FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarship Opportunities for Glenforest Students
Many of our families get financial aid through one or more scholarships. To apply for these scholarships, the child must be enrolled in Glenforest School. None of these scholarships are guaranteed.
Tuition Assistance from Exceptional SC
What is Exceptional SC?
In 2013, the SC General Assembly created the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children (ECENC) scholarship program, known as Exceptional SC, as a mechanism for donors to contribute towards a scholarship fund for students in SC who meet the criteria as exceptional needs. Eligible students must be residents of South Carolina and must use the grant to attend approved independent schools in SC. The program was codified into permanent law when Governor Henry McMaster signed “The Exceptional SC Law” in 2018.
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Exception SC is a 501(c)(3) charity that accepts donation for the purpose of providing scholarships. Donations made to Exceptional SC are eligible for a state tax credit outlined in the annual state budget. Exceptional SC does not receive any government funding and must raise all funds given out as scholarships. Scholarships are based on funding available and are not guaranteed.
Incumbent students (those students who received awards in previous year[s]) are given priority. The Exceptional SC board is working with the legislature to increase the funding cap on tax credits so that all our special needs students can receive scholarships. Students who did not receive awards in the previous year will receive awards as funds allow. All funds are sent to the child’s school. The total award is sent in two payments (1st semester and 2nd semester).
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Please visit www.exceptionalSC.org for more information.
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Scholarship Opportunities for Glenforest Students
Many of our families get financial aid through one or more scholarships. To apply for these scholarships, the child must be enrolled in Glenforest School. None of these scholarships are guaranteed.
Assitance Options
Scholarships for Tuition
Scholarships are payments made by Exceptional SC to eligible schools on behalf of exceptional needs students. Scholarships can cover tuition, transportation, and textbook costs, up to $10,000.
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Qualifications: To apply for the Exceptional SC scholarship, exceptional needs students must meet eligibility requirements, be a South Carolina resident, and be eligible to enroll in a secondary or elementary public school for the applicable school year.
Rogers and Meredith Scholarship (Up to $1,500)
A scholarship that is open to all returning elementary, middle, and high school students (grades K-12) with financial need who are enrolled at Glenforest School in Columbia, South Carolina. Applications open in the spring for the upcoming school year.
Bulldog Scholarship (Averages about $1,000):
A small, in-house scholarship for families with financial need. Applications open in the summer.
Tuition Tax Credits for Parents/Guardians
Parents or guardians of exceptional needs children who attend eligible schools may claim a refundable South Carolina income tax credit for out-of-pocket spending on tuition. There is an annual statewide cap of $5 million for the refundable credit program, available on a first-come first-served basis. After you pay tuition for the school year, you can apply for the credit through the South Carolina Department of Revenue before the $5 million cap is met. And, $11,000 of tuition can be claimed for the tax credit.
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Qualifications: Parents/guardians or other family members who pay the tuition of an exceptional needs student and are South Carolina residents can apply for this tax credit if the student meets eligibility requirements, is a South Carolina resident, and is eligible to enroll in a secondary or elementary public school for the applicable school year.
