http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/sports/ncaafootball/support-for-full-cost-scholarships-at-south-carolina.html 2014-09-26 08:26:53 Support for ‘Full Cost’ Scholarships at South Carolina South Carolina announced Thursday that it would guarantee four-year scholarships for football and men’s basketball players and would offer students getting full scholarships the “full cost of attendance.” === South Carolina announced Thursday that it would guarantee four-year scholarships for football and men’s basketball players and would offer students getting full scholarships the “full cost of attendance,” an amount several thousand dollars higher than a current scholarship, should the In guaranteeing four-year scholarships, South Carolina joins several other competitive football programs, including Southern California, Indiana and Maryland. But it is the first to do so in the Southeastern Conference, college football’s top league. Guaranteed four-year scholarships decrease roster flexibility and so may lead to a competitive disadvantage. The N.C.A.A. is expected to allow institutions in the biggest five conferences to offer players the full cost of attendance as soon as January.