Scholarships, Awards, Assistantships

The Department of Computer Science encourages all students meeting eligibility requirements to apply for individual scholarship opportunities.  

Scholarships and Awards for Undergraduate Students

Elite Edge Scholarship 

This scholarship is intended for Incoming Freshmen and is tied to the Honors Aiken Fellows Society. It is for students who are accepted into the Honors Aiken program and students can receive up to $20,000 over four years. There is no separate application for this scholarship. For more information click here.

Leading Edge Scholarship 

This scholarship is intended for Incoming Freshmen. The minimum criteria is based on academic distinction in high school records and test scores. Students can receive up to $20,000 over four years.  For more information click here. Apply Now! Deadline: February 12.

Students wishing to be considered for privately funded scholarships must submit an application through the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS), the College’s scholarship portal. Many opportunities are automatically matched to students’ applications based on specific criteria, so may not be visible in the system.

C. Richard and Wynona Crosby Endowed Computer Science Scholarship

The purpose of this gift is to create an endowed fund to provide scholarships for full-time undergraduate students enrolled at the College who meet the following criteria:

• Students pursuing a major within the Department of Computer Science
• Class standing of junior or senior
• Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Demonstrated financial need

Preference will be given to students who exemplify the qualities of Dick Crosby including determination, intellectual curiosity, a strong work ethic and a commitment to academic excellence. The scholarship is renewable at the discretion of the selection committee as long as students maintain the requirements of the scholarship and make expected progress toward completing major requirements. Scholarship begins in Fall 2025. Application available via the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS)

Booz Allen Hamilton Endowed Computing Scholarship 

This fund was established by Booz Allen Hamilton in 2023. Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in management, technology, consulting, and engineering. Trusted to transform missions with the power of tomorrow’s technologies, Booz Allen Hamilton advances the nation’s most critical civil, defense, and national security priorities. We lead, invest, and invent where it’s needed most—at the forefront of complex missions, using innovation to define the future. We combine our in-depth expertise in AI and cybersecurity with leading-edge technology and engineering practices to deliver impactful solutions. Combining more than 100 years of strategic consulting expertise with the perspectives of diverse talent, we ensure results by integrating technology with an enduring focus on our clients. We’re first to the future—moving missions forward to realize our purpose: Empower People to Change the World℠. Learn more at our website: BoozAllen.com

Application available via the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS).

Ralph Stephenson Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship 

This scholarship fund provides support for students pursuing a software engineering major and a foreign language or cultural studies minor, with a focus on students who demonstrate financial need and participate in a study abroad experiences. This fund was gifted by Angela Lindner ’83 and Jim Lindner to honor Angela’s brother Ralph Montalvin Stephenson Jr. ’78 and his passion for languages and travel. Application available via the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS).

Thomas W. Carroll Scholarship 

This scholarship, intended for Incoming Freshmen, was endowed by Hattie Carroll ’35 in honor of her father Thomas W. Carroll ‘32. Mr. Carroll was a long-standing member and business leader of the Charleston community. He returned to the College of Charleston later in life, working on a degree in computer science before his passing in 1986. Students can receive up to $12,000 over four years.  For more information click here. Application available via the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS).

Robert Cushing Computing in the Arts Research Assistantship

Crosby Computer Science Endowment Award

This award is given to the highest achieving computer science students who have successfully completed CSCI 220. This endowment is named in honor of C. Richard (Dick) Crosby who started the Computer Science department in 1980. Students can receive up to $250 for this award.

***Please note: The Department of Computer Science does not stack departmental scholarships. Students applying for Financial Need scholarships must complete their FAFSA by the priority deadline March 1.***

For questions about scholarships, please contact us at cschair@cofc.edu.

Fellowships, Scholarships and Assistantships for Graduate Students

Graduate students can finance their studies though employer tuition assistance, grants, assistantships, scholarships and fellowships.

Competitive scholarships and fellowships are offered by the College of Charleston Graduate School upon the nomination of the Graduate Program Director. To be considered, students meeting eligibility criteria must submit an application by the priority deadline. While the Department of Computer Science does not make it compulsory to have Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) scores for admission, students seeking fellowships are encouraged to take the exam.

The Department of Computer Science has a limited number of General, Teaching and Research Assistantships to help graduate students pay for school. Other departments on campus are also employing our graduate students. Contact your Graduate Program Director if you are interested in on-campus employment.