Applying for Financial Aid at CIU
We are looking forward to you becoming a student at CIU. Here’s the information you need to apply for financial aid.
If you need more help, please don’t hesitate to email us, call us at (803) 807-5036 or visit us in the Administration Building on campus.
- 1. CIU Admissions Application
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Complete the application online.
- 2. Complete the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
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The quickest way to apply for federal aid is online. You’ll need CIU’s school code which is 003429.
- You will also need a new Federal Student Aid ID and password.
- If you are a dependent student, one parent (whose information is on the FAFSA) also will need an FSA ID to sign the application electronically. We have a list of FAFSA tips to help you with this process.
Within approximately two weeks after completing the FAFSA, you will receive an email from the CIU Financial Aid Office.
- 3. Complete the missing Financial Aid File documents.
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- Log in to MyCIU and go to Financial Aid.
- On the left hand side, click on "My Financial Aid," then click on the "Menu," then "Documents." Submit any missing documents.
- You do not need to submit loan documents (entrance counseling and master promissory note) if you don't plan to use student loans.
- If you are selected by the Department of Education for verification, complete and submit the necessary documents.
- 4. Accept and/or Decline Awards
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You will receive a notification of award via email. You will need to log in to MyCIU and accept or decline the financial aid awards offered.
Financial Aid Options
As a CIU student, you may qualify for a variety of financial assistance to pursue your educational goals as you prepare for careers that build on your passion for service, whether in the marketplace or ministry. That assistance can include a combination of public and private scholarships and grants, loans, as well as student employment opportunities on- and off-campus.
To determine what aid is available, please select the options below that apply to your program.
Grants and scholarships are a great way to pay for graduate school or seminary because unlike loans, they don’t require repayment. For more information, view the CIU Graduate Scholarships and Grants page.
Federal assistance to pay for college is available from several different programs. These include Pell Grants and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, as well as the Federal Work-Study Program, and subsidized loan programs. Grants are based primarily on financial need.
Federal Loans
Eligibility for federal loans requires that you enroll at least half-time, seek a degree in an eligible degree or certificate program and take courses that are required for your degree. If you are awarded a loan, you must accept the award and complete entrance counseling and the master promissory note.
You have the option of paying interest while in college or deferring it. Loans are available for undergraduate students.
Federal Grants
Unlike a loan, grants do not have to be repaid. The government offers two federal grants to qualified undergraduate students – the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
You must demonstrate financial need, based on the information you or your parents provide on the FAFSA. Only students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant may qualify to receive the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant.
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program allows you the opportunity for part-time employment on or off campus. Work-study awards are based on financial need.
Undergraduate Federal Aid Options
| Award | Eligibility Requirements | Award Amount | Renewal Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| AwardFederal Direct Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (dependent student) | Eligibility RequirementsFor students with demonstrated need. U.S. government pays the interest while student is in school; unsubsidized loan is awarded if need is met. | Award AmountLoan Limits: $5,500 freshmen $6,500 sophomores $7,500 juniors and seniors |
Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
| AwardFederal Direct Loan Subsidized/Unsubsidized (independent student) | Eligibility RequirementsFor students with demonstrated need. U.S. government pays the interest while student is in school; unsubsidized loan is awarded if need is met. | Award AmountLoan Limits: $9,500 Freshman $10,500 Sophomore $12,500 Junior and Senior |
Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
| AwardFederal Direct Loan of Undergraduate Student (PLUS) | Eligibility RequirementsParents of dependent undergraduate students | Award AmountCost of attendance minus other financial aid | Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
| AwardFederal Pell Grant | Eligibility RequirementsBased on financial need; awarded based on the financial information provided on your FAFSA. You cannot already have a bachelor's degree. | Award AmountMaximum of $7,395 | Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
| AwardFederal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) | Eligibility RequirementsPell grant recipients with exceptional financial need | Award AmountVaries | Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
| AwardFederal Work-Study Program | Eligibility RequirementsBased on financial need | Award AmountVaries | Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA annually |
Federal assistance to pay for graduate school is available from several different programs. These include unsubsidized loans, federal work study programs, and Grad Plus Loans.
Federal Loans
Eligibility for federal loans requires that you enroll at least half-time, seek a degree in an eligible degree or certificate program and take courses that are required for your degree. If you are awarded a loan, you must accept the award and complete entrance counseling and the master promissory note.
You have the option of paying interest while in college or deferring it. Loans are available for graduate and seminary students.
Federal Work Study
The Federal Work-Study Program allows you the opportunity for part-time employment on or off campus. Work-study awards are based on financial need.
Graduate Federal Loan Options
| Award | Eligibility Requirements | Award Amount | Renewal Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| AwardFederal Direct Loan Unsubsidized (Low-interest federal loan. Interest begins accruing immediately. Repayment is deferred for one-time, six-month grace period after graduation or dropping below half-time enrollment.) | Eligibility RequirementsStudent must be enrolled at least half-time. Interest accrues during all periods. | Award AmountLoan Limits: Up to $20,500 per year |
Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA. Complete master promissory note and entrance counseling. Must maintain satisfactory academic progress. |
| AwardFederal Direct Loan PLUS Loan (Available to eligible students after unsubsidized loans have been exhausted.) | Eligibility RequirementsStudents must be enrolled at least half-time. Interest accrues during all periods. Additional application required. Credit check required. | Award AmountCost of attendance minus other financial aid. | Renewal PolicySubmit FAFSA. Complete PLUS loan application, PLUS loan promissory note, and PLUS loan entrance counseling. Must maintain satisfactory academic progress. |
- Eligibility Requirements: Rank in the top 75% of high school class; OR 2.7+ GPA; OR 900+ SAT or 19+ ACT
- Award Amount: Determined each year by SC General Assembly
- How to Apply: Submit FAFSA by June 30
- Renewal Policy: Submit FAFSA by June 30; complete minimum 24 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form
- Eligibility Requirements: Academic excellence (Contact your high school guidance counselor for details.)
- Award Amount: $6,700 freshman year; $7,500 sophomore; junior and senior years
- How to Apply: Awarded by the SC Commission on Higher Education
- Renewal Policy: Maintain 3.0 GPA and complete 30 hours per academic year; sign SC certifications form
- Eligibility Requirements: Must meet two of these three: 3.0+ high school GPA based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale; 1100+ SAT/24+ ACT; or top 30% of graduating class
- Award Amount: $5,000
- How to Apply: Awarded based on high school transcript for freshman year; awarded based on college transcript after freshman year
- Renewal Policy: Maintain a cumulative LIFE GPA of 3.0+; complete 30 credit hours per academic year; sign SC certification form
- Eligibility Requirements: High school GPA of 3.0+ based on the SC Uniform Grading Scale
- Award Amount: $2,800
- How to Apply: Awarded based on high school transcript for freshman year; may qualify for LIFE Scholarship based on college transcript after freshman year
- Renewal Policy: Not renewable. You may qualify for the LIFE Scholarship after your first year.
The State of South Carolina has created $2500 per year Enhancements for Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients majoring in science or math fields. To receive the Enhancement, a student must be a second year student or beyond and meet first-year requirements.
Generous friends and alumni have been supporting CIU students for years through a variety of grants and scholarships. The Financial Aid Office works with each student individually to determine the best overall financial aid package based on eligibility at the time of admission. CIU Scholarships and Grants are available to students enrolled full-time for the fall and spring semesters and is not awarded for summer courses.
CIU partners with a variety of organizations to offer a tuition discount to students in all of our programs. These organizations include churches, non-profits, schools, gap years, and businesses. To find out if CIU has partnered with an organization you are associated with, please check out our partnership page.
Eligibility depends on a variety of factors that include maintaining the GPA required for your program of study. For more information on donor scholarships visit hearth.tdanceshop.com/donor-scholarships.
CIU offers a discount of $500 off per semester for full-time students and $250 off per semester for part-time students who are full-time employed or volunteer first responders.
CIU offers active-duty service members, veterans, and their eligible spouses' educational benefits in the form of a tuition discount. For more detailed information, please check out our Military page.
CIU works with all branches of the U.S. military to facilitate the use of Federal Tuition Assistance to help pay for tuition and fees for students who are active-duty military. Please check out our Military page for more information.
CIU works with the Department of Veterans Affairs to facilitate the use of VA benefits to pay for tuition and fees for our veteran students and/or their spouses and children. For more information, please check out our Veteran's Benefits page.