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Financial Aid and Scholarships

SC Teachers Loans

A 100 percent forgivable loan is rare these days, but it’s an option through the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation. This loan program was designed to help the next generation of teachers in SC.

Application Process

The South Carolina Teachers and Career Changers Loan programs are available to South Carolina residents who wish to teach after graduation. Applications are generally available each February. The priority deadline for the application is April 30. Funding for this program is limited, so apply early.

SC Teachers Loan applications must be submitted from the student electronically by email to the College of Education. Electronic signatures are permitted. To access the application, please visit SC Student Loan Corporation’s website.

Students should complete their section of the application first and email it to College of Education at COESTUDY@mailbox.sc.edu. The College of Education will then forward the application to our loan department. If you have any questions about the status of your application, email the College of Education or our loan department at faloan@mailbox.sc.edu. The fax number for the loan department is 803-777-3206. For more information on the application process, visit the College of Education website.

Annual and Aggregate Loan Limits

For the SC Teachers Loan, freshmen and sophomores may borrow up to $2,500 per year. Juniors, seniors and graduate students may borrow up to $7,500 a year. The total amount that can be borrowed is $27,500 for all students.

Career Changers Loan recipients may borrow up to $15,000 per year. The total amount that can be borrowed is $60,000.

Loan Forgiveness

South Carolina Teachers and Career Changers loans are forgiven at the rate of 20 percent or $3,000 for each full year of teaching at a SC public school in a critical need subject or geographical area. If you teach in both a critical subject and a critical geographical area in South Carolina, your loan will be forgiven at 33 1/3 percent or $5,000 for each full year of teaching. If you do not teach, the loan must be repaid. Repayment will begin six months after you graduate or leave school. The interest rate is the same as the interest rate for a direct additional unsubsidized loan plus two percent, not to exceed 8.25 percent.

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