Scholarships & Grants

We are committed to offering an affordable private education. Recognizing that college tuition typically increases by 3-4% annually, we have reset our tuition to a more affordable rate and provide various scholarships for eligible students.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by the College's scholarship administrators. Athletic and performing arts awards are determined by the respective departments through tryouts and auditions. To receive these scholarships, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and the required GPA. On-campus students may receive up to $15,500, and off-campus students up to $7,750 per academic year.

Institutional scholarships are directly applied to your CC student account and do not need to be repaid, unlike loans. External scholarships from non-CC sources are also added to your account but may reduce your need-based financial aid per federal regulations, starting with work-study and student loans.

CC endowed scholarships can replace other CC-funded awards (such as Honor’s and Academic Scholarships) on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Full-time enrollment (at least 12 credits per semester) is required for all CC-funded scholarships and grants. Learn more about scholarship opportunities below.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Academic Scholarships

Incoming first-year and transfer undergraduate students with the following grade point average (GPA) may be eligible for academic scholarships up to the amounts below:

Institutional Scholarships at Columbia College are non-refundable and applied towards tuition and fees. To qualify, students must complete the FAFSA, accept all grants and scholarships, and be enrolled full-time. Submission of the final high school transcript is also required.

All other financial aid, including outside scholarships, will be applied first. This may reduce or eliminate the institutional scholarship if the total aid exceeds the billed amount. Scholarship offers may require revisions due to changes in enrollment, eligibility, or external resources. The Office of Financial Aid will notify students of any adjustments.

Failure to meet scholarship requirements can result in cancellation, and once canceled, a scholarship cannot be reinstated. Exceptions to this policy are considered on a case-by-case basis. The scholarship sponsor determines the purposes and responsibilities associated with the scholarship, which are subject to change.

Additional College Scholarships

Athletic Scholarships

Student-athletes may also receive athletic scholarships in addition to any state or externally-funded scholarship programs. To learn more about Athletic Scholarships connect with a member of our coaching staff today.

Honors Scholarships

Applying for our Honors program? To learn more about Honors scholarship opportunities, connect with the Dr. John Zubizarreta Honors Director, Dr. Marlee Marsh at mmarsh@columbiasc.edu.

Program-Specific Scholarships 

As a Columbia College student, you may be eligible for an art, dance, music, or major-related scholarship. To check your eligibility for these scholarships, contact your program coordinator or visit your major page.

South Carolina Scholarships

The State of South Carolina offers a number of scholarships for in-state residents who meet certain criteria:

South Carolina Palmetto Fellowship

The Palmetto Fellows program is awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional scholastic achievement. Students may be awarded a maximum of $6,700 in their first year and up to $7,500 for subsequent years.

Eligibility

A student must be a full-time South Carolina resident and: 

1. Achieve a minimum SAT math/critical reading score of 1400.
2. A minimum 4.0 GPA based on SC Uniform Grading Policy.

OR meet two of the following three criteria:

1. A minimum 3.5 GPA based on SC Uniform Grading Policy.
2. Be graduating in the top 6% of their class.
3. A minimum SAT math/critical reading score of 1200. 

The scholarship is renewable for up to four years provided the student maintains state eligibility requirements for renewal.

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship

The LIFE Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement. Students may be awarded a maximum of $5,000 per year, which includes a $300 book allowance.

Eligibility

A student must be a full-time South Carolina resident and meet two of the following three criteria:

1. A minimum SAT math/critical reading score of 1100.
2. A minimum 3.0 GPA (UGP).
3. Be graduating in the top 30% of their class.

The scholarship is renewable for up to four years provided the student maintains state eligibility requirements for renewal.

Maintaining the Award

For the LIFE Scholarship, full-time students must earn thirty (30) non-remedial semester credit hours per year and enroll in twelve (12) non-remedial hours each semester. You must complete thirty (30) non-remedial hours for a rising sophomore, sixty (60) non-remedial hours for a rising junior, and ninety (90) non-remedial hours for a rising senior and meet the state GPA requirement.

South Carolina Hope Scholarship 

The HOPE Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement. Students may be awarded a maximum of $2,800 per year, which includes a $300 book allowance.

Eligibility 

A student must be full-time South Carolina resident and have a minimum 3.0 GPA based on the SC Uniform Grading Policy.

South Carolina Tuition Grant 

The South Carolina Tuition Grant is awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need determined by their FAFSA. Students may be awarded a maximum of $4,800 per year.

To remain eligible for SC Tuition Grant, full-time students must earn twenty-four (24) credit hours per year.