State Aid

A CIU student taking notes in class.

State Aid for Undergraduates

As a South Carolina resident attending college in state, you may qualify for state aid which is awarded based on both need and academic achievement.

To qualify, you must be a full-time student enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours in the Fall and Spring semesters.

South Carolina Tuition Grant

  • Eligibility Requirements: Rank in the top 75% of high school class; OR 2.7+ GPA; OR 900+ SAT or 19+ ACT

  • Award Amount: Determined each year by SC General Assembly

  • How to Apply: Submit FAFSA by June 30

  • Renewal Policy: Submit FAFSA by June 30; complete minimum 24 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form

  • CIU online students are not eligible for the SCTG

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship

  • Eligibility Requirements: Academic excellence (Contact your high school guidance counselor for details.)

  • Award Amount: $6,700 freshman year; $7,500 sophomore; junior and senior years

  • How to Apply: Awarded by the SC Commission on Higher Education

  • Renewal Policy: Maintain 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year;  sign SC certifications form

South Carolina Life Scholarship

  • Eligibility Requirements: Must meet two of these three: 3.0+ high school GPA based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale; 1100+ SAT/24+ ACT; or top 30% of graduating class

  • Award Amount: $5,000

  • How to Apply: Awarded based on high school transcript for freshman year; awarded based on college transcript after freshman year

  • Renewal Policy: Maintain a cumulative LIFE GPA of 3.0+; complete 30 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form

South Carolina Hope Scholarship

  • Eligibility Requirements: High school GPA of 3.0+ based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale

  • Award Amount: $2,800

  • How to Apply: Awarded based on high school transcript for freshman year; may qualify for LIFE Scholarship based on college transcript after freshman year

  • Renewal Policy: Not renewable. You may qualify for the LIFE Scholarship after your first year.