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North Carolina vs South Carolina: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? North Carolina offers a higher average award size, making it suitable for applicants seeking larger scholarships. South Carolina, while having a lower average, provides a variety of opportunities, appealing to those with specific needs.

State vs State

State A

North Carolina

State B

South Carolina

Quick comparison

MetricNorth CarolinaSouth Carolina
Active scholarships in catalog8854
Avg. award (where known)$2,964$2,295
Max indexed award$10,000$18,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, North Carolina presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of approximately $2,890, while South Carolina offers an average of around $2,242. North Carolina has a total of 44 grants available, compared to South Carolina's 38. The maximum award in North Carolina reaches $10,000, significantly higher than South Carolina's $18,000 maximum, which may attract applicants looking for substantial funding.

Among the top universities, North Carolina boasts institutions like the Foundation For The Carolinas and Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation, which provide numerous grants. In South Carolina, Midlands Technical College stands out with a high number of grants, indicating a strong support system for students.

Top Scholarship Providers in North Carolina

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

North Carolina

North Carolina's scholarship climate is characterized by a higher average award size and a greater number of grants, making it attractive for applicants seeking substantial financial aid.

South Carolina

South Carolina's scholarship opportunities, while slightly less in average award size, still provide a variety of options, particularly for students with specific interests or needs.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

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

Visual comparison

North Carolina

Median household income

$71,866

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,102

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

20.80/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$47,970

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 33.83 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

100

ADI counties

100

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 100 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 100 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 North Carolina?
The average scholarship amount in North Carolina is approximately $2,890.
How many grants are available in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a total of 38 grants available for applicants.
Which state has a higher maximum scholarship award?
South Carolina has a higher maximum scholarship award of $18,000 compared to North Carolina's $10,000.
What are some top universities in North Carolina for scholarships?
Top universities in North Carolina include the Foundation For The Carolinas and Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation.

Sources and official pages

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

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