What GPA is required to keep LIFE Scholarship at UofSC?

South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship requires a 3.0 cumulative college GPA at the end of each academic year. You must also complete at least 30 credit hours per year. If your GPA drops below 3.0, the scholarship is suspended for the following year. You may reinstate by raising your GPA to 3.0. Contact UofSC Financial Aid for details about your specific scholarship and any grace period provisions.

What GPA is required for Dean's List at the University of South Carolina?

UofSC Dean's List requires a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in at least 12 graded credit hours. Dean's List recognition is awarded each semester and appears on the official transcript. Some individual schools and colleges within UofSC (like Darla Moore School of Business) may have additional honor list criteria.

What are UofSC's graduation honors GPA requirements?

UofSC graduation honors: Summa Cum Laude (3.80–4.00), Magna Cum Laude (3.60–3.79), Cum Laude (3.40–3.59). Note that Cum Laude begins at 3.40, not the 3.50 threshold used at many universities. Some programs may require that honors GPA be based on UofSC coursework only, excluding transfer credits.

Does UofSC use WF grades and how do they affect GPA?

Yes — at UofSC, a WF (Withdraw-Fail) grade is assigned when you withdraw from a course after the deadline while your grade would have been failing. WF counts as 0.0 quality points in GPA, identical to an F. It appears permanently on your transcript. Monitor your grade and be sure to withdraw before the deadline if needed to avoid a WF.

How to Calculate Your University of South Carolina GPA: Quality Points and Scale

Learn how the University of South Carolina calculates GPA — the 4.0 quality point scale, grading, and GPA requirements for Dean's List, LIFE Scholarship, and graduation.

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How the University of South Carolina Calculates GPA

The University of South Carolina uses the standard 4.0 quality point scale with plus/minus grading:

GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours Attempted

UofSC Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Quality Points
A	4.0
A−	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B−	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0
C−	1.7
D+	1.3
D	1.0
D−	0.7
F	0.0
WF	0.0

Note: UofSC does not use A+ grades. WF (Withdraw-Fail) counts as 0.0 quality points.

Worked Calculation Example

Course	Credits	Grade	Quality Points
MATH 141	4	B+	4 × 3.3 = 13.2
CHEM 111	4	A−	4 × 3.7 = 14.8
ENGL 101	3	B	3 × 3.0 = 9.0
HIST 101	3	A	3 × 4.0 = 12.0
Total	14		49.0

GPA = 49.0 / 14 = 3.50

Key GPA Thresholds at UofSC

Standing	GPA
Academic Probation	Below 2.0 cumulative
Good Academic Standing	2.0+ cumulative
Minimum Graduation GPA	2.0 cumulative
Dean's List (semester)	3.5 GPA, 12+ credit hours
Graduation: Cum Laude	3.40–3.59
Graduation: Magna Cum Laude	3.60–3.79
Graduation: Summa Cum Laude	3.80–4.00

LIFE Scholarship GPA Requirements

South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship requires: - 3.0+ cumulative GPA at the end of each year - Full-time enrollment (30+ credit hours per year attempted) - Must earn 30 credit hours per academic year to maintain eligibility - GPA is checked annually; failure to meet requirements suspends the scholarship

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship GPA Requirements

Higher-tier SC scholarship requires: - 3.0+ cumulative GPA (some thresholds may be higher — confirm with SC Commission on Higher Education)

Course Repeat/Grade Forgiveness Policy

UofSC allows course repetition with grade forgiveness: - Students may repeat a course and have the original grade forgiven (excluded from GPA) - Original grade replaced by repeated grade in GPA calculation - Both grades appear on transcript - Limited number of forgivable courses — consult academic advisor

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What GPA is required to keep LIFE Scholarship at UofSC?: South Carolina's LIFE Scholarship requires a 3.0 cumulative college GPA at the end of each academic year. You must also complete at least 30 credit hours per year. If your GPA drops below 3.0, the scholarship is suspended for the following year. You may reinstate by raising your GPA to 3.0. Contact UofSC Financial Aid for details about your specific scholarship and any grace period provisions.
What GPA is required for Dean's List at the University of South Carolina?: UofSC Dean's List requires a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in at least 12 graded credit hours. Dean's List recognition is awarded each semester and appears on the official transcript. Some individual schools and colleges within UofSC (like Darla Moore School of Business) may have additional honor list criteria.
What are UofSC's graduation honors GPA requirements?: UofSC graduation honors: Summa Cum Laude (3.80–4.00), Magna Cum Laude (3.60–3.79), Cum Laude (3.40–3.59). Note that Cum Laude begins at 3.40, not the 3.50 threshold used at many universities. Some programs may require that honors GPA be based on UofSC coursework only, excluding transfer credits.
Does UofSC use WF grades and how do they affect GPA?: Yes — at UofSC, a WF (Withdraw-Fail) grade is assigned when you withdraw from a course after the deadline while your grade would have been failing. WF counts as 0.0 quality points in GPA, identical to an F. It appears permanently on your transcript. Monitor your grade and be sure to withdraw before the deadline if needed to avoid a WF.

Last updated 7/28/2026