Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Coastal Carolina University Merit Scholarships
Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is dedicated to recognizing and rewarding academic excellence in incoming students through its merit award program. These awards are designed to support outstanding freshman and transfer students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the merit scholarship opportunities available at Coastal Carolina University, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and important deadlines.
Merit Awards Overview
Coastal Carolina University is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and recognizes outstanding freshman and transfer students through its merit award program. Merit Awards are based on academic criteria as demonstrated by performance in a rigorous high school program and by performance on standardized test scores, or by performance at a regionally accredited college or university based on collegiate GPA.
Eligibility for Merit Awards
New, incoming undergraduate students, both freshmen and transfer students, are eligible for merit-based scholarships. After a student has been accepted to CCU, they are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. A complete listing of requirements is available on the merit-based scholarship webpage.
Academic Criteria
Merit Awards are based on academic criteria as demonstrated by:
- Performance in a rigorous high school program.
- Performance on standardized test scores (SAT/ACT).
- Performance at a regionally accredited college or university based on collegiate GPA (for transfer students).
Holistic Review
Merit award eligibility for freshmen applicants is determined using a holistic review of all credentials that the applicant submits, including the rigor of high school coursework. For transfer awards, the cumulative collegiate GPA, which includes all college coursework attempted will be used to determine eligibility. Awards extended based on undisclosed or incomplete coursework may be reduced or rescinded at the institution’s discretion.
Read also: CCU In-State Requirements
Types of Merit Awards
University merit awards are automatically awarded to academically qualified applicants (new freshmen and transfers) who apply to the University by published priority application dates. Students are eligible to receive only one award from the merit-based award program, including the VPA Merit-based and PGM Merit-based awards.
Application Process
Automatic Consideration
After a student has been accepted to CCU, they are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.
Key Application Components
An application for undergraduate admission must be submitted and approved with an official letter of acceptance issued before any person may enroll in an undergraduate course. Before action can be taken on an application for admission, all required credentials must be submitted for review by an admissions professional.
Non-Academic Admissions Review
All applicants are required to submit responses to a series of non-academic admissions review questions on the application for admission. Responses to these questions are initially reviewed by the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Some cases are referred to the Non-Academic Admissions Review Committee for review. All applicants will go through an academic review of application documentation (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, etc.) prior to the review of non-academic admissions review documentation. An applicant must satisfy the non-academic admissions review portion of the admissions application prior to admission to the University. This review process supports the University’s goal of maintaining a safe learning community. Failure to submit complete responses and/or falsification of responses may result in revocation of the admission decision or dismissal after enrollment. Any incident resulting in a change to a non-academic admissions review question subsequent to the submission of the application must be immediately reported by the applicant in writing to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of the admissions decision or dismissal of the applicant after enrollment.
Required Credentials
All applicants are required to submit responses to a series of non-academic admissions review questions on the application for admission. Before action can be taken on an application for admission, all required credentials must be submitted for review by an admissions professional.
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Standardized Test Scores
Candidates for admission must request that the results of the SAT or ACT tests be sent to Coastal Carolina University directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT). All references to SAT scores refer to the combined critical reading and math sections only. To be considered official, the standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency (College Board or ACT).
High School Coursework Requirements for Freshmen
- Four units of English: All four units must have strong reading, writing, communicating and researching components. It’s strongly recommended that two units be literature-based, including American, British and world literature.
- Four units of mathematics: Algebra I (foundations in algebra and intermediate algebra may count together as a substitute if a student successfully completes algebra II), algebra II and geometry. A fourth higher-level mathematics course should be taken during the senior year.
- Three units of laboratory science: Two units must be taken in two different fields of the physical, earth or life sciences, selected from biology, chemistry, physics or earth science. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the first two units or from any laboratory science for which biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth science is a prerequisite. Courses in general science or introductory science for which biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth science is not a prerequisite will not meet this requirement. It is strongly recommended that students take physical science (taught as a laboratory science) as a prerequisite to the three required units of laboratory science outlined in this section.
- Three units of social science: history is required; one-half unit of economics and one-half unit of government are required. World history or geography are strongly recommended.
- Two units of the same world language: Both units must be in the same world language, with a heavy emphasis on language acquisition.
- Two college preparatory units must be taken as electives. A college preparatory computer science (including programming, not just keyboarding) is highly recommended.
If unit prerequisites are not met for reasons beyond the control of the student, both the student and the guidance counselor must provide to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards at Coastal Carolina University a written explanation as to why the student failed to complete the courses.
Additional Requirements
- Every student entering a South Carolina college or university is required to provide an immunization record prior to enrollment. Information about Coastal Carolina University’s Immunization Requirements may be found at Student Health Services.
- In addition, all new students are required to provide proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the United States before enrolling.
- Upon admission to Coastal Carolina University, all degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students are required to submit the specified enrollment deposit to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards to secure their seats in the class. The enrollment deposit is applied as a tuition deposit toward the intended semester of enrollment.
Requirements for Transfer Students
To be considered for admission, the transfer applicant should have earned a minimum 2.0 cumulative collegiate GPA or a ‘C’ average in at least two full-time semesters (24 semester credits) or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college(s). Applicants who have earned fewer than 24 transferable college credits are required to submit a final official high school transcript and standardized test scores. All applicants for transfer admission must be eligible to return to the last institution attended as a degree candidate. The applicant must submit transcripts of all previous work whether or not credit was earned and regardless of whether there is a desire to transfer any credit from another institution. An official transcript from each institution attended must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. Failure to submit transcripts may constitute sufficient cause for dismissal from the University.
Key Deadlines
Priority Application Dates
- Fall priority application dates are December 1 for freshmen and June 1 for transfers.
- The Spring priority application date is November 1 for both freshmen and transfers.
Initial Awarding Process
The initial awarding process will begin in November of each year.
Final Transcript and Test Score Submission
Please note: final high school transcripts (final HS GPA’s), and tests taken after the April testing dates, will not be able to be considered for Merit-based Scholarship eligibility.
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Maintaining Eligibility
Enrollment Requirements
Generally yes; with the exception to some of the application-based scholarships, all scholarships require full time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours) each semester.
Renewal Requirements
Transfer Awards: the maximum number of terms is dependent on the number of transfer hours a student enters with, provided student meets renewal requirements each year.
Scholarship Offer Terms
The Merit-based Scholarship Offer is only granted if you enroll in the term stated on the offer letter. If you do not enroll that specific term, your offer will be cancelled. If you return to CCU at a later date, then you will be automatically considered in the normal review process, and will be offered the scholarship for which you are meeting the minimum requirements. Note: A student who has attended another institution after high school graduation and later enrolls at CCU will be considered a transfer student for admission, and will only be eligible to be considered for the Transfer Merit-based Scholarships.
Upgrade Opportunities
If you are now meeting the requirements for the next level of merit-based scholarship, you will be eligible for an ‘up-grade’ to that award, provided funding is still available. Be sure your new scores are sent to the Admission’s Office, so they may be included in your record. Students are automatically considered for an upgrade if/when they meet the requirements. To help ensure (but not guarantee) funding is still available, it is best to have any new scores submitted by April 1st. Please note: final high school transcripts (final HS GPA’s), and tests taken after the April testing dates, will not be able to be considered for Merit-based Scholarship eligibility.
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
Coastal Educational Foundation Scholarships
WHILE EVERY APPLICANT IS AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDERED FOR A MERIT AWARD, other scholarships are available through the Coastal Education Foundation that require a separate application.
University Application-Based Scholarships
University merit-based scholarships and the University application-based scholarships are scholarships available from CCU. University application-based scholarships are scholarships geared toward continuing students.
External Scholarships
Students are encouraged to visit our external scholarship webpage to search for various scholarship opportunities available from organizations outside of the university.
Scholarships for International Students
University merit-based scholarships and the University application-based scholarships are scholarships available from CCU. International Students are encouraged to work with the Office of International Programs for details on other scholarship opportunities that may be available to them.
Scholarships for Graduate Students
Most graduate scholarships available from CCU are awarded directly through the individual departments rather than through the Scholarship Office. Graduate students are encouraged to work with the Office of Graduate Studies for details on programs, such as Graduate Assistantships, that may be available to them to assist with their tuition costs.
Dean’s Excellence Scholarship
Students named to the Dean’s/President’s List, are encouraged to apply for the Dean’s Excellence Scholarship. This is part of the application-based scholarship program and requires an application to be submitted by the cycle three November 15 deadline each year for consideration.
Summer Scholarships
Generally no, however students are highly encouraged to complete the ‘Summer Financial Aid Application’ by the May 15th deadline in order to determine which specific financial aid awards (including any scholarships) may be available to them. Students enrolling in a summer term vs. the fall semester will be able to be considered for the merit-based scholarships under the same time frame as the fall awards. If offered, the scholarship will be awarded starting in the fall term.
Scholarships for Unique Circumstances
Some scholarships for ‘unique situations/circumstances’ are available through the application-based scholarship program. However, students are encouraged to visit our external scholarship webpage to search for various scholarship opportunities available from organizations outside of the university.
ACM Tuition Waiver
No. Students receiving the ACM tuition waiver will not be able to also receive a merit-based scholarship. Out-of-state students who are granted access to the Academic Common Market tuition waiver are not eligible for additional tuition reduction through the University's merit award program.
SC State Lottery Scholarships
Eligible South Carolina residents may also be considered for the SC State Lottery Scholarships.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
FAFSA Completion
Currently scholarship recipients are not required to complete the FAFSA, however it is highly encouraged. Also, some application-based scholarships have a financial need requirement. In order for financial need to be calculated to determine eligibility for these awards, the FAFSA would need to be completed BEFORE the scholarship cycle deadline. We recommend submitting the FAFSA by the March 1st Financial Aid priority date to ensure processing is complete for all Application-based Scholarship cycle deadlines.
External Scholarships
If you’ve received a scholarship from an organization outside of CCU, it will be posted directly to the student's account.
Maximum Scholarship Amount
As with any financial aid, the total amount of all financial aid and scholarship awards may not exceed the annual cost of attendance as set by Financial Aid & Scholarships. Cost of Attendance figures may be found on the Financial Aid Webpage.
Additional Programs
Coastal Excellence and Leadership (CEaL) Program
The Coastal Excellence and Leadership (CEaL) program grants conditional admission to freshmen applicants who narrowly miss the University’s requirements for full admission. Admission into the CEaL program is by invitation only to a select group of students who have demonstrated academic potential through hard work in the classroom and rigor of curriculum.
The Bridge Program
The Bridge program is a comprehensive, rigorous, residential program that provides an opportunity for participants to improve their academic skills and meet the transfer admissions requirements. Freshmen applicants are invited to participate in this program based on their standardized test scores and high school GPA.
HTC Honors College
Admission to the HTC Honors College is by invitation of the director of the program in consultation with the Office of Admissions and Merit Awards. HTC Honors College invitations are extended to entering first-year students whose standardized test scores and work in high school predict outstanding college-level achievement.
Pre-Major Status
Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking marine science major will be admitted as a pre-marine science major. A student classified as a pre-marine science major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Complete INTEL 200 with a grade of ‘B’ or better. Students who meet general admissions requirements, but do not satisfy requirements for admission as a degree-seeking Intelligence and National Security Studies major will be admitted as an Intelligence and National Security Studies pre-major. A student classified as a pre-major is not eligible to receive an Academic Common Market tuition waiver at Coastal Carolina University. Only students who are fully admitted into the major are eligible to apply for consideration of this designation. A student admitted as a pre-major who meets the minimum cumulative high school GPA requirement but does not meet the SAT or ACT score requirements may re-take either exam and submit new scores. Transfer students must meet the general admissions requirements and audition for full admittance to these majors. All students who meet general admissions requirements and select a major within the Wall College of Business Administration or the Spadoni College of Education enter the University as pre-majors.
How to Apply for Other Scholarships
Coastal Carolina University's online scholarship application allows accepted and enrolled students to apply for scholarships from the annual or endowed gifts of generous donors through the Coastal Educational Foundation, the Horry County Higher Education Commission, and Coastal Carolina University. These scholarships have a wide variety of requirements, ranging from merit and essay-based, to specific majors or involvement in clubs or community service on campus.
CCU's Scholarship Application
CCU's Scholarship Application gives you easy access to a list of current scholarships, criteria, and application deadlines. Application cycles are typically January - March 15.
Setting up Your Account
Students must first set up their password.
Filling out the Application
During the open application period, log in. The scholarship application will ask a series of questions to learn more about you. You will then be matched to scholarships for which you can apply.
Submitting Follow-Up Items
Some scholarships require additional items (such as an essay, letter of recommendation, etc.). Students must submit these additional items to be considered for the scholarships. This scholarship application is a user-friendly process for students. Please review the Student Guide for help with setting up your account or filling out the application.
Tuition Waiver Programs
There are two types of tuition waiver programs available at Coastal Carolina University: the Sister-State Program and the Non-Resident Tuition Waiver. Applicants must be ADMITTED to an academic program at Coastal Carolina University. If approved, the tuition waiver benefit applies throughout four years of study as long as the student remains in good academic standing. Coastal Carolina University offers in-state tuition to students participating in the International Sister-State Agreement program. Coastal Carolina University's Board of Trustees has approved a LIMITED number of non-resident tuition waivers for students who have citizenship and residency in the areas noted below as Designated International Special Cooperation Zones.
Important Considerations for International Students
Those requiring a student F1 I-20 or J1 DS-2019 to study at Coastal Carolina University must submit evidence of financial resources greater than or equal to the total annual estimated cost of two semesters (fall and spring shown above). Books: Books and educational supplies are estimated for the academic year.
True Cost Calculator
Want to see if you might qualify for a merit award? Use the True Cost Calculator. This is a great tool to get an estimate of the cost to attend CCU. You can use this tool by manually entering your academic information.
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