South Carolina WINS may be the most valuable education benefit too few Spartanburg students know about. The South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship (SCWINS) can cover the full cost of tuition at any South Carolina technical college, including Spartanburg Community College, for qualifying residents pursuing credentials in high-demand fields.
What SCWINS Covers
SCWINS pays up to $5,000 per academic year toward tuition, fees, and course-related expenses including books and instructional materials. The scholarship is awarded after all other federal and state aid has been applied, meaning it fills the gap that grants like the Pell Grant and South Carolina Lottery Tuition Assistance leave behind. For many Spartanburg students, combining SCWINS with other aid means attending SCC at zero out-of-pocket cost.
The scholarship covers the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 academic years, with up to $2,500 available per semester.
Eligible Career Fields
SCWINS targets specific high-demand workforce fields that South Carolina has identified as critical to the state economy:
- Healthcare (nursing, medical assisting, pharmacy technology)
- Information Technology and Cybersecurity
- Manufacturing and Advanced Manufacturing
- Education and Early Childhood Development
- Construction Trades
- Transportation and Logistics
Eligible programs lead to an industry-recognized credential, certificate, diploma, or associate degree. SCC cybersecurity programs, for example, qualify under the IT category — and SCC now holds an NSA National Center of Academic Excellence designation.
Who Qualifies
To receive SCWINS at Spartanburg Community College, students must:
- Be a South Carolina resident
- Be enrolled in an eligible program of study
- Have a high school diploma or GED on file with the college
- Have a current FAFSA on file
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher once enrolled
- Be a U.S. citizen and not in default on any federal student loans
Three Steps to Apply
- Apply to SCC. The application is free at sccsc.edu.
- Complete the FAFSA. Use the 2025-26 FAFSA for Fall 2025 and Spring-Summer 2026 enrollment. Use the 2026-27 FAFSA for enrollment beginning Fall 2026.
- Complete the SCWINS acceptance form. After you have been admitted and registered for courses in an eligible program, the college will provide you a link to this form.
Limitations to Know
SCWINS covers only courses required by your eligible program. Students may not receive the scholarship for more than one certificate, diploma, or associate degree within any five-year period unless the additional credential represents progress in the same field. Associate degree students may receive SCWINS for up to nine semesters; certificate and diploma students for up to six semesters.
Why It Matters for Spartanburg Students
With BMW, Draexlmaier, and dozens of manufacturing suppliers operating in Spartanburg County, demand for technical workers is high. Median wages for SCWINS-eligible programs in healthcare, IT, and manufacturing frequently exceed $40,000 per year — and employers across Upstate South Carolina are actively recruiting graduates from these programs.
For a Spartanburg County resident who wants a career credential without taking on debt, SCWINS combined with the Pell Grant makes that possible. Contact SCC Financial Aid at sccsc.edu or call 864-592-4600 to find out whether your chosen program qualifies.