International Student Merit Awards - Coastal Carolina University
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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.  

University merit awards are automatically awarded to academically qualified applicants (new freshmen and transfers) who apply to the University by published priority application deadlines. 

Freshman Application Deadlines:

Early Decision: October 15

Early Action: November 15

Regular Decision: February 1

Spring Semester: November 1

Transfer Application Priority Dates:

Fall Semester: June 1

Spring Semester: November 1

Historically, funding exhausts and is limited for applicants who apply after published priority application dates.

New, incoming undergraduate students, both freshmen and transfers, are eligible for consideration.

International Freshman Awards

Presidential Scholarship
$17,988 per year

Priority Admission Deadlines: October 15, November 15, February 1 (Fall Semester), or November 1 (Spring Semester)

1.  1450 New SAT or 32 ACT or 637 TOEFL pBT or 110 TOEFL iBT or 8.0 IELTS or 130 Duolingo English Test; and
2.  U.S. equivalent of an A average High School GPA 
President’s Scholar Award 
$13,000 per year   

Priority Admission Deadlines: October 15, November 15, February 1 (Fall Semester), or November 1 (Spring Semester)

1.  1310 New SAT or 27 ACT or 607 TOEFL pBT or 102 TOEFL iBT or 7.5 IELTS or 120 Duolingo English Test; and
2.  U.S. equivalent of a B+ average High School GPA  
Provost's Scholar Award  
$10,000 per year

Priority Admission Deadlines: October 15, November 15, February 1 (Fall Semester), or November 1 (Spring Semester)

1.  1270 New SAT or 26 ACT or 577 TOEFL pBT or 90 TOEFL iBT or 7.0 IELTS or 110 Duolingo English Test; and
2.  U.S. equivalent of a B+ average High School GPA   
Coastal Scholar Award 
$7,500 per year 

Priority Admission Deadlines: October 15, November 15, February 1 (Fall Semester), or November 1 (Spring Semester)

1.  1170 New SAT or 24 ACT or 550 TOEFL pBT or 79 TOEFL iBT or 6.5 IELTS or 105 Duolingo English Test; and
2.  U.S. equivalent of a B+ average High School GPA  
Teal Scholar Award 
$4,500 per year 

Priority Admission Deadlines: October 15, November 15, February 1 (Fall Semester), or November 1 (Spring Semester)

1.  1120 New SAT or 22 ACT or 537 TOEFL pBT or 74 TOEFL iBT or 6.5 IELTS or 100 Duolingo English Test; and
2.  U.S. equivalent of a B average High School GPA 

International Transfer Awards

Transfer Scholar Level I Award
$10,000 per year
Priority Admission Deadline: June 1 or November 1

                                      1.  Minimum 30 transferable credits; and               
                                      2.  Cumulative Collegiate GPA 3.50 – 4.00
Transfer Scholar Level II Award
$7,500 per year   
Priority Admission Deadline: June 1 or November 1

                                      1.  Minimum 30 transferable credits; and     
                                      2.  Cumulative Collegiate GPA 3.25 - 3.49
Transfer Scholar Level III Award
$4,500 per year
Priority Admission Deadline: June 1 or November 1

                                      1.  Minimum 30 transferable credits; and               
                                      2.  Cumulative Collegiate GPA 2.90 – 3.24
Visual and Performing Arts Award 
$7,500 per year  
Priority Admission Deadline: June 1 or November 1

   1.  Minimum 30 transferable credits;
   2.  Cumulative Collegiate GPA 2.75+;
   3.  Major in art studio, graphic design, music, or theatre arts; and
   4.  Be recommended by department.
                                          

 Audition/portfolio required.

                                       *Visit department’s website for audition/portfolio information
PGA Golf Management Transfer Award
$7,500 per year 
Priority Admission Deadline: June 1 or November 1                                     

1.  Minimum 30 transferable credits;
2.  Cumulative Collegiate GPA 2.75+;
3.  Major in any degree program in the Wall College of Business with PGM specialization; and
4.  Be recommended by department.

Students are eligible to receive only one award from the merit-based award program. This includes the VPA Merit-based and PGM Merit-based Awards. Out-of-state students who are granted access to the Academic Common Market tuition waiver or receive a Sister-State agreement tuition waiver are not eligible for additional tuition reduction through the University's merit award program.  The Honors Program invitation is not considered a merit-based award.

The primary criteria used to determine freshmen applicants’ merit award eligibility are grade point average and standardized test scores; however, a comprehensive review of the following factors may be considered in determining eligibility:

  • Cumulative high school grade point averages – both weighted and unweighted, as applicable
  • Institutionally calculated “core” grade point average (see International Admission Requirements for more information)
  • Rigor of high school coursework (i.e.. Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge AS and A Level courses, dual enrollment)
  • Rank within graduating class
  • Academic recommendations
  • Writing samples
  • Resumes, including leadership and work experience, as well as extracurricular involvement and activities
  • Standardized test scores (for those applicants NOT applying as Test Optional) - SAT (combined math and evidenced based reading and writing scores) or ACT (composite score).

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.

The initial awarding process for all applicants will begin in November of each year. Eligible students will be notified with an official offer letter sent via U.S. mail.

Students should be admitted to CCU by the following priority deadlines to ensure consideration:

Fall applicants should be admitted by the priority deadlines of October 15, November 15, February 1 (Freshmen) or June 1 (Transfers). Spring applicants should be admitted by November 1.

Further details about the University’s merit award program may be found on the Frequently Asked Questions web page.

Eligible students are notified of the merit award in the acceptance letter.

Refer to your Merit Award Policy included in your offer letter for renewal criteria and other conditions.

  • All applicants are reviewed for merit award eligibility. No separate application is required.
  • Students qualify for only one merit award. Merit awards cannot be combined with other merit awards.
  • Annual renewal conditions must be met to renew annual merit awards.
  • Students must be enrolled as a full-time student (12 to 18 credit hours per semester).
  • Transfer students typically have a minimum of 30 transferable credit hours to qualify for merit awards.

Visual and Performing Arts Awards

Following an audition or portfolio review, the department faculty may recommend a student for consideration.

Students must major in art studio, graphic design, music, or theatre arts (all concentrations) to qualify for this award.

Click the links below for more information on auditions or portfolio reviews.  

Visual Arts or Graphic Design       Music      Theatre Arts

PGA Golf Management Awards

Students must be admitted to the PGA Golf Management program by March 31. Students will receive instructions for applying to the PGA Golf Management Program in their acceptance letters.