Presbyterian College Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the University Scholarships hub • See South Carolina state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships by GPA and test score
- Full-tuition and leadership-based competitive awards
- Honors and special scholarship programs
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~70%
- Middle 50% ACT: 21–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 1070–1280
- Average GPA (HS): 3.7 (weighted)
Source: Presbyterian College Common Data Set (2024–25). Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Presbyterian College at a Glance
Intro FAQs
Does Presbyterian College offer automatic scholarships?
Yes. All admitted students are automatically considered for academic scholarships worth $17,000–$27,000 per year based on GPA, test scores, and overall record.
Are there full-tuition scholarships?
Yes. The Presidential Scholarship and Richardson Scholarship both offer full tuition to top academic and leadership candidates. The Pioneer Scholars program supports first-generation students with full or partial awards.
Is PC test-optional?
Yes. Presbyterian College is test-optional, and students can qualify for all scholarships without submitting test scores.
What are the benefits of the Honors Program?
The Honors Program provides small seminars, mentoring, and research/travel funding. Students may receive additional aid through Honors or departmental awards.
When should students apply?
Apply by November 15 for automatic scholarship priority and January 15 for Presidential and full-tuition consideration. FAFSA due March 1.
Presbyterian College Common Data Set 2024–2025 — Admissions statistics, GPA, and test score ranges
Presbyterian College Office of Admissions — Test-Optional Policy and Scholarship Deadlines (2025 Cycle)
Presbyterian College Office of Financial Aid — Merit Scholarships and Competitive Awards (2025–2026)
Presbyterian College Honors Program — Overview of Academic and Research Benefits
Presbyterian College Pioneer Scholars Program — First-Generation Student Scholarship Information
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — Average Net Price ($22 ,948 for 2022–2023)
💰 Cost of Attendance at Presbyterian College
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $46,160 | $46,160 |
| Housing & Meal Plan | $14,134 | $14,134 |
| Total (before aid) | $65,345 | $65,345 |
Note: The table includes direct costs billed by the college (tuition, fees, housing, and meals). Estimated indirect expenses—books and supplies (~$2,000), transportation (~$1,600), and personal/miscellaneous (~$1,400)—are not paid directly to Presbyterian College and therefore excluded here.
Example: A South Carolina student earning the LIFE Scholarship ($5,000) would see their cost drop from $65,345 to roughly $60,345 before additional institutional or federal aid.
Cost & Aid FAQ
Who qualifies for state aid?
South Carolina residents who meet GPA and test score requirements set by the SC Commission on Higher Education.
How much can families save?
Between $2,800 and $10,000 per year, depending on program and student record.
Is it automatic?
Yes. Eligibility is verified via high school records and the FAFSA; no separate application is needed.
CSS Profile required?
No. Presbyterian College uses only the FAFSA (school code 003445) for institutional aid determination.
Presbyterian College — Cost of Attendance, 2025–2026 (Tuition, Fees, Room & Board)
Presbyterian College Financial Aid Handbook, 2025–2026
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education — Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE program guidelines
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Average Net Price $22,948 for 2022–2023)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder’s Scholarship | $30,000/yr | Exceptional applicants; top academic merit | No | Yes (up to 8 semesters) | Admitted students with strongest GPA and curriculum rigor | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Highlander Scholarship | $28,000/yr | Very strong academic achievement | No | Yes (8 semesters) | Admitted students with above-average GPA/test scores | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Belk (Bell) Scholarship | $26,000/yr | Strong academics; awarded at admission review | No | Yes (8 semesters) | Students with solid GPA and well-rounded profiles | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Tartan Scholarship | $24,000/yr | Academic eligibility upon admission review | No | Yes (8 semesters) | Recipients typically meet core and GPA standards for entry | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Trustees Scholarship | $22,000/yr | Admitted first-year applicants; academic merit | No | Yes (8 semesters) | Awarded to students with competitive HS records | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Presbyterian Promise Scholarship | $24,000/yr minimum | Active Presbyterian Church member/Presbyterian HS grad | No | Yes (4 years) | Church/school based; cannot stack with other PC merit awards | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
| Boys State / Girls State Promise | $2,500/yr | Documented Boys State / Girls State participation | No | Yes | Students with state program credential | November 1 (priority, some awards after) |
Disclaimer: Presbyterian College does not publish official GPA/ACT/SAT cutoffs for these awards. “Who Actually Wins?” is based on observed patterns and peer benchmarks. Eligibility and award levels may change based on the admissions pool and funding.
FAQ
Do I need a separate application for merit?
No. All new first-year applicants are reviewed for Founder’s, Highlander, Belk, Tartan, Trustees, and Presbyterian Promise awards as part of the admission process; no extra form is needed.
Does Presbyterian College superscore the ACT or SAT?
PC accepts score choice, but does not advertise formal superscoring for automatic merit scholarships. Official highest composite or total test score will be used.
Can these awards stack with state aid?
Generally, yes. South Carolina residents may combine Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, or HOPE state aid with PC merit scholarships. Presbyterian Promise cannot be combined (“stacked”) with other PC merit awards.
What deadlines matter?
Apply by November 1 for optimal scholarship and admission priority. While some automatic awards remain later, most competitive programs favor early applicants.
presby.edu/scholarships/
presby.edu/financial-aid/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
These are Presbyterian College’s top competitive scholarships—the selective awards that go beyond the automatic merit tiers. They often require extra steps like essays, interviews, or an invitation to campus, and only a limited number of students win them each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griffith Scholarship | Covers tuition, fees, housing, meals, course-related fees (less other aid) ~$61,170/yr for 4 years |
By invitation only—apply by November 1 for consideration. Two awarded each year to incoming students with extraordinary academics, leadership, and character. | Yes—invitation to on-campus competition | Yes (8 semesters; must maintain academic standards) | Students with near-perfect GPAs, rigorous coursework, 30+ ACT / 1360+ SAT, and strong leadership/service | November 1 |
| Service Entrepreneurship Scholarship | Varies; includes project funding and potentially partial tuition support | First-year applicants with proof of significant community service and a project proposal. Application due November 1. | Yes—program application and potential in-person presentation | Varies by project and continued involvement | Students with strong community service records and compelling project plans, usually with mentor sponsorship | November 1 |
FAQ
What makes these scholarships “flagship”?
They are Presbyterian College’s most competitive awards, reserved for a small number of students with exceptional academic and leadership profiles. Unlike automatic merit, these flagship scholarships require separate steps and offer the highest value.
Are these worth the extra effort?
Yes. The Griffith Scholarship is a true full-ride equivalent, while the Service Entrepreneurship Scholarship funds select students with innovative community projects. They can dramatically reduce the cost of college if awarded.
Can I stack a flagship scholarship with automatic merit?
No. If you win a flagship (competitive) scholarship, it replaces the standard automatic merit award, though you may still be eligible to combine it with state or federal aid.
What deadlines matter?
Apply to PC by November 1 to be considered for flagship scholarships. The Griffith Scholarship requires an invitation to a campus competition after that date.
presby.edu/scholarships/
presby.edu/financial-aid/
presby.edu/service-entrepreneurship-competition/
presby.edu/griffith-scholarship/
🎖️ Honors Program
Presbyterian College doesn’t run a separate Honors College, but it does have a strong Honors Program for high-achieving students to engage deeply in research and build close faculty relationships. For first-generation families, this means students can access grad-level research and mentoring within an undergrad experience.
Honors Research Track Funding: Students may receive research stipends, grants, or scholarships for inquiry-based projects through the Center for Inquiry, Research, and Scholarship (CIRAS). These awards help offset research costs and increase access for all honors students.
| Honors/Award | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIRAS Honors Research Grant/Stipend | Varies; typically $500–$2,500 per project | Honors Program or departmental honors students with approved research proposal | Yes—submit project application via CIRAS | By project; available for repeated eligible research | Honors or advanced undergraduates with strong faculty support and project plan | Fall and Spring (typically October 1 and February 15) |
- Priority course registration
- Faculty-mentored research funding
- Showcase at the Honors Day Symposium
- Guidance for national fellowships (Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, etc.)
FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must typically apply or be nominated, either as new students or by departmental invitation.
Does the Honors Program add time to my degree?
No. Honors requirements and projects fit within the standard four-year path.
Are there deadlines?
Yes. Most honors applicants should submit by November 1 for priority fall review, with a second deadline in early spring for departmental tracks.
Does the Honors Program provide extra money?
Yes, via CIRAS research grants and project funding—these are competitive and not guaranteed for every honors student, but are a major support for those accepted into the research track.
How does this connect to flagship scholarships?
Flagship (Griffith, etc.) scholarship recipients are often also strong honors candidates, although the programs are administered separately.
presby.edu/honors/
presby.edu/research/
presby.edu/ciras/
presby.edu/academics/academic-programs/
⭐ College Specialty
Presbyterian College may be small, but it’s known for producing graduates who punch above their weight. Families who are looking for a close-knit liberal arts campus with standout professional programs will find that PC blends the personal feel of a small college with career-ready opportunities that carry statewide and even national recognition.
- Computational Biology & Bioinformatics: One of the few small liberal arts colleges in the Southeast offering a full major in this interdisciplinary field, supported by SC INBRE undergraduate research grants.
- Army ROTC (Highlander Battalion): Host campus for the ROTC program that commissions officers for the Army, serving not only PC students but also those from nearby colleges.
- Undergraduate Research: Every spring, PC hosts its Honors Day Symposium where more than 300 students present original research, reflecting the college’s deep commitment to hands-on inquiry and faculty mentorship.
- Service & Leadership: Regularly ranked among the top colleges for service engagement in South Carolina, PC integrates service-learning across its curriculum and supports innovative service entrepreneurship projects.
📎 Official Links
- Presbyterian College — Homepage
- Honors Program (Honors Research Track)
- Scholarships & Financial Aid (Costs & Aid)