Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Benedict College maintains a well-staffed Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (OSFA) that offers financial aid counseling to students and parents on the best way of financing their Education at Benedict. The College also maintains a Student Accounts Department that offers guidance on strategies or payment options to assist with financing a college education and loan repayment. Both offices welcome consultations with parents and students. They can be reached at 1-800-868-6598 or (803) 705-4418 / (803) 705-4547.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is in Bacoats Hall Office Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday & Friday by appointment only
(Call your counselor)
Applying for Financial Aid
All students who wish to be considered for financial aid to help meet their college expenses are urged to submit all necessary applications by the College’s priority funding date of March 15th. Applications received after March 15th including the (FAFSA) cannot be assured of consideration for priority funding and may not receive all possible funds available.
Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov as early as October 1st. Each eligible student will receive an award letter specifying the amount of financial aid granted and the conditions of the award.
Types of Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is committed to assisting each student to find appropriate ways to finance his/her Benedict education. The following information details the types of aid available, as well as steps to take to make the most of aid opportunities. Benedict College offers both need-based student financial aid and merit-based assistance. Whether aid is needbased or merit-based, there are two distinctive types:
- Gift Aid
- carries no repayment or service requirement - consists typically of grants and scholarships
- Self-Help
- requires repayment or service in return (typically loans and employment)
Federal and State Financial Aid
The College participates in the following federal and state student financial aid programs:
- Federal Pell Grant - Available to all undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s degree and who meet the federal government’s eligibility formula.
- Federal Direct Stafford Loans - Available to all students enrolled in a degree program who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens. The maximum loan amounts for an academic year are $3500 for freshmen, $4500 for sophomores, $5500 for juniors and seniors. Students considered to be independent of parental support for financial aid purposes qualify for increased loan amounts.
- Federal Work Study - Eligible students are awarded funds through this program. These students may work part-time on the campus and are paid for hours worked once a month. The program encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study. The rate of pay set for work study jobs is at least the federal minimum wage. Higher wages may be set, depending upon the type of work to be performed and skill required.
- Other Grants - Benedict receives funds through the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. This fund is awarded to the neediest students who complete their FAFSA applications by March 15th.
- South Carolina Tuition Grant (SCTG), South Carolina LIFE Scholarship Program, Palmetto Scholarship Program and SC HOPE Scholarship Program.
Financial aid awards are based on need, merit, and Estimated Family Contributions (EFC), as determined by the Federal Student Aid Report and other State, Federal, and Institutional guidelines and regulations. Merit-based awards, usually in the form of scholarships, may be determined in a variety of ways. Some are academic, while others are awarded on talent. Need-based awards, including grants, student loans and employment are determined using your family’s financial situation, including income, assets, and number of family members.
Each eligible student who submitted a completed FAFSA will receive a Financial Aid package consisting of one or more of the following awards: grants, loans, work study, and scholarships. Students whose FAFSA forms are processed after March 15th may be processed for regular funding. Student Financial Aid awards may change pending FAFSA changes, completion of the verification process, outside scholarships, late acceptance and/or late enrollment to Benedict College.
Scholarship Administration Program Goals:
- Offer scholarships to eligible students including academic, athletics, and performing arts.
- Identify scholarship opportunities for students.
- Assist students with completing scholarship application processes.
- Monitor internal and external scholarship policies, rules, and regulations.
Scholarship Awards
Scholarships or awards are applied after all financial aid is exhausted. Funds provided for scholarships may be used for tuition, on campus room and board, books, and course fees. Due to budgetary considerations, all students who meet eligibility requirements may not receive a scholarship. Based on variations in programs, scholarships are only renewed for students who remain continuously enrolled full-time and meet renewal requirements.
First-time freshmen meeting the criteria below entering Benedict College during the 2021-2022 may be considered for the scholarships listed below:
| Scholarship |
Fall 2021/Spring 2022 |
Category |
| Founder |
GPA 3.85-4.0 (up to $23,878.00: tuition, on-campus room only, board, and fees) |
Academics |
| Trustee |
GPA 3.6-3.84 (up to $21,278.00: tuition, on-campus room only, board, and fees) |
Academics |
| Presidential |
GPA 3.3-3.59 (up to $14,892.00) |
Academics |
| Tiger |
GPA 3.0-3.29 ($5,000) |
Academics |
| Golden Opportunity |
GPA 2.7-2.99 ($2,000) |
Academics |
First-time freshmen meeting the criteria below entering Benedict College during the 2018-2020 may be considered for the scholarships listed below:
Scholarship Administration
First-time freshmen meeting the criteria below entering Benedict College may be considered for the scholarships listed below.
| SCHOLARSHIPS |
CRITERIA |
| Founder |
3.79-4.0 Grade Point Average |
| Trustee |
3.50-3.74 Grade Point Average |
| Presidential |
3.26-3.49 Grade Point Average |
| Tiger |
3.00-3.25 Grade Point Average |
| Golden Opportunity |
2.50-2.99 Grade Point Average |
The renewal requirements are stated below.
Scholarship Renewal Requirements
| Scholarship Category |
Cumulative GPA Requirement |
Semester/ Academic Year Requirement |
| Golden Opportunity |
2.50 |
15/30 |
| Tiger |
3.00 |
15/30 |
| Presidential |
3.26 |
15/30 |
| Trustee |
3.50 |
15/30 |
| Founder |
3.79 |
15/30 |
Transfer students are not considered for scholarships listed above. Scholarship recipients must apply for all federal and state financial aid if applicable. Scholarships or awards are applied after all other financial aid is exhausted. Scholarship or award funds do not pay for expenses incurred off campus. Scholarships and awards may be renewable annually for three (3) additional years, not including Summer School, provided a recipient maintains the required GPA. If scholarship recipients do not maintain the requirements, scholarships are subject to be terminated.
Additional Scholarships
Competitive scholarships may be available for non-new Freshmen, full-time degree-seeking students and are listed as follows: The Sophomore Scholarship, The Junior Scholarship, and the Senior Scholarship. Due to budgetary considerations, all students who meet eligibility requirements may not receive a scholarship or award.
The Sophomore Scholarship
The Sophomore Scholarship is awarded to students who earn a minimum of 30 credit hours at the end of the freshman year and have a 2.5-4.0 grade point average. This scholarship is non-renewable. The award amount is up to $5,000. Students may apply for this scholarship before June 30.
The Junior Scholarship
The Junior Scholarship is awarded to students who earn a minimum of 60 credit hours at the end of the sophomore year and have a 2.5-4.0 grade point average. This scholarship is non-renewable. The award amount is up to $5,000. Transfer students may be considered for this scholarship. Students may apply for this scholarship before June 30.
The Senior Scholarship
The Senior Scholarship is awarded to students who earn a minimum of 90 credit hours at the end of the junior year and have a 2.5-4.0 grade point average. This scholarship is non-renewable. The award amount is up to $5,000. Transfer students may be considered for this scholarship. Students may apply for this scholarship before June 30.
The Transfer Scholarship
The Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who meet the Benedict College transfer admission criteria, are first-time transfers, have earned a minimum of 30 transferable credits from an accredited institution of higher learning, and have an average GPA of 2.5. Students applying to Benedict College through an articulation agreement will receive full consideration for these scholarships. Transfer students are eligible to receive a transfer scholarship based on the criteria listed below. The award will be renewable for up to three years, as long as students remain continuously enrolled full-time in good academic standing.
GPA Criteria and Awards Amounts
- GPA of 2.5 - 2.99 will be awarded up to $3,500 per academic year
- GPA of 3.0 - or higher will be awarded up to $5,500 per academic year
South Carolina State Sponsored Scholarships
State sponsored scholarships are funded by the South Carolina Education Lottery through the South Carolina General Assembly. The most up-to-date information about the state scholarship program can be found at the website www.che.sc.gov.
South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipients must earn a score on the SAT > 1200, GPA >3.5 graduate from high school ranked in the top 6% of their class as a sophomore or junior and be a SC resident. The award amount is $6,700.
South Carolina Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE)
Student must earn 2 out of 3: SAT› 1100 or ACT› 24 and/or B Average; and or graduate in the top 30% of graduating class. LIFE Scholarships are based on the LIFE GPA, which includes collegiate grades earned in-state or out-of-state, whether they count towards graduation or not. In addition to the specific scholarship requirements, students must be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation or GED completion and meet the minimum criteria that correspond to the number of semesters that they have been in college beginning with their initial college enrollment date. The annual award amount is $5,000.
South Carolina LIFE Enhancement
LIFE Enhancement Scholarships are awarded to sophomore, junior and senior students who have earned a cumulative total of 14 hours of science and mathematics during the freshman year and who have declared a major in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Public Health as approved by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The annual award amount for the LIFE Enhancement is $2,500. Students receiving the LIFE Scholarship must maintain a cumulative 3.00 grade point average and 15 semester credit hours per semester enrolled.
Summer LIFE
A summer semester scholarship disbursement yields a potential for those eligible students who demonstrate they are on an accelerated track to graduation to earn a degree at a faster pace than on a traditional academic calendar. The availability of summer awards allows for a decreased time-to-degree alternative, which in turn assists students in attaining educational goals at lower costs. For participation in summer scholarship disbursement, at the end of the spring semester a LIFE Scholarship recipient must: earn a cumulative 3.0 LIFE GPA; and earn at least 30 non-remedial coursework during the fall and spring terms.
A summer term cannot be a scholarship recipient’s first term of enrollment. First-time entering freshmen will not be penalized for any credit hours earned during the summer session immediately prior to the student’s initial college enrollment. The credit hours earned will not count against the terms of eligibility. The credit hours may be used toward the annual credit hour requirement. A student must demonstrate having attempted and/or enrolled in a total of at least twelve credit hours over the course of the entire summer term to be awarded. Participating students who are determined to be a LIFE Scholarship recipient and have met the continued eligibility requirements at the end of the spring term are eligible for a fall award regardless of their academic performance over the summer. Continued eligibility for the scholarship will be reviewed at the end of the following spring term if transferring.
South Carolina HOPE Scholarship
Students receiving the HOPE Scholarship must earn a 3.0 or better GPA and be a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation. This scholarship is awarded to freshman students. The award amount is $2,800 and is nonrenewable.
South Carolina Tuition Grants (SCTG)
Freshmen are eligible for the SCTG if they graduate in the top 75% of their high school class OR score at least 900 or above on the SAT or at least 19 on the ACT or graduate from high school with at least a 2.7 GPA on the South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy. Returning, Extended Learning Services and Transfer students receiving SCTG must meet the College’s Satisfactory Academic progress requirement to maintain eligibility as stated by the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission. Students can attend both summer sessions if they fall short of obtaining the required 24 hours for the academic year to receive SCTG. All South Carolina Tuition Grants (SCTG) recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30th.
Performing And Visual Arts Scholarships
Benedict College students may receive Performing Arts Awards through participation in the following: Concert Choir, Instrumental Ensemble, Marching Band, Gospel Choir, and Chapel Choir. Students must audition to be considered for these awards. A minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 are required unless a higher-grade point average is stated in the contractual agreement. Visual Arts Scholarships are also available for students majoring in Studio Art. Students must submit a portfolio, an artist statement, and an inventory of artwork to be considered for this award.
Athletic Scholarships
Athletes may apply for grants-in-aid packages for participation in athletics, in addition to regular financial aid. Information on athletic scholarships may be acquired from the Director of Athletics.
United Negro College Fund Scholarships
Benedict College is a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) School; therefore, Benedict College students are eligible to participate in the UNCF Scholarship Program. Scholarship criteria vary, and many of the awards have been designated for students based on specific requirements. Virtually all scholarships require financial need. Some are based on residence while others are for students with a particular major and classification. In previous years, Benedict College students have received scholarships ranging from $500 to $22,000. Scholarships frequently change during the year; therefore, the most current listing of scholarships may be previewed at www.uncf.org.
Army ROTC Scholarships
The Army ROTC Scholarships Program offers financial assistance to outstanding young men and women who are interested in the Active Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve. These Scholarships pay full tuition and academic fees and provide a flat rate for books and supplies. Although Army ROTC scholarships do not pay the cost of room and board, each scholarship recipient is awarded free room and board at Benedict College. Each scholarship recipient also receives a tax-exempt monthly stipend, over four years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, in the upper 25 percent of their high school senior class, score at least 930 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of 19 on the (ACT), possess leadership potential and good moral character, and be willing to serve in the Army on Active Duty, in the Army Reserves, or in the National Guard. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to retain full-time status.
Endowed Scholars
Benedict College awards endowed scholarships through the generous support of alumni, religious organizations, friends, corporations, foundations, and other organizations. Eligibility requirements for these scholarships are determined by the donor(s) at the time the agreement was established.
Abney Foundation (The) ESF
Paul and Ethel M. Lorick Adams ESF
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., HBCU ESF
American Baptist Churches ESF
Mary Ferguson Arnold ESF
Roslyn Clark Artis (Dr.) ESF
Juanita Sherard Artemus ESF
Charles P. Austin Sr. ESF
Baltimore Alumni Club ESF
Inez B. Bacoats ESF
J. A. Bacoats Memorial ESF
Benedict College Nat’l AA ESF
Eunice Bedenbaugh ESF (Newberry County Alumni Club)
Charles B. and Thomasenia J. Benson ESF
BestofBC (The) ESF
Carolyn Bethea Cureton ESF
Cynthia Bethea Memorial ESF
Robert L. Blackmon ESF
Barbara Jackson Bowens ESF
Louis W. Bone ESF
Herman Boseman ESF
Dale Brekke (Dr.) ESF
Briggs-Lipscomb ESF
Bertha R. Brown ESF
John E. Brown (Coach) and Charles T. Brooks (Coach) ESF
Massey Brown ESF
Budweiser Memorial ESF
Budweiser of Columbia, Inc. ESF
Tyrone Burroughs ESF
Alma and Wallace Byrd ESF
Ruth L. Bynum ESF
John E. and Ruth Caldwell ESF
Wilbert E. Cantey, Sr. ESF
Annie Coleman Cartlidge ESF
Charles A. and Verna M. Cherry Memorial ESF
Ray Charles Foundation ESF
Class of 1966 (The) ESF
Class of 1994 (The) ESF
Class of 1996 (The) ESF
Lucius F. Clark ESF
Columbia Junior Alumni Club ESF (Columbia Alumni Club II)
Columbia Kiwanis ESF
John Coleridge (Rev) & Bertha Washington Honor ESF
Elmore, Martha &Kevin Crawford ESF
Nathaniel and Floydie Crawford-Davis Memorial ESF
Josephine Sherard Davis ESF
Almeta Davis Debarr ESF
Gabe Deas Jr. ESF
Delta Sigma Theta, Gamma Upsilon Chapter, ESF
Edisto Area Alumni Club ESF
Vince and Patricia Ford ESF
Frazier Family Award
Laura Bowman White Frederick ESF
Susan B. Freeman Memorial ESF
Joseph A. and Mamie B. Gadson ESF
Lula G. Gambrell ESF
Zachariah & Grace Gambrell ESF
Marion Juanita Gardner ESF
John P. Gaty ESF
Louis C. Gibson ESF
Brenda Pearson Gilchrist ESF
George E. & Betty H. Glymph ESF
Arthur W. Goforth, II and Gladys Butler Goforth ESF
Good Family (The) ESF
Willie S. Goodson ESF
Maxie S. Gordon ESF
Robert C. Gordon (Dr.) ESF
Milton and Doris Glymph Greene ESF
Marshall C. Grigsby ESF
Groove Phi Groove ESF
John C. Gwinn ESF
Elsie King Hamler ESF
T. J. Hanberry ESF
Ben and Thelma Harris BA
Harambee Festival ESF
Janet P. Harvey (Estate) ESF
Jack C. and Helen Hayward ESF
William Randolph Hearst ESF
Otis Griffin Hill Memorial ESF
James Hopkins (Estate) ESF
Lucy C. Hughes ESF
Carrie J. Irby ESF
J. H. Jackson ESF
Rathenia McCollum Jackson Memorial ESF
Fred G. Jenkins (Dr.) ESF
Lincoln C. Jenkins, Inc. Americanism ESF
Cecelia Dudley Johnson Memorial ESF
Charlie and Bettie Johnson ESF
Coolidge M. and Freeda Johnson ESF
Edith Brown Johnson ESF
Kimberly D. Johnson ESF
Marie Simpkins Johnson, ESF
Lottie Robinson Wright and Ruby Leevy Johnson ESF
W. E. Johnson ESF
Jolley Foundation ESF
George Louis Jones, Harold and Pleasant Jones Lewis ESF
Herman Jones Jr. Endowed Band Scholarship Fund
Joan Davis Jones Memorial ESF
Tameica Jones ESF
Gertrude B. Kennedy ESF
Melton and Ruth Kimpson (The) ESF
Milton Kimpson (Dr.) ESF
Juliet King ESF
David Kinley ESF
Gary and Carolyn Knight ESF
Jerry G. & Mildred M. Knightner ESF
Gladys Lane ESF
Charles Lark ESF
Mildred Layne Memorial ESF
Liberty Corporation Memorial ESF
F. Allen Little ESF
James F. Littles ESF
William T. Lowden ESF
James and Rosena Reese Lucas ESF
John Ludwig ESF
Charles and Blanche McIver ESF
Hennies N. McConnell ESF
Robert “Bob” McCullough and Agnes Tamara McCullough ESF
Willie and Marlene Murphy McClerklin ESF
Edmund McDonald (Dr.) ESF
Willie Cowans McDuffie ESF
Sonja Wannamaker McIntosh ESF
Ora McIver ESF
Willie Pearl McKissick ESF
Buck Mickel (The) ESF for Males
Francis Monroe ESF
Barbara C. Moore ESF
Paul and Novella Jeter Nichols ESF
Benjamin F. Payton (Dr.) ESF
Benjamin Payton Book Award
Thelma Payton Book Award
Bobby James Pearson ESF
Pee Dee Association Scholarship Award
Richard B. Perkins ESF
Helen Cannon Perry ESF
Ida Meachan Peterson Scholarship Award
Rufus G. Pettis (Dr.) ESF
Ezell (Dr.) and Beverly Hart Pittman ESF
Eunice Wilson Ponder ESF
Henry W. Ponder (Dr.) ESF
Lela Z. Nicholson and Roberta L. N. Ragan ESF
Lonnie Randolph (Dr.) ESF
Reader’s Digest Foundation ESF
Chrissie Bradford Rice ESF
Malqueen Howell Richardson Study Night Tutorial Fund
Edward W. Robinson ESF
James D. Rucker, Sr. ESF
Jasper and Thelma Salmond ESF
Dottie Saunders GSF
D. L. Scurry Foundation ESF
School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education
Robert L. and Juanita Simons Scott (Drs.) ESF
Jerry M. and Jenny L. Screen ESF
Ibn-Najee Shabazz Scholarship
Juanita Simeon ESF
Christobel Simons Memorial ESF
Frank K. Sims (Rev.) ESF
Robert L. and Albertha Simons ESF
Donovan Jabari Smalls ESF
Harriet Brown Smedley ESF
Angeline Davis Smith ESF
James Frankie Smith ESF
T. Jerome Smith (Dr.) ESF
Walker E. Solomon ESF
Southern Area of the Links, Inc. ESF
Southern Wine & Spirits of SC, Inc. ESF
Augustus T. and Eunice S. Stephens ESF
Ella Stevens ESF
Steward and Coaxum Twin Scholarship Award
Victoria Steward ESF
Essie Mae Strother Patterson & Georgia Mae Strother ESF
Wellington D. Swindall Book Award
David H. and Patricia L. Swinton (Dr.) ESF
Taylor Foundation of Newberry Inc., ESF
Eunice Stephens Thomas ESF
Robert and Pearl Thomas ESF
Phyllis L. and Jerry B. Thompson ESF
Queen Ester Thomas ESF
Joseph Calhoun Tobin ESF
Raymond and Channie Vereen ESF
Wachovia Foundation ESF
LeRoy T. Walker (Dr.) ESF
McSwain Wardlaw ESF
Landrum Washington Memorial ESF
Taft Watson Scholarship
Ruby W. Watts (Dr.) ESF
Rufus Watts ESF
Dorothy Bass Webster (Estate) ESF
Barbara Byrd Weston ESF
Thelma Whitney ESF
Milton F. Williams ESF
Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson ESF
Ethel C. Wilson ESF
Lucious and Sallie Wilson ESF
Winn Dixie Foundation ESF
Vergil Gamewell Wright Endowed Lyceum Fund
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