Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Every student has a Bible major and a second major in one of 14 areas.  There are 7 minor areas as well. The top majors include Intercultural Studies, Youth, Family, and Culture, Communication, and Psychology. 

Programs include:  Applied English, Biblical Languages, Bible Teaching, Communication, Family and Church Education, General Studies, Humanities, Intercultural Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Music, Pastoral Ministries, Psychology, Teacher Education, Youth, Family and Culture.

Minors available in: Digital Media, Business and Organizational Leadership, English, International Community Development, Philosophy, TEFL.

The student/faculty ratio for 2010-2011 is 20 to 1. All of our classes are taught by CIU faculty members.

Students can have cars on campus.  There is a parking permit fee per year.

Students cannot have TV’s in their dorm rooms, but there are TV’s in the student center and in the lounges in each dorm.  Students may have laptop computers and can watch movies and have video games in their rooms.

1. Application
2. Official High School transcript
3. Official SAT/ACT Scores
4. 3 References
5. Essay
6. $45 application fee (For current tuition and fee information, click here.)

Yes. We currently have a Business and Organizational Leadership Minor at CIU, which we are planning to move to a major in the near future. The program has an international emphasis, and prepares students for serving the Lord world-wide, both in the traditional market place and in non-profit activities.

Wanna get outside for a while?  (Why, yes!!  I do!)  How about a walk to the Pointe or a hike on our 400+ acres, a bike ride to the lake, or a game of ultimate frisbee on the lawn?!  Do you enjoy a little physical competition?  We have the following intramurals: football, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and more!

Need a quick break from homework?  Play a game of ping-pong, pool, or cards with friends in the Student Center.  Wanna keep off the freshman fifteen?  Work out at the fitness center in the weight room, on the basketball courts, on the ellipticals, or in the aerobics room!

Passing through the Student Center between classes?  Grab some coffee in the bookstore and visit the Student Life Office!

In the mood for a good flick?  Watch a movie in the dorm basements and lobbies!

Unity in the essentials. Grace in the non-essentials.

Yes. All student employment positions are posted online at www.ciuonline.com and on the bulletin board in the Administration Building near Human Resources.

You can apply for a PIN on the FAFSA on the Web site or you can visit www.pin.ed.gov. A PIN will be mailed to you — or if you put in an e-mail address, it will be sent to your e-mail address. This number confirms your identity with the U.S. Department of Education and allows you to electronically sign your FAFSA application. It also allows you to go in and make changes, request a Student Aid Report (SAR) or fill out a renewal application in subsequent years. This number has replaced a physical signature and makes processing much quicker.

The priority deadline for new undergraduate students to complete the FAFSA and CIU scholarship application is February 26 for 2011-12. The priority deadline for new graduate and Seminary students, as well as, returning students is April 15.  A priority deadline implies that any student who completes the FAFSA after this date may be subject to a reduction in funding.  Furthermore, the state of South Carolina requires that the FAFSA be submitted no later than June 30 in order to receive the SC Tuition Grant.

There are many sources to assist you in paying for college.  The four main types of aid are Federal, State, Institutional, and outside resources.  It is best to work with our office or a high school guidance counselor to secure the best possible aid package.  Contact Student Financial Services for more information.

The general application for financial aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  This is a free application that is supplied by the U.S. Department of Education.  It can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  CIU also requires the completion of a CIU Scholarship Application.

Yes, the FAFSA allows you to use estimated tax information on the form. It is recommended that you use a previous year's tax return to help you estimate your answers to the FAFSA questions. If you do use the estimated information, please provide the Office of Student Financial Services with a copy of your completed federal tax return when it becomes available.

After submitting the FAFSA, you will be contacted by CIU acknowledging the receipt of your application. You may also be asked to supply various documents the school needs to determine your eligibility. Communication will be via the email address you supplied on the FAFSA.

There are many variables in determining whether a student’s financial aid will change. Most of our scholarships and grants have minimum GPA requirements. In addition to GPA, other variables which affect a student’s financial aid are EFC (determined by the FAFSA), completion date of the FAFSA, residency status, etc.

For current tuition and fee information, view the links below: 

Undergraduate tuition and fees

Graduate & Seminary and School of Ministry tuition and fees

Online tuition and fees

You will qualify to receive a Stafford loan simply by completing the FAFSA. How much of your loan is subsidized is determined by your financial need and the number of college credits you have earned. If the FAFSA indicates that you have a demonstrated financial need, you may qualify for the following loan amounts:

If you do not have a demonstrated financial need, you will qualify for the following amounts in the unsubsidized Stafford loan:

Graduate/Seminary students demonstrating financial need according to the FAFSA may receive up to $8,500 in a subsidized Stafford loan and an additional $12,000 in an unsubsidized Stafford loan (or up to the total annual graduate program cost of attendance, whichever is less).

Yes, it is to your advantage to do this. If you do not begin to pay the interest while in school, your accrued interest will be added to the principle of your loan. If you want to pay the interest, just indicate it on your Master Promissory Note (MPN), and your lender will send you either a quarterly or monthly interest summary.

The parent with whom the student lived most in the past 12 months should complete the financial aid forms. If, for example, this parent is the mother, then the mother should complete the FAFSA using only her financial information, even if a joint return was filed. If a parent has remarried, then the stepparent's information is also required on the FAFSA.

Students who withdraw after the semester has begun are subject to CIU's published Student Withdrawal Policy.

In accordance with new federal regulations, CIU disburses the federal Pell grant year round.

You must meet all of the eligibility criteria.

You must earn an average of 30 credit hours for each academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) equaling a minimum of 30 credit hours if a rising second year student, 60 credit hours if a rising third year student, or 90 credit hours if a rising fourth year student.

If your initial college enrollment was mid-year, you must earn 15 credit hours by the beginning of the next academic year (fall semester). In subsequent years, you must earn an average of 30 credit hours for each academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer) equaling a minimum of 45 credit hours after the first full academic year, 75 credit hours after the second full academic year, and 105 credit hours after the third full academic year. The LIFE Scholarship will not be awarded mid-year in subsequent years.

Any credit hours earned before high school graduation, hours exempted by examination, and advanced placement credit approved by the institution as academic credit will be used toward the credit hour requirement;

You must earn a minimum 3.0 LIFE grade point average on a 4.0 scale by the end of the academic year (Fall, Spring, Summer):

The LIFE grade point average will include all grades earned (excluding remedial coursework) at all eligible public or independent institutions attended by the student. Any credit hours and GPA earned before high school graduation and approved by the institution as academic credit will be used.

If you have earned a 3.0 LIFE grade point average by the end of the spring semester and choose to enroll in a summer session(s) you will NOT be eligible to receive the LIFE Scholarship if your LIFE grade point average falls below a 3.0 at the end of that summer session(s).

Please note that the LIFE grade point average will be used to determine LIFE Scholarship eligibility only and will not be used in determining graduation eligibility or standing.
 

Each vocational course taught at CIU is taught from a biblical world view. This means that though the student may be learning communications, teaching, or business principles, they are also learning how to apply ethical, moral, and biblical skills to other parts of their life.

CIU is equipped with a team of chaplains for individuals as well as married students. They are an essential resource. CIU also offers a masters in counseling which affords the institution opportunities for professional counseling.

CIU has a team that offers help with resume construction, interviewing, career assessments and job application activities. We also offer a job board that allows students to post resumes online and be informed of job opportunities.

The freshman class is guided by their leadership in a way that builds unity among the students. Recreational outings, group building activities, and scheduled events are all planned by the Freshman Leadership Team.

CIU is hoping to have teams competing at the collegiate level by the fall of 2011. Possible Future Sports include: Men's Soccer, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Women's Volleyball, Men's Basketball.

CIU has a variety of intramural sports which include; Co-Ed Volleyball, Co-Ed Flag Football, Co-Ed Dodge ball, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Co-Ed Indoor Soccer, and Co-Ed Ultimate Frisbee.

TraveLearn is a department dedicated to helping students receive cross cultural experiences by providing opportunities for foreign internships, study tours, student teaching, and semesters abroad.

Security patrols campus night and day. Campus Security can be reached at (803) 513-3967.

CIU is made up of many denominations of people and is unaffiliated. We strive towards a basis of evangelical unity. 

81%.  This is the fourth highest in the state for private institutions.