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Minnesota vs South Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Minnesota offers higher average awards, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger funding. South Carolina has more opportunities but lower average awards, appealing to those who prioritize quantity over size.

State vs State

State A

Minnesota

State B

South Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricMinnesotaSouth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog4754
Avg. award (where known)$2,915$2,295
Max indexed award$9,000$18,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Minnesota presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of $3,125 and a maximum of $9,000 across 36 grants. The top universities in Minnesota include the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-Minnesota Council 5, among others.

Conversely, South Carolina offers a slightly larger number of grants at 38, with an average award of approximately $2,242. The maximum award can reach $18,000, which may attract applicants looking for substantial funding. Midlands Technical College stands out with a significant number of grants available.

Top Scholarship Providers in Minnesota

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

Minnesota

Minnesota's scholarship climate is characterized by higher average awards and fewer opportunities, appealing to those seeking substantial financial support.

South Carolina

South Carolina's climate features a greater number of grants with lower average awards, suitable for applicants who prefer a wider range of options.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

Minnesota

Median household income

$89,564

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,046

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

21.55/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$56,920

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 22.22 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

lower indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

87

ADI counties

87

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 87 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 87 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 Minnesota?
The average scholarship amount in Minnesota is $3,125.
How many grants are available in South Carolina?
South Carolina offers a total of 38 grants.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship amounts?
South Carolina has a higher maximum scholarship amount of $18,000 compared to Minnesota's $9,000.

Sources and official pages

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

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