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Traditional Undergraduate Aid
The financial aid process can seem overwhelming – it doesn’t have to be.
We are here to help you every step of the way. We believe a high-quality, Christian education should be accessible and affordable. That is why 100% of our undergraduate students receive financial aid assistance. Together, we will find a financial aid package that will make your journey to Anderson University a reality.
Undergraduate students can apply for financial aid as early as October 1 each year and may be eligible for institutional awards, federal & state financial aid, and outside funding. Types of financial aid are listed below.
Have any questions? We’re happy to help.
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
864.231.7555 | Aid@AndersonUniversity.edu
Please check the AU Catalog for more detailed information and limitations regarding financial aid.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AID
This scholarship is awarded to academically outstanding SC residents who attend an in-state college full-time. For more information, please visit www.che.sc.gov.
Application: Students must meet the academic criteria of the program and apply by the deadline dates of their senior year. Applications and additional information are available through the high school guidance office.
Eligibility: General eligibility requirements can be found at www.che.sc.gov. Academic requirements are as follows:
- For early awards:
- A minimum score of 1200 on the SAT (25 on the ACT) by the March national test administration, minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the junior year, and rank in the top 6% of the class at the end of the sophomore or junior year.
OR
- A minimum score of 1400 on the SAT (31 on the ACT) by the March national test administration and earn a minimum 4.00 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the junior year.
- For late awards:
- Minimum score of 1200 on the SAT (25 on the ACT) by the June national test administration of the senior year, minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year, and rank in the top 6% of the class at the end of the sophomore, junior, or senior year.
OR
- A minimum score of 1400 on the SAT (31 on the ACT) by the June national test administration of the senior year and a minimum 4.00 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year.
Continuation: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn 30 credit hours each academic year at AU or a PFS-eligible institution. (Note: The 3.0 GPA requirement is based on AU classes only.) Credit hours earned before high school graduation, hours exempted, CLEP, IB, and AP cannot be used to meet the credit hour requirement. The PFS is limited to 8 semesters.
This is a merit-based scholarship that is available to SC students who attend an in-state college full-time. For more information, please visit www.che.sc.gov
Application: There is no application for this scholarship. Students must meet all general and academic requirements to receive the scholarship.
Eligibility: General eligibility requirements can be found at www.che.sc.gov. First-time freshmen attending an eligible four-year institution must meet two of these criteria:
- Earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA based on the SC UGP upon high school graduation.
- Score an 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT.
- Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class.
Continuation: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and earn an average of 30 credit hours per year. Credit hours earned before high school graduation, hours exempted, CLEP, IB, and AP can be used to meet the credit hour requirement. The LIFE Scholarship is limited to 8 semesters.
This scholarship is available to SC freshman students who do not meet the criteria for the SC LIFE Scholarship. For more information, please visit www.che.sc.gov.
Application: There is no application for this scholarship. The student must meet general and academic requirements.
Eligibility: Students who do not meet SC LIFE Scholarship requirements but who graduate from high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA on the SC UGP.
Continuation: This scholarship is for freshmen only. If the student earns at least 30 hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, s/he can become eligible for the SC LIFE Scholarship in subsequent years.
This Enhancement is for Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients (sophomores, juniors, seniors) who major in Accounting, Education, or STEM fields (i.e., math or science).
Eligibility: Students must meet (a) all eligibility requirements for the base scholarship and (b) additional requirements which may be found here.
Continuation: Students must the aforementioned requirements and meet all requirements for the base scholarship.
Additional Information: Please visit https://www.che.sc.gov/life-and-palmetto-fellows-math-and-science-scholarship-enhancements.
Note: The above requirements apply to the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years only. For questions regarding previous school years, please email the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (aid@andersonuniversity.edu).
Students are responsible for checking all Enhancement requirements.
This is a need-based grant program for SC residents who attend an eligible in-state college on a full-time basis. For more information, please visit sctuitiongrants.org/
Application: The application to determine eligibility is the FAFSA, which students must complete online by August 1 each year.
Eligibility: Students must meet the following criteria:
- Students and parent(s), if dependent, must be a legal SC resident, domiciled in SC for a period of not less than 12 months prior to the start of the Fall Semester.
- The student must demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA.
- Meet all eligibility requirements for federal (Title IV) financial aid programs.
- Enroll full-time at an eligible independent non-profit SC college.
Continuation: Students must satisfy AU’s SAP Policy and earn at least 24 credit hours during the previous academic year. The deadline for applying is August 1st for the following academic year.
This loan is available to SC residents who plan to teach in the public sector in SC upon graduation from college. Additional information may be found here.
Application: Students can apply online.
Eligibility: The student must be an SC resident, meet the AU SAP requirements, be enrolled at least half-time, and be an education major. Other eligibility requirements can be found here.
Continuation: Students must continue to meet AU SAP requirements, be enrolled at least half-time, and be an education major.
This loan is available to SC residents who earned a baccalaureate degree at least 3 years ago or worked as an instructional assistant in the SC public school system. Additional information may be found here.
This program awards up to a $6,000 fellowship per year to eligible applicants who pursue a career in teaching. This loan can be forgiven for teaching within the SC. One year of teaching cancels each year the award was received. Of the $6,000 amount, $5,700 is applied directly to the student account balance at the college, with the remaining $300 escrowed for summer enrichment programs. For more information, please visit here.
Application: Students must apply online between October 1 and December 1 of their final year of high school.
Eligibility: The student must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen at the time of high school graduation, be a legal resident of SC, and be a high school senior (or junior if graduating early).
Continuation: Students must earn a 2.8 cumulative GPA and 30 credit hours per academic year to renew the Fellowship. Contact the AU Teaching Fellow Program Director for more information.
Current faculty in South Carolina and graduate students seeking to become faculty can get up to $90,000 in tuition reimbursement through the BOLD Nursing Faculty Program. Click HERE for more information.
MERIT BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Students can only receive 1 of these 5 AU merit-based scholarships. Requirements for these scholarships must be met by March 1. Scholarships for first-time freshmen are renewable for up to 8 consecutive semesters of enrollment. Full-time (12 credit hours or more each semester) enrollment at AU is required. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress to renew their awards.
For first-time freshmen based on their academic credentials.
- 3.5 high school GPA
- 1300 SAT or 28 ACT or 88 CLT
For first-time freshmen based on their academic credentials.
- 3.5 high school GPA
- 1220 SAT or 25 ACT or 78 CLT or top 10% of class
For first-time freshmen based on their academic credentials.
- 3.0 high school GPA
- 1100 SAT or 22 ACT or 74 CLT or top 20% of class
For first-time freshmen based on their academic credentials.
- 3.0 high school GPA
- 1020 SAT or 20 ACT or 66 CLT or top 30% of class
Awarded to any first-time freshmen not receiving a President’s Founder’s, Provost’s, or Dean’s Scholarship.
Merit-Based Scholarships for Transfer Students
Awarded to first-time transfer students based on cumulative college GPA, as follows:
Scholarship | GPA |
$14,000 | 3.5-4.0 |
$13,000 | 3.0-3.49 |
$12,000 | 2.5-2.99 |
COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
Check out our frequently asked questions regarding our competitive scholarships. 
For first-time freshmen who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and mission-fit to Anderson University. The ability to apply for this scholarship is by invitation only.
- 3.5+ high school GPA; and
- 1250+ SAT or 27+ ACT or 82+ CLT
For first-time freshmen who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and mission-fit to Anderson University. The ability to apply for this scholarship is by invitation only.
- 3.5+ high school GPA; and
- 1250+ SAT or 27+ ACT or 82+ CLT
For first-time freshmen who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and mission-fit to Anderson University. The ability to apply for this scholarship is by invitation only.
- 3.5+ high school GPA; and
- 1250+ SAT or 27+ ACT or 82+ CLT
This is a competitive annual scholarship that is reserved for first-time freshmen. The ability to apply for this scholarship is by invitation only.
- 3.0+ high school GPA
- 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT or 74+ CLT
This is a competitive scholarship available to qualifying first-time freshmen and transfer students and is by invitation only. Students must first submit an application for admission before they will be eligible to apply and are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Office of Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family and its mission.
- 3.0+ high school GPA and 2.5+ GPA for transfers
A competitive scholarship that is reserved exclusively for first-time freshmen who reside in Anderson County. The ability to apply for the Hometown Fellows Scholarship is by invitation only and is sent to all eligible students in January of their senior year. While this is the highest award opportunity, numerous scholarships of varying amounts are generously awarded each year.
- 3.0+ high school GPA
- 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT or 74+ CLT or top 30% of their class
Anderson University is privileged to serve as the host site for the annual Palmetto Boys State Encampment. In recognition of this special partnership, AU offers one $40,000 ($10,000 per year) scholarship award each year to a first-time freshman who participated in Palmetto Boys State. Must be named a Palmetto Boys State Citizen, submit the required application, and participate in the scholarship interview event coordinated and hosted by the Office of Admission. To receive this award, the student must live on campus freshmen through senior year.
PROGRAM-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
Students can compete for a portfolio-based visual arts scholarship up to $5,000. A portfolio review is recommended for all students planning to major in Art + Design. Click here for more information
Students can compete for a performance-based music scholarship up to $5,000. An audition is required for all students planning to major in music. Click here for more information.
Students can compete for a performance-based theatre scholarship up to $5,000. An audition is required for all students planning to major in theatre or dance. Click here for more information.
Awards for the School of Interior Design Scholarship will vary. An application and portfolio review are recommended for interested students who are majoring in Interior Design.
You must be accepted into the College of Christian Studies to receive this annual award.
Please speak with your Admission Counselor for more information.
OTHER AU SCHOLARSHIPS
Grant awarded to any out-of-state student (cannot be a South Carolina resident.)
Must be a member in good standing at a Baptist church.
Grant awarded to international students. Only awarded if a student does not qualify for a merit-based academic scholarship.
Contact coaches for availability.
Awarded to any eligible student named a Boys or Girls State citizen by their state.
Students who have attended an in-person Summit Student Conference prior to graduation high school are eligible for a renewable scholarship. Students who wish to take advantage of this offer should let their admission counselor know about their participation and provide a certificate of attendance for the scholarship.
Students who have attended a Worldview Leadership Camp prior to graduation high school are eligible for a renewable scholarship. Students who wish to take advantage of this offer should let their admission counselor know about their participation and provide a certificate of attendance for the scholarship.
Any student participating in the NCFCA Nationals level during their high school years is eligible for a yearly reoccurring scholarship. The prospective student must provide a certificate of attendance, which can be sent to admissioncounselor@andersonuniversity.edu
Available to members who are transferring to Anderson University and submit their membership information to the Admission Office.
This is a need-based award provided directly from AU. This award is subject to change if (1) your financial need changes by other institutional scholarships subsequently added to your award package or (2) updates/corrections are made to your FAFSA.
FEDERAL GRANTS (FAFSA Required)
Pell Grants are a program for students who have not previously earned a baccalaureate degree. PELL Grants are considered to be the foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and non-federal sources might be added. PELL Grants do not have to be repaid and can only be received for up to 12 full-time semesters of enrollment. Students can track their remaining PELL Grant eligibility on the Federal Student Aid website or the SAR.
The FSEOG is a program that awards a limited grant based on financial need, the availability of FSEOG funds at AU, and the amount of other aid received. To be eligible for consideration, a student must be eligible for a PELL Grant. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
The TEACH Grant is a program that provides grants to students who agree to teach full-time in high-need subject areas at a public elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. If the student fails to fulfill these obligations, all amounts of the TEACH Grant received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Interest will be charged from the disbursement date of the original TEACH Grant. Application requirements include counseling and an Agreement to Serve. The TEACH Grant is not available for AU Freshmen.
Currently, the TEACH Grant is available for these AU majors:
- Art-Art Education K-12 Certification
- Biology -Secondary Education 9-12 Certification
- Chemistry-Secondary Education 9-12 Certification
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Elementary Education with add-on certification in Early Childhood
- Elementary Education with add-on certification in Special Education Learning Disabilities
- English-Secondary English Education 9-12 Certification
- History-Secondary Social Studies Education 9-12 Certification
- Mathematics-Secondary Mathematics Education 9-12 Certification
- Music Education-Choral Music
- Music Education-Instrumental Music
- Physical Education
- Special Education-Multi-Categorical
General AU eligibility requirements include the following:
- You must be a candidate in the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
- You must provide the OFAS with a copy of your formal admission letter to the TEP.
- You must be majoring in an approved AU program listed above.
- You must have a 3.25 GPA or score above the 75th percentile on the SAT, ACT, or GRE.
- Note: The GPA is checked after each semester to determine continued eligibility.
Students are responsible for reading and understanding all TEACH Grant obligations. If you have questions about the requirements for your major or certification, please see your Academic Advisor. For additional information, please contact the College of Education and visit the Federal Student Aid website.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS (FAFSA Required)
Students are responsible for monitoring annual & aggregate loan limits (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, PLUS).
Subsidized Loans are low-interest loans made by the US Department of Education (ED) that are awarded on the basis of financial need. No interest payments are required before repayment begins or during an authorized period of deferment. The federal government subsidizes the loan during these periods by paying the interest on behalf of the student. This loan does not require a credit check.
To determine eligibility, a student must complete a FAFSA and the AU financial aid process. Students must also complete an online Entrance Counseling session and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loan limits are determined by grade level. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
The student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester. Repayment begins 6 months after graduating or dropping below 6 credit hours. This 6-month period is referred to as the “grace period.”
Unsubsidized Loans are low-interest loans made by the US Department of Education (ED) that are not awarded on the basis of financial need. Students are charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If the student chooses to have interest accumulate, the interest will be added to the added to principal amount (i.e., capitalization), and interest will then be charged based on the accumulated amount. Capitalization increases the amount that must ultimately be repaid. Students who choose to pay the interest while it accumulates will avoid capitalization and lower their loan payments. This loan does not require a credit check.
To determine eligibility, a student must complete a FAFSA and the AU financial aid process. Students must also complete an online Entrance Counseling session and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN). Loan limits are determined by grade level. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
The student must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester. Repayment begins 6 months after graduating or dropping below 6 credit hours. This 6-month period is referred to as the “grace period.”
This is available to parents of dependent students. The parent must be the student’s biological parent, adoptive parent, or student’s stepparent (if the biological or adoptive parent has remarried at the time of application).
Payments vary based on the amount borrowed and the interest rate in effect. Eligibility is determined by a credit check. Monthly repayment begins when the loan has been fully disbursed. The loan amount that can be borrowed cannot exceed the cost of attendance, less other aid awarded.
Before a parent can apply for this loan, the student must complete the FAFSA and be enrolled at least half-time. Parents must apply online at the Federal Student Aid website with the parent‘s FSA ID and password. If approved, the parent will be required to complete an MPN.
If the parent is denied this loan, a dependent student will be offered an additional Unsubsidized Loan based on his/her grade level. For more information, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS
Private student loans are the last resource for students who are not eligible for other financial aid or who may need additional funds to meet education expenses. Private student loans should be considered only when all other options have been exhausted, as they typically have higher interest rates than federal student loans, are credit-based, and do not always offer the same benefits as federal student loans. Students are responsible for finding the company through which they want to obtain the loan. Students can seek loan options through banks, credit unions, and other student loan services. Click here to access a tool that helps student research and apply for private student loans.
The FWS program provides part-time jobs for eligible students. To qualify, interested students must complete the FAFSA. These opportunities are hourly positions that pay students on a monthly basis. Earned income will not apply directly toward the student’s bill. Instead, student wages will be sent directly to the student’s bank account. Funding is limited. For more information, visit Student Employment Resources or email the Center for Career Development.
Many organizations offer their employees full or partial tuition reimbursement for furthering their education. Talk to your employer’s Human Resources Department to see if your organization offers tuition reimbursement benefits. For more information about how company reimbursement works see Anderson Central Services or contact the Anderson Central Office.
All authorization letters should be emailed to andersonuniversity@backpackpay.com. Click here to proceed.
Persons with physical disabilities which are vocational handicaps are eligible for financial aid from a State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Information may be obtained from the Vocational Rehabilitation Department in the student’s home state. All authorization letters should be emailed to andersonuniversity@backpackpay.com. Click here to proceed.
AU has partnered with many different State prepaid tuition plans (often known as 529 College Savings Plans). Anderson Central handles all billing requirements for these plans.
This program is for family members of faculty/staff employed at participating institutions. The goal is to serve higher education by making careers at colleges more attractive. For more information, please visit www.tuitionexchange.org or contact the Tuition Exchange Liaison in the OFAS.
To be considered, students must complete the FAFSA by the March 1 priority deadline. Recipients are selected based on established criteria and date of the FAFSA completion. (Early FAFSA submissions receive priority.) Scholarship recipients accept these funds on these conditions:
* They will complete a handwritten letter of appreciation to the donor or designated relative associated with the fund. (The Office of Development will provide instructions at the appropriate time of the academic year).
* They agree to attend an annual donor appreciation event hosted by AU and meet the donor or the donor’s representative(s) during the event.
Recipients who fail to satisfy either condition may forfeit the scholarship in the year of the award and future years.
For more information, please visit the current catalog.
If you have questions about using your military educational benefits, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official for more information.
Yellow Ribbon School
AU is a qualified Yellow Ribbon School. This program can help students pay for tuition & fees that the Post-9/11 GI Bill doesn’t cover. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.
Veterans Administration
Eligible veterans can apply for educational benefits through the Veteran Affairs (VA) website at https://www.va.gov/. The VA is the only agency that can determine eligibility for and award this benefit. For questions about eligibility, please contact your VA Regional Office.
After an application has been approved, the VA will send a Certificate of Eligibility to the veteran, who is then required to submit a copy of this document and additional documents to the AU Certifying Official. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.
Address Changes
VA students must notify AU of any address change. For more information, please email or call (864-231-5581) the AU Certifying Official.
Drops and Withdrawals
VA students must report course drops and term withdrawals to the AU Certifying Official via email or phone call (864-231-5581), as soon as they occur. AU will run regular reports to identify these students and ensure timely notification to the VA. At the end of each semester, VA students who earn a grade of “WF” or “WP” are reported to VA with the last date of attendance.
Program Changes
VA students who change programs must notify AU immediately, so that earned credits that fulfill requirements in the new program are transferred to that program. Please email or call (864-231-2120) the AU Certifying Official to report program changes.
Click here for a listing.
Students with outside scholarships that require billing are handled by Anderson Central. Please email this office for additional information.
Anderson University no longer accepts paper checks for Outside Scholarship payments. All payments must now be submitted online.
If you plan to submit multiple scholarships with a single payment (or are submitting more than five scholarships every semester, please email andersonuniversity@backpackpay.com and our team will walk you through bulk submission setup process. If your organization has questions or concerns surrounding submitting payment electronically, please contact andersonuniversity@backpackpay.com for other arrangements.
All efforts were made to produce current & accurate information.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us – we are happy to assist!
