Other Resources

CIU Links

• Direct Loan Entrance Counseling
• Federal Stafford Loan Exit Counseling
• Grad PLUS Loan Entrance Counseling
• Grad PLUS Loan Exit Counseling
• Online Financial Aid System
• R.C. McQuilkin Leadership Scholarship Weekend
• Terms and Conditions of Financial Aid Awards

Paying for College

• FACTS Online Tuition Payment Plan
• Federal Work Study Opportunities at CIU

Assistantships

Assistantships work similar to a scholarship, except you work to earn the money. Each spring students are encouraged to apply for assistantships for the following academic year. The deadline to apply for the 2012-2013 year is March 9, 2012.       

Outside Scholarship Programs

This list is meant to be a starting point in your scholarship search.  It is impossible to include every scholarship nationwide, and it is by no means exhaustive, but  illustrative of the diversity of outside scholarships you’ll find.  Criteria, eligibility and deadlines are subject to change. 

Abbott and Fenner Business Consultants - - Abbott & Fenner are committed to continuing their efforts at helping those who have the desire and ambition to succeed.  The winner(s) of this annual scholarship will receive their award within 2 weeks of the listed deadline. All applicants should include their full name and mailing address with their submissions.  Deadline is June 15, 2012.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement - - Undergraduate and Graduate merit and need based scholarships.  Application deadline is April 15.

Horatio Alger South Carolina Scholarship - - The Horatio Alger South Carolina Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students in the State of South Carolina who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and who aspire to pursue higher education.  Some criteria include;  a current HS Senior, demonstrate critical financial need and SC resident.  The application deadline is October 30. 

Best Buy Scholarship Program - -  Up to 1,200 students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. If you’re a 9-12 grade student who plans to attend post-secondary education, have solid grades and are involved in community service or work experience, we encourage you to apply! (Note: Previous winners are ineligible to apply.)  Deadline to apply February 15.

Foundation of the Carolinas - - Foundation For The Carolinas currently administers 108 scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate level students.  In 2009 the Foundation awarded more than $1.8 million in scholarships to over 900 students.  Refer to the website for all available scholarships and deadlines.

The Seminary Scholarship - - Watch a promotional video on Logos Bible Software and fill out an application, and you'll be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship.

Through the Looking Glass - - Through the Looking Glass and its National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families are pleased to announce new scholarships specifically for college students who have parents with disabilities. To be eligible, a student must be a current High School Senior or currently enrolled in a college or university, be 21 years of age or younger as of March 5, 2012, and have at least one parent with a disability. Five of the fifteen 2012 scholarships will also consider extreme financial hardship (poverty level) in addition to the above criteria. Please read the Financial Need section on the Application Form if you wish to be considered for one of the five scholarships that also consider financial need.  All application materials must be completed and postmarked by March 5, 2012.

Mary G. Webster Scholarship Fund - - The Palmetto Land Title Association solicits applications from eligible student candidates.  $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to deserving students. To be eligible you must be a resident of South Carolina, be an uprising Sophomore, Junior, or Senior, be pursuing an education in a business-related field, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The application must be completed and postmarked by February 15.

Daniel R. Hoover Scholarship Fund - - Link will take you to Center for Scholarship Administration. Click on Daniel R Hoover. To be eligible you must be studying in the ministry and must demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students from Cabarrus County, NC. There are many other scholarships to apply for on this site as well. The deadline to apply is February 13.

The McManus Scholarship - - Donate Life South Carolina offers a one time scholarship for $2500. To be eligible you must be a South Carolina resident, be accepted to a two-year or four-year college, and you must be either a living donor, a transplant recipient, the child or spouse of a donor or recipient, or an active volunteer with Donate Life South Carolina. Unfortunately, Donate Life SC was unable to secure funds for the 2011-2012 year, but they hope to reinstate the scholarship in the future.

S.C. State Employees Association - - Eligibility for these scholarships is open to everyone and is based on academic achievement and financial need. Applications are available January 1and must be submitted by May 1.

The Fund for Theological Education - - CFTE's fellowship programs provide resources to help gifted students explore and respond to God's calling in their lives. Through financial awards and a network of support students find the help they need to prepare for leadership in the church, academy and the world.

P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship - - Various scholarships for women.  The P.E.O. International peace Schoalrship has an early deadline in August for the following academic year.

Presbyterian Church USA - - Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) students have been awarded over 1 million dollars annually.  Scholarships and Grants available to undergraduate and graduate level students.

SC Baptist Collegiate Ministry - - An active resident member of a South Carolina Southern Baptist Church for at least nine (9) months prior to the beginning of an academic school year and approved by action of the church where they are an active member. Applications will not be accepted without church recommendation. (Southern Baptist missionary dependants whose parent(s) list South Carolina as their home state will be eligible for the scholarship.)  Applicatin deadline is March 15.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation - - You must be a graduating high school senior, be a US citiszen, show leadership potential, evidence of financial need, meet GPA and test score minimums and other criteria.  See website for details. Application due March 30.

Ronald McDonald House Charities - - various scholarships.  Application deadline is January 27.

Military Chaplains Association - - For students pursuing future ministry as a military chaplain. Funding for this program in 2011-12 has been delayed until further notice.

Church, State, and Industry Foundation - - It is the vision of Church, State and Industry Foundation to encourage virtuous intention by facilitating pure heart and conscience in the leadership of religious, government, diplomatic, military, and industrial organizations by offering scholarship awards to virtuous seminary students that wish to enter chaplaincy serving those entities.

Scholarships for Military Children and Spouses - -Consult the website for more information.

Gate's Millennium Scholars - -The purpose of the Gates Millennium Scholars program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need.  Application deadline is January 11.

AES Engineers Scholarship - - Scholarships are intended for our future leaders across a wide spectrum of fields of study. This award is available to high school seniors and all students attending a post secondary educational facility. You are not required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible. Student must submit a 1000 word essay. The awards are for $500.

College Prowler -  - - Four different scholarships with award amounts between $1000-$20,000.  Various deadlines starting in January.

Phillips Foundation -  Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Program - -This program’s purpose is to recognize and assist outstanding young undergraduate student activists for the cause of freedom, American values, and constitutional principles. A renewable scholarship shall be awarded to help defray college expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, and related costs.  Application deadline is January 17.

APIASF Scholarship Program - - Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census.  Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply.  Must apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1.  Application Deadline January 13, 2012.

Hispanic College Fund - -Plan to enroll fulltime at an accredited college/university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the upcoming academic year, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident; or, have graduated from a high school in the U.S. after having attended at least three years, demonstrate financial need, must commit to meeting program requirements if accepted, including webinar attendance and other activities.  Applicatin deadline is March 1.

Harvesters Scholarship Foundation - - The mission of the Harvesters Scholarship Foundation is to provide for the growth of missionaries-in-training and support their spiritual, financial and emotional needs in the mission fields.  Applications will be posted on their website in February.

Glad Tidings Gospel Ministry - - The Glad Tidings scholarship program exists to aid students that are committed to serving in foreign missions, the inner-city, or other ministry vocations. We strive to provide help with the costs of Christian training and education, in order to enable students to become involved in ministry during or shortly after the completion of their education.  The application deadline for the Fall semester is June 30 and the application deadline for the Spring semester is September 30.

Champions for Christ Foundation, Inc. - - This organization grants scholarships for students that are committed to go into full time Christian Service.  Application deadlines for the Fall term is July 1, Winter/Spring Term is November 1 and Summer Term is April 1.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation - - The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards about $30,000 each year to undergraduate students transferring from a two-year to a four-year college or university. Students must be nominated by a Faculty Representative from the transferring two-year college and have financial need to be considered for the scholarship.  The student MUST apply through the two-year college and most deadlines are early December.

Shire 2012 ADHD Scholarship Program - -This Scholarship is intended for US citizens accepted to or attending an approved college, university, vocational, or technical school as an undergraduate student that has been diagnosed with ADHD and is under the care of a licensed health care professional for ADHD.  All applications must be postmarked by March 30, 2012.

Off to College Sweepstakes - - If you are a high school senior planning to attend college or a current college student who will be continuing their undergraduate studies in the fall of 2012, you are eligible to enter our sweepstakes. Fifteen drawings will be held and one winner will be chosen every two weeks from October 28, 2011 through May 11, 2012.

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarships - -The Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarships offer financial assistance to two graduating seniors with documented learning disabilities (LD) who are pursuing post-secondary education.  The Anne Ford Scholarship was first awarded in 2002; in 2009, with a generous donation from Anne’s daughter, Allegra, the award was renamed the Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Scholarship and granted to two students.  Beginning 2012, we are offering two separate scholarships, the Anne Ford Scholarship and Allegra Ford Scholarship. Deadline is December 31.

Watson Brown Foundation - - The Watson-Brown Foundation scholarships are awarded to students from communities in and near the Savannah River valley where Brown was raised and spent the majority of his adult life.  Georgia - Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes counties.  South Carolina - Aiken, Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenville, McCormick, and Spartanburg counties. Application deadline is February 15.

Scholarship Searches

Financial Aid and Planning Information

• The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
• Mapping Your Future
• Know How 2 Go
• Going2College (state specific resources)
• SC Commission on Higher Education
• SC Student Loan
• SC Tuition Grant
• Selective Service
• Internal Revenue Service
• Federal Trade Commission (how to avoid scholarship scams)
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator

Federal Department of Education

• FAFSA on the Web
• Request a new or duplicate PIN number
• Department of Education General Information
• Department of Education Ombudsman

Columbia International University does not maintain these websites and is not responsible for their content.

If a link does not work please email finaid@ciu.edu.