College of Charleston Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Flagship (competitive) and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~72%
- Middle 50% ACT: 23–30 (in-state) | 27–31 (out-of-state)
- Middle 50% SAT: 1150–1300 (in-state) | 1200–1350 (out-of-state)
- Average HS GPA (weighted): 4.1–4.8 (in-state, SC UGS) | 3.7–4.2 (out-of-state)
Source: College of Charleston Quick Facts (Fall 2025 class profile). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
College of Charleston at a Glance
Last verified: October 2025
College of Charleston uses automatic nonresident merit to chip away at the out-of-state surcharge (roughly $2,000–$12,000 per year at admission). South Carolina residents lean on state programs (LIFE/Palmetto) and can add departmental and Honors awards. The Honors College’s Charleston Fellows program provides multi-year scholarships plus research and study-abroad funding, but it’s selective and not a guaranteed full ride.
Use this guide to time Early Action, get FAFSA in by Feb. 1, and apply through the Cougar Scholarship Award System (CSAS) for competitive departmental awards that stack with admission-based merit.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — applicants may apply without SAT/ACT; superscoring is considered for those who submit scores. (See CDS & Quick Facts.)
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT 23–30 (in-state) | 27–31 (OOS); SAT 1150–1300 (in-state) | 1200–1350 (OOS). (Quick Facts.)
What’s the average net price? $20,806 (IPEDS). Net price varies by income. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? No Academic Common Market participation. Out-of-state students are considered for institutional merit ($2k–$12k/yr) to offset the nonresident differential.
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/index.php
https://alumni.charleston.edu/student-programs/study-abroad-scholarship-application
https://charleston.edu/institutional-research/files/documents/common-data/cds2023_2024.pdf
https://today.cofc.edu/2023/08/23/cofc-class-of-2027-first-year-student-profile/
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/217819
https://charleston.edu/legal-residency/index.php
https://www.laregents.edu/academic-common-market-sreb/
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/aa/academic-programs/acm/Academic_Common_Market_Handbook.pdf
💰 Cost of Attendance at College of Charleston
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (annual) | $12,518 | $38,384 |
| Housing & Meals (standard on-campus) | $14,518 | $14,518 |
| Total (billed directly to College of Charleston) | $27,036 | $52,902 |
Note: These totals include only charges billed directly by the College of Charleston (tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans). Other estimated expenses — such as books & supplies (~$1,560), transportation (~$2,600–$4,500), and personal costs (~$2,300) — are excluded because they are not paid to the university and vary by student.
Who qualifies for in-state rates? South Carolina residents who meet state residency and scholarship eligibility requirements.
Can out-of-state students get discounts? Yes — through merit scholarships that can lower costs by several thousand dollars per year.
Does CofC offer reciprocity or ACM? No. CofC is not listed among Academic Common Market institutions (verified via SREB).
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/tuition-and-fees/index.php
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/index.php
https://charleston.edu/legal-residency/index.php
https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/institution-profile/217819
https://www.laregents.edu/academic-common-market-sreb/
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/thec/bureau/aa/academic-programs/acm/Academic_Common_Market_Handbook.pdf
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Scholarships | $1,500–$4,000/yr | SC residents; typically weighted GPA of 4.1–4.8 (S.C. scale), ACT 23–30, SAT 1150–1300, and strong course rigor | No | Yes (maintain GPA) | Students in the top quartile of SC admits and above these academic ranges | Apply by standard freshman deadline |
| Nonresident Scholarships | $2,000–$12,000/yr | Out-of-state admits; typically weighted GPA 3.7–4.2, ACT 27–31, SAT 1200–1350, and advanced coursework | No | Yes (maintain GPA) | Nonresidents in the top 25%+ of academic profile, often exceeding listed GPA/test bands | Apply by standard freshman deadline |
| National Merit Finalists | $2,000–$5,000/yr (institutional award) | Must be named National Merit Finalist and list CofC as first choice; most recipients fall above a 4.0 weighted GPA and ACT 30+/SAT 1350+ | Program-driven (NMSC + CofC confirmation) | Yes (maintain GPA/standing) | National Merit Finalists at or above top profile stats; stacks with other scholarships | NMSC deadlines; CofC confirmation varies yearly |
| SC Palmetto Fellows + Val/Sal Guarantee | Full in-state tuition minimum met (state + CofC aid) | SC residents who are Palmetto Fellows (4.0 GPA, 1400 SAT/31 ACT OR top 6%/3.5+ GPA and 1200 SAT/25 ACT) or named Valedictorian/Salutatorian | No | Yes | High achieving SC seniors meeting or surpassing these state benchmarks | Apply by standard freshman deadline |
College of Charleston also participates in the National Merit Scholarship program.
*Ranges reflect 2025 mid-50% admit stats and Palmetto Fellows published minimums. Award tiers may shift based on applicant pool and annual budgets.
Do I need to apply separately? No—most scholarships are automatic with admission. Just apply to CofC by the deadline. National Merit has its own steps.
Does CofC superscore? Yes, the College of Charleston superscores the SAT and ACT, boosting eligibility for top award tiers.
Can these awards stack? Some awards stack with state scholarships, but tuition-only programs (like Palmetto Fellows + Val/Sal guarantee) may cap stacking at full tuition.
Do test-optional students qualify? Yes, test-optional admits are considered for merit, though higher awards lean on GPA and course rigor.
https://charleston.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
https://charleston.edu/financialaid/scholarships/state-scholarships.html
https://charleston.edu/financialaid/scholarships/out-of-state.html
https://charleston.edu/quickfacts/
https://che.sc.gov/
https://cofc.academicworks.com/
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
These awards are limited, selective, and require extra steps beyond admission. Deadlines and criteria can change—always read the fine print on the official pages before applying.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship (SC Residents) | Covers up to full in-state tuition (multi-year) |
South Carolina residents only; near-perfect weighted GPA (historically 4.4+), SAT 1325+/ACT 30+ Must demonstrate top course rigor, leadership and service; selection includes application and interview. |
Yes — separate competitive application or nomination | Yes — must maintain ~3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment | Extremely limited (<1% of entering class); prior winners averaged 4.4–4.7 GPA, ACT 30+/SAT 1325+, dozens of AP/IB courses, and major leadership/service. | Jan 15 |
Note: This award is restricted to South Carolina residents. Out-of-state students are considered for nonresident automatic merit instead. Honors College and departmental awards are covered in their own sections.
Why is this competitive? Only a handful of South Carolina students are chosen each year, making it far more selective than automatic merit.
What profile do winners have? Historically, recipients have 4.4+ GPAs in the most rigorous classes plus ACT 30+/SAT 1325+*, combined with leadership and service.
Can it stack with other aid? It can combine with some state awards, but tuition-only programs may cap stacking at the cost of in-state tuition.
Deadlines? Early application is critical; some rounds align with priority admission and may require separate essays or recommendations.
*GPA/test score ranges are recent recipient averages based on available reporting and may shift by funding or applicant pool.
https://charleston.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
https://blogs.charleston.edu/honorshub/2023/03/06/presidential-scholarships/
https://collegexpress.com/college/scholarships/presidential-scholarship/42657/
🎖️ Honors College
The Honors College at CofC offers a tight-knit academic community inside a larger public university. It’s designed for students who want challenging coursework, faculty mentorship, and early access to research and leadership opportunities. Admission is competitive and requires extra application materials.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Fellows Program 🏆 | Most prestigious Honors award; substantial multi-year support (often close to full tuition) | Incoming freshmen who apply to Honors College by Nov 1 priority deadline; holistic review + interview | No — considered automatically with Honors application | Yes — maintain Honors standing | Students with 4.0 GPAs in rigorous coursework, ACT 30+/SAT 1350+*, leadership roles, and strong essays | Nov 1 |
| Thomas W. Carroll Scholarship | $1,000–$3,000/yr | Incoming freshmen in Honors pursuing Computer Science | No — awarded within Honors College | Yes — renewal tied to GPA and Honors participation | First-year CS majors in Honors with strong academic credentials and essays | Nov 1 |
| Robert “Robbie” Mayhew Cushing Scholarship | $1,000–$3,000/yr | Incoming freshmen in Honors pursuing Computer Science | No — awarded through Honors College | Yes — must remain in Honors and continue CS major | High-achieving incoming CS students with strong Honors applications | Nov 1 |
*GPA/test score ranges are estimates based on typical Honors College profiles; exact cutoffs vary by year.
Is admission automatic? No — you must indicate Honors interest on the CofC or Common App and complete the Honors essay.
Does Honors add time to my degree? No — the curriculum is designed to be completed within four years alongside your chosen major.
Are there deadlines? Yes — students should apply by CofC’s early deadlines (Nov 1 for early action or Jan 15 regular) and complete the Honors supplement on time.
Does Honors come with extra funding? Yes — Honors students may be invited to programs like the Charleston Fellows, which include substantial scholarships and enrichment opportunities (see scholarship sections above).
https://honors.cofc.edu/
https://charleston.edu/financialaid/scholarships/
https://charleston.edu/academics/computerscience/scholarships.html
https://cofc.academicworks.com/
https://250drive.cofc.edu/charleston-fellows-program/
⭐ College Specialty
The College of Charleston is best known for blending its historic Charleston setting with strong academic programs that connect students directly to South Carolina’s coastal economy and cultural institutions. Parents often notice that CofC graduates step into marine science, arts, and tech careers with hands-on experience before graduation.
- Historic Preservation & Community Planning: Located in Charleston’s historic district, this program is one of the most respected in the U.S. for undergraduate preservation studies.
- Data Science: CofC was the first college in the nation to launch a bachelor’s degree in Data Science, a distinction it continues to highlight with industry partnerships and cross-disciplinary tracks.
- School of the Arts: Consistently ranked among the top regional arts programs in the South, offering over 60 scholarships and strong pipelines into professional performance and design fields.
Final Thoughts
Sorting out college costs can feel overwhelming, but at the College of Charleston you’ll find clear opportunities to bring the price down—whether through automatic merit, selective scholarships, or hidden gems like research funding and local partnerships. For first-gen families, the key is knowing that strong academics, early FAFSA submission, and targeted programs can open real doors here. Pair this with South Carolina’s state aid, and CofC can be far more affordable than the sticker price suggests.