The starting point
South Carolina public liberal-arts university with a complex three-layer stack — state-funded South Carolina merit awards (Palmetto Fellows up to $29,200/4yr, LIFE $20,000), CofC institutional merit ($1,500-$4,000/year), and out-of-state offset scholarships ($2,000-$12,000/year) — held together by an explicit non-stackable rule that prevents most CofC merit awards from combining with each other.
More than one award path. Some awards use published academic thresholds. Others have different selection criteria. A score chart does not describe every award at this school.
Awards to discuss
First 3 of 7 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
Cougar Advantage Scholars
Minimum $4,000 per year in merit scholarship funding · Published award terms
Recorded as automatic on academic criteria; all conditions apply.
Eligibility: Students who rank in the top 10% of their class at the time of application from a South Carolina public or charter high school. Marked as 'non-stackable' — cannot combine with other CofC merit scholarships.
Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.
Other terms: Stackable with state Palmetto Fellows/LIFE/HOPE per the State Talent Initiative; non-stackable with other CofC institutional merit.
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/sc-talent-initiative.php
Colonial Scholars Program
Full tuition, fees, room and board, plus a study abroad stipend and additional benefits · Published coverage or package
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Highly selective. Awarded to top students in each entering class. Selection by Office of Admissions. Confirm separate application and timeline with the office before assuming Colonial track.
Renewal: Renewable for up to four years; specific renewal terms not published on the public site.
Other terms: Charleston's flagship full-ride. The only published award that covers room and board on top of tuition and fees.
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/index.php
President's Scholarship
Not publicly disclosed in a tier table · Published award terms
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Four recipients selected from the highest qualified students from South Carolina in each first-year class. Auto-considered through admission.
Renewal: Recorded as renewable. Full renewal conditions are not recorded here; request them from the school.
Other terms: The most prestigious named CofC scholarship. SC residents only.
https://charleston.edu/cost-aid/scholarships/index.php
