Tuition Promise Program
Buc Promise
Charleston Southern University is committed to preparing our students to pursue a life of significance. Buc Promise is our pledge to CSU students that finances won’t stand in their way of developing their potential and declaring their purpose with a degree from Charleston Southern.
Students from all economic backgrounds who have shown grit and intellect deserve the opportunity to attend CSU. This is our promise: if a student is admitted to CSU and qualifies for Buc Promise, CSU will pay their tuition.
Buc Promise guarantees full tuition will be covered by a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid for eligible South Carolina residents. You will not have to pay back this aid. You can also be assured that if tuition increases and you remain eligible, the financial aid you receive will increase as well.
Buc Promise ensures that CSU offers an affordable, accessible, private Christian higher education experience to our Buccaneers.
How Does Buc Promise Work?
Tuition is covered first by your federal and state grants—such as the Pell Grant or Life Scholarship.
If your eligibility for these programs does not equal the full cost of tuition, CSU will make up the difference with institutional funding. Funds awarded for Buc Promise will cover up to your calculated financial need and can be reduced if you receive other private scholarships or funded resources.
Buc Promise applies to tuition only; however, there are additional grant, scholarship, work-study, and loan funds available to assist with other educational costs, such as on-campus housing and food.
Who Is Eligible?
- Buc Promise, when combined with federal, state, and institutional grants/scholarships (including merit awards, SLU, Tour Treasure, Athletic, etc), will cover full in-state tuition. Qualified students must be enrolled full-time for both the fall and spring semesters. This financial aid pledge remains in place for four years provided you remain enrolled full-time (12 credits minimum), remain Federal Pell-eligible, and are making satisfactory academic progress toward your degree.
To be eligible for Buc Promise, you must:
- Be a resident of the State of South Carolina
- Must hold at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30 and be certified as Pell-eligible for more than the “Minimum Pell Grant.”
- Enroll full-time (12 credit hours or more) in a traditional degree program
- Be a first-time bachelor’s degree seeking student (not applicable to transfer students)
- This aid is renewable provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and continues to be Pell-eligible while at CSU
To apply, students must submit the FAFSA and list CSU (federal code #003419) as one of the colleges you wish to receive the results of your FAFSA.
Want housing & food covered too?
For students already eligible for Buc Promise and pursuing a degree in STEM, Nursing, *Accounting, *Aeronautics, Kinesiology, or Education, CSU will cover tuition PLUS housing and food costs for sophomore, junior, and senior year. Learn more!
Other Financial Aid Solutions
- Buc Promise is just one way to achieve your dreams of completing your academic voyage. If you do not qualify for Buc Promise, CSU still has grant, scholarship, work-study, and loan funds at your reach to help pay your educational costs.