State Aid
Financial assistance is available to undergraduate South Carolina residents attending college at a South Carolina institution. CIU is authorized by the SC Commission on Higher Education to award state aid based on both need and academic achievement.
For state aid a student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours in fall and spring semesters.
The following chart gives an explanation of financial assistance available to South Carolina students attending CIU:
| Name of Award | Eligibility Requirements | Amount of Award | How to Apply | Renewal Policy |
Rank in the top 75% of high school class; 2.0+ GPA; 900+ SAT or 19+ ACT; must also have financial need Must be a full time undergraduate student | Determined each year by SC General Assembly | Submit FAFSA by June 30 | Submit FAFSA by June 30; complete minimum 24 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form | |
| Palmetto Fellows Scholarship | Academic Excellence - Contact your High School Guidance Counselor for details Must be a full time undergraduate student | $6,700 Freshman year $7,500 Sophomore, Junior and Senior years | Awarded by the SC Commission on HIgher Education; www.che.sc.gov | Submit FAFSA; maintain 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year; sign SC certifications form |
| SC LIFE Scholarship | Must meet two of these three: 3.0+ HS GPA based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale; 1100+ SAT/24+ ACT; or top 30% of graduating class Must be a full time undergraduate student | $5,000 | Awarded based upon high school transcript for freshman year; awarded based upon college transcript after freshman year | Submit FAFSA; maintain a cumulative LIFE GPA of 3.0+; complete 30 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form |
| SC HOPE Scholarship (freshmen only) | HS GPA of 3.0+ based upon the SC Uniform Grading Scale Must be a full time undergraduate student | $2,800 | Awarded based upon high school transcript for freshman year; may qualify for LIFE Scholarship based upon college transcript after freshman year | Not renewable, however a student may qualify for the LIFE Scholarship after their first year. |
