Wofford College Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- 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
Paying for a private college doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Wofford, families can mix automatic merit scholarships, competitive awards, and need-based aid to bring down the sticker price. This guide gives you a parent-first breakdown of what costs really look like, what aid is out there, and how South Carolina’s state programs can help stack the savings.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Wofford College
| Expense Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (12–18 credits, flat rate) |
$58,250 | $58,250 |
| Housing & Meal Plan | $16,870 | $16,870 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Travel | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Personal | $1,776 | $1,776 |
| Total (before aid) | $79,196 | $79,196 |
As a private college, Wofford charges the same tuition for all students, regardless of state residency. There are no regional reciprocity programs like WUE or MSEP, but institutional merit aid can significantly reduce the published cost.
Cost of Attendance FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state pricing?
There’s no difference — in-state and out-of-state students are billed the same.
How much do families really pay?
On average, families paid about $31k a year after grants and scholarships, based on the most recent federal data.
Do I need to apply separately for discounts?
No state reciprocity programs apply, but merit scholarships are considered automatically when you apply for admission.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships (Admission-Based)
Wofford evaluates every applicant for institutional merit when you apply—no separate general scholarship application.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wofford Merit Scholarship | $15,000–$25,000/yr (up to 4 years) | Based on academics (GPA + rigor), leadership, service; all applicants considered via Common App. | No | Yes (per award letter requirements) | Strong college-prep rigor; typically high GPAs. *Est: unweighted 3.6–4.0; ACT 28–32 / SAT 1300–1380 (based on class profile & test ranges).* |
| Old Main Scholarship | $27,000–$30,000/yr (up to 4 years) | Higher-tier academic merit, leadership, and service; auto-considered with admission. | No | Yes (per award letter requirements) | Top academic profile & leadership. *Est: unweighted 3.8+; ACT 30–33 / SAT 1340–1420.* |
| First-Generation Scholarship | $25,000/yr (15 awards) | First-gen to college (parents did not complete a bachelor’s). Considered competitively from the admission application; no extra form. | No | Yes (per award letter requirements) | High-achieving first-gen students with leadership/service. *Est: unweighted 3.6–4.0; testing optional.* |
| Citizen Scholars Scholarship (partner program) | $25,000/yr (Palmetto Fellows) or $20,000/yr (SC LIFE) — 4 years | Participants in the Citizen Scholars Program who enroll at Wofford; amount aligned to SC state scholarship level. Auto-considered. | No | Yes | Admitted Citizen Scholars with Palmetto Fellows or LIFE; solid academics & program engagement. |
| Palmetto Boys State Scholarship | $25,000/yr (total $100,000 over 4 years) | Graduate of Palmetto Boys State; selected from admitted students. No extra application. | No | Yes | Boys State alum with strong academics/leadership; at least one recipient each year. |
| Palmetto Girls State Scholarship | $25,000/yr (total $100,000 over 4 years) | Graduate of Palmetto Girls State; selected from admitted students. No extra application. | No | Yes | Girls State alum with strong academics/leadership; at least one recipient each year. |
Range note: Wofford publishes broad merit bands; actual offer within the range depends on academic record (GPA + course rigor), leadership/service, and overall application context.
*Estimated GPA/test bands are based on Wofford’s published mid-50% scores for recent classes and Wofford Scholars thresholds; use as guidance only.
National Merit: Wofford awards at least three college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships annually to Finalists who list Wofford as their first choice; the Wofford-funded amount is $2,500 per year (renewable).
Automatic Merit FAQ
How do I get considered?
Just apply for admission—Wofford automatically evaluates all applicants for institutional merit scholarships. Early Action (Nov. 15) lets admitted students receive decisions (including scholarship info) earlier.
Is Wofford test-optional—and do they superscore?
Yes, test-optional for admission and merit review. If you submit scores and have tested multiple times, Wofford will take the highest section scores across dates (superscore) to create your best composite.
Can these stack with state aid (Palmetto Fellows/LIFE) or other awards?
Amounts shown for Citizen Scholars align with your SC state scholarship level; other stacking can vary and is detailed in each student’s award letter/aid package.
Deadlines that affect merit?
Apply by Early Action (Nov. 15) or Regular Decision (Jan. 15). FAFSA priority for first-year students is Jan. 1 to package need-based aid alongside any merit.
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive)
Wofford does offer flagship-level, highly competitive scholarships beyond automatic merit. These awards are limited in number, require extra selection steps (nominations, interviews, or presidential selection), and are intended for top scholars and leaders. One Richardson Family Scholar is chosen per entering class; two Charles E. Daniel Scholars are selected each year; and one Presidential International Scholar is named annually from enrolled students. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richardson Family Scholarship | Full ride (tuition, fees, room & board) + monthly book stipend, laptop, summer internships (incl. overseas), and a January travel experience — 4 years. | Highest honor for an entering first-year; awarded through the Wofford Scholars process with an additional on-campus interview with college representatives and the Richardson family. | Yes — via Wofford Scholars nomination + interview (no separate standalone application portal). | Yes (4-year award; maintain good standing/terms in award letter). | Wofford Scholars finalists with exceptional academics, leadership, service, and a standout interview performance. |
| Charles E. Daniel Scholarship | Covers tuition, fees, housing, and food for two incoming first-year students each year (4 years). | Extraordinary leadership potential, outstanding academic achievement, and service; awarded through the Wofford Scholars competition. | Yes — participate in Wofford Scholars; competitive selection. | Yes (4-year award; per award letter conditions). | Top Wofford Scholars competitors demonstrating leadership impact and academic excellence. |
| Presidential International Scholar | College-funded, full-year independent research abroad (amount not publicly specified; covers extensive travel/research expenses for one scholar each year). | Selected by the college president from enrolled students for exceptional potential to benefit humankind; strong service record and globally minded curiosity. | No public application portal; presidential selection (announced in spring each year). | Not applicable as a multi-year tuition award; it is a one-year international research experience. | High-achieving students with significant service leadership and a compelling global research vision. |
Stacking note: These flagship awards typically replace lower-tier institutional merit; final stacking and renewal terms appear in each student’s official award letter.
Flagship (Competitive) Scholarship FAQ
How do I get considered for Richardson or Daniel?
Be nominated to the Wofford Scholars program (top 10% class; testing guidance on site), complete your admission app by early deadlines, and attend the Scholars interview day; Richardson finalists complete an additional interview.
How many awards exist?
Richardson: one scholar per entering class; Daniel: two scholarships each year; Presidential International Scholar: one per year from current students.
Is there a public application for the Presidential International Scholar?
No. It’s a presidential selection with announcements typically in spring; review the program page and news releases for timing.
Do these stack with other Wofford merit awards?
Flagship awards generally supersede/replace lower-tier merit; confirm specifics in your official award letter. (Wofford does not publish a universal stacking chart for these.)
⭐ College Specialty
Wofford is small but mighty—an undergrad-first liberal arts college where students don’t just sit in lectures; they do the thing: research with faculty, spend a term (or a year) abroad, and plug into real-world internships. (Note: Wofford is not an R1 research university; its strength is hands-on undergraduate learning.)
Consistently ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges for study abroad participation (top-10 baccalaureate tier), with January-Term, semester, and year-long options that tie directly to majors.
- Global Engagement — Top-tier study abroad participation rates; programs embed language, culture, and field research into the degree.
- Undergraduate Research — Faculty-mentored projects across sciences, social sciences, and humanities; distinctive year-long international research opportunity via the Presidential International Scholar.
- Biology & Environmental Studies — Lab-rich coursework with field experiences and pre-health advising that translates to competitive graduate and professional placements.
- Finance / Economics — Popular majors with structured internship pipelines across the Southeast; strong experiential learning and alumni networking.
- Modern Languages & Global Studies — Language immersion paired with semester-abroad pathways; graduates build practical cross-cultural skills.
- Theatre, Music & Visual Arts — Abundant performance/exhibition opportunities and faculty mentorship that put creative work front and center from the first year.
- Political Science / Government — Policy, law, and public-service preparation with civic leadership experiences and alumni connections.
🎖️ Honors at Wofford
Honors at Wofford isn’t a separate “college” but a path to do serious, mentored scholarship. Seniors can complete a six-credit, two-semester honors thesis with a faculty committee—ideal for grad school prep or students who want to dive deeply into a passion project. Wofford also runs the Wofford Scholars Program, the nomination-only competition that serves as the gateway to its most prestigious awards like the Richardson Family Scholarship and the Daniel Scholarship. Together, these tracks highlight Wofford’s focus on undergraduate achievement and personalized mentorship.
Strong GPA and academic rigor, close faculty relationships, curiosity about research, and leadership or service that stands out in the Wofford Scholars competition. These are the students most likely to complete a thesis and compete for top scholarships.
- Six credits for a senior Honors Course (two-semester thesis/project) with transcript notation.
- Faculty mentorship and potential substitution for certain capstones in select majors.
- Extra pathways to flagship scholarships through the Wofford Scholars Program.
- Preparation for competitive graduate or professional programs.
Honors-specific scholarships: None tied directly to the honors thesis itself. The Wofford Scholars Program is the competitive route to Richardson and Daniel flagship scholarships, which replace or supersede general merit awards.
Honors FAQ
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must be nominated or apply through their department and, for flagship awards, through the Wofford Scholars process.
Does Honors add time to the degree?
No. Honors credits count toward graduation and can substitute for certain capstones.
When do students start?
Wofford Scholars interviews happen before enrollment; honors thesis planning begins junior year, with official approval before senior year.
Do all Honors students get extra scholarships?
No. Honors thesis work is academic; scholarships come through the competitive Wofford Scholars program.
📎 Official Links
- 📎 Wofford College Home
- 📎 Wofford Scholars (Honors)
- 📎 Scholarships & Institutional Aid
- 📎 Financial Aid
Final Thoughts
Wofford shows how a smaller liberal arts college can still open big doors. Between automatic merit, flagship scholarships through the Wofford Scholars program, and hidden gems like Bonner or ROTC, families have several ways to cut the published cost. Add in Wofford’s nationally ranked study abroad programs and close faculty mentorship, and it’s clear why many students see strong outcomes here. For parents, the key is stacking the right mix of aid and applying on time.
✅ Last updated: September 27, 2025