Online, Graduate & Seminary Scholarships
At Columbia International University, we are committed to helping you achieve your educational and career goals. Our scholarships for graduate and online programs provide financial support, making quality education more accessible. Explore our scholarship opportunities and see how we can help you on your journey to success.
Institutional Scholarships
Scholarships are defined as a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid by the recipients to assist students as they pursue their studies. Eligibility for CIU’s Academic and General Scholarships is determined by information gathered during the admission process. Total institutional aid is capped at the cost of a student’s tuition for the academic year. Amounts in excess of total tuition costs will be reduced. Seminary Competency-Based Theological Education and Graduate Certificate students do not qualify for scholarships or loans.
- Fulltime Ministry Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- For new degree-seeking students, who serve in fulltime ministry as a paid missionary or pastor
- Must submit an official signed letter or pay stub from employed agency or organization confirming full time employment status by the start of the semester
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Ministry Position Definitions:
- Missionary — Defined as an individual who is paid or fully supported by a religious organization to a foreign country to spread its faith and provide humanitarian aid and other services. To be considered eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must have been officially designated as a missionary by a recognized religious organization.
- Pastor — A pastor is defined as an ordained minister or religious leader who serves and is paid as the leader of a Christian congregation or church. To be considered eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must hold the official title of pastor within their religious institution.
- Partner Organization Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- For new fulltime degree-seeking students who meet the qualifications of our Partner Organizations
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Full list of Partnerships
- First Responder Scholarship
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Amount: $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New full-time degree-seeking students who are who are employed or volunteer as first responders
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition and fees
- Campus Visit Scholarship
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Amount: $500 one time ($250/first 2 semesters)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- Experience CIU through one of our Admission visit options by May 1 for Fall or December 1 for Spring
- New full-time degree-seeking student
- Students may attend multiple campus visits or events, but are only eligible for a one time award of up $500
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition and fees
Undergraduate Online
- Program Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year for up to four consecutive academic years
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429)
- New full-time online degree-seeking student (minimum of 12 credits per year)
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- State Scholarships
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South Carolina awards students scholarships and grants based on academic achievement, financial need and residency requirements set by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the South Carolina Tuition Grant Agency. Qualifying criteria and continued eligibility:
Master’s & Doctoral
- Continuing Alumni Scholarship
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Amount:
- Master’s — Up to $2,250 per year ($750/semester)
- Doctoral — Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- For students who earned an undergraduate degree or higher from CIU (does not include certificates)
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Graduate Assistantship (GA)
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Amount: $3000 per year for Academic GA; Tuition/Fees per year for Athletic GA
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- Complete the Graduate Assistantship Application
- For full-time graduate student with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- International students are not required to complete a FAFSA
- Students must earn the scholarship, dedicating 10–12 hours per week toward the position for Academic GA; up to 30 hours per week for Athletic GA
- If you are selected, you must submit the GA work contract and paperwork no later than the first day of classes. Scholarship funds will be awarded once Financial Aid receives the graduate assistantship contract
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $2,000 per year ($1000/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Master in Organizational Leadership Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $2,000 per year ($1000/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Seminary Master of Arts & Master of Divinity Scholarships
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Amount: Up to $3,000 per year ($1000/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Master of Education & Master of Arts in Teaching Scholarships
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Master of Arts in Global Migration, Intercultural Studies, Muslim-Christian Relations, & Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Scholarships
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Doctor of Business Administration Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
- Doctor of Ministry Scholarship
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Amount: Up to $1,500 per year ($500/semester)
Eligibility:
- Submit the FAFSA (CIU’s school code: 003429) or contact the Financial Aid Office to waive the FAFSA application
- New online degree-seeking student
- Must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled at CIU
Additional Award Information:
- The Financial Aid Office determines the amount awarded based on the individual circumstances and credit load for each student
- Total institutional aid cannot exceed annual tuition
- Automatic consideration upon admission; no separate application required
Federal Aid
The federal government provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for students that meet certain eligibility requirements. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate your eligibility for loans, grants, and work-study.
- Federal Loans
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A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Eligibility for federal loans requires that you submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year of college (CIU School Code: 003429), are enrolled at least half-time, are degree seeking and take courses required for your degree. If you apply for financial aid, you will be offered federal loans as part of your financial aid offer.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan>>
- Based on a student’s financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
- The student is responsible for paying the interest on a Direct Unsubsidized Loan during all periods.
- Loans provide a six month “grace period” after finishing school before repayment begins.
- The U.S. Department of Education provides the Direct PLUS Loans to students that are enrolled at least half-time. Interest accrues during all periods. Additional application required. Credit check required.
- The maximum PLUS loan amount you can receive is the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
- Federal Work Study
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The Federal Work-Study Program allows you the opportunity for part-time employment on or off campus. Work-study awards are based on financial need.
Military Scholarship
CIU offers active duty service members, veterans and their eligible spouses educational benefits in the form of a tuition discount. For more detailed information, please check out the Military page.
Veterans Administration (VA) Benefits
If you plan to use a VA benefit, or if you are a dependent of a servicemember who plans to transfer their benefit to you, begin exploring your benefit options on our Veterans Benefits web page.
Benefits eligibility questions are fundamentally the responsibility of the Veterans Administration. Questions about qualifications, amounts of benefit and months of eligibility may be directed to the VA website or by calling 1-888-442-4551.
Private Loans
Private student loans are an alternative loan option that is money you borrow that must be paid back with interest. While CIU does not recommend, promote or endorse one lender above another, we do provide a comparison tool from Credible showing a variety of lenders to review and compare.
The listings shown on Credible are not preferred lender lists, nor do they represent every lender that provides private educational loans. CIU will certify private education loan requests for any lender you choose, regardless if they appear on Credible or not.
The lender you choose will provide you with current interest rates, processing fees, and co-signer requirements. The lender, based on the student and cosigner’s credit worthiness, determines interest rates for loans.
Application Process
Most scholarships at CIU are awarded automatically based on your admission application and eligibility. However, for certain scholarships like the Fulltime Ministry Scholarship, additional documentation may be required.
- Submit Your Admission Application: Apply to your chosen graduate or online program at CIU
- Complete Scholarship Requirements: For program-specific scholarships, you may need to provide additional information or meet specific criteria
- Receive Your Award Notification: Scholarship estimates are provided after an application is submitted and prior to acceptance. Official financial aid packages are awarded after a student is accepted and registered for courses
Financial Aid Proration Guide>>
A Financial Aid Proration Guide at CIU is a resource that outlines how financial aid is adjusted when a student's enrollment status changes. This guide helps students understand how their financial aid package may be recalculated if they are enrolled in less than full-time credits, withdraw from classes, or change their program status.
For example, if a student reduces their credit load, the amount of financial aid they are eligible to receive may be prorated, meaning it will be adjusted based on their new enrollment level. The guide includes details on how aid is prorated for different types of CIU scholarships, and provides clear explanations to help students anticipate and plan for any changes in their financial aid package.
All scholarships and grants listed on this page are in effect for students entering Columbia International University in the 2024–25 academic year. CIU reserves the right to change or alter any scholarship requirements, deadlines or award amounts.