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Kentucky vs South Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Kentucky offers a moderate average award size with a focus on specific foundations, while South Carolina provides higher maximum awards and a broader range of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger funding.

State vs State

State A

Kentucky

State B

South Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricKentuckySouth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog5254
Avg. award (where known)$2,551$2,295
Max indexed award$10,000$18,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Kentucky presents a scholarship climate with an average award size of approximately $2,131 and a maximum award of $5,300 across 39 grants. The leading scholarship providers include the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, and The Race for Education, each offering multiple grants.

In contrast, South Carolina's scholarship landscape features a higher average award size of about $2,242, with a maximum award reaching up to $18,000 across 38 grants. Notable institutions such as Midlands Technical College dominate the scene with a significant number of grants available.

Top Scholarship Providers in Kentucky

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in South Carolina

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Kentucky

Kentucky's scholarship climate is characterized by moderate average awards and a focus on specific foundations, making it suitable for applicants looking for targeted funding.

South Carolina

South Carolina offers a more diverse range of scholarships with higher maximum awards, appealing to applicants seeking substantial financial support.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Kentucky

Median household income

$63,680

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$927

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

19.60/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$46,920

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 20.29 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

higher indicator band

SVI counties

120

ADI counties

120

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 120 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 120 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

South Carolina

Median household income

$67,568

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,070

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.92/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$46,490

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 42.50 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

higher indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

46

ADI counties

46

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 46 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 46 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Kentucky?
The average scholarship amount in Kentucky is approximately $2,131.
What is the maximum scholarship amount available in South Carolina?
The maximum scholarship amount available in South Carolina is $18,000.
Which state has more scholarship opportunities?
Kentucky has 39 grants while South Carolina has 38 grants, making them relatively comparable in terms of opportunities.
What are the top universities offering scholarships in Kentucky?
Top universities in Kentucky include the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
How can I find scholarships in South Carolina?
You can find scholarships in South Carolina through resources like the Midlands Technical College and various local initiatives.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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Internal reading paths around scholarship search, application strategy, and essay preparation for students comparing Kentucky and South Carolina.

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