Scholarships
Aid That Never Has To Be Repaid
Scholarships are defined as a type of financial aid, in the form of a grant (a sum of money or other aid) that does not have to be repaid by the recipients to assist students as they pursue their studies. Scholarships are most often given to students for a couple of reasons: academic merit/achievement, or financial need (or a combination of both). Institutional scholarships are subject to CSU’s Max Free Aid Policy located in the CSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Institutional Scholarships
Buc Promise – Tuition Promise Program
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.
Palmetto Academic Excellence Award
For eligible students who qualify for both the Palmetto Fellows Enhancement Scholarship and the federal Pell Grant, we’re removing financial barriers to success. This opportunity is specifically for pell-eligible students who are going into STEM, Nursing, *Accounting, *Aeronautics, Kinesiology, Education. Full tuition is covered for all four years, plus housing and meal costs for sophomore, junior, and senior year.
Students from all economic backgrounds who have shown grit and intellect deserve the opportunity to attend CSU. 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.
*These programs are pending approval for the enhancement program through the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Merit-Based
Merit-based scholarships are awarded by Charleston Southern University to degree-seeking students who are enrolled full-time. The scholarship amount is determined by your GPA at the time of high school graduation. The scholarship amount may change based on financial need and residency status.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s satisfactory academic progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Athletic
Scholarships are available to students who qualify both athletically and academically for one of the competitive team sports. Inquiries should be directed to the CSU Athletic Department.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Band
Students who participate in the CSU Marching Band, Pep Band and Symphonic Band are eligible to receive a scholarship. An interview is required and can be arranged by contacting the University Band Director at 843-863-7962 in the CSU Horton School of Music.
1st year members receive $1,000 (annually)
2nd year members receive $1,300 (annually)
3rd year members receive $1,700 (annually)
4th year members receive $2,000 (annually)
Renewal of this scholarship is based on band participation, full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Minister’s Dependent Scholarship
Dependents of pastors in ordained by a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and missionaries with IMB and NAMB are eligible to receive $1,000 per year. A letter on church letter stating parent is an ordained pastor is required. A letter from IMB or NAMB indicating full-time status as a missionary is required. For consideration, please contact admissions at 843-863-7050 or admissions@csuniv.edu.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on ordained pastor status, full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Music Award
Scholarships may be available to accepted students who participate in music ensembles. A scholarship audition is required. Auditions can be arranged after a student has filled out the Horton School of Music and Performing Arts Application. One credit hour of studio instruction is required each semester (fall and spring). Contact the CSU HSMPA at 843-863-7962.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on maintaining a 2.5 cumulative GPA, full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Student Government Association (SGA) Stipends
Students elected to one of the Student Government Offices are eligible to receive a stipend valued at the amount of the cost for room and board for the fall and spring semesters during the period they are in office. Inquiries should be addressed to the SGA Office. Stipend eligibility will be determined by the successful completion of SGA Officer duties as evaluated by the CSU Dean of Students.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on continued SGA Office status, full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Student Leadership University Scholarship
All graduates of SLU 101,102, 201, 301 or 401 who meet CSU’s admission standards, and are full-time freshmen are eligible to receive a Student Leadership University scholarship of $2,000 per year for 4 years. Students must have attended SLU prior to enrollment at CSU. Confirmation of completion is required for initial award.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
International and Global Scholarships
All international undergraduate students are eligible to receive a merit scholarship. Scholarships are automatically awarded at the time of admission to the university and there are no additional application items required. These scholarships are not available to any graduate student.
General international student scholarships:
- International students who have attended schools outside the US are eligible to receive an International Student Scholarship of $10,000 to $12,000 per year. Scholarships are awarded at the time of admission and no additional application or information is needed.
- International students who have attended US schools or international schools with US curriculum are eligible for academic merit scholarships of $5,000 to $19,000 per year based on GPA. Scholarships are automatically awarded when admitted to the university.
Special scholarship opportunities:
- Global Ambassador Scholarship—One full tuition scholarship is awarded each year to an international student whose parents serve in a Christian ministry position outside the United States.
- To apply for this scholarship you must be an admitted student and submit all application requirements, which includes a resume listing your activities and accomplishments, two letters of recommendation, and a personal essay describing your family background in ministry. Priority is given to applications that are complete by February 15th. To begin the application process, please complete the online form to confirm your interest.
For more information, please contact the Center for Global Education at international@csuniv.edu.
ROTC Scholarships
Air Force ROTC offers a variety of scholarships that will help relieve the financial burden of your college education. A variety of full and partial scholarships are available through ROTC as well as CSU. Certain scholarships have specific requirements. Air Force ROTC scholarships cover full or partial tuition and most lab fees. It also includes an annual textbook allowance and up to a $500 spending cash monthly stipend. CSU also offers housing scholarships (not to exceed tuition/books/housing/lab frees) to full and partial ROTC recipients.
If you are interested in ROTC scholarships, you should contact 843-863-7148 for the Air Force ROTC and 843-270-9590 for the Army ROTC.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
Endowed and Funded Scholarships
These scholarships are made possible by caring friends of the university who desire that students have the opportunity to obtain a college education. Most are awarded to students enrolled full time and have specific criteria set by the donors. Contact the CSU Financial Aid Office at 843-863-7050 or by email sfs@csuniv.edu.
State Scholarships
Financial assistance is available to South Carolina residents who attend college at a South Carolina institution. State scholarships are awarded based on academics, financial need and residency requirements set by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The chart below gives details about the financial assistance offered to South Carolina students who attend Charleston Southern University.
Palmetto Fellows
Eligibility Requirements: Academic Excellence – Contact your High School Guidance Counselor for details. Must be a full-time undergraduate student
Award Amount: $6,700 Freshman year $7,500 Sophomore, Junior and Senior years
How to Apply: Awarded by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education.
Renewal Requirements: Submit FAFSA. Maintain 3.0 CSU cumulative GPA and earn 30 degree-seeking credit hours per academic year (excluding Bridge Program courses); sign SC Certification Form and submit proper residency documentation. Please view your Documents tab on Financial Aid Live to view your missing required documentation.
S.C. LIFE
Eligibility Requirements: Must meet two of these three: 3.0+ HS GPA based on the S.C. Uniform Grading Scale; 1100+ SAT/22+ ACT; or top 30% of graduating class. Must be a full-time undergraduate student.
Award Amount: $5,000
How to Apply: Awarded based upon high school transcript for freshman year; awarded based upon college transcript after freshman year.
Renewal Requirements: Submit FAFSA. Maintain 3.0 cumulative LIFE GPA and earn 30 degree-seeking credit hours per academic year (excluding Bridge Program courses); sign SC Certification Form and submit proper residency documentation. Please view your Documents tab on Financial Aid Live to view your missing required documentation.
S.C. HOPE
Eligibility Requirements: HS GPA of 3.0+ based upon the S.C. Uniform Grading Scale. Must be a full-time undergraduate student.
Award Amount: $2,800
How to Apply: Awarded based upon receipt of final high school transcript and official ACT and/or SAT scores for freshman year. Students may qualify for the S.C. LIFE Scholarship based upon college transcript after freshman year.
Renewal Requirements: Not renewable, however a student may qualify for the S.C. LIFE Scholarship after their first year by earning 30 degree-seeking credit hours. This excludes Bridge Program courses. A student may also qualify for the S.C. LIFE Scholarship by earning a 3.0 cumulative LIFE GPA. Students must sign the SC Certification Form and submit proper residency documentation.
S.C. LIFE and Palmetto Fellows Enhancement
Eligibility Requirements: Must meet S.C. Life or S.C. Palmetto Fellows renewal requirements (see above), be pursuing a qualifying math or science major, and have earned 14 credit hours of qualifying math and/or science courses by the end of their freshman year of college. Must be a full-time undergraduate student.
Award Amount: $2,500 (in addition to S.C. Life or S.C. Palmetto Fellows award)
How to Apply: Automatically evaluated based on above-listed eligibility requirements.
Renewal Requirements: Meet S.C. Life or S.C. Palmetto Fellows renewal requirements listed above and still be pursing qualifying math or science major; sign SC Certification Form and submit proper residency documentation.
Eligible CSU Majors:
- Applied Mathematics
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Kinesiology*
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Natural Science
Eligible Math & Science Courses:
- BIOL (Biology)
- CHEM (Chemistry)
- COIN (Computer and Information Sciences)
- GEOL (Geology)
- KINE (Kinesiology)
- MATH (Mathematics)
- NURS (Nursing)
- PHYS (Physics)
*Please review the criteria as stated by the South Carolina Commission of Higher Education for CSU’s programs here.
S.C. Tuition Grant
Eligibility Requirements: Freshmen must graduate in the upper 75% of their high school class or score at least a 900 (Math and Critical Reading sections ONLY) of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or at least 19 Composite on the American College Test (ACT) or graduate from a South Carolina high school with a final high school GPA of 2.7 or higher on the SC Uniform Grading Policy to meet the academic standard for eligibility. For upperclassmen, the academic standard for eligibility requires full-time students to meet CSU’s federal Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. Students who do not meet these academic standards are ineligible for a South Carolina Tuition Grant regardless of financial need. Residency documentation is required.
Award Amount: $5,000 (2025-2026 year)
How to Apply: Submit current year FAFSA by June 30.
Renewal Requirements: Submit FAFSA by June 30 deadline. Maintain CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (see catalog), sign SC Certification Form and submit proper residency documentation. Please view your Documents tab on Financial Aid Live to view your missing required documents.
Army Nurse Corps Association Nursing Scholarship
The scholarship applicant must be a Nursing student who plans to, has previously, or has an immediate family member who has served in the Active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve. The applicant who receives funding from the GI bill is not precluded from receiving this scholarship. Applications and guidelines are available online.
Palmetto Boys State and Palmetto Girls State
CSU offers incoming full-time freshmen Palmetto Boys State Scholarships and Palmetto Girls State Scholarships for $1,000 for 4 years. Qualifications are acceptance to CSU, full-time enrollment, 3.0 high school grade point average, minimum 1000 SAT (math and critical reading only) or a composite ACT of 21 and have attended program prior to enrollment at CSU. Student must provide letter of participation and completion of this program.
Renewal of this scholarship is based on full-time traditional enrollment and CSU’s Satisfactory Academic Progress as listed in CSU’s Undergraduate Catalog online.
External Scholarships
Outside scholarships are given to students by organizations not necessarily affiliated with Charleston Southern University. You can look for more opportunities at: