💰 Clemson University Merit Scholarships

Total Scholarships

20

Automatic

8

In-State Awards

$500-$1,500/yr

Out-of-State Awards

$500-$1,500/yr

Multi-Year Awards

$2,500 total

Typical Requirements for Automatic Merit

Requirements vary by scholarship

What you'd actually pay at Clemson University

Tuition & fees

$39,350

−

Largest annual award

$1,500

=

Students receiving it pay about

$37,850/yr

Tuition and fees only — housing (about $13,284), books and travel are extra. Awards must still be won and may carry renewal conditions. Need-based aid is separate and may reduce this further.

Official Scholarship Information

View complete details on Clemson University's website

Visit School Website →

Automatic merit scholarships at Clemson University — no separate application

8 awards granted on your admission application, based on GPA and test scores.

CCW tuition waiver

Clemson Career Workshop participants are eligible for scholarships for in-state students and up to full out-of-state tuition waivers for students who complete the Snelsire, Sawyer, & Robinson Clemson Career Workshop (CCW).

Eligibility: Students who go through the CCW program and enroll at Clemson are eligible.

How to apply: ["complete CCW program", "enroll at Clemson University"]

Source ↗

Clemson-Sponsored Merit Finalists

Award

$1,500/yr in-state

$1,500/yr out-of-state

The Freshman Award is $2,500 and available during the first year. Beginning with new first-year students entering in the 2020-2021 academic year and after, the Freshman Award will remain $2,500, but the award may be renewed annually at $1,500, in the form of a Clemson University scholarship, for the sophomore through senior years. The Clemson-Sponsored Merit Finalists will receive $1,500 per year (beginning for students entering in Fall 2020) renewable for four years total (eight semesters).

Eligibility: National Merit award recipients are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and reported to Clemson University.

How to apply: ["selection by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (external)"]

📋 Renewable for four years (eight semesters) Source ↗

Freshman Award

Award

$2,500 one-time in-state

$2,500 one-time out-of-state

The Freshman Award is $2,500 and available during the first year. Beginning with new first-year students entering in the 2020-2021 academic year and after, the Freshman Award will remain $2,500, but the award may be renewed annually at $1,500, in the form of a Clemson University scholarship, for the sophomore through senior years. The Clemson-Sponsored Merit Finalists will receive $1,500 per year (beginning for students entering in Fall 2020) renewable for four years total (eight semesters).

Eligibility: National Merit award recipients are selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and reported to Clemson University.

How to apply: ["selection by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (external)"]

📋 May be renewed at $1,500 annually thereafter (sophomore through senior year) Source ↗

General Foundation Scholarships (automatic)

Clemson University Foundation scholarships are awarded based on criteria found in the scholarship fund agreement, academic performance and amount of other Clemson University Scholarships previously accepted by the student.

Eligibility: Continuing students are automatically considered for Clemson Foundation Scholarships based on a variety of factors including financial need, major and Clemson GPA. Transfer students are also considered for these scholarships once a Clemson GPA is established.

Source ↗

Meeting Street Pledge (cost coverage)

Clemson is partnered with the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund to offer scholarship recipients who enroll at Clemson University a pledge covering the cost of tuition, housing, food and required fees up to the cost of attendance.

Eligibility: The Clemson Meeting Street Pledge is automatically awarded to eligible students and is collectively funded by the Meeting Street Scholarship combined with Clemson scholarships, federal grants, state scholarships (SC LIFE or Palmetto Fellows), and need-based aid.

How to apply: ["complete Meeting Street Scholarship Fund application before June", "earn and maintain SC LIFE or Palmetto Fellows (as applicable)", "receive a Federal Pell Grant"]

Source ↗

Merit range

Award

$500/yr in-state

$500/yr out-of-state

First-year recruiting scholarships are only available to incoming first-year students and are extremely competitive. These scholarships range from $500 per year to the full cost of attendance and can be renewed for an additional three years if you maintain the minimum requirements.

Eligibility: You will be automatically evaluated for these scholarships based on the information found in your admissions application.

How to apply: ["apply for admission by January 1", "submit required admissions materials by January 10", "FAFSA by January 1 for need-based consideration"]

📋 Can be renewed for an additional three years if you maintain the minimum requirements. Source ↗

Out-of-State named award

Award

$500/yr out-of-state

Out-of-State Tuition Scholarships will receive a named award (typically donor-funded) of up to $500. This named award is included in the total amount of the award offer and is renewable for up to eight semesters.

Eligibility: Domestic out-of-state students with an exceptional high school academic record will be considered for a renewable merit award.

How to apply: ["FAFSA by January 1 for need-based consideration (if applicable)"]

📋 Renewable for up to eight semesters. Source ↗

Resident Merit Scholarship (South Carolina)

Students who receive the South Carolina Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and meet certain requirements related to class rank, test scores and other factors will be considered for a renewable merit award.

Eligibility: Students who receive the South Carolina LIFE Scholarship and meet certain requirements related to class rank, test scores and other factors will be considered for renewable scholarships awarded from our endowments or annual scholarships.

How to apply: ["FAFSA by January 1 for need-based consideration"]

Source ↗

Other scholarships at Clemson University (12)

These require a separate application, or the school does not publish their eligibility criteria.

Emerging Scholars award (last-dollar)

Emerging Scholars who enroll at Clemson University are eligible to receive a scholarship that covers tuition, required fees, housing, and food.

Eligibility: Successful applicants must demonstrate high school academic record and submission of the FAFSA; financial need and first-generation status are considered.

How to apply: ["Clemson admissions application by January 1", "FAFSA by January 1"]

Source ↗

Named Scholarship Programs (overview)

Named Scholarship Programs are specific awards that have additional consideration criteria.

Eligibility: Please note that the National Scholars Program and the Breakthrough Scholars Program do require students to apply to the Honors College by the Honors Priority application deadline.

How to apply: ["apply for admission by January 1", "submit required admissions materials by January 10", "FAFSA by January 1", "Honors College application for some named programs"]

Source ↗

Breakthrough Scholars award (cost coverage)

The Breakthrough Scholars Program provides financial support (covering tuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses) and dedicated academic and professional development for a select group of undergraduate STEM majors who reside in-state and show interest in pursuing advanced degrees.

Eligibility: Selection is based on a review of top applications from South Carolina residents to the [Honors College] and a rigorous interview process.

How to apply: ["apply to Honors College by Honors Priority deadline", "interview as part of selection process"]

Source ↗

George E. and Leila Giles Singleton Scholarship (CAFLS)

This scholarship is awarded over both the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: 3.00 GPA; Enrolled in College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences major; Resident of Oconee County or Pickens County.

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form (college-administered)", "deadline April 15"]

Source ↗

JoAnn Chamblee McCaskill Scholarship (CAFLS)

This scholarship is awarded over both the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: 3.00 GPA; Enrolled in College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences major; Graduate of Lee Academy in Bishopville, SC (preferred).

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form (college-administered)", "deadline April 15"]

Source ↗

John W Parris '58 Endowed Scholarship (CAFLS)

This scholarship is awarded over both the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: 3.00 GPA; Need Based (FAFSA required); Enrolled in specified majors within the college.

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form", "FAFSA (if need-based)", "deadline April 15"]

Source ↗

Lyceum Scholars award

All Lyceum Scholars receive a $60,000 scholarship disbursed over four years at Clemson University.

Eligibility: Open to incoming first-year students of any major, the Lyceum Scholars Program uses a great books approach to studying the moral, political and economic foundations of a free society.

How to apply: ["program-specific application required"]

Source ↗

National Scholars award (full cost)

The program offers Clemson's top academic recruiting scholarship (covering tuition, fees, housing, food, and other expenses).

Eligibility: Scholars are selected after a review of Clemson University Undergraduate applications that are completed on or before the Undergraduate Admissions Early Action deadline and Honors College admission applications that are completed on or before [Honors Priority deadline], followed by interviews and other activities with student finalists during a Scholarship Recruitment Weekend.

How to apply: ["submit Clemson application by Early Action deadline", "submit Honors College application by Honors Priority deadline", "participate in Scholarship Recruitment Weekend (interviews)"]

Source ↗

Paul K. Bowman Jr. Scholarship (CAFLS)

Scholarship for students who are legal residents of South Carolina, preferably Sumter County; major within CAFLS.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: Legal residents of South Carolina, preferably Sumter County; Major within the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences; Need Based (FAFSA required); Academic Good Standing (GPA > 2.0).

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form", "FAFSA (if need-based)", "deadline April 15"]

Source ↗

Restricted Foundation Scholarships (application)

Clemson University Foundation scholarships are awarded based on criteria found in the scholarship fund agreement, academic performance and amount of other Clemson University Scholarships previously accepted by the student.

Eligibility: Continuing students are automatically considered for Clemson Foundation Scholarships based on a variety of factors including financial need, major and Clemson GPA. Transfer students are also considered for these scholarships once a Clemson GPA is established.

How to apply: ["Restricted Clemson University Foundation Scholarships require an application (open Mar 1 to May 1)"]

Source ↗

South Carolina Rural Rehabilitation Scholarship (CAFLS)

This scholarship is awarded over both the fall and spring semesters.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: 2.50 GPA; Enrolled in College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences major; South Carolina resident; Certification that immediate family receives farm income.

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form", "deadline April 15"]

Source ↗

Southeast Produce Council Annual Scholarship (CAFLS)

This scholarship is awarded for the spring semester only.

Eligibility: Eligibility Requirements: 3.00 GPA; Enrolled in CAFLS major; Interest in a career in growing or marketing produce (preferred).

How to apply: ["Scholarship Interest Form", "deadline September 15"]

Source ↗

Deadlines that affect merit consideration at Clemson University

Early Action

10/15/2025

Regular Decision

01/01/2026

Common questions about Clemson University scholarships

How much merit aid does Clemson University give?

Published awards range $500-$1,500/yr. Clemson University lists 20 merit scholarships in total.

Does Clemson University give merit scholarships to out-of-state students?

Yes. Awards for out-of-state students run $500-$1,500/yr.

Is there a full-ride scholarship at Clemson University?

Not a full ride. The largest published award covers about 4% of tuition.

When is the scholarship deadline at Clemson University?

Merit consideration usually follows the admission deadline, which is 10/15/2025. Confirm scholarship-specific dates with the financial aid office.

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