Financing Your Education

Coastal Carolina University is committed to making a high-quality, professional education affordable for every qualified student. If meeting educational costs is a concern, we encourage you to apply for financial aid, regardless of family financial circumstances. Many CCU graduate students receive aid in the form of loans, assistantships, and/or employer assistance. Explore financing options through the Financial Aid and Scholarships and investigate other opportunities for funding, such as outside scholarships.

Graduate Assistantships

Coastal Carolina University offers a limited number of graduate assistantships on a competitive basis. All applicants – United States and international – are eligible to apply. There is a separate application for this type of financial assistance. For more information, visit Graduate Studies.

U.S. Federal Student Loans

All U.S. citizens and permanent residents (unless you have defaulted on a previous federal student loan) are eligible for a low-interest, long-term federal Stafford loan of up to $20,500 for each year of graduate studies. Graduate students are also eligible for Federal Grad PLUS loans. Students must enroll at least half-time (six hours) and maintain satisfactory academic progress. To apply for these loans, graduate students must be fully admitted into a degree-seeking program and must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more, visit Financial Aid Graduate Information. 

Alternative Loans

An alternative loan can help to pay the student’s remaining expenses after financial aid has been applied to the bill. They are credit-based and offer flexible repayment options. Alternative loans are to be used to supplement other forms of financial aid. They are student loans, with the student listed as the borrower. Most alternative loans will require that the student also have a creditworthy cosigner in order to be eligible. Interest rates are variable and are set by the individual lender. 

Veterans and Dependents Benefits

Veterans who served on continuous active duty for 181 days or more after January 31, 1955, might be eligible for educational benefits under the Montgomery G.I. Bill or Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP). In addition, a variety of loans, employment opportunities, and other forms of financial assistance are available to veterans. If you are a dependent of a veteran who died or is permanently disabled as a result of service, or if you are currently serving, you may be eligible for educational benefits. To learn more, visit Veteran Services or call 843-349-4124.

International Students

International students applying for, or currently holding student visas or any type of non-immigrant visa, are not eligible for federal funds, including the Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work Study, and the Federal Stafford Loan. To learn more about other funding options, please visit Financial Aid and Scholarships. International students are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantships and Student Employment on campus.

Tuition Payment Plans

Coastal Carolina University offers many payment options to facilitate tuition payment. Accepted methods of payment include personal checks, money orders, certified checks, credit cards, and cash payments (made in person only). A budget payment plan is offered to qualified students and facilitates disbursement of federal loan proceeds in association with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. To view current graduate tuition and fees or to learn more, visit Tuition and Fees.