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Top News |
First Intercollegiate Athlete Signs to Play for CIU Rams SoccerClick here to read the full story. |
History In The Making
We are embarking on one of the most exciting chapters in the history of CIU. For the first time in 89 years, CIU will field our first intercollegiate athletic teams in fall 2012. Why athletics at CIU? It fits with our purpose of educating people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. Imagine the outreach that student-athletes and coaches can have both at home and abroad using the platform of athletics to share the good news of Jesus Christ
Our Sports
Fall 2012 marks the beginning of an aggressive five-year plan introducing intercollegiate athletics at CIU.
Our League
CIU will compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), whose mission is to use athletic competition as an integral component of education, evangelism, and encouragement.
Our Mascot
The ram was chosen as the CIU mascot for its strength and its biblical significance. Not only are rams known as ferocious defenders of their territory and their flock, the ram is a symbol of God's provision - a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
CIU Rams Club
Click here for more information on becoming a founding member of the CIU Rams Club!
Moore Fitness Center
Cheryl Guinther is the communications coordinator for the Alumni Ministries Office of Columbia International University. She serves alumni with genuine personal care and a professional approach developed over years as an executive administrative assistant and missionary. Cheryl worked over six years for a Christian financial management company providing client-care to seniors. As a missionary with Brethren in Christ World Missions in Zambia, Africa, Cheryl managed a mission guesthouse, served with a church team taking the “Jesus Film” to outlying villages, and started a “Reading Room” ministry to help street children return to school. For the last five years, she has been a mentor in the Missions Development Program for Brethren in Christ World Missions. Cheryl and her husband, Peter, moved to Columbia from Mechanicsburg, Penn. in August of 2010 so that Peter could complete his Master of Divinity degree at CIU. She enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering at a women’s shelter, and the close fellowship with her neighbors in the CIU Village.
Cheryl’s favorite Scripture verse is Romans 13:8.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Federal & State Aid
Federal Aid
Federal assistance to pay for college is available from several different programs. These include need-based grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, parent (PLUS) loans and federal work-study programs. CIU is authorized by the United States Department of Education to assist students working toward a degree from CIU.
For Federal Direct Loans a student must be enrolled at least half-time in fall, spring, or summer semesters.
The following chart gives an explanation of the federal programs available to students attending CIU:
| Name of Award | Eligibility Requirements | Amount of Award | How to Apply | Renewal Policy |
| Federal Pell Grant – for undergraduate students | Eligibility is determined according to federal law and is based on the financial information you and your family provide on your FAFSA; must have financial need; student must not already have a bachelor's degree | Maximum of $5,550 for 2011-2012 | Submit FAFSA | Submit FAFSA Annually |
| Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) – for undergraduate students | Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need | Up to $1,000 | Submit FAFSA | Submit FAFSA Annually |
| Federal Work - Study Program | Financial Need | Varies; student usually works less than 20 hours per week | Submit FAFSA and CIU Campus Employment Application | Submit FAFSA Annually |
| Federal Direct Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (dependent student) | Subsidized loan is awarded to students with demonstarted need; U.S. Government pays the interest while student is in school; unsubsidized loan is awarded if need is met; student has the option of paying interest while in college or deferring it | Loan Limits: $5,500 Freshman $6,500 Sophomore $7,500 Junior and Senior | Submit FAFSA; accept award and complete entrance counseling and master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually |
| Federal Direct Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (independent student) | Subsidized loan is awarded to students with demonstarted need; U.S. Government pays the interest while student is in school; unsubsidized loan is awarded if need is met; student has the option of paying interest while in college or deferring it | Loan Limits: $9,500 Freshman $10,500 Sophomore $12,500 Junior and Senior | Submit FAFSA; accept award and complete entrance counseling and complete master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually |
| Federal Direct Loan of Undergraduate Student (PLUS) | Parents of dependent undergraduate student | Cost of attendance minus other financial aid | Submit FAFSA; accept award and complete entrance counseling and complete master promissory note | Submit FAFSA Annually |
State Aid
Financial assistance is available to undergraduate South Carolina residents attending college at a South Carolina institution. CIU is authorized by the SC Commission on Higher Education to award state aid based on both need and academic achievement.
For state aid a student must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 hours in fall and spring semesters.
The following chart gives an explanation of financial assistance available to South Carolina students attending CIU:
| Name of Award | Eligibility Requirements | Amount of Award | How to Apply | Renewal Policy |
Rank in the top 75% of high school class; 2.0+ GPA; 900+ SAT or 19+ ACT; must also have financial need Must be a full time undergraduate student | Determined each year by SC General Assembly | Submit FAFSA by June 30 | Submit FAFSA by June 30; complete minimum 24 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form | |
| Palmetto Fellows Scholarship | Academic Excellence - Contact your High School Guidance Counselor for details Must be a full time undergraduate student | $6,700 Freshman year $7,500 Sophomore, Junior and Senior years | Awarded by the SC Commission on HIgher Education; www.che.sc.gov | Submit FAFSA; maintain 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year; sign SC certifications form |
| SC LIFE Scholarship | Must meet two of these three: 3.0+ HS GPA based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale; 1100+ SAT/24+ ACT; or top 30% of graduating class Must be a full time undergraduate student | $5,000 | Awarded based upon high school transcript for freshman year; awarded based upon college transcript after freshman year | Submit FAFSA; maintain a cumulative LIFE GPA of 3.0+; complete 30 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form |
| SC HOPE Scholarship (freshmen only) | HS GPA of 3.0+ based upon the SC Uniform Grading Scale Must be a full time undergraduate student | $2,800 | Awarded based upon high school transcript for freshman year; may qualify for LIFE Scholarship based upon college transcript after freshman year | Not renewable, however a student may qualify for the LIFE Scholarship after their first year. |
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