GAFFNEY, S.C. (courtesy limestone.edu) — Just over three years ago, Limestone launched a novel new program – the “Gold & Blue Promise” – that made it possible for qualifying transfer students to realize their dreams of earning a four-year degree tuition free.
The “Gold & Blue Promise” program continues to make transferring to the Gaffney-based university affordable, and in some cases, free to eligible students.
Students who qualify for the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship, South Carolina Tuition Grant, and the maximum Federal Pell Grant, can have their tuition covered in full with no out-of-pocket costs – exclusive of books, and excluding room and board for students who wish to reside in campus housing, when those sources are combined with the Gold & Blue Promise scholarship.
Transfer students with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher automatically qualify for Limestone’s $11,000 “Gold & Blue Promise” scholarship, regardless of family income level. From there, Limestone combines all sources of scholarship and grant awards to count toward covering the student’s cost of tuition.
Palmetto State residents can qualify for up to $4,500 from the S.C. Tuition Grant program which provides need-based grant assistance to eligible South Carolina students obtaining an initial undergraduate degree who are attending, on a full-time basis, eligible independent non-profit colleges and universities in South Carolina. In addition to the maximum South Carolina Tuition Grant, students can receive up to an additional $5,000 in merit-based support through the South Carolina Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship, if eligible. A need-based maximum Federal Pell Grant can provide up to another $6,895.
Also under the program, for students in Limestone’s on-campus undergraduate program, deeply-discounted tuition is available on a sliding scale for transfer students with a grade point average of at least 3.0.
“What was true three years ago when we started the ‘Gold & Blue Promise’ is still true today – Limestone understands the value of investing in local students by making a four-year degree affordable and attainable,” said Limestone President Dr. Darrell Parker shortly after the three-year anniversary of the program. “This initiative has successfully eliminated the financial barriers facing some students and has allowed them to remain in our community as they earn their bachelor’s degrees.”
For two-year college transfer students who aspire to earn a four-year degree, the plan expands Limestone’s tuition assistance to make it as affordable as possible. In some cases, especially for area students who will commute to campus, they can finish their degrees at Limestone with very little costs.
“With the ‘Gold & Blue Promise,’ we continue to strive to be the most affordable option for commuting transfer students from two-year schools in the area,” Parker explained. “We took a lead role in ensuring students can achieve their goal of obtaining an undergraduate degree. In addition to removing financial obstacles, we also continue to provide our students with the resources necessary to make sure they graduate.”
Limestone’s affordability for qualifying students doesn’t stop there.
For non-traditional programs such as online higher education, the South Carolina Tuition Grant was increased earlier this year to the new maximum amount of $4,500, instead of being pro-rated based on the tuition costs compared to the respective traditional programs as was done in the past. For Limestone’s Online Program students, tuition and fees can also be paid in full using the numerous funding sources, including the South Carolina Tuition Grant, LIFE Scholarship, and maximum Federal Pell Grant.
Limestone’s Financial Aid office can also assist with information regarding student loans and payment plans to spread the costs over several months.
For more information about Limestone’s transfer initiative, visit limestone.edu/gold-and-blue-promise.
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