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16│ COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018 │FINANCIAL AID
Federal Direct ParentPLUS Loan: These loans are available to parents of dependent students enrolled as a degree-
seeking student in an undergraduate program of study. Parents must submit a Direct PLUS Loan Application (which goes
through a credit approval process) and a Direct Parent PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note in order to be eligible. The
maximum Parent PLUS Loan amount per academic year is the estimated cost of attendance at CIU minus other student
financial aid.
Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan: These loans are available to graduate level students enrolled in a program of study.
Additional Grad PLUS loan counseling is required of all students borrowing this type of loan. Borrowers must pass a credit
check to be eligible. The maximum loan amount per academic year is the estimated cost of attendance at CIU minus other
student financial aid.
Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study (FWS) is a need-based program of financial aid providing students an opportunity to work part-time in
an approved on-campus job or community service position. It provides an opportunity for students to earn money and obtain
transferable skills while attending CIU. To be eligible for federal work-study, a student must be enrolled in a degree-seeking
program and have documented need. “Need” is calculated based on the information submitted on the FAFSA. Please note
that FWS will not be applied to your student account, and you should not include this funding when determining the amount
that you will owe to CIU. If you are eligible for this federal work program, the award amount shown on your Financial Aid
Award Letter is the maximum that you can earn through this work program; however, it must be earned. CIU cannot
guarantee a campus job to all students. All jobs must be applied for each year. The Financial Aid Office and the Office of
Career Services oversee the FWS program.
Summer Students
Summer is considered a trailer term for the current academic year. Although CIU does not offer regular scholarships during
summer terms, students can be considered for federal loans if they are enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking
program and have not already used their annual loan eligibility for the academic year. Students can also be eligible for
Federal Pell Grant funds if full eligibility has not already been used in the academic year.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Federal Financial Aid
Satisfactory Academic Progress is defined as the process of adequately proceeding toward the completion of a degree.
The Financial Aid Office is required by federal regulations to ensure that students who are receiving federal and state
financial aid for their education are making measurable progress toward completion of a degree in a reasonable period of
time. The complete policy is available at . For questions concerning the policy,
please contact the Financial Aid Office at 803.807.5036.
South Carolina State Aid
South Carolina Scholarship Programs: The SC Commission on Higher Education administers the State’s scholarship
programs. You may access information and eligibility criteria for the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE scholarships at
/www.che.sc.gov/Scholarships & Grants .
South Carolina Tuition Grant: The SC Tuition Grant (SCTG) is made available to full-time undergraduate South Carolina
residents attending private institutions in the state of South Carolina. It is based upon need and merit. Funds for this program
are appropriated by the South Carolina General Assembly. To be considered for the SCTG, the FAFSA must be submitted
by June 30 each year, and the student must meet SC state eligibility requirements. For more information please access the
SC Tuition Grant website at
CIU Institutional Aid
Columbia International University awards institutional financial aid to full-time, degree-seeking students. All awards are
subject to revision. The Financial Aid Office works to determine the best overall financial aid package for each student.
More details can be found at or
and-conditions.
CIU Grants & Scholarships
CIU students must be enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program to be eligible for CIU scholarships and grants. They
must maintain satisfactory academic progress and meet CIU community standards. CIU scholarships and grants are only
awarded during the Fall and Spring semesters. It is best to understand a grant as an entitlement that the student receives,
possibly in conjunction with other grants. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of specific criteria. Students may receive