Scholarships

The S.C. Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. To receive the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, students must apply through their high school counselor and meet specific academic requirements.

Annual value: up to $6,700 for the first year and $7,500 for subsequent years.

Four-year value: up to $29,200

1. Minimum 1100 SAT or 22 ACT test score
2. Rank top 30.00 percent of the graduating class
3. Graduate from high school with a 3.0 GPA on the S.C. Uniform Grading Scale

Annual value: $5,000
Four-year value: $20,000

Students will automatically be reviewed and awarded the scholarship by the College of Charleston. 

Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients who are enrolled in certain math and science majors may be eligible for an enhancement award beginning in their second year of enrollment. Students must have completed 14 hours in mathematics, or life or physical science, or any combination of both, during their first year to qualify for this enhancement.

Annual value: up to $2,500 beginning sophomore year
Three-year value: up to $7,500

CHE Enhancement information may be found here.

List of CofC eligible programs and list of CofC eligible courses may be found here.

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded value at $2,800 and is nonrenewable. A student must be an incoming first-year student with a 3.0 GPA who did not receive either the LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows.

For eligible students, Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and Enhancement Scholarships can be used over the summer. Please contact a financial aid counselor to determine eligibility requirements.

The S.C. Teaching Fellows Program is a merit-based program designed to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching program, and to help them develop leadership qualities. The South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment administers the Teaching Fellows program. This program should not be confused with the S.C. Teacher Loan.

Annual value: up to $6,000

Four-year value: up to $24,000

The Colonial Scholarship was established as the College of Charleston’s most prestigious scholarship. Four recipients are selected from the highest qualified students from South Carolina in each first-year student class.

The academic credentials of the students at the time of admission, prior academic and community service involvement, and personal interviews with members of the Scholarship Committee are considered in the selection process.

Excellence institutional scholarships are awarded to entering first-time, first-year students and are based on demonstrated financial need. To be considered for these awards, students should submit a valid FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1.

• Palmetto Fellows and Valedictorian/Salutatorian
  • Guaranteed a minimum offer of full tuition met between federal, state, and institutional sources
• CofC Merit Scholarships
  • All applicants will be considered for merit scholarships which range from $1,500 to $4,000 per year
• Cougar Advantage Scholars (Top 10%)
  • Students that rank in top 10% of their class at the time of application (SC public/charter schools)
  • Minimum $4,000 in merit scholarship funding
• Meeting Street Charleston Compact
  • A commitment to Meeting Street Scholarship recipients that full time tuition, required fees, housing, and meals will be fully covered between state, institutional, federal aid sources, and the Meeting Street Scholarship
• Access/Pre-College Programs Participants
  • Students that attended CofC sponsored pre-college/access programs will be considered for scholarships up to $4,000
• Engineering Scholarships
  • Additional funding is available for first year students planning to pursue Engineering majors at College of Charleston
• Resident Transfer Student Scholarships
  • SC Transfer Grant - SC transfer students who enter with an Associate’s Degree from a SC 2 year institution; will be considered for a $2,500 merit scholarship for up to 2 years

Non-resident scholarships are available to out-of-state students and cover part of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

All non-resident first year applicants will be considered for merit scholarships which range from $2,500 to $12,500 per year.

The National Merit Scholarship is for students that are National Merit Finalists and list the College of Charleston as their first choice.

Students will receive $2,000 per year in addition to any other scholarships the student receives. The College does not require a separate application for this scholarship.

Students receiving the James E. Clyburn/Rudolph Canzater Foundation Scholarship will receive a two-to-one matching scholarship from the College of Charleston. This means that for every $1 in scholarship awards a student receives from the James E. Clyburn/Rudolph Canzater Foundation, the College of Charleston will match it with $2. 

All students must enroll full time (12 hours) each semester in order to be eligible for any scholarship funds. This scholarship is renewable. Current students can view scholarship renewal criteria on The Hub.