2027 school year.

The ClemsonLIFE Program offers a two-year Basic Program that incorporates functional academics, independent living, employment, social/leisure skills, and health/wellness skills in a public university setting with the goal of producing self-sufficient young adults. Additionally, the ClemsonLIFE Program offers a two-year Advanced Program for students that have demonstrated the ability to safely live independently, sustain employment, and socially integrate during the Basic Program. The Advanced Program progresses with an emphasis on workplace experience, community integration, and independent living with transitionally reduced supports.

Each student will be given an electronic copy of the following upon graduation: resume, reference list, and other resources (i.e. Documentation of an intellectual disability, with significant limitations in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, as defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). “Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. Has the ability to independently self-administer and manage medication, specialized dietary, and/or medical needs. Has the potential to be successful in competitive employment situations.

We recommend prospective students and families attend a program open house. Eligible applicants may be invited to attend an on-campus interview during the months of January and February. The application for 2025-2026 ClemsonLIFE Traditional Program is closed. The application for 2026-2027 ClemsonLIFE Traditional Program Application opens on June 1, 2025, and will close December 1, 2025. Open House registration typically will reach capacity within a few weeks.

All students attend a Clemson University traditional one to four hours course one to two days per week. They attend a specialized fitness class at Fike Recreation center one to two times a week. Mentors also meet with students on a weekly basis to support and encourage LIFE students. ClemsonLIFE core principles support the concept that enhancing academic, social, employment, and life skills will better prepare students with disabilities to lead full and productive lives.

An applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 26 years old upon admission to the program and have an intellectual disability characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. ClemsonLIFE is a residential program providing instruction and practical experience in independent living skills. All students enrolled in the Basic Program live in on-campus apartments under the supervision on an Independent Living Assistant (ILA). The Basic Program is designed to be completed in two years. Each ClemsonLIFE student is provided an individual peer student mentor drawn from throughout the campus. All interested applicants should attend one of our open houses that are held each semester. Sessions are typically offered in March and October. To reserve a space at an open house session, please register online. ClemsonLIFE is dedicated to providing a structured, high-quality, well-supervised program focused on vocational and independent living for young adults with disabilities.

Program FeesCovers costs associated with the ClemsonLIFE program (i.e. Student Budget FeesCovers apartment groceries, laundry, attendance at sporting or theater events, field trips, etc. HousingCovers rent, utilities, cable and Internet. All students currently live in Douthit Hills apartments on campus. Academic FeeCovers tuition fees. Program FeesCovers costs associated with the ClemsonLIFE program (i.e. Academic Fee Covers tuition fees.

ClemsonLIFE Hospitality Certificate Program

Please use the following link to apply for the ClemsonLIFE Hospitality Certificate Program Application for the 2026-2027 school year.

ClemsonLIFE also offers an employment-based program, the Hospitality Certificate Program (HCP). HCP students will receive a combination of classroom and employment experiences to prepare for employment in the Hospitality Industry. The applicant must be able to get to and from campus and worksites on his/her own while providing his/her own means of transportation (i.e. The applicant must be independent in handling his/her own medication, specialized dietary and/or medical needs, as well as maintaining personal hygiene. Note: There is no personnel available to manage/administer medication.

We recommend prospective students and families attend a program open house. Eligible applicants may be invited to attend an on-campus interview during the months of September and October. The application for 2026-2027 ClemsonLIFE Hospitality Certificate Program Application opens on June 1, 2025, and will close September 15, 2025. Open House registration typically will reach capacity within a few weeks. Mentors also meet with students on a weekly basis to support and encourage ClemsonLIFE HCP students. Hospitality Certificate Program provides young adults with cognitive disabilities the skills and competencies that will lead to a successful and fulfilling career in the Hospitality Industry.

Hotel front of house - public area cleaner, receptionist; Hotel back of house - Housekeeper and houseperson; Restaurant front of house - greeter, food runner, busser, waiter/waitress; Restaurant back of house - steward/dishwasher.

Program FeesCovers costs associated with the ClemsonLIFE program (i.e. Covers apartment groceries, laundry, attendance at sporting or theater events, field trips, etc. Covers tuition fees.

Important Notice

All requirements for eligibility, renewal, scholarship funding and enhancement are under review by the South Carolina General Assembly and are subject to change. This information is subject to change by either the South Carolina General Assembly or the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. It is crucial to stay updated with the latest guidelines from Clemson University and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

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