South Carolina Talent Initiative

• Available to all students enrolling as first-time entering first-year students that submit a FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1.
• The College of Charleston currently meets at least 65% of a student's demonstrated need through a combination of federal, state and institutional sources.

*Stackable scholarships may be combined with merit scholarships.

• Guaranteed a minimum offer of full tuition met between federal, state, and institutional sources
• Only available to students enrolling as first-time entering first-year students

*Non-stackable scholarships cannot be combined with other merit scholarships.

Valedictorian/Salutatorian
(Merit; Non-stackable*)

• Guaranteed a minimum offer of full tuition met between federal, state, and institutional sources
• Must be from a South Carolina public or charter high school
• Based on standing at the end of your junior year

*Non-stackable scholarships cannot be combined with other merit scholarships.

• Students that rank in top 10% of their class at the time of application (S.C. public/charter schools)
• Minimum $4,000 in merit scholarship funding

*Non-stackable scholarships cannot be combined with other merit scholarships.

Meeting Street Charleston Compact
(Stackable*)

Meeting Street Scholarship Recipients

The Meeting Street Charleston Compact leverages the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund and guarantees that its recipients who enroll in the College will have all eligible expenses fully covered. Those expenses include:

• Full time tuition
• Required fees
• Housing (up to the weighted average)
• Meals (up to the weighted average)

*Stackable scholarships may be combined with merit scholarships.

• Live in one of 12 eligible counties
• Graduate from a public high school in an eligible county
• Earn a S.C. LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
• Apply for FAFSA and receive a Federal Pell Grant
• Enroll in one of 17 in-state colleges with a graduation rate of 50% percent or higher

View eligibility requirements on the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund website.

We're dedicated to your continued success and will provide the resources and guidance to ensure your retain your scholarship and ultimately graduate.

• Personalized Academic Support
  Connect you with academic tools, resources and people dedicated to your success.
• Life Design Coaching
  Stay on track with a Life Design Coach - paired specifically to you - to help you explore your interests and plan your future.
• Peer Mentors
  Navigate all aspects of university life with the friendly guidance of a current College of Charleston Meeting Street Scholar.

• Applications open in January on the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund website

Resident Transfer Student Scholarships

• S.C. transfer students who enroll within one year of earning an Associate’s Degree from a S.C. two-year institution
• Eligible for merit scholarship of $2,500 for up to two years

CofC Merit Scholarships
(Non-stackable*)

• All first-time entering first-year applicants are considered for merit scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per year.

*Non-stackable scholarships cannot be combined with other merit scholarships.

The South Carolina Talent Initiative (SCTI) is the College of Charleston's flagship financial aid program for South Carolina students. It combines philanthropic funding, state scholarship awards, and CofC institutional resources to ensure that all first-time, first-year S.C. students with demonstrated financial need have at least 65% of that need met.

The program also includes a suite of merit-based scholarships that all S.C. resident applicants are automatically considered for when they apply for admission.

The 65% need-met commitment is fulfilled through a combination of federal aid, state scholarships (such as the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship), and CofC institutional grants and scholarships. There are no income thresholds — any first-time, first-year S.C. student with demonstrated financial need who submits a FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1 is eligible.

Most SCTI scholarships require no separate application. All first-time, first-year S.C. resident applicants are automatically considered for College of Charleston merit scholarships, the Cougar Advantage Scholars award, and the Valedictorian/Salutatorian award when they apply for admission.

Need-based awards through the Access to Excellence program require only that you submit a FAFSA by the priority deadline of February 1.

The one exception is the Meeting Street Charleston Compact, which has a separate application through the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund.

Resident transfer students are automatically considered for the Resident Transfer Student Scholarship.

The FAFSA priority deadline for the South Carolina Talent Initiative is February 1. Submitting by this date ensures you are considered for need-based SCTI funding, including the Access to Excellence need-based scholarships. Submitting after February 1 may reduce the aid available to you.

Stackable scholarships can be combined with merit scholarships to maximize your total aid package. Non-stackable scholarships cannot be combined with other CofC merit scholarships, though they may still be combined with state scholarships and federal aid. Within SCTI:

• Stackable: Access to Excellence need-based scholarships, Meeting Street Charleston Compact
• Non-stackable: Palmetto Fellows, Valedictorian/Salutatorian award, Cougar Advantage Scholars, CofC Merit Scholarships

The Cougar Advantage Scholars award is a merit scholarship available to first-time, first-year S.C. students who rank in the top 10% of their class at a S.C. public or charter high school at the time of application. Recipients receive a minimum of $4,000 per year in merit scholarship funding. No separate application is required — all eligible applicants are automatically considered.

Yes. S.C. students who graduate as valedictorian or salutatorian from a S.C. public or charter high school are guaranteed a minimum offer of full tuition met between federal, state and institutional sources at the College of Charleston. Class standing is based on the end of junior year. No separate application is required.

The Meeting Street Charleston Compact is a partnership between the College of Charleston and the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund that provides eligible students with full coverage of tuition, required fees, housing (up to the weighted average), and meals (up to the weighted average). It is the most comprehensive award available through SCTI.

To be eligible, students must:

• Live in and graduate from a public high school in one of 12 eligible S.C. counties
• Earn a S.C. LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
• Submit a FAFSA and receive a Federal Pell Grant
• Enroll in one of 17 in-state colleges with a graduation rate of 50% or higher

A separate application is required through the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund website. Applications open January 2026.

In addition to financial coverage, Meeting Street Charleston Compact recipients receive personalized academic support, Life Design Coaching, and peer mentoring throughout their time at the College of Charleston.

Yes. S.C. resident transfer students who enroll within one year of earning an Associate's Degree from a S.C. two-year institution are eligible for a merit scholarship of $2,500 per year for up to two years through the Resident Transfer Student Scholarship. Transfer students are automatically considered when they apply — no separate application is required. Transfer students should also submit a FAFSA by the priority deadline to maximize need-based aid eligibility.

For questions about merit scholarships through the South Carolina Talent Initiative, contact the Merit Scholarship Team at meritscholarships@charleston.edu, located in the Lightsey Center, First Floor, 160 Calhoun Street. For questions about need-based aid and FAFSA, contact the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs.