Who qualifies for ACM at the College of Charleston?

Students from participating Southern states whose home state doesn’t offer the same major may qualify for ACM certification after admission.

How much can ACM save?

About $25,000 or more per year in tuition by paying the in-state rate instead of the out-of-state rate.

Do I need to apply separately for automatic merit?

No. Most scholarships are automatic with admission. National Merit has its own steps.

Can automatic merit awards stack with other aid?

Some awards can combine with state scholarships, but tuition-only programs may cap stacking at full tuition.

Do test-optional students qualify for automatic merit?

Yes. Test-optional applicants are considered for merit; higher awards may lean on GPA and course rigor.

What profile do President’s Scholarship winners have?

Historically, recipients have near-perfect GPAs in the most rigorous classes plus ACT 30+ or SAT 1350+*, with leadership and service.

Can hidden-gem awards stack with merit?

Yes. Most hidden-gem awards can stack with automatic scholarships, though ROTC typically replaces tuition directly.

Are hidden-gem awards automatic?

No. Each program has its own application process through a department, program office, or external funder.

Is Honors admission automatic?

No. Applicants must indicate Honors interest on the application and complete the Honors essay.

Are there Honors deadlines?

Yes. Students should apply by the university’s early deadlines and complete the Honors supplement on time.

College of Charleston Scholarships (2025–2026)

Q: Do you need to apply for ACM?

Yes. After admission, students must be certified through their state’s ACM office to receive the waiver.

Q: Does the College of Charleston superscore?

Yes. The College of Charleston superscores the SAT and ACT, which can boost eligibility for higher award tiers.

← Back to the College Scholarships Hub

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Looking at colleges in South Carolina? The College of Charleston combines historic charm with modern opportunities—and there are plenty of ways to cut the cost. This page breaks down scholarships and aid in plain English, so parents (especially first-gen families) can see what real students qualify for. You can also check out our full South Carolina state aid guide alongside the national scholarships hub.

💰 Cost of Attendance at College of Charleston

Expense	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees	$12,518	$38,384
Housing & Food (Avg.)	$14,518	$14,518
Books & Supplies (Avg.)	$1,560	$1,560
Transportation (Avg.)	$2,658	$4,574
Personal/Misc. (Avg.)	$2,314	$2,314
Total Est. Cost	$33,568	$61,350

Average Net Price: Families paid $20,806 on average in 2022–23 after scholarships and grants (loans not included).

Regional Tuition Savings: College of Charleston participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM). Eligible students from certain Southern states can pay the in-state rate for approved majors—saving about $25,800 per year in tuition.

Who qualifies? Students from participating Southern states whose home state doesn’t offer the same major.

How much can you save? Roughly $25,000+ per year in tuition by paying in-state instead of out-of-state rates.

Do you need to apply? Yes—after admission, students must be certified through their state’s ACM office to receive the waiver.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Resident Scholarships	$1,500–$4,000/yr	SC residents with strong GPA/rigor	No	Yes (maintain GPA)	Students at or above CofC’s top quartile profile*
Nonresident Scholarships	$2,000–$12,000/yr	Out-of-state admits with strong academics	No	Yes (maintain GPA)	Top 25%+ of nonresident admits*
National Merit Finalists	$2,000–$5,000/yr (institutional award)	National Merit Finalists who list CofC as first choice	Program-driven (NMSC + CofC confirmation)	Yes (maintain GPA/standing)	Finalists completing NMSC steps; award stacks with CofC merit and state aid
SC Palmetto Fellows + Val/Sal Guarantee	Full in-state tuition minimum met (state + CofC aid)	SC residents who are Palmetto Fellows or Valedictorian/Salutatorian	No	Yes	High-achieving SC seniors recognized by state programs

College of Charleston also participates in the National Merit Scholarship program.

*GPA/test score ranges are estimates based on past profiles and award patterns. Exact cutoffs vary by year and funding.

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, which can boost eligibility for higher award tiers.

Can these awards stack? Some can combine 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, students applying test-optional are still considered for merit, though higher awards may lean on GPA and course rigor.

🏆 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?
President’s Scholarship (SC Residents)	Covers up to full in-state tuition (multi-year)	South Carolina residents only; exceptional GPA, rigorous coursework, and strong leadership/service	Yes — separate competitive application or nomination	Yes — must maintain ~3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment	Very small number awarded each year. Typically students with near-perfect GPAs in top courses and ACT 30+/SAT 1350+*

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 4.0 GPAs in the most rigorous classes plus ACT 30+/SAT 1350+*, 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 estimates based on past profiles; exact cutoffs vary by year and funding.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

Beyond automatic and competitive merit, these programs often support students with specific backgrounds, goals, or interests. They may not be as widely advertised but can make a big difference in affordability.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
1967 Legacy Program	Covers significant portion of tuition; multi-year	Students engaged with African American history and culture; leadership potential	Yes — program application	Yes — with continued participation	Selected first-year students who show strong leadership and community engagement
Lancelot Minor Harris Scholarship	Typically $4,600/yr	Incoming or current English majors from under-represented groups, including first-gen students	Yes — via English Department/CSAS	Yes — up to 4 years; minimum GPA required	First-gen or BIPOC students majoring in English with solid GPA and faculty endorsement
Access to Excellence (Need-Based)	$500–$5,000/yr depending on FAFSA	First-year students with demonstrated financial need	No — FAFSA required by priority deadline	Yes — as long as FAFSA shows continued need	Admitted students who file FAFSA early and show significant need
Departmental Scholarships (via CSAS)	$500–$5,000/yr depending on department	Students majoring in eligible programs (Engineering, Arts, Exercise Science, etc.)	Yes — apply through Cougar Scholarship Award System	Varies by department	Students with high GPAs and departmental involvement; some awards target leadership or research

*Award amounts and GPA/test requirements are based on published ranges and departmental data. Exact values vary by year and available funding.

Marching Band (“Chucktown Sound”): Members of the athletic band can earn performance scholarships. Amount depends on years of participation and events covered.
Clubs & Student Organizations: General club leadership isn’t tied to a fixed scholarship, but many departmental awards factor in extracurricular involvement and research contributions.

Can these awards stack with merit? Yes, most hidden gems can stack with automatic scholarships, though ROTC usually replaces tuition costs directly.

Are these automatic? No — each has its own application process, whether through a department, program office, or external funder.

How competitive are they? Programs like the 1967 Legacy cohort and Meeting Street Fund are highly selective, while study abroad and research stipends depend more on proposals and funding availability.

What makes them valuable? They target niche groups — local students, first-gen or underrepresented students, cadets, and those pursuing research or international study — and can provide both funding and mentorship.

⭐ 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.

Marine Biology: CofC is widely recognized across the Southeast for its Marine Biology program, supported by the Grice Marine Laboratory and partnerships with agencies like NOAA and SCDNR. It’s one of the top undergraduate marine programs regionally.

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.

🎖️ 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.

What a Typical CofC Honors Student Looks Like: 4.0 GPA or close, AP/IB or dual-enrollment rigor, strong essays, and clear leadership/service experience. Test scores (if submitted) are often ACT 30+ / SAT 1350+.*

Honors Perks: Priority registration, small seminar-style classes, dedicated advising, access to exclusive research and funding, and Honors housing.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
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
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
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

*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).

*GPA/test score ranges are estimates based on past Honors cohorts; exact thresholds vary by year.

📎 Official Links

Choosing the right college is a big decision. At CofC, families find both historic charm and real opportunities for scholarships, research, and career pathways. Explore the official links above for the most current details straight from the source.

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.

✅ Last updated: September 15, 2025