2023-2024 Merit Awards
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Spring 2023 Applicants: Click Here
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. New, incoming undergraduate students, both freshmen and transfers, are eligible for consideration.
University merit awards are automatically awarded to academically qualified applicants (new freshmen and transfers) who apply to the University by published 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. Historically, funding exhausts and is limited for applicants who apply after published priority application dates.
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 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 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.
Freshmen Merit Awards
|
First-time Freshmen Merit Awards |
In-state Award Amount |
Out-of-State Resident Award Amount |
|
|
Presidential Scholarship |
$6,000 per year |
$16,850 per year (equal to in-state tuition) |
|
|
President's Scholar Award |
$5,000 per year |
$13,000 per year |
|
|
Provost's Scholar Award |
$4,000 per year |
$10,000 per year |
|
|
Coastal Scholar Award |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
|
|
Teal Scholar Award |
$2,000 per year |
$4,500 per year |
|
|
South Carolina Scholar Award* |
$1,000 per year |
|
|
|
Visual and Performing Arts Award† |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
|
|
PGA Golf Management Trustee Award‡ |
$5,000 per year |
$13,000 per year |
|
|
PGA Golf Management University Award‡ |
$4,000 per year |
$10,000 per year |
|
|
PGA Golf Management Wall Award‡ |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
Merit award eligibility for freshmen applicants is determined using a holistic review of all credentials that the applicant submits. The following factors will assist in the comprehensive review:
- Cumulative high school grade point averages – both weighted and unweighted.
- Institutionally calculated “core” grade point average (see Freshman Admission Requirements for more information).
- Rigor of high school coursework (ie. Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment).
- Rank within graduating class (if applicable).
- Academic recommendations.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Writing samples/Essay/Personal Statement.
- Resumes, including leadership and work experience, as well as extracurricular involvement and activities.
- Standardized test scores (if applicable) - SAT (combined math and evidenced based reading and writing scores) or ACT (composite score).
Additional items for merit award consideration may be uploaded electronically at https://apply.coastal.edu/register/admissionsupload.
Click here to view profiles of Fall 2021 merit award recipients.
Transfer Awards
|
Transfer Students Merit Awards |
In-State Resident |
Out-of-State Resident |
|
Transfer Scholar Level I Award |
$4,000 per year |
$10,000 per year |
|
Transfer Scholar Level II Award |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
|
Transfer Scholar Level III Award |
$2,000 per year |
$4,500 per year |
|
Visual and Performing Arts Award† |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
|
PGA Golf Management Transfer Award‡ |
$3,000 per year |
$7,500 per year |
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. Transfer students typically have a minimum of 30 transferable credit hours to qualify for merit awards.
Click here to view profiles of Fall 2021 merit award recipients.
General Information
Note: As of July 2022, award amounts are based on 2023-2024 tuition rates. Room and board fees are not included in the award amount.
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).
*South Carolina Scholar Award
Students must be first-time freshmen graduating from a South Carolina high school and ranking within the top 10 percent of their graduating class.
†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.