Frequently Asked Questions about Scholarships

• What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

  First-Year Freshmen Scholarships are only available to incoming first-year students and are extremely competitive. These scholarships range from $500 per year to the full cost of attendance and can be renewed for an additional three years as long as you maintain the minimum requirements. Out-of-state students who qualify for an academic recruiting scholarship might be offered an amount that covers part or all of the out-of-state tuition differential. You will be automatically evaluated for these scholarships based on the information found in your admissions application, such as your test scores and high school rank. There is no separate scholarship application.

  All other University scholarships are awarded to both entering freshmen and upperclassmen. These awards range from $250 to $7,500 and each has special criteria set up by the donor such as a certain state of residency, major or career interest. While the selection process is very competitive, these recipients are impossible to predict because of the unique restrictions. Upperclassmen, however, usually need to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.80 to be considered.

  Additional information can be found in the University Scholarships section of this website.

• I am receiving an Army or Air Force Clemson Corps Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship. Am I also eligible to receive my previously awarded Out-of-State recruiting scholarship?

  Out-of-state students may only receive one out-of-state tuition-specific scholarship. If a student is offered the out-of-state tuition recruiting scholarship and receives an Army or Air Force Clemson Corps out-of-state tuition scholarship, then the higher amount of out-of-state tuition scholarship will be applied for any given academic year. Once the Clemson Corps out-of-state tuition scholarship no longer applies then the out-of-state tuition recruiting scholarship if the student meets all eligibility requirements for renewal.

• I am receiving a scholarship from a private organization/company. Will it be split between the fall and spring semesters?

  In most cases, your scholarship will be applied to the Fall semester unless your donor specifies that they would like it split between both semesters.

• I can see that my scholarships are showing as accepted. When should I see them credited to the bill?

  Financial aid is typically paid to the bill 10 days before classes start as long as the financial aid award has been accepted under the Financial Aid section in the iROAR portal. If you still have not accepted one of your financial aid awards, please do so as soon as possible.

• How will Academic Forgiveness affect my Palmetto Fellows/LIFE Scholarship eligibility?

  Clemson and State Scholarships Renewal is based on your GPA and earned credit hours. Academic Forgiveness can improve your GPA while reducing your credit hours, so you must be aware of all consequences before requesting that a grade be forgiven. Please speak with the Office of Student Financial Aid if you have questions about how Academic Forgiveness may affect your scholarship eligibility. If you are seeking to regain a scholarship for an upcoming academic year, you must complete a request for Academic Forgiveness (located in iROAR 〉 Student Self-Service 〉 Student Records 〉 Request Academic Forgiveness) before the first day of class of the Fall semester. 

• Will I be eligible for the LIFE Enhancement when I transfer to Clemson in the spring semester?

  If you received the LIFE Enhancement during the Fall semester at your previous institution, you would need to provide documentation proving that you are eligible to receive it for the current academic year.

  If you were in a non-eligible major at your previous institution, you would not be eligible to receive the enhancement during the Spring semester at Clemson because your eligibility is based on your major at the beginning of the academic year.

  If you are transferring from a two-year college, you will not be eligible to receive the LIFE Enhancement during your Spring semester because you must have been eligible at the beginning of the academic year.

  Students who are not eligible for a LIFE Enhancement in the Spring semester may declare an eligible major for the next academic year. These students must complete a “Request to Change Academic Program” form and file it with the Office of Enrolled Student Services on or before the last day to register or add a class in the Fall semester.

• Do I need to apply for university scholarships?

  Entering first-year students are automatically considered for First-Year Freshmen Scholarships if they submit their Undergraduate Admissions application and all required materials by the Regular Decision deadline of January 2. Continuing undergraduate students are also automatically considered for University scholarships. See the information above regarding "What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?".

  In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, you must submit your FAFSA by the priority deadline of January 2 for first-year students and April 1 for upperclassmen. All of our recommended deadlines are listed here.

• When will I hear if I will receive a scholarship from Clemson?

  If you are an incoming first-year student who applies by the Regular Decision admission deadline, then you will be notified of any First Year Freshmen Scholarships by the first week of April. The complete award notice will be available to view on the iROAR portal. If your awards are in an "Offered" status on the iROAR portal, you must accept them before the aid will be applied to your bill.

Other Frequency Asked Questions

FAQ about Financial Aid

FAQ about Residency

FAQ about S.C. LIFE Scholarship

FAQ about Palmetto Fellows

FAQ about Satisfactory Academic Progress

FAQ about Study Abroad Financial Aid