ChoiceFunded What your state pays

Private schools in South Carolina

ESTF pays $7,634 per student for 2026-27. South Carolina students age 5 to 21 with household income at or below 500% of the poverty level ($160,750 for a family of four).

339 schools listed
45,632 students (2023-24)
208 on the official ESTF list
SC
South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund Education savings account
$7,634 per student for 2026-27 Paid quarterly.

Figures read from each program’s official pages, 2026-09-20. Sources and how to apply

The 15,000-student cap for 2026-27 has been reached. Only the waitlist is open.

How ESTF works, start to finish

By city

The number is how many private schools sit within 12 miles.

By kind of school

By county

The largest private schools in South Carolina

School City Grades Students Per teacher Affiliation
Christ Church Episcopal School Greenville K-12 1,276 9.1 Episcopal
Southside Christian School ✓ Simpsonville PreK-12 1,146 11.8 Christian (nondenominational)
Bob Jones Academy Greenville PreK-12 1,112 12.2 Christian (nondenominational)
Ben Lippen School ✓ Columbia PreK-12 1,105 13.7 Christian (nondenominational)
Porter-Gaud School Charleston 1-12 1,071 9.4 Episcopal
Hammond School ✓ Columbia PreK-12 944 9.3 Nonsectarian
Wilson Hall ✓ Sumter PreK-12 737 8.4 Christian (nondenominational)
Bishop England High School ✓ Charleston 9-12 718 12.3 Roman Catholic
Northside Christian Academy ✓ Lexington PreK-12 705 11.3 Baptist
Palmetto Christian Academy ✓ Mount Pleasant PreK-12 678 11.8 Baptist
Pinewood Preparatory School ✓ Summerville PreK-12 672 12.4 Nonsectarian
Hilton Head Christian Academy ✓ Hilton Head Island K-12 628 10.3 Christian (nondenominational)
Christ Our King-Stella Mans School ✓ Mount Pleasant PreK-8 602 13.1 Roman Catholic
Westminster Catawba Christian School-High Rock Hill PreK-12 597 11.2 Presbyterian
Westminster Catawba Christian School ✓ Rock Hill PreK-12 591 10.6 Presbyterian

Run your own numbers

What would you pay?

We filled in the standard ESTF amount. Change it if your award letter says something different. An award can never be more than the school actually charges. This is arithmetic, not a quote.

Get one email when applications open

Most programs open once a year, and several ran out of money or seats in 2026. Pick your state and we will email you the day the next window opens, with the official link. That is the only email you get.

One email per application window. No calls, no sharing your details.

Questions parents ask

How much does South Carolina pay toward private school?

$7,634 per student for 2026-27. Paid quarterly.

Who can get it?

South Carolina students age 5 to 21 with household income at or below 500% of the poverty level ($160,750 for a family of four).

Is there still room?

The 15,000-student cap for 2026-27 has been reached. Only the waitlist is open.

How do I know a school takes ESTF?

Schools marked here appear as in-person independent schools on the approved-provider workbook published by the South Carolina Department of Education, dated September 3, 2026.

Pick your city How ESTF works