A note on those test numbers: CofC is test-optional, and in Fall 2025 only 19% of enrolled first-year students sent in SAT scores and 9% sent in ACT scores. The middle 50% ranges describe that smaller group, not the whole class.
No published grid; SC top 10% class rank earns $4,000+
Benchmarks for top-tier awards.
Testing Policy
Test-optional
Superscores ACT/SAT.
Key Deadlines
Priority: Nov 2 • FAFSA: Feb 1
Full-Tuition / Full-Ride
Palmetto Fellows and Val/Sal guarantee (SC residents); Meeting Street Compact
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at the College of Charleston (Read This First)
Test-optional for admission ≠ test-optional for state money. South Carolina’s LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarships are built on test scores, and state awards only accept official scores. CofC will use unofficial scores for its own merit, but the state will not.
Your address changes the whole deal. SC residents get the SC Talent Initiative guarantees. Out-of-state students get $2,000 to $12,000 a year, and CofC does not participate in the Academic Common Market, so there’s no in-state tuition backdoor.
CofC merit doesn’t stack. An SC student gets one CofC merit scholarship. State scholarships and need-based aid can sit on top of it, but two CofC merit awards can’t.
The FAFSA date is February 1, not March. The promise to meet at least 65% of financial need for SC first-years depends on filing by February 1.
Charleston Fellows has one door. Only Early Action or Early Decision applicants who apply to the Honors College by November 2 are considered.
Palmetto Fellows goes through the counselor. Families can’t submit it themselves. Talk to the school counselor early in senior year.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — College of Charleston is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 23-29; SAT: 1160-1300.
Average net price? About $18,960/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No broad regional reciprocity path.
💰 Cost of Attendance at College of Charleston 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category (2026–2027)
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)
$13,228
$40,054
Housing & Meals (typical)
$15,237
$15,237
Total (Direct Costs)
$28,465
$55,291
Average Federal Net Price: $18,960 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
There is no broad undergraduate tuition reciprocity or out-of-state waiver at the College of Charleston, and the College does not participate in the Academic Common Market. Out-of-state first-year applicants are automatically considered for Non-Resident Scholarships of $2,000 to $12,000 per year, which cover part of the gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
The Full Budget (Not Just the Bill)
The table above shows what CofC actually bills: tuition, the $710 tech/athletic/library fee, and housing and food. CofC’s official cost of attendance also budgets for books ($1,590), personal expenses ($2,365), transportation ($2,760 in-state, $4,520 out-of-state), and loan fees ($90). Add those in and the 2026-27 estimate comes to $35,270 in-state and $63,856 out-of-state. That bigger number is the ceiling on how much total aid a student can receive.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at the College of Charleston
Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher?
For 2026-27, tuition is $12,518 for South Carolina residents and $39,344 for everyone else, a gap of almost $27,000 before housing. Out-of-state families pay the full price that the state helps cover for residents. CofC’s Non-Resident Scholarships ($2,000 to $12,000 a year) cover part of that difference, but not all of it.
Can we use the Academic Common Market to pay in-state tuition at CofC?
No. The College of Charleston does not participate in the Academic Common Market, even for majors that are hard to find elsewhere. There’s no regional reciprocity or broad out-of-state waiver either. For out-of-state students, the automatic Non-Resident Scholarship is the main discount.
Is housing cheaper for in-state students?
No. CofC budgets $15,237 for housing and food for everyone. That figure is a weighted average, and CofC notes that picking a pricier or cheaper hall or meal plan doesn’t change your official cost of attendance.
Is the average net price really about $18,960?
That’s the federal average after grants and scholarships. South Carolina families with state scholarships or financial need often pay less, and out-of-state families without much aid can pay far more. CofC’s Net Price Calculator gives a more personal estimate.
When will we see our actual aid numbers?
CofC merit scholarships are included in the admission packet, and institutional awards should show up in MyPortal by mid-March. Federal aid for first-year students is typically posted in MyPortal by mid-March as well, as long as the FAFSA was filed.
Can South Carolina scholarships help pay for summer classes?
For eligible students, yes. Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and the math and science Enhancement can be used in summer. For Palmetto Fellows, summer use counts against the eight semesters of eligibility, so it’s worth a quick conversation with a financial aid counselor first.
October 1: The FAFSA opens. CofC’s school code is 003428.
November 2: Honors Priority Deadline, the only path to Charleston Fellows scholarships (Early Action or Early Decision).
December 1: SC Teaching Fellows application due through CERRA.
February 1: FAFSA priority deadline for SC Talent Initiative need-based aid.
Mid-January to mid-March: CofC merit awards arrive with the admission decision and show in MyPortal by mid-March.
April 15: Palmetto Fellows early award deadline (submitted by the high school counselor).
May 1: Enrollment deposit due. Paying it also confirms acceptance of the scholarship award.
Parent rule of thumb: for South Carolina families, February 1 is the date that moves the most money. For Honors hopefuls, it’s November 2.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at the College of Charleston
Every first-year applicant is reviewed for CofC merit during admission, with no separate application. What a student can get depends mostly on where they live. South Carolina residents fall under the SC Talent Initiative, and out-of-state students are considered for Non-Resident Scholarships. CofC doesn’t publish a GPA or test score grid, so the ranges below are what the College commits to, not cutoffs.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Full TuitionAutomaticgeographicpipeline
SC Talent Initiative: Palmetto Fellows and Valedictorian/Salutatorian Full-Tuition Guarantee
📅 Deadline: No separate CofC application. Palmetto Fellows applications are submitted by the high school counselor (early award April 15, late award June 30). ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full-tuition guarantee (federal, state, and institutional aid combined)
✘ Not stackable
⚠ SC residents only. Guarantees full in-state tuition, not fees, housing, or meals.
Two separate paths. Palmetto Fellows is an SC Commission on Higher Education award. Early award criteria: a 1200 SAT (or 25 ACT), a 3.5 GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Scale, and top 6% class rank; or a 1400 SAT (or 31 ACT) and a 4.0 GPA. Late award criteria use a 27 ACT and 32 ACT in place of 25 and 31. Valedictorian/Salutatorian applies to graduates of SC public or charter high schools, based on class standing at the end of junior year, with no published test score requirement.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-stackable with other CofC merit scholarships. Access to Excellence need-based aid is stackable.
💡
Strategic Detail
CofC guarantees a minimum offer of full in-state tuition for Palmetto Fellows and for valedictorians and salutatorians from SC public or charter high schools. Tuition is covered through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid, so the CofC portion depends on what other aid the student receives. Fees, housing, and meals are not part of the guarantee. Available only to first-time, first-year students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
SC students who earn the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, plus valedictorians and salutatorians of SC public or charter high schools as of the end of junior year.
Automatic
Cougar Advantage Scholars
📅 Deadline: Considered with the first-year admission application. File the FAFSA by February 1 for need-based aid. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-stackable with other CofC merit scholarships (CofC Merit, Palmetto Fellows guarantee, Valedictorian/Salutatorian guarantee). Can combine with SC state scholarships and Access to Excellence need-based aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
Part of the South Carolina Talent Initiative. SC first-year applicants from public or charter high schools who rank in the top 10% of their class at the time of application receive at least $4,000 per year in CofC merit scholarship funding. CofC publishes a floor, not a ceiling. Like other SCTI merit awards it is non-stackable, though it can combine with state scholarships and need-based aid.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: SC residents at public or charter high schools who rank in the top 10% of their class when they apply. Class rank at the time of application is the trigger.
📅 Deadline: Considered with the first-year admission application. File the FAFSA by February 1 for need-based aid. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$1,500–$4,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
Non-stackable with other CofC merit scholarships. Can combine with SC state scholarships and Access to Excellence need-based aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
All first-time, first-year SC applicants are considered for CofC Merit Scholarships of $1,500 to $4,000 per year. This is the base merit layer of the SC Talent Initiative. It is non-stackable with other CofC merit awards, so a student receives one CofC merit scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: SC resident first-year applicants. CofC reviews academic credentials during admission and does not publish a grid for the $1,500 to $4,000 range.
Automatic
Nonresident Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Considered with the first-year admission application; no separate scholarship deadline. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000–$12,000/yr
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for Non-Resident Scholarships. National Merit Finalist awards are added on top.
💡
Strategic Detail
Out-of-state first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships of $2,000 to $12,000 per year. CofC says these awards cover part of the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition. There is no published GPA or test score grid. Even at the top award, an out-of-state student pays well above in-state tuition, so compare the net cost against home-state options.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Out-of-state first-year applicants with strong academic records. CofC awards merit during admission review based on academic credentials, without a published grid.
Automaticnational merit
National Merit Scholarship
📅 Deadline: National Merit Scholarship Corporation deadlines apply; no separate CofC deadline. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,000/yr
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC states this award is in addition to any other scholarships the student receives.
💡
Strategic Detail
National Merit Finalists who list the College of Charleston as their first choice receive $2,000 per year from CofC, in addition to any other scholarships they receive. No separate CofC application is required.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: National Merit Finalists who name CofC as their first-choice college.
Automatic
South Carolina State Scholarships (Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, HOPE, Enhancements)
📅 Deadline: Palmetto Fellows early award April 15 and late award June 30 (submitted by the high school counselor). LIFE and HOPE are reviewed automatically. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$2,800–$7,500/yr
✔ Stackable
LIFE: meet 2 of 3 (3.0 GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Scale, top 30% class rank, 1100 SAT or 22 ACT). HOPE: 3.0 GPA, first year only, for students not receiving LIFE or Palmetto Fellows. Palmetto Fellows criteria are listed with the full-tuition guarantee. State awards use official test scores only.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Palmetto Fellows and its Enhancement can be combined with CofC institutional aid up to the cost of attendance. Palmetto Fellows recipients cannot also receive LIFE or HOPE, and a student can receive only one Enhancement.
💡
Strategic Detail
Palmetto Fellows: $6,700 in year one and $7,500 per year after that. LIFE: $5,000 per year. HOPE: $2,800, first year only. Enhancements: Palmetto Fellows and LIFE recipients in eligible math and science majors can receive up to $2,500 more per year starting sophomore year after completing 14 hours of math or science in year one. Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and Enhancements can be used in summer for eligible students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: South Carolina residents who meet Commission on Higher Education criteria. Palmetto Fellows carries the highest award.
Automatic
SC Talent Initiative: Access to Excellence (Need-Based Guarantee)
Stackable. CofC lists Access to Excellence as combinable with merit scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
The need-based core of the SC Talent Initiative. CofC meets at least 65% of demonstrated financial need for every first-time, first-year SC student who files the FAFSA by the February 1 priority deadline, using a mix of federal, state, and institutional aid. There is no income cutoff. The award depends on the student's FAFSA results and the rest of the aid package.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Any first-time, first-year SC resident whose FAFSA shows financial need and is filed by February 1. The deadline is the part families miss.
Data last verified Sep 15, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Who Gets What at CofC
If your student is…
CofC commits to
Stacks with other CofC merit?
An SC Palmetto Fellow, or valedictorian/salutatorian of an SC public or charter school
At least full in-state tuition (federal, state, and CofC aid combined)
No
Top 10% of class at an SC public or charter school
At least $4,000 per year (Cougar Advantage)
No
Any SC first-year applicant
Consideration for $1,500 to $4,000 per year (CofC Merit)
No
An SC student with financial need who files the FAFSA by Feb 1
At least 65% of demonstrated need met
Yes
Out-of-state
Consideration for $2,000 to $12,000 per year
Not published
A National Merit Finalist who lists CofC first
$2,000 per year on top of other scholarships
Yes
Note: South Carolina’s state scholarships (Palmetto Fellows $6,700 then $7,500 a year, LIFE $5,000, HOPE $2,800 for year one only) are separate from CofC merit and can be combined with CofC institutional aid up to the cost of attendance.
Automatic Merit FAQs (College of Charleston)
Do we need a separate scholarship application?
No. CofC reviews every first-year applicant for merit during admission. Need-based aid only requires the FAFSA by February 1. The one exception in the SC program is the Meeting Street Scholarship, which has its own application.
Can a South Carolina student stack two CofC merit awards?
No. CofC Merit, Cougar Advantage, the Palmetto Fellows guarantee, and the valedictorian/salutatorian guarantee are all non-stackable, so a student ends up with one. State scholarships, Access to Excellence need-based aid, and the Meeting Street Compact can still layer on top.
How does the valedictorian/salutatorian guarantee work?
It’s for graduates of South Carolina public or charter high schools, based on class standing at the end of junior year. CofC guarantees a minimum offer of full in-state tuition through a mix of federal, state, and CofC aid. It doesn’t cover fees, housing, or meals.
What does “65% of need met” actually mean?
If an SC first-year student’s FAFSA shows financial need and is filed by February 1, CofC promises at least 65% of that need will be covered by federal, state, and institutional aid. There’s no income cutoff. Miss February 1, and the promise can shrink.
How much merit do out-of-state students get?
Every out-of-state first-year applicant is considered for $2,000 to $12,000 a year. CofC doesn’t publish a grid, so there’s no way to know the exact number before the award arrives.
Does CofC accept unofficial test scores?
For admission and CofC merit, yes. Scores from a transcript, a counselor, or a testing agency screenshot all count, and CofC uses your highest scores across test dates. South Carolina’s state scholarships only use official scores, so have those sent too.
Who qualifies for the SC LIFE Scholarship?
South Carolina residents who meet two of three: a 3.0 GPA on the SC Uniform Grading Scale, top 30% class rank, or a 1100 SAT or 22 ACT. It pays $5,000 a year, and CofC reviews eligible students automatically.
The College of Charleston doesn’t run a big essay-and-interview scholarship competition for the general applicant pool. Most of its money comes through guarantees you don’t apply for. The one true flagship award is the President’s Scholarship, and it goes to just four South Carolina students per class. The other competitive path is the Honors College’s Charleston Fellows Program, covered in the Honors section below.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at CofC?
Aid Type
Stacks with CofC Merit?
CofC Parent Translation
CofC Merit (SC)
No
CofC Merit, Cougar Advantage, and the full-tuition guarantees are all non-stackable. Your student gets one.
Access to Excellence (need-based)
Yes
CofC lists it as stackable with merit. File the FAFSA by February 1.
Meeting Street Charleston Compact
Yes
Also listed as stackable. It fills the remaining gap on tuition, fees, housing, and meals.
SC State Scholarships
Yes
Palmetto Fellows can be combined with CofC aid up to the cost of attendance. LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows don’t combine with each other.
National Merit (Finalists)
Yes
CofC’s $2,000 a year is added on top of any other scholarships.
Computer Science department awards
Limited
The CS department doesn’t stack its own departmental scholarships, so a student receives one CS award.
SC Teaching Fellows
Yes
CofC says it’s compatible with other scholarships and loans. It’s a forgivable loan tied to teaching in SC.
Here’s the honest picture. If your student is the type who shines in scholarship interviews, CofC has fewer of those stages than many schools. The President’s Scholarship is only for South Carolina residents, and four winners a year is a tiny number. For out-of-state high achievers, the realistic competitive target is Charleston Fellows, and that means applying Early Action or Early Decision with the Honors essay done by November 2.
Automaticgeographicpipeline
President's Scholarship
📅 Deadline: No separate President's Scholarship deadline is published. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
Varies
✘ Not stackable
⚠ SC residents only; four recipients per class.
👥 ~Four South Carolina recipients per entering first-year class. winners/yr
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for the President's Scholarship.
💡
Strategic Detail
CofC calls the President's Scholarship its most prestigious award. Four recipients are chosen from the most highly qualified South Carolina students in each first-year class. Selection considers academic credentials at admission, prior academic and community service involvement, and personal interviews with the Scholarship Committee. CofC does not publish the award amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Four SC students per entering class with top academic credentials, a real service record, and a strong interview.
Data last verified Sep 15, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
What is the President’s Scholarship?
CofC calls it the College’s most prestigious scholarship. Each year, four recipients are chosen from the most highly qualified South Carolina students in the first-year class.
How are President’s Scholars chosen?
The Scholarship Committee looks at academic credentials at admission, past academic and community service involvement, and personal interviews. CofC doesn’t publish a separate application, so the admission application is where your student makes the case.
How much is the President’s Scholarship worth?
CofC doesn’t publish the amount. If your student is contacted for an interview, ask the Merit Scholarship Team directly (meritscholarships@charleston.edu).
Can out-of-state students compete for it?
No, it’s limited to South Carolina students. Out-of-state students are automatically considered for $2,000 to $12,000 a year and can compete for Charleston Fellows through the Honors College.
Does a competitive award replace CofC merit?
CofC doesn’t publish a stacking rule for the President’s Scholarship. What it does publish is that its SC merit awards are non-stackable with each other. Read the award letter carefully and ask how the pieces fit together before the May 1 deposit.
Getting into CofC gets your student reviewed for merit. It does not apply them for the donor and department scholarships. Those live in the
Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS), and it trips people up because finishing the first form isn’t the end.
Sign in with the same login used for the CofC Admissions Portal.
Complete the General Application, plus the Conditional Application if CSAS asks for one for the intended major.
Look at the scholarships CSAS recommends, then submit each one. Anything left in draft isn’t considered.
Check each listing’s deadline; they don’t all close on the same day.
Parent translation: the General Application is the key that unlocks the room. Your student still has to walk in and pick things up.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards aren’t automatic, and several aren’t even run by CofC. They’re built for specific students: South Carolina families with a Pell Grant, future teachers, Computer Science majors, out-of-state Arts Management students, and students drawn to the 1967 Legacy Program. When one fits, it can be worth more than the merit award.
Big news for South Carolina families: Meeting Street went statewide.
The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is now open to the Class of 2027 across South Carolina. Students must earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, receive a Pell Grant, and enroll at an eligible college. At CofC, the Charleston Compact covers the rest of tuition, fees, housing, and meals. The full four-year version is confirmed for public school graduates in the original 14 “Legacy” counties. Families in the 32 newer “Expansion” counties qualify for a one-year award of up to $10,000, and should ask CofC’s Merit Scholarship Team whether the full Compact applies to them.
Full RideApp Required
Meeting Street Charleston Compact
📅 Deadline: Separate Meeting Street Scholarship Fund application; check the Fund's site for the 2027 application window. · 📢 Results: Within two weeks of application submission per Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
⚠ SC residents with a Pell Grant and LIFE or Palmetto Fellows; full four-year Compact confirmed for Legacy county public school graduates.
Meeting Street Scholarship criteria: live in South Carolina, graduate from an SC high school in spring 2027, earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, file the FAFSA and receive a Pell Grant, and enroll full time at an eligible college (CofC is one of 17). Legacy counties (the original 14): public high school graduates, renewable up to four years. Expansion counties (the other 32): any high school type, one-year award for 2027-28 under a state-funded pilot.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable. CofC lists the Meeting Street Charleston Compact as combinable with merit scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Apply to the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund at meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org (a separate application; submit the Fund's interest form for 2027 dates). Apply to CofC for first-year admission, file the 2027-28 FAFSA (opens October 1), and earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows.
Selection criteria: Formula-based eligibility: county of residence, eligible high school, LIFE/Palmetto Fellows qualification (2 of 3 CHE criteria), and Federal Pell Grant receipt. No competitive ranking — every eligible applicant is awarded.
💡
Strategic Detail
A partnership between CofC and the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. The Fund pays up to $10,000 per year as a last-dollar award, and CofC's Charleston Compact covers the remaining cost of tuition, required fees, housing (up to the weighted average), and meals (up to the weighted average). Recipients also get academic support, Life Design Coaching, and peer mentoring. There is no cap on Fund awards: every student who meets all five criteria receives one. For the Class of 2027 the Fund expanded statewide with a one-year pilot in 32 Expansion counties. CofC has not published whether the full Compact applies to Expansion county recipients, so those families should confirm with the Merit Scholarship Team at meritscholarships@charleston.edu.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Pell-eligible, high-achieving SC students who earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows. The full four-year version is confirmed for public high school graduates in the 14 Legacy counties.
Automatic
James E. Clyburn / Rudolph Canzater Foundation Matching Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Foundation deadlines apply; no separate CofC deadline. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC's match is added on top of the foundation award.
💡
Strategic Detail
Students who receive the James E. Clyburn/Rudolph Canzater Foundation Scholarship get a two-to-one match from CofC: $2 for every $1 of foundation money. A $3,000 foundation award becomes $9,000 per year in total. Students must enroll full time (12 hours) each semester, and the scholarship is renewable.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students selected for the James E. Clyburn/Rudolph Canzater Foundation Scholarship who enroll full time at CofC.
App Required
1967 Legacy Program
📅 Deadline: Cohort recruitment runs in the spring and summer before the first year; two slots are filled during the fall semester. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for 1967 Legacy awards.
📄
How to Apply
Watch for 1967 Legacy Program recruitment in the spring and summer before enrollment. Two more slots are filled each fall from first-year students enrolled in FYSE 114 or who took part in the most recent SPECTRA program.
Selection criteria: Holistic review focusing on academic preparation, demonstrated interest in African American history and Gullah Geechee culture, and leadership potential.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A four-year immersive scholarship program open to all first-year students, centered on African American history, Gullah Geechee culture, and the contributions of African Americans to CofC and beyond. Required courses include FYSE 114 (The 1967 Legacy and Beyond), ENGL 110/111, AAST 100, and AFST 101, plus a capstone. A cohort typically includes 10 funded students. The program is named for 1967, the year CofC enrolled its first Black students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students of any background who connect with the program's focus. Most of each cohort is selected in the spring and summer before the first year.
Automatic
Leading Edge Scholarship (Computer Science)
📅 Deadline: Not published; contact the Computer Science department at cschair@cofc.edu. ✓ Renews
$20,000
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Computer Science department does not stack departmental scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
A Computer Science scholarship for incoming first-year students. Minimum criteria are based on academic distinction in high school records and test scores. Students can receive up to $20,000 over four years. The Computer Science department does not stack departmental scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming first-year Computer Science students with strong high school records and test scores.
App Required
Thomas W. Carroll Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Apply through CSAS; the deadline is posted on the CSAS listing. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$12,000
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Computer Science department does not stack departmental scholarships.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS) at cofc.academicworks.com. Incoming students sign in with Admissions Portal credentials.
Selection criteria: Selection based on academic strength in STEM, Honors application quality, and fit for Computer Science.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
An endowed Computer Science scholarship for incoming first-year students, created by Hattie Carroll '35 in honor of her father, Thomas W. Carroll '32. Students can receive up to $12,000 over four years. The Computer Science department does not stack its departmental scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming first-year students planning to major in Computer Science.
App Required
School of the Arts Merit Award in Arts Management
📅 Deadline: The Fall 2027 deadline has not been posted. The Fall 2026 cycle closed February 9, 2026. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for this award.
📄
How to Apply
Get admitted to CofC, commit to enrolling as an Arts Management major, and apply as directed on the Arts Management scholarships page by the posted deadline.
Selection criteria: Merit-based review focusing on academic and intellectual promise, leadership qualities, and demonstrated intent to pursue a career in arts management.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
A School of the Arts merit award for incoming out-of-state first-year students who commit to majoring in Arts Management. Selection looks for academic and intellectual promise, strong leadership, and intent to pursue a career in arts management. CofC does not publish the award amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Out-of-state students admitted to CofC who plan to major in Arts Management and can show a real interest in the field.
App Required
SC Teaching Fellows
📅 Deadline: December 1 (CERRA online application; interview day in February). ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$6,000/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Forgivable loan: Fellows commit to teach in SC public schools one year for each year funded.
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC says Teaching Fellows awards are compatible with other scholarships and loans.
📄
How to Apply
Apply online through CERRA by December 1 of senior year. Qualifying applicants are invited in early January to a February interview day with a panel interview, a short presentation, and an on-site essay. Select CofC as your top choice at the interview and apply to CofC for admission. Award notices arrive in early spring.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Administered by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA). Fellows receive up to $6,000 per year for four years in forgivable student loans while completing coursework toward South Carolina teacher licensure. In return, Fellows commit to teaching in South Carolina public schools for as many years as they received the fellowship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: SC high school seniors (or juniors graduating early) with strong academics, a record of service, and a real plan to teach in South Carolina.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Departmental Scholarships (Cougar Scholarship Award System)
📅 Deadline: Deadlines vary by scholarship; each CSAS listing shows its own date. Non-Renewable
$500–$5,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Varies by scholarship. Some departments, such as Computer Science, do not stack their own departmental awards.
📄
How to Apply
Sign in to CSAS at cofc.academicworks.com (incoming students use Admissions Portal credentials). Complete the General Application and any Conditional Application for your major, then submit each recommended scholarship application before its listed deadline.
Selection criteria: Departmental committees review academic performance, involvement, leadership, and fit with program priorities.
💡
Strategic Detail
Most privately funded and departmental scholarships run through the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS). Students complete a General Application, may be prompted for a Conditional Application tied to their major, and then must submit each specific scholarship application CSAS recommends. Applications left in draft are not considered. Amounts, criteria, deadlines, and renewal terms vary by scholarship.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who finish the General Application and then submit every recommended application. Incoming students sign in with their Admissions Portal credentials.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Faculty/Staff Dependent Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 15, 2026 for 2026-27. The 2027-28 window has not been posted. ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for this award.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the CSAS General Application during the annual window and indicate faculty or staff dependent status.
Selection criteria: Eligibility based on confirmed faculty/staff dependent status and CSAS review criteria.
💡
Strategic Detail
Dependents of eligible CofC faculty and staff can apply for this scholarship through CSAS. The 2026-27 application closed April 15, 2026. CofC does not publish award amounts.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Undergraduates who are dependents of eligible CofC faculty or staff.
Data last verified Sep 15, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
How do we know if we qualify for Meeting Street?
The Fund lists five requirements: live in South Carolina, graduate from an SC high school in spring 2027, earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, file the FAFSA and get a Pell Grant, and enroll full time at one of 17 eligible colleges, including CofC. There’s no essay and no cap on awards. Use the county lookup on the Fund’s eligibility page to see which version applies.
What’s the Clyburn match?
Students who win a James E. Clyburn/Rudolph Canzater Foundation Scholarship get $2 from CofC for every $1 the foundation awards. A $3,000 foundation scholarship turns into $9,000 a year at CofC. Students have to stay enrolled full time.
Is the 1967 Legacy Program only for Black students?
No. CofC says it’s open to all first-year students. It’s a four-year program built around African American history and Gullah Geechee culture, with about 10 funded students per cohort. Most spots are filled in the spring and summer before the first year.
Are there awards just for out-of-state students?
Yes. The School of the Arts Merit Award in Arts Management is only for incoming out-of-state first-years who commit to the Arts Management major. The Fall 2027 deadline isn’t posted yet; last cycle closed February 9.
Are there scholarships for Computer Science majors?
Several. The Leading Edge Scholarship and Thomas W. Carroll Scholarship are for incoming CS students, worth up to $20,000 and $12,000 over four years. The CS department doesn’t stack its own awards, so a student receives one of them. Honors students should also look at Elite Edge in the Honors section.
Is SC Teaching Fellows a scholarship?
It works like one, but it’s technically a forgivable loan: up to $6,000 a year for four years. In exchange, Fellows teach in South Carolina public schools one year for each year funded. Applications go through CERRA and are due December 1 of senior year.
What if a parent works at CofC?
Dependents of eligible faculty and staff can apply for the Faculty/Staff Dependent Scholarship through CSAS during the spring window. Last year’s application closed April 15.
The CofC Honors College isn’t a separate application you hunt down. It’s a checkbox on the regular CofC application or the Common App, followed by a roughly 500-word Honors essay. The prompt asks students to pick one word that describes who they are (creator, doer, explorer, change agent, or seeker) and back it up with real examples. Admission is holistic and competitive.
Honors Priority Deadline: November 2 (decisions expected mid-December)
Regular Decision Honors Deadline: January 15 (decisions expected early March)
Fall 2026 first-year profile: average SAT 1340 in-state / 1360 out-of-state; average ACT 29 / 30; average GPA 5.01 on the SC scale / 4.26 weighted for out-of-state (among students who submitted scores)
What reviewers look for: challenging courses (AP, IB), four years of math through precalculus or higher, the essay, leadership and community involvement, and test scores if submitted
Honors College Scholarships & Fellowships
The big one is the Charleston Fellows Program, the Honors College’s top scholars program. Every Fellow receives a four-year Honors merit scholarship toward tuition, plus leadership training, a peer mentor, and a network of more than 300 former Fellows. There’s no separate application and no minimum GPA or test score. CofC says test-optional applicants aren’t at a disadvantage.
Automatic
Charleston Fellows Program
📅 Deadline: November 2 · 📢 Results: Mid-December (interview invitations); final decisions follow Interview Weekend. ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
CofC does not publish stacking rules for Charleston Fellows scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Honors College's top scholars program. Every Charleston Fellow receives a four-year Honors College merit scholarship toward tuition, plus leadership development, a peer mentor, and access to a network of more than 300 former Fellows. The program has roughly 100 Fellows at a time. Only Early Action and Early Decision applicants who apply to Honors by the priority deadline are considered. There is no separate application and no minimum GPA or test score, and test-optional applicants are not disadvantaged. CofC does not publish the dollar amount.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Early Action or Early Decision Honors applicants whose applications show willingness to learn, rigorous coursework, leadership, community engagement, and strong writing. Among students who submitted scores, the Fall 2026 first-year University Honors Program class averaged a 1340 SAT (in-state) or 1360 (out-of-state), a 29 or 30 ACT, and a 5.01 GPA on the SC scale or 4.26 weighted for out-of-state students.
Automatic
Elite Edge Scholarship (Computer Science)
📅 Deadline: November 2 ✓ Renews
$20,000
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
✚
Stacking & Combining
The Computer Science department does not stack departmental scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
A Computer Science scholarship for incoming first-year students, tied to the Honors College's Charleston Fellows Program and intended for students accepted into Honors. Students can receive up to $20,000 over four years. There is no separate application. The Computer Science department does not stack departmental scholarships.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming Computer Science students accepted into the Honors College and connected to the Charleston Fellows Program.
Data last verified Sep 15, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*Class profiles reflect the most recent entering class. CofC doesn’t publish Charleston Fellows dollar amounts, and availability can change year to year.*
Deadline Note: Charleston Fellows is only for students who apply Early Action or Early Decision and submit the Honors application by November 2. Invitations to Interview Weekend go out in mid-December, and the interviews happen in February. A student who applies Regular Decision can still join the Honors College, but won’t be considered for Charleston Fellows.
Already at CofC? There’s a second way in.
Current first-year students can apply to the University Honors Program for their second year. The window runs January 15 to May 15, with decisions in late May or early June. Priority goes to students in the General Honors College, but others can apply. Students need a short statement of intent, a resume, and their CofC grades.
Honors College FAQs (College of Charleston)
Is Honors admission automatic for high-stats students?
No. Students have to check the Honors box and write the Honors essay. The review is holistic, so strong grades alone don’t guarantee a spot.
Is there a separate Charleston Fellows application?
No. CofC reviews every Early Action and Early Decision Honors applicant for Charleston Fellows while reading the Honors application. Selected students are invited to Interview Weekend.
Does my student need test scores?
No. There’s no minimum score for Charleston Fellows, and CofC says students who apply test-optional aren’t disadvantaged. Scores still help if your student wants South Carolina state scholarships.
Can out-of-state students become Charleston Fellows?
Yes. The Charleston Fellows criteria don’t limit eligibility by residency, which makes it the best competitive target for out-of-state high achievers.
Is there extra money for Honors Computer Science students?
Yes. The Elite Edge Scholarship is tied to the Charleston Fellows Program and is worth up to $20,000 over four years for CS students accepted into Honors, with no separate application.
The College of Charleston was founded in 1770. It’s the oldest college south of Virginia and the 13th oldest in the country, and it sits right in the middle of downtown Charleston. It feels like a liberal arts college, with about 10,600 undergraduates and a 14.5 to 1 student-faculty ratio, but it’s a public university with in-state pricing for South Carolina families. U.S. News ranks it No. 4 among Top Public Schools in the South and No. 4 in the South for undergraduate teaching.
Programs You Won’t Find Everywhere: Historic Preservation & Community Planning is an undergraduate major most colleges don’t offer, and CofC teaches it in a city that’s basically a living textbook. Arts Management trains students for the business side of museums, theaters, and festivals, and even has its own merit award for out-of-state students.
Marine Biology: Students work out of the Grice Marine Laboratory at Fort Johnson on James Island, a short drive from campus, with research vessels, a wet lab, an aquarium, and a fish and invertebrate collection.
Business: The School of Business appears on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Undergraduate Business list, with majors that fit Charleston’s economy like Hospitality and Tourism Management, Supply Chain Management, and Commercial Real Estate Finance.
Computer Science: Named to U.S. News’ 2026 Best Undergraduate Computer Science list, with options like Computing in the Arts, Data Science, and Software Engineering.
Psychology: Also on U.S. News’ 2026 Best Undergraduate Psychology list, and one of the College’s recognized academic strengths.
Going Abroad: CofC ranks No. 1 for short-term study abroad participation and No. 2 overall among schools of its type in the 2025 Open Doors report, and it’s recognized as a top producer of Fulbright students.
🔗 Official College of Charleston Links
Use the College of Charleston’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, scholarship rules, costs, and admissions data. When anything on this page and CofC’s site disagree, go with CofC.
Big picture? The College of Charleston is really two different deals depending on your home address. For South Carolina families, it’s one of the most generous public options in the state. A Palmetto Fellow or a valedictorian is guaranteed full tuition, a top-10% student gets at least $4,000 a year, and a family with financial need gets a written promise that CofC will cover at least 65% of it if the FAFSA is in by February 1. Add LIFE or Palmetto Fellows money, and a Pell-eligible student may even qualify for the Meeting Street Compact, which covers the whole bill.
For out-of-state families, the math is harder. Tuition runs almost $27,000 more, there’s no Academic Common Market option, and the automatic award tops out at $12,000. What you’re paying for is a 250-year-old college in the middle of one of the country’s most popular cities, with study abroad numbers few schools can match and majors like historic preservation and marine biology that use Charleston as the classroom. If your student is aiming high, the move is simple: apply Early Action, check the Honors box, and have that essay done by November 2. Then open CSAS and actually submit the scholarships it recommends.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
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I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me.
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