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FAFSA AND FINANCIAL AID

FAFSA and Financial Aid Guide for South Carolina Families

A South Carolina family’s guide to FAFSA, CSS Profile, and financial aid: what’s covered, when to apply, and how to avoid common mistakes.

FAFSA

decides federal aid eligibility and is required everywhere

CSS Profile

used by roughly 200 mostly private colleges for their own aid

Palmetto Fellows + LIFE

SC merit awards that stack on top of FAFSA-based aid

Start here

Financial aid eligibility, including for summer terms, depends on the program and how aid was already used during the regular year. That’s the most common point of confusion we hear from families across Murrells Inlet, Mount Pleasant, and the Charleston metro. This page is the starting point. For the full walkthrough, see our complete FAFSA guide.

Federal aid is only part of the picture

Palmetto Fellows and the LIFE Scholarship are South Carolina’s two lottery funded, merit based awards for students attending eligible SC colleges, and they stack on top of, not instead of, FAFSA based aid. See our Scholarship Search Guide for how they compare.

Trusted outside resources

A short, checked list of the outside sites worth your time. Links checked 3 Oct 2026.

FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

The official Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Federal Student Aid Estimator

Estimate federal aid eligibility before you file.

CSS Profile

College Board’s application for colleges’ own institutional aid.

NASFAA

The national association of college financial aid administrators.

U.S. Department of Education

Federal education programs and student aid updates.

Keep exploring

Scholarship Search Guide

The databases worth using and how to build a scholarship strategy

ESTF and Homeschool Funding

The 2026-27 $7,634 award, ClassWallet setup, and which homeschool options currently qualify

Does financial aid cover summer classes?

It depends on the program and term. Talk to a planner to check your specific situation.

What's the difference between FAFSA and CSS Profile?

FAFSA determines federal aid eligibility and is required everywhere. CSS Profile is used by roughly 200 mostly private colleges for their own institutional aid, in addition to FAFSA.

Are Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships the same as FAFSA?

No. They’re South Carolina’s own merit based scholarships, funded separately, for students at eligible in-state colleges. Awarded alongside FAFSA based aid, not instead of it.

When should we file the FAFSA?

As soon as it opens. Aid at many schools is awarded first come within eligibility, so filing early matters more than filing perfectly.

Want a plan built around your student?

Start with a free 30-minute consultation with our team in Murrells Inlet or Mount Pleasant. Or call 855-442-4222.

Kevin Kinley

As a parent of two teenagers entering adulthood that are very different, having a "coach" in our corner was a game changer. They are hearing a voice that's not their parent, guides them with no judgement and does so with experience and vast options of the future. Our first experience was easier because our daughter was organized and had an idea of what she wanted to do after high school. She was tasked with structured steps to help her and the coach determine the best path throughout her journey. We're on the home stretch and feel confident that the work she put in the last few years will be fruitful. Our son was slow out of the gate. Although he has high ambitions of playing a sport post-high school, it took some time for him to realize the importance of academics in the step ladder of success. With procrastination playing a part, we became frustrated with the progress he was making towards his potential. Chris and his team were able to discern his personality and assign him a coach that was relatable and encouraging. Within a month, our son was scheduling his coach meetings, completing tasks towards the checklist and forging forward in his own quest. We're so grateful for the time and thoughtfulness of Chris and all of the coaches we've had.

Meg Sandefur

Chris and The College Planning Center did an amazing job helping my daughter get though every step of high school - from assisting with test prep to reviewing college applications and so much more. As parents, having someone so knowledgeable about the testing and college application process relieved so much stress from us!

Vann Roe

The College Planning Center was a huge help. I didn’t realize how much work the college process involved, but Christopher guided me through everything and made it simple. He’s always available, keeps you on track, and genuinely cares. Highly recommend.

Harrison Single

When I first met with Christopher I was completely behind in my college application process. I did not have a good enough SAT score, my essay and common app weren’t even complete. With the help of Christopher Parsons and Miles Kelly, I was all caught up and ready to submit my college applications two months after meeting with them. As a result of them pushing me and holding me accountable I got into all seven colleges I applied to including my reach school. They truly care about each kid they work with and helped me tremendously in those two months.

Reyna Flores

Chris has been such a big help with my college craziness. He has helped me through the whole process and gave me so many valuable tools

Lily Sandefur

Deciding to use the College Planning Center to help me through my middle and high school years made them so much less overwhelming and helped me to curate a path perfect for my future goals. Chris was so helpful and guided me through everything from choosing classes to writing college essays, and test prep with Miles was extremely beneficial for my scores. I’m so grateful I had their guidance as it has helped me get into the college I had been hoping to get in to!

Ladonna Susan Campbell

We highly recommend Christopher Parsons of College Planning Center. We had some unique needs, and he was able to create trust with our senior. Our family is so pleased with Christopher's help.

Gwyn Single

I cannot recommend Christopher Parsons highly enough for his work with students navigating the college application process. Christopher began working with my son, Harrison, at the start of his senior year — which was a relatively late start for college planning — yet he immediately brought structure, clarity, and momentum to the process. Christopher worked directly with Harrison, setting clear deadlines and holding him accountable at every step. He helped Harrison improve his SAT scores, guided him through the Common Application, and provided thoughtful support in developing and refining his college essay. His approach struck the perfect balance between encouragement and expectation, ensuring Harrison stayed on track while still owning the process. Our family was also in the middle of moving out of state, which added another layer of complexity. Christopher was incredibly helpful in helping us navigate the logistics of Harrison graduating early in December while simultaneously applying to out-of-state colleges. His knowledge and calm guidance made what could have been an overwhelming situation feel manageable. The results speak for themselves: Harrison has been accepted to every college he applied to and has received merit money based on his grades and improved test scores. Christopher’s guidance played a significant role in that success. Beyond the outcomes, what impressed me most was Christopher’s ability to connect directly with Harrison, motivate him, and keep him focused during a very busy and transitional time. His organization, experience, and genuine investment in his students make him an exceptional college advisor. I am extremely grateful for Christopher’s help and would wholeheartedly recommend him to any family looking for expert guidance through the college application process. -Gwyn Single (Harrison Single WHS Class of 2026)

Dana Johnson

At first, I was a bit hesitant about the cost of working with Chris, the college planner for my son. However, it absolutely paid off in the end. My son was accepted into every college he applied to, and the guidance and support throughout the process were invaluable. I highly recommend Chris and his services to any family navigating the college application process and SAT prep!! His scores increased by 200 points on the SAT in a 3 month period.

Thomas Young

Great experience! We came late to the program but it was excellent. Our son already had great ACT and SAT scores but really needed vocational counseling to narrow down choice and identify best direction. Christopher Parsons guided him through very thorough vocational testing and Tom was able to utilize online college interface College Planning Center offers to then identify best fit schools. Christopher was very flexible meeting over Skype around a busy senior fall schedule and guided him through advising process with tons of support for the essays required for honor colleges, etc. We appreciated the opportunity to be the parent cheerleader instead of the nag. Christopher kept on top of deadlines and worked directly with our student. I would advise to start earlier than we did and highly recommend the vocational testing/advising which felt like a more old fashioned guidance counseling. Tom received excellent offers from the 4 colleges selected and he chose the college Christopher had initially recommended which wasn't on our radar but upon visiting was EXACTLY what Tom was looking for in a school.

FAFSA and Financial Aid Guide for South Carolina Families

Start here

Federal aid is only part of the picture

Trusted outside resources

FAFSA (Federal Student Aid)

Federal Student Aid Estimator

CSS Profile

NASFAA

U.S. Department of Education

Keep exploring

Scholarship Search Guide

ESTF and Homeschool Funding

Frequently asked questions

Does financial aid cover summer classes?

What's the difference between FAFSA and CSS Profile?

Are Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships the same as FAFSA?

When should we file the FAFSA?

Want a plan built around your student?

Families Trust Us With Their Future