Consumer Information Disclosures

The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), includes many disclosure and reporting requirements. A disclosure requirement is information that a postsecondary education institution is required to distribute or make available to another party, such as students or employees. A reporting requirement is information submitted to the U.S. Department of Education or other agencies. Disclosure and reporting requirements sometimes overlap. For certain topics, institutions are required to make information available to students or others and to submit information to the Department of Education. Such information includes general institutional operation, financial aid, general completion and graduation rates, annual security report, completion and graduation rates for student-athletes, and athletic program participation rates and financial support.

Charleston Southern University is committed to the principle of promoting access to information that will allow consumers such as students, parents, counselors, researchers and legislators to make informed decisions about postsecondary education. This web portal provides a single access point to all federally mandated reports and disclosures.

It is the individual’s responsibility to know and follow current requirements and procedures at the departmental and university levels. For additional information, including requesting a paper copy of any materials, please call or e-mail the appropriate office.

Final regulations implementing the legislative provisions for consumer information are available from the Federal Register’s website. Below is a list of disclosures provided by Charleston Southern University pursuant to these regulations.

General Institutional Information

Privacy of Student Records − Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Contact: Registrar
Email: register@csuniv.edu| 843-863-8060
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) helps protect the privacy of educational records for present and future students. You can sign-up and access your FERPA Waiver through your MyCSU Account.

Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities
Contact: Director of Student Success Center
Email: awatson@csuniv.edu | 843-863-8033
Descriptions of accommodations, required paperwork and services available for students with disabilities are available by visiting the Student Success Center webpage.

Student Diversity
Contact: Associate Dean of Student Engagement & Chief Diversity Officer
Email: tgrant@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7605
Charleston Southern University annually calculates information relating to the diversity of its students.

Cost of Attendance
Contact: Director of Financial Aid
Email: financialaid@csuniv.edu | Phone: 843-863-7050
College Navigator

Net Price Calculator
Contact: Director of Financial Aid
Email: financialaid@csuniv.edu | Phone: 843-863-7050
Charleston Southern provides a calculator web page to assist students with determining costs of attendance and financial aid eligibility. The calculator is available on the Financial Aid Office web page.

Textbook Information
Contact: Slingshot
Phone: 888-392-2930
Charleston Southern University provides textbook information through the Campus Store website. The textbook information includes title, author, edition ISBN, price, etc., when available.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements
Contact: Registrar
Email: register@csuniv.edu | 843-863-8060
Information for transfer students is available on the Registrar webpage. Additional transfer information is also located in the CSU Catalog.

Educational Program, Instructional Facilities and Faculty
Contact: Vice President of Academic Affairs
Email: mwilder@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7504
Information on the university’s various educational programs, instructional facilities and faculty may be found in the most recent undergraduate and graduate catalogs. Faculty contact information is also found on the website. Information about campus facilities, including those that relate to instructional programs, is available through the campus map.

Accreditation, Approval and Licensure of Institution and Programs
Contact: Vice President of Academic Affairs
Email: mwilder@csuniv.edu | Phone: 843-863-7504
Charleston Southern University (CSU) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Charleston Southern University. The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence to support an institution’s significant noncompliance with a requirement or standard.  A list of all agencies that accredit Charleston Southern University.

Copyright Infringement − Policies and Sanctions
Contact: Director of Integrated Marketing
Email: media@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7606
Consistent with Charleston Southern University’s strategic theme defined as institutional identity, the marketing and communication department goal is to build a distinctive Christian identity that highlights excellence through learning, leading and serving. The department is responsible for creating integrated marketing, advertising and public relations to enhance Charleston Southern’s image and accomplish its mission and vision.

Information Technology Services/Computer Use and Wi-Fi
Contact: Executive Director of Technology
Email: svieira@csuniv.edu
Student Work Orders: Completed through student tab in MyCSU | Phone: 843-863-8053
Specific information related to computer use, Wi-Fi and service request can be found online.  The university Code of Conduct Policy is here.

College Navigator
College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about institutions of higher education.

Student Activities
Contact: Dean of Students
Email: jjennings@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7212
Please visit the Life at CSU section of our website for information on activities, organizations and general information about Charleston Southern University.

Teacher Preparation Program Report
Contact: Dean of the College of Education
Email: jfernandez@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7914
The College of Education at Charleston Southern University offers a liberal arts core curriculum, professional education courses, clinical settings, content specialty courses and other extracurricular candidate experiences including Future Teachers Society, Teaching Fellows, service projects, mission programs and more.  Charleston Southern University’s College of Education is a member of Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Health and Safety
Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
Contact: Dean of Students 
Email: jjennings@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7212
Information related to the university’s drug and alcohol abuse program may be found in the Student Handbook. This information applies to the entire university community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the campus.

Vaccine/Health Requirements Policy for on-campus Housing
Contact: Contact: Dean of Students 
Email: jjennings@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7212
For detailed information please view Charleston Southern University’s Residence Life Guide.

Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics
Contact: Campus Security
Email: jewilson@csuniv.edu  | Phone: 843-863-7105

Information regarding public safety at Charleston Southern University is provided online at security. Additional information may also be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website. Crime statistics are reported to the Department of Education on a yearly basis, and additional information or copies of reports.

BUC Alert is an emergency communication system that sends notification to the entire campus community (students, faculty and staff) before, during and after an emergency. With this system, the university is able to communicate in many modes, including voice messages to home, work and cell phones; text messages to cell phones, PDAs and other devices; written messages to email accounts. In combination with our existing communication methods and emergency response plans, this notification system significantly enhances the university’s ability to maintain a learning environment in which students are safe, secure and comfortable.

Fire Safety Policies, Fire Statistics and Fire Log (On-Campus Housing Facilities)
Contact: Campus Security
Email: jewilson@csuniv.edu | Phone: 843-863-7105
Charleston Southern University provides an annual report which includes the campus fire safety policies, number of fire drills, and any fire-related incidents for on-campus housing. This report may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Student Outcomes (Student Right to Know Act)
Retention and Graduation Rates, Placement in Employment
Contact: Vice President for Student Success and Compliance
Email: jbabetz@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7563
The Department of Student Success annually calculates the retention and graduation rates for new degree-seeking undergraduates. The graduation rate is calculated based on the federal standard of 150%, and 200% of the normal completion time.

Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates & Financial Support Data
(Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act)
Contact: Athletic Director
Email: jbarber@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7399

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires co-educational institutions of postsecondary education that participate in a Title IV, federal student financial assistance program, and have an intercollegiate athletic program, to prepare an annual report to the U.S. Department of Education on athletic participation, staffing, and revenues and expenses, by men’s and women’s teams. The Department will use this information in preparing its required report to Congress on gender equity in intercollegiate athletics.

Equity in athletics data
The equity in athletics site provides data from thousands of colleges and universities in a convenient searchable form.

Voter Registration
Contact: Dean of Students
Email: jjennings@csuniv.edu | 843-863-7212
Charleston Southern University, as a participant in Federal Title IV Student Aid programs, is required to advise you that voter registration forms are available in the Dean of Student’s Office. You must be registered 30 days prior to any election.

Student Financial Assistance
Contact: Financial Aid Office 
Email: financialaid@csuniv.edu | Phone: 843-863-7050

Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
Paper copies of this information are available from the Financial Aid Office, which can be contacted at 843-863-7050 or financialaid@csuniv.edu.

Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information
Financial Aid Office
Hunter Center
Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd.
P.O. Box 118087
Charleston, South Carolina 29423
843-863-7050/1-800-947-7474
Fax: 843-863-7070
financialaid@csuniv.edu

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
A conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which a student was receiving Title IV, HEA Program (federal) funds, under any federal law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan or work-study assistance (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091(r)(1).

Student Loan Information Published by U.S. Department of Education
Available at federal direct loans and federal plus loans

Loan Repayment and Deferment

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
Federal student loan records of students and parents will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Students and parents may view their loan record history via NSLDS.

Preferred Lender Lists and Arrangements
Charleston Southern University does not recommend, promote or endorse lenders for private education loans.

Types of Aid
Charleston Southern University participates in the following Federal student aid programs:

Federal Aid Programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work-Study Program
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized and Unsubsidized
• Federal PLUS Loan

State Aid Programs:

• South Carolina Tuition Grant (need based)
• South Carolina HOPE
• South Carolina LIFE
• South Carolina Palmetto Fellows

State need-based student aid programs also use results from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state funds. State aid deadlines are published on the FAFSA.

Charleston Southern University Scholarships & Grants
Merit-based scholarships are awarded by Charleston Southern University to undergraduate degree-seeking students who are enrolled full-time. The scholarship amount is determined by the student’s GPA and SAT/ACT score at the time of high school graduation. The scholarship amount may change based on financial need, college GPA and residency status. Charleston Southern also offers other institutional scholarships such as athletics, music and student government who meet the academic and ability criteria. 

Once the student’s FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is received, scholarships and grants are awarded on first-come basis, and funds are limited. Students will be mailed an initial award letter showing the amount and type of financial aid awarded.  Should changes be made to a student’s award package, they will be contacted via Charleston Southern University BUC Mail and advised to view their Financial Aid LIVE through their MyCSU. 

Charleston Southern University Endowed Scholarships
Caring friends and alumni of Charleston Southern University have contributed money to be used for scholarships. The Development Office in conjunction with the Financial Aid Office oversees the awarding of endowed scholarships and can answer questions about the process and individual scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on criteria set by the donor and are awarded on a first-come basis. These scholarships do require a student to write a thank you note prior to disbursement of the funds and attend a luncheon in the spring semester. As college costs continue to rise Charleston Southern University appreciates the private support for our students.

Applying for Financial Aid, Procedures and Forms

Disbursement of Financial Aid
Financial aid is disbursed by releasing two payments over the academic year (one each semester). At the time of disbursement the student must meet eligibility requirements (academic progress, expected enrollment, financial eligibility, etc.). Funds will be applied to the student’s account after the semester’s drop/add period and enrollment is confirmed. Funds are applied to university fees and housing charges first. If student aid funds are in excess of account charges a credit balance occurs that will be paid to the student within 14 days of disbursement. If the student or parent wishes to cancel a loan within 7 days of the first day of class he/she may do so by submitting the Award Update form to the Financial Aid Office. Students may arrange with the Business Office to have excess funds from their student account automatically transferred by EFT to their bank accounts by enrolling in the e-refund through their MyCSU.

A Campus Store voucher may be available prior to disbursements to purchase books and supplies for students expected to have an excess of loan funds.

Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. If you are awarded federal work-study visit our Student Employment webpage.

Financial Assistance for Study Abroad
Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by Charleston Southern University may be considered enrollment at Charleston Southern University for purposes of applying for federal student financial aid.

Refund and Credit Balance Policy for Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid
To view the refund and credit balances policy please refer to the CSU Academic Catalog.

Students Rights and Responsibilities
To view student’s rights and responsibilities please read the CSU Student Handbook.

Inceptia (Verification Gateway)

CARES Act (HEERF 1), CRRSAA (HEERF II), and ARP (HEERF III) Public Disclosure

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provides funding to institutions to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students that have been directly impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, including noted eligible expenses such as on-campus housing and food services. More comprehensive information regarding HEERF may be found on the Department of Education website. 

Charleston Southern University acknowledges that it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) the Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020 with the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Student Grants to students. The institution received notification from the U.S. Department of Education on May 12, 2020 that the first half of the HEERF funds were made available. CSU was obligated funding of $2,880,272 from the U. S. Department of Education and designated a minimum of $1,440,136 in emergency grants for eligible students. Initial funds were received on June 24, 2020.

The estimated total number of students at CSU who are or could be eligible to participate in the Federal student financial aid programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and thus are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act is 2283. Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students and the total number of students who have received such grants under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the Act is in the table below.

Students were notified via their official university email, social media with a link to the posting on the university website providing guidance concerning the grants. An additional email was distributed to students at the start of the application phase of processing.

On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response & Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act was signed into law. The amount allocated by the Department of Education to educational institutions specific to student financial aid grants is the same amount awarded for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act. The estimated total number of students that were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314 (a)(1) of the Act is 2,313.

CRRSAA Grants are intended to be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education. Students who were Pell eligible were notified via email regarding their eligibility. Students who receive a HEERF II grant can choose to apply it to their existing account balance or receive the grant as a refund. Current guidelines indicate that the grants may only be applied towards the Spring 2021 semester. Students must reply to the cares@csuniv.edu  to indicate their preference. Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students and the total number of students who have received such grants under Section 314 (a)(1) of the Act is in the table below.

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was signed into law. Similar to the CARES and CRRSA Acts, this act included funding to institutions of higher education to make financial aid grants to students which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing health care or child care.

The total allocation that the University received for the emergency financial aid grants to be issued to students under the ARP Act is $4,202,625. The funds were made available to the University on May 18, 2021. The estimated total number of students that were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 2003(a)(1) of the Act is 3,334.

The ARP Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which will go to students in the form of emergency grants. In addition to tuition costs, these funds could be used for other emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus such as food, housing, health care (including mental health) and child care. Students were notified via their official university email along with a follow up app notification. Additionally, information was posted on the university website to a webpage providing guidance concerning the grants. An additional email was distributed to eligible students at the start of the application phase of processing.

Students who receive a HEERF III grant can choose to apply it to their existing account balance or receive the grant as a refund. Current guidelines indicate that the grants may only be applied towards the Fall 2021 semester. Students must reply to the arp@csuniv.edu to indicate their preference.

Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students and the total number of students who have received such grants under Section 2003 (a)(1) of the CARES act can be found in the table below.

CARES – HEERF 1	Total # of Students Receiving Grants	Total Amount of Grants Distributed
6/11/2020	912	$1,003,200
7/26/2020	81	$133,600
9/9/2020	47	$60,103
07/09/2021	43	73,750
CRRSAA – HEERF 2	Total # of Students Receiving Grants	Total Amount of Grants Distributed
07/09/2021	865	$1,275,719
10/10/2021	<10	$13,122
ARP – HEERF 3	Total # of Students Receiving Grants	Total Amount of Grants Distributed
09/30/2021	858	$1,178,000
03/31/2022	356	$1,765,250