Eligible students are encouraged to apply for scholarships and grants administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Palmetto Fellow Scholarship
The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is a merit-based program established in 1988 to recognize the most academically talented high school seniors and encourage these students to attend college in the state. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is administered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. Palmetto Fellows may receive up to $6,700 their freshman year, and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior and senior years. Half of the scholarship is awarded in the fall term and half in the spring term. The scholarship must be applied directly toward the cost of attendance, less any other gift aid received. Assuming continued eligibility, Palmetto Fellows may receive scholarship funding for a maximum of eight (8) full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year institution in South Carolina.
Criteria For Eligibility
Applications for early awards must be submitted to the Commission on Higher Education for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship by the date established in December each academic year. Students must meet one of the following set of academic criteria in order to be eligible to apply for the early awards (students cannot use the early awards criteria to apply during the final awards).
LIFE Scholarship
To be eligible for the LIFE Scholarship, a student must have graduated from a South Carolina high school on or after May 1995, be a full-time degree-seeking student at an eligible institution within two years and three months of high school graduation; be a South Carolina resident for in-state purposes at the time of enrollment at the institution; and have not been convicted of a felony or have an alcohol/drug conviction. Initial eligibility at four-year institutions. Student must meet two of the following criteria: Earn at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA based on the S.C. Uniformed Grading Policy (UGP) upon high school graduation; rank in the top 30% of the graduating class; and/or score at least 1100 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT through June of their senior year. The amount of the scholarship is up to $5,000 (including a $300 book allowance) each academic year toward the cost of attendance at an eligible four-year institution in S.C. Funding is limited to eight (8) consecutive terms for the first bachelor’s degree or ten (10) consecutive terms for the first approved five-year bachelor’s degree. Please ask your high school counselor or contact the Financial Aid Office at Claflin for further information.
S.C. HOPE Scholarship
Available to first-time freshmen only. Eligibility requirements for the S.C. HOPE Scholarship include: Student must earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on the S.C. Uniformed Grading Policy upon high school graduation; be a S.C. resident at the time of high school graduation and college enrollment; not be recipients of the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, LIFE Scholarship or Lottery Tuition Assistance; and meet all general eligibility criteria. The amount of the scholarship is up to $2,800 (including a $300 book allowance) toward the cost of attendance. Funding is up to two (2) consecutive terms.
LIFE & Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancements
Recipients of the Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships attending eligible four-year institutions in S.C. may qualify for up to up to $2,500 in additional funds beginning with their sophomore year. Funding would be up to six (6) consecutive terms toward the first bachelor’s degree or eight (8) consecutive terms toward the first approved five-year bachelor’s degree.
For eligible majors,courses and institutions, visit the Commission’s website: www.che.sc.gov.
Claflin Presidential Scholars Program
This four-year scholarship is valued at the full cost of tuition, room, board, textbooks and a monthly stipend. Outstanding high school seniors who are committed to academic excellence and who plan to pursue graduate or professional studies after graduating from Claflin are invited to compete for this scholarship. A limited number of freshmen may receive Presidential Scholarships each year. Awards will be made on the basis of academic achievement, leadership potential, involvement in extracurricular activities, community service and character. To be considered for this prestigious scholarship, an applicant must score at least 1200 on the SAT or achieve an equivalent score of 27 or higher on the ACT. The candidate must indicate on the application form a desire to be considered for admission into the Honors College and this scholarship, as well as submit supporting materials. An interview may be requested by the President and the Selection Committee.
Claflin Honors College Scholarships
The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College offers a number of four-year scholarships ranging in value from $2,000 to the full cost of tuition, room and board. These competitive scholarships are awarded annually to select incoming freshmen on the basis of academic achievement, leadership potential, involvement in extracurricular activities, community service and character. To be considered for one of these scholarships, a potential student must score at least 1100 on the SAT or attain an equivalent score of 24 or higher on the ACT. The candidate must indicate on the application form a desire to be considered for admission into the Honors College and for one of these scholarships. An interview may be requested by the Selection Committee.
Other Scholarships
A number of privately funded scholarships are available through the University and other outside resources. Interested students may contact the Leadership Development Office in Tingley Hall or the Scholarship Coordinator in the Office of Student Financial Aid located in Corson Hall for details.
National Merit Scholarships (2017)
The Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarships, one of the most competitive and prestigious awards, funds two or three years of post-baccalaureate study at Oxford University in Great Britain. The award covers educational and living expenses the amount of $30,000. Applicant must be a US citizen and Senior with a minimum 3.6 GPA. Must interview with regional and national panels. For applications, please visit the following website. (
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/)
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship provides $30,000 to Juniors planning to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in public service. Awardees also receive leadership training, graduate school counseling, preferential admission to premier graduate institutions, and internship opportunities with federal agencies. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national with a committed, full-time Junior committed to a career in public service, in upper quarter of class, 3.5 GPA or better. Must interview with regional and national panels. For applications, please visit the following website.
http://www.truman.gov/
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
The Fulbright Study and Research Program is sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Applicants must be a U.S. student and Senior who is thinking about studying, teaching, or conducting research abroad and is in good health. For applications, please visit the following website. For applications, please visit the following website. (
www.fulbrightonline.org/us)
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
Goldwater scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit to students who have excellent academic records and demonstrated interest in and potential for careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board to a maximum of $7,500 per academic year. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or U.S. national, full-time Sophomore or Junior with at least a 3.0 who will pursue a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. For applications, please visit the following website.
(www.act.org/goldwater)
David L. Boren – National Security Education Program(NSEP)
This scholarship offer a unique opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad. NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American & the Caribbean, and the Middle East) up to $20,000. For applications, please visit the following website. (http://www.borenawards.org)
Udall Scholarship
The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environment fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development and education. Students who are sophomores and juniors can apply. For application and more information, please review the following website:
(www.udall.gov).
Marshall Scholarship
Students with high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British Society and American People and their institutions. Students must be a citizen of the U.S., hold an undergraduate degree and have a minimum g.p.a. of 3.7. See further instructions.
(www.marshallscholarship.org).
ESB Luard Morse – Semester Abroad Scholarship
Based on merit for students pursuing a four-year degree in ALL major fields of study and provides tuition, room and board, book allowance and travel expenses for the academic year a British university. Must have a 3.0 gpa and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current events, trends in their field of study, and interest in international affairs as it pertains to African-American history. For applications, please visit the following website (
www.esuus.org).
Outside Scholarships
Claflin’s Office of Financial Aid often receives notices about outside scholarships from organizations, businesses and groups. These awards support students with special interests or characteristics such as a specific field of study or occupation/career, individuals from a particular nationality or race/ethnic group, church affiliation, or special skills and talents. Students must meet the sponsor’s criteria in order to receive a private scholarship. The criteria may or may not include having demonstrated financial need. We also encourage you to conduct scholarship searches on your own by visiting these sites:
South Carolina Tuition Grant
The South Carolina Tuition Grant was established to provide need-based grant assistance to eligible S.C. undergraduate students attending, on a full-time basis, eligible independent non-profit in-state colleges.
Requirements & Eligibility: You must complete and submit the FAFSA by June 30th of each academic year; be a resident of S.C.; parent(s) be a resident of S.C.; attend an independent college in S.C.; and meet academic standards eligibility:
Freshmen: must graduate in the upper 75% of their high school class, score 900 or above on the SAT or 19 or above on the ACT, and have a 2.0 GPA;
Upperclassmen: must successfully complete at least 24 semester hours each year, have a 2.0 GPA, meet Claflin’s academic standards, and be eligible by the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission. Awards up to $3,200 per academic year for up to eight (8) semester terms.
Out-of-State Assistance: Out-of-state students are encouraged to research in their home states whether state grant funding is available to attend out-of-state schools.
Claflin University International Alumni Association Annual Scholarship
The Claflin University International Alumni Association will award a minimum of four (4) one thousand dollar ($1,000) scholarships, with the possibility of renewal annually, to eligible students who plan to matriculate at Claflin University during the next school year and/or to students who are presently enrolled at Claflin University. Please click HERE for the application. The deadline for the application is Friday, July 22, 2022.