Greenwood Promise

Eligibility

The Greenwood Promise is available to all students who graduate from a public/private high school or an accredited homeschooling program whose primary residence is zoned for Districts 50, 51 or 52. Virtual and homeschool students, please email info@greenwoodpromise.com for a form. To be eligible, students must complete and return the Promise consent form to their school and meet the following criteria:

Residency Requirements
  • Graduate from a public or private high school or an accredited homeschooling program.
  • The student’s primary residence must be zoned for either Greenwood School District 50, 51 or 52.
  • Reside at a residence zoned for an approved District continuously since at least the beginning of 9th grade, funding levels increase depending on length of residency (school enrollment and residency must be continuous.)
GPA Requirements
  • For technical degrees or certifications, there is no minimum GPA requirement upon high school graduation; however, students must qualify for admittance into a two-year technical college.
  • Once admitted into a Technical College, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA.
  • For a bachelor’s degree, there is currently a 3.0 GPA requirement.
Additional Requirements
  • The student must be a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident.
  • The student must not be in default on a Federal student loan.
  • The student must certify that he or she has never been convicted of any felonies.
  • The student must certify that he or she has not been convicted of any second or subsequent alcohol and/or drug-related misdemeanors within the academic year.
How Do I “Apply” for the Greenwood Promise?

For technical degrees: after students and their parents sign and return their Promise Consent Form to their high school guidance counselor, the student is eligible. There is no formal application. The consent form MUST be completed during their senior year of high school to receive funds for Fall or Spring enrollment at Piedmont Technical College or another SC technical college if the program of study is not offered at Piedmont Tech.

For bachelor’s degrees: an application is required due to the limited number of scholarships available. The application opens in January, and students may apply during their sophomore year.

Where Can I Use My Scholarship?
  • If the student pursues a technical degree or certification, Promise funds may be used to attend Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC or another SC technical college if the desired program is not offered at Piedmont Tech.
  • Promise scholarships are for certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees requiring a minimum of 12 credit hours in non-developmental courses for completion.
  • The Greenwood Promise is also offering a limited number of scholarships to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Lander University in 30 specific majors. There are also a limited number of engineering degree scholarships for students who attend Clemson, USC, SC State, or the Citadel.
  • The bachelor’s degree scholarship requires an application which can be found on the front page of our website. There are different eligibility rules for this program which can be found in the FAQ’s on the front page.
How Do I Maintain My Scholarship Throughout College?
  • A student must be enrolled full-time, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours of non-developmental courses per semester for technical degrees and 30 credit hours for bachelor’s degrees.
  • A student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the end of each academic year (Fall, Summer, Spring) to be eligible for their second year for technical degrees, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for bachelor’s degrees.
  • Students must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and State Grant Forms by June 30th each year.
  • A student must obtain an associate’s degree or certificate within 3 years of the date of high school graduation, and a bachelor’s degree within 5 years of the date of high school graduation (Exceptions to this requirement are granted for military service.)
How Much Will I Receive?

The scholarship program provides funds to cover the remaining tuition and mandatory fees for post-secondary education after any state or federal aid is applied to your balance. The amount varies by student. The financial aid office provides the calculations.

  • The student must be enrolled full-time, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours in non-developmental courses per semester.
  • Summer school and remedial classes will not be covered, UNLESS they are REQUIRED by PTC’s Curriculum. Students must submit an appeal online at info@greenwoodpromise.com and contact the Promise office for approval.
  • All funds will be paid directly to the educational institution AFTER the drop/add period of the fall, winter, and spring semesters.