Educational & Financial Aid Resources
SC Technical
Colleges
SC’s 16 technical colleges, coupled with state-funded scholarship aid, offer low or no-cost degree and certification programs that can be direct pathways to in-demand hospital jobs. Zero-cost tuition is currently available at most technical colleges across the state for high-demand careers through spring 2023. The program is funded through a variety of sources including Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) Fund, SCWINS, the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, Workforce Scholarships for the Future, and college foundations. Explore health careers and available programs near you. Visit the Career Explorer tab, then select Health Science as the field of work.
Apprenticeship Programs
Scholarships
& Grants
South Carolina offers direct support to students pursuing higher education in the form of numerous need- and merit-based scholarships and grants. Funded with S.C. Education Lottery revenue or state appropriations, the programs have different eligibility criteria in terms of academic standing, financial need, degree program, or institution attended. The SC Commission on Higher Education offers an overview of each program, FAQ’s, and contact information. Colleges and universities also offer a wide range of scholarships, many restricted to health-related programs.
Loans & Loan
Forgiveness
The South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) administers the state’s financial incentive programs for clinicians who practice in rural and underserved communities.
The SC Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC) partners with hospitals to address their workforce needs through Project BOLD (Better Outcomes, Less Debt), in which employers repay student debt in return for a work service commitment. Courses of study and hospital employees are being added daily, so click here to learn more about eligibility for the BOLD Career Pathway Loan.
No Experience Needed
SC HOSA
Future Health Professionals
Many rewarding hospitals jobs don’t require college degrees or certifications, and hospitals may offer on-the-job training for laboratory staff, nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians or administrative assistant positions, as well as volunteer opportunities. Hospitals also need staff in support areas such as security, food service and facilities maintenance, so experience in non-health fields can also provide a career path to hospital employment. It’s easy to find a link to “careers” or “employment” on hospital websites or you can contact the local Human Resources office. Find your local hospital here and begin your search.
SC AHEC
Health Careers
Apprenticeships offer the benefits of career exploration and a paycheck through short-term, hands-on training programs in a variety of fields. Apprenticeship Carolina, a program of the S.C. Technical College System, is a good place to start your search. With 16 colleges, the system covers all 46 counties and has more than 900 registered apprenticeships in a wide variety of career paths. Your local hospital may also offer job shadowing, mentoring, and many other career exploration opportunities as well as apprenticeships.
HOSA is an international, non-profit organization for students interested in pursuing healthcare careers. Chapters are offered in middle and high schools where health science technology courses are taught. To find out more about current chapter or to inquire about how to start one, visit SC HOSA.
The SC Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) connects students and professionals with tools, training, and resources to build the healthcare workforce, with a primary focus on rural and underserved areas. Programs are offered in the regional AHEC offices around the state. These programs support high school students and early college students on their path to becoming healthcare professionals. AHEC also offers summer learning experiences for those exploring their career interests in healthcare. For a full listing of all the regional AHEC offices, visit the AHEC Health Careers program page. Click on your region to see who to contact about health career programs.