Tuition Exchange Scholarship Program Guidelines

PURPOSE

These guidelines establish the College of Charleston’s participation in the Tuition Exchange (TE) Scholarship Program. The program is administered by the Office of Financial Assistance, with Human Resources responsible for confirming the eligibility of College of Charleston employees and assisting with the certification of qualified export candidates.

These guidelines establish the procedures for program administration, scholarship terms, and criteria for determining eligibility to participate in the program.

REFERENCE

The Tuition Exchange Program

DEFINITIONS

TE Scholarship - A scholarship awarded through the Tuition Exchange Program. TE Scholarships may not exceed eight semesters of study. Each participating institution determines the academic programs to which its TE Scholarships apply. At the College of Charleston, TE Scholarships apply only to undergraduate programs of study.

Eligible Employee - A currently employed College of Charleston permanent faculty or staff member occupying a permanent FTE position.

Candidate - A dependent applying to receive a scholarship through the Tuition Exchange Program.

Export Dependent - A Candidate who is a dependent of an Eligible Employee at the College of Charleston and is seeking a TE Scholarship at another participating institution. Must be a child dependent (biological, adopted, step, or legally placed) of an Eligible Employee and meet the dependent requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service and the participating TE institution. The College of Charleston or import institution may require documentation to verify dependent status.

Import Dependent - A Candidate associated with another participating TE institution who is seeking a TE Scholarship at the College of Charleston. Must be a child dependent (biological, adopted, step, or legally placed) of an Eligible Employee at another TE participating institution who meets the dependent requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service and the College of Charleston. The College of Charleston may require documentation to verify dependent status.

Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer (TELO) - The individual responsible for coordinating the Tuition Exchange Program for the College of Charleston. The College’s Primary and Secondary TELOs will be designated by the Office of Financial Assistance. Human Resources will assist the TELO with confirmation of employee eligibility for qualified export candidates.

GUIDELINES

A. Background

Tuition Exchange Program

The Tuition Exchange, Inc. (TE) facilitates a reciprocal scholarship exchange program. Participating institutions include public and private institutions, research and doctoral universities, liberal arts colleges, and comprehensive institutions in 50 states/territories and 9 countries.

A complete list of participating institutions is available through the Tuition Exchange website, tuitionexchange.org.

Participating Institutions

Each institution affiliated with TE establishes its own admission standards, determines the number of TE Scholarships it will offer, and oversees the process for selecting eligible TE recipients.

Each participating institution must offer a minimum of three TE Scholarships annually to new Imports to participate in the TE program. Students must apply for admission to the participating institution of their choice and indicate that they are seeking consideration through the TE program.

Any admission application fees or other fees not covered by the TE scholarship are the responsibility of the Candidate.

No Guarantee of Scholarship

Tuition Exchange Scholarships are not guaranteed and receipt of TE awards can be competitive. Visit the TE School List to view the scholarship profile pages for respective schools the student applicant is considering to determine the level of TE competitiveness.

College of Charleston Dependents

Dependents of College of Charleston employees who wish to attend the College of Charleston are not eligible for a TE Scholarship through this program. Employees should refer to the College’s guidelines for Faculty/Staff Dependent Scholarships located on the Human Resources HUB.

B. EXPORT Scholarships

The export scholarship process applies to a dependent child (candidate) of an eligible employee at the College of Charleston who is seeking a TE Scholarship at another participating institution.

Parent of Record

When both parents are employed by the College of Charleston, the parent with the longer employment history will be designated as the parent of record for purposes of the TE program.

Current Students

A dependent currently enrolled at a participating TE institution who is not receiving a TE Scholarship may apply to participate in the program. Visit the institution’s scholarship profile page via the TE School List to determine if the institution will award TE Scholarships to upperclassmen students and contact the Import school’s TELO for more information.

Likewise, a dependent currently enrolled at a non-TE institution who wishes to transfer to a participating TE institution may apply for consideration. A scholarship offer by the receiving institution is not guaranteed.

Export Application Process

Eligible Export Dependent Candidates interested in being considered for an export scholarship should complete the following:

  • Review participating institutions: Review the participating institutions listed on the Tuition Exchange website (tuitionexchange.org) and determine the TE Scholarship requirements and deadlines for each institution being considered.
  • Apply for admission: Submit an application for admission to the institution of choice in accordance with that institution’s admission requirements.
  • Complete the TE EZ-Application: Because participating institutions have different requirements and deadlines, employees should carefully review the requirements of each institution being considered.
    • Employees/dependents seeking consideration for a TE export scholarship must first create a TE account and complete the TE EZ-Application at tuitionexchange.org. Students can select up to 20 schools on the TE EZ-Application. Students can log into their TE account and add/remove schools at any point in time provided they do not exceed 20 active schools. Additionally, students are responsible for logging into their TE account periodically to check the status of their TE application at each institution. Note: The TE EZ-Application for the next award cycle opens July 1 each year.
    • Human Resources will review the application and confirm whether the sponsoring employee meets the College of Charleston’s eligibility requirements. Human Resources may approve or deny applications based on employee eligibility and will review eligible submissions throughout the year.
  • Complete the FAFSA: Candidates should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Candidates who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for federal or state financial assistance. Any federal or state financial assistance received will be coordinated with the TE Scholarship in accordance with applicable federal, state, and TE program requirements. Import institutions determine how federal, state grants, and outside scholarships will be treated in relation to TE Scholarships.
  • Submit applications timely: Applications may be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications submitted after applicable institutional deadlines may not be considered or may be considered after participating institutions have made their scholarship decisions.

The timeline of TE award decisions varies by institution. Check with the TELO at the respective institution (contact information can be found on the scholarship profile page on the TE School List) for the specific awarding timeline.

Renewal and Duration of Export Participation

TE Scholarships are subject to annual renewal in accordance with the specific requirements of the Import institution, provided the employee/dependent remains eligible according to the College’s TE policy.

Separation from Employment

If the sponsoring parent terminates employment with the College of Charleston, the participating Import institution will be notified that the student is no longer eligible for the program at the conclusion of the academic term in which the employee separates.

If both parents are employed by the College of Charleston and the other parent remains an Eligible Employee, the student may retain eligibility for the TE Scholarship.

Transfer to Another Participating Institution

If a student transfers to another participating TE institution, continued participation will be contingent on the new Import school offering the student a TE Scholarship.

The College of Charleston will confirm the student’s continued eligibility as required by the TE program, but the receiving Import institution retains authority to determine whether it will award or continue a TE Scholarship.

Termination of Export Participation

Participation in the College of Charleston’s TE program may be terminated if:

  • The Eligible Employee is no longer employed by the College of Charleston in a permanent FTE faculty or staff position;
  • The dependent is not recertified or renewed by the participating institution due to the institution’s requirements or because the student withdraws from the educational program; or
  • The student loses TE eligibility because the student fails to maintain the requirements established by the participating Import institution or the College of Charleston. Students who lose TE eligibility due to failure to meet applicable requirements may not be considered for future export participation to the same or another participating institution.

Special Circumstances

The College may review an Export’s TE eligibility in the following circumstances on an individual basis:

  • Death of the Eligible Employee, long-term disability, or medical leave;
  • A student’s inability to continue enrollment due to illness, subject to the requirements of the participating Import institution; or
  • A student’s medical withdrawal. A student who takes a medical withdrawal may submit an appeal for reinstatement of the TE Scholarship for a subsequent academic year, provided the participating Import institution agrees to allow the student to return under a TE Scholarship.

C. IMPORT Scholarships

The import scholarship process applies to a dependent child (candidate) of an eligible employee associated with another participating TE institution who is seeking a TE Scholarship at the College of Charleston.

Number of Scholarships

The College of Charleston will offer at least three TE Scholarships each year to new Import Dependent Candidates (not counting continuing TE students).

The number of scholarships awarded is subject to annual review and may change from year to year in accordance with Tuition Exchange Program requirements and institutional priorities.

For import dependents, TE scholarships are limited to first-time entering freshman students or students currently enrolled at the import institution. A scholarship offer by the institution is not guaranteed. 

Eligible Programs

TE Scholarships at the College of Charleston are limited to undergraduate programs.

The College may use TE Scholarships strategically to facilitate enrollment in certain academic programs, consistent with institutional priorities.

The TE Scholarship Program does not apply to College of Charleston employee dependents applying to the College. Questions regarding benefits available to employee dependents should be directed to the Office of Financial Assistance.

Scholarship Value

For new and continuing students, the maximum TE Scholarship awarded by the College of Charleston will not exceed:

  • The applicable in-state tuition for South Carolina residents; or
  • One-half of the applicable out-of-state tuition for non-residents.

The TE Scholarship applies to tuition only and does not cover housing, fees, or other educational costs.

FAFSA Requirement

All TE import Candidates are required to complete the FAFSA.

A Candidate’s failure to complete the FAFSA may result in the Candidate not being selected for a TE Scholarship.

If selected, the student must complete the FAFSA for each academic year of participation.

Other Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for outside scholarships and other financial assistance to help cover costs not covered by the TE Scholarship.

If a student receives a state scholarship, an outside scholarship that is designated to cover the applicable out-of-state differential, federal or state grant, or other institutional merit scholarships, those awards may offset the amount of the TE Scholarship.

Duration and Renewal

A TE Scholarship may not exceed eight semesters per eligible applicant.

The award is renewable provided the student continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the Tuition Exchange Program and maintains the College of Charleston’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.

Selection of Import Candidates

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available scholarships, the Office of Financial Assistance, in collaboration with the Office of Admissions, will use a holistic selection process.

Factors considered may include:

  • Residency;
  • Financial need;
  • Academic merit;
  • Grade point average; and
  • Institutional priorities.

Import Application Process

To be considered for a TE Scholarship at the College of Charleston, a qualified Candidate must:

  • Review the College’s admission procedures and TE program requirements;
  • Apply and be accepted for admission to the College of Charleston;
  • Have the sponsoring institution certify that the Candidate is eligible for the TE program;
  • Complete the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year; and
  • Complete the TE EZ-Application through the Tuition Exchange website and select the College of Charleston as the institution of choice.

Award Notification

Candidates will generally be notified of TE Scholarship award decisions by March 10. 

FAFSA Questions

Questions regarding the FAFSA application process should be directed to the Office of Financial Assistance and Veterans Affairs.

COMPLIANCE

Failure to comply with these guidelines or applicable Tuition Exchange Program requirements may result in disqualification from the program or disciplinary action pursuant to applicable College policy.

REVIEW AND ADMINISTRATION

The College of Charleston reserves the right to terminate its participation in the Tuition Exchange Program or modify these guidelines as necessary to meet program objectives and institutional needs.

The President or designee may modify program qualifications and administrative requirements as appropriate to meet institutional goals and applicable Tuition Exchange Program requirements.