Erskine College Institutional Aid
Erskine Scholarship
All students at Erskine College are eligible for competitive scholarship packages based on academic achievement. These recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress (see the College Catalog) and must earn a GPA that meets the requirements for continuing enrollment and graduation and complete 24 cumulative hours per academic year.
Honors Institute Scholarship
Honors Institute Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year in order to renew the scholarship. Cumulative hours and GPA must be earned at Erskine College. If you fail to meet the qualifications to renew the scholarship, you cannot regain the Honors Institute Scholarship.
Presidential Scholarship
Presidential Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year in order to renew the scholarship. Cumulative hours and GPA must be earned at Erskine College. If you fail to meet the qualifications to renew the scholarship, you cannot regain the Presidential Scholarship. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for the Presidential Scholarship.
Interest and Affiliation Scholarships
ARP Matching Grant
Students who are active members of an ARP Church can receive up to $500 annually in matching scholarship funds if their church participates in the ARP Church Match program. Funds given by their church through the program will be matched by Erskine College on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a maximum of $500. NOTE: Some scholarships may not be stackable. If you have questions, contact the Financial Aid Office. Click here to access the ARP Matching Grant application.
The Stanford Award
The Stanford Award is funded by the Henry Stanford Scholarship Fund. It is named in honor of the Rev. Henry G. Stanford, Jr. ’67 (Sem. ’83), who served the Lord faithfully as a pastor and missionary. This award will be presented to a high school senior who has demonstrated a commitment to the Gospel and to ministry excellence during his or her high school years.
To nominate a high school student for the Stanford Award, click here.
To donate to the Stanford Award, click here.
Child of Alumni Grant
Children of alumni may qualify for up to $1,000 in scholarship, renewable for four years. To qualify, students must have at least one parent that attended Erskine College, as indicated on the application for admission.
Music Scholarships
Music Scholarships are offered for piano, voice, organ, and wind instruments. Each spring, auditions are held by the fine arts faculty to select scholarship recipients. For more information check out the music page: https://www.erskine.edu/academics/majors/music/.
Other Scholarships
Outside Scholarships/Grants
Churches, high schools, banks, and civic organizations often offer scholarships to students. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for scholarship information.
NOTE: If students receive outside scholarships, Erskine institutional funds may be adjusted (reduced) dependent upon eligibility or need for financial aid. Erskine College reserves the right to withdraw any type of financial aid award from students who, at the close of any semester, have not made satisfactory academic progress (see the College Catalog), or who, for other reasons, do not meet the standards of Erskine College, or who have reached the cost of attendance of the college. All federal and state assistance recipients are required to meet Erskine’s satisfactory academic progress requirements. Students who change housing plans from on-campus to off-campus may have a reduction of scholarships. Please contact the Financial Aid Office if you are considering moving off campus.
South Carolina State Scholarships
South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship Award is $2,800. HOPE is awarded to incoming freshman students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for the SC LIFE, but graduate from a SC high school with a 3.0 high school grade point average. The HOPE is for freshman year only. SC HOPE recipients may receive the LIFE in subsequent years, provided that students maintain a cumulative 3.0 college grade point average and complete 30 credit hours per academic year. See www.che400.state.sc.us for further information.
South Carolina LIFE (Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence) Scholarship
The South Carolina LIFE award is a $5,000 academic scholarship for South Carolina residents who meet two of the following criteria: earn a B (3.0) grade point average, rank in the top 30 percent of their graduating class, and score 1100 on the SAT or an ACT composite score of 24. LIFE recipients must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and complete 30 cumulative credit hours per academic year.
South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarships
The South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship award is $6,700 for freshmen and $7,500 for sophomores, juniors, and seniors (2025-26 academic year). The scholarship is a state program to assist South Carolina residents who meet the following criteria: a 3.5 SC UGP GPA, 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, and rank in the top 6% of the class. Students are also eligible if they have a 1400 combined SAT score or 31 ACT and a high school grade point average of 4.0 or higher. Eligible candidates must apply through their high school guidance office in the fall of their senior hear. Students must be degree seeking and must enroll full-time (12 credit hours per semester). For renewal purposes, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 30 credit hours per academic year.
Palmetto Fellows and Life Scholarship Enhancement
The South Carolina General Assembly has passed legislation that enhances the value of LIFE and Palmetto Fellows awards for students majoring in math, science, and education disciplines. Each year, eligible students receive an additional amount of up to $2,500 for a maximum LIFE Scholarship of $7,500 or a maximum Palmetto Fellows Scholarship of $10,000. The Erskine-approved majors for Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship Enhancements are Biology, Chemistry, Education, and Mathematics. Freshmen are not eligible for enhancements. See program pages for more details on requirements for each discipline. Contact the Erskine financial aid office for further information.
South Carolina Tuition Grant
South Carolina offers students assistance if they choose to attend a private Institution. Eligibility is determined by filing the FAFSA (studentaid.gov) by August 1. Eligible students can receive up to $5,000 per year. Student must meet one of the following three criteria: the student must have at least a 2.0 High School GPA, or must make at least a 900 SAT; and the student must be in the top 75% of his/her High School graduating class. Students are able to appeal their eligibility decision by December 15th of each year. For more information contact www.state.sc.us/tuitiongrants.