Financial Aid and Financial Information

Charleston Southern University’s financial aid program is designed to help students complete a college education regardless of their financial situation. All students are urged to explore the possibilities for financial assistance offered through the CSU Enrollment Services Office.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov. Make sure you add CSU to your FAFSA! Our school code is 003419.
2. Apply for your FAFSA every October 1 for the upcoming academic year.
3. Once accepted to the university and a FAFSA is received, the Financial Aid Office will award your financial aid. You must be a regularly accepted graduate student in order to receive financial aid.

How to Check Your Financial Aid Status Online

Once you are accepted to CSU you can log-in to your MyCSU with your CSU ID and PIN. Click “view your financial aid live” to view missing or incomplete documents, messages specific to your financial aid and accept your awards. All information is processed in real time, so you see up-to-date information.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Financial aid will not be disbursed until confirmation of student’s attendance to classes has taken place at the end of the drop/add period. Students who have not been recorded as attending class at drop/add will not be eligible for any financial aid, even if attendance takes place after drop/add and tuition charges remain.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Effective July 1, 2024

Academic Requirements for Receiving Financial Aid

For a student to be eligible to receive financial assistance from Title IV Federal funds (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, and Federal Work Study Program), SC State funds or Charleston Southern University funds, he/she is required to make satisfactory academic progress. South Carolina State Scholarship recipients have additional academic requirements to maintain their state awards. Information regarding these requirements may be found at https://che.sc.gov.

CSU evaluates satisfactory progress annually at the end of Spring semester. Students are notified via their BucMail account, if after their evaluation; they are determined to not be making satisfactory academic progress.

Criteria for Determining Satisfactory Academic Progress

Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements

Undergraduate: Minimum 2.0 (cumulative GPA)

Graduate: Minimum 3.0 (cumulative GPA)

Completion Ratio

A student must successfully complete 67% of the cumulative credit hours attempted, including repeated courses, incompletes, withdrawn courses, and transfer credits.

• Progress is measured by dividing the cumulative number of hours you have successfully completed by the cumulative number of hours you have attempted. Credits transferred in are included as attempted and earned. Full-time and part-time students must progress at a pace of 67% per semester.
• Hours are counted for all terms, even terms in which the student did not receive financial aid.

In addition, a student must be making progress toward graduation as follows:

• Degree Completion: To remain eligible for financial aid at CSU, students (both undergraduate and graduate) must complete their degree program requirements within 150 percent of the published length of their degree program. Students are no longer eligible for financial aid at the point at which it is determined that it is not possible for them to complete their program within the maximum timeframe, not at the point they actually reach the maximum timeframe. All attempted hours are counted, including transfer hours, whether or not financial aid was received.

Example: If a degree program requires 125 semester credit hours to complete, then a student is eligible for financial aid during the first 188 attempted credit hours. (125 x 150% = 188 maximum attempted credit hours for financial aid eligibility.

Students are allowed a specific number of attempted hours, based on their classification. This includes all transfer hours plus all CSU hours. See the chart below.

Degree Program                   Maximum Time Frame              

*Attempted hours will be adjusted based on the required credit hours for graduation.

Change of Major

Students who change their major are still responsible for maintaining satisfactory academic progress. All attempted credit hours and grades are included in the satisfactory academic progress calculation.

It is important to understand how various grades and enrollment decisions impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress calculations.

Withdrawing, Dropping a Class, Incompletes, Transfer of Credits

1. Withdrawing from a class: Hours are included in the number of attempted credit hours but not in the number of hours successfully completed. Please see the Financial Aid Office for advice prior to withdrawing from a class.
2. Dropping a Class during drop add - Classes dropped are not included in attempted or completed hours. Dropping a class and not replacing it with another class could cause the student to fail to make Satisfactory Academic Progress and require an adjustment to the student’s financial aid.
3. Incompletes- Incompletes are included in the number of attempted credit hours but not in the number of hours successfully completed. Incompletes must be completed with an assigned letter grade by the mid-term of the following semester.
4. Transfer of Credits - Any accepted credits transferred into CSU are included in both the attempted and completed hours.
5. Repeated Courses - The repeated class is counted in completed hours but not attempted, unless the prior grade was a W, then the hours are included in attempted and completed.
6. Summer Courses - Summer Session hours attempted and completed will be included in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress as for any other term.

What are the consequences of not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements listed above?

If a student fails to meet any one of the requirements stated above at the end of a semester, he/she will be considered not making satisfactory academic progress. The student will be notified via their BucMail account that they are SAP. The student may submit an appeal to the Financial Aid Review Committee, and if approved, will be put on Financial Aid probation for one semester.

Once a student is placed on financial aid probation, they have one semester to attain satisfactory academic progress, or they will forfeit all financial aid the following semester. 

Academic Plan

For students who will need more than one payment period to meet the University’s standards of satisfactory academic progress, an approved academic plan will be required as a condition of the approval of the appeal. Should the appeal be approved, the student will remain on the plan until they meet Satisfactory Academic Progress; or their enrollment exceeds the maximum timeframe allowed for their program; or they fail to meet the terms of the plan. If standards are met, the student will continue financial aid eligibility for the next payment period (semester).  Should the student fail to meet the academic plan requirements, the student may submit a subsequent appeal.

Appeals

Appealing to the Financial Aid Review Committee

IMPORTANT: In order for an appeal to be considered, the student must complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and submit documentation that supports the circumstance(s) described on the appeal form. The Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and documentation must be uploaded to the Financial Aid Office via Financial Aid LIVE prior to the end of drop/add of the term for which the student is appealing. Appeals must also contain the following information:

1. Your description of the extenuating circumstances that you believe prevented you from meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards.  Examples of extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to the following:

• Unexpected death or major hospitalization of an immediate family member.
• Extended hospitalization or medical condition of student
• Victimization of a violent crime or natural disaster

Examples that are NOT considered extenuating circumstances include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work conflicts or lack of transportation to school
• Change of major or pursuit of a double major
• The time of day the class is being held
• The professor who is teaching the course

2. Your Plan of Action - what you will do to resolve the cause of the circumstance which led to unsatisfactory academic progress.
3. Your contact information.  Provide us with a telephone number and email address.
4. Copies of supporting documentation such as doctor’s letters/bills, death certificate, obituary, police reports, etc.

Submitting Your Appeal

The Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Form and documentation must be uploaded to the Financial Aid Office via Financial Aid LIVE prior to the end of drop/add of the term for which the student is appealing.

After Submitting Your Appeal

Your appeal will be reviewed within 2 weeks of the deadline listed to submit your appeal. The review of your appeal may take longer during peak periods. You will be notified via your BucMail account of the committee’s decision.  The decision of the committee is final.

During the review process the following factors may be considered:

1. Validity of reasons for failing to meet SAP standards
2. Resolution of the problems leading up to your failure to meet SAP standards.
3. Prior academic history (credits earned vs credits attempted, GPA, number of repeats, etc.)
4. Any correspondence from your academic advisor
5. Your demonstrated motivation to succeed.
6. Quality of the appeal.
7. Quality and thoroughness of supporting documentation.

Reestablishing Eligibility For Financial Aid

If your appeal has been denied you may regain eligibility for financial aid in the following ways:

1. Attend CSU without financial assistance until you are making satisfactory academic progress (2.0 cumulative GPA undergraduate or 3.0 graduate and 67% completion rate.)
2. Attend another college and transfer in credit hours to increase your completion rate to 67%.  Students may not improve their cumulative GPA by attending another college.

The Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Appeal Form can be downloaded by signing into your MyCSU account, click on Financial Aid tab and view your Financial Aid LIVE. Once in your Financial Aid LIVE, click on the document tab and download the Satisfactory Academic Progress form.

Appeals are considered on an individual basis, and the student is notified of the committee’s decision. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 843-863-7050 or by email at financialaidgraduate@csuniv.edu.

Charleston Southern University Programs

Scholarships and grants, made possible through gifts and endowment income, as well as college-funded programs, are available to qualified students.

Scholarships and awards are a part of your total financial aid package and must be awarded according to the policies of institutional and federal programs. There are limitations on the amounts of CSU funded awards students may receive. Please contact the Enrollment Services Office for more information.

The CSU School of Business MBA Funded Scholarship

Students do not need to apply for this scholarship. Students must be regular status accepted and enrolled part or full time in the MBA program. Recipients will be selected by the Director of the MBA program with the approval from the Dean of the School of Business.

The Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, Jr., MBA Endowed Scholarship

Students do not need to apply for this scholarship. Student must be accepted into the MBA program as a degree seeking student enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours of graduate work. The student must have earned a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours in previous semesters, while maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Recipient will be selected on the previously mentioned criteria as well as financial need determined by federal guidelines.

The MBA Funded Scholarship

Students do not need to apply for this scholarship. Student must be Regular Status accept and enrolled part or full time in the MBA program. Recipients will be selected by the Director of the MBA program.

The Dr. Michael J. Frost Graduate Assistant for Track and Field

Students do not need to apply for this scholarship. Student must be enrolled fulltime in graduate level courses (6 credit hour minimum), meet the graduate assistantship guidelines (listed below in the Graduate Catalog) and be recommended by the Track and Field Coaches and Director of Athletics.

Federal Assistance for Graduate Students

Direct Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan - The same as a Subsidized Stafford Loan except the interest does accrue while the student is enrolled. The interest has a fixed interest rate of 4.30% for students who take out a Direct Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan between July 2, 2020 and July 1, 2021 and can be paid quarterly or allowed to accrue and be capitalized to the principal. There is a six month grace period after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) during a major semester before repayment on the loan begins. Students are required to complete a Master Promissory Note and Direct Loan Entrance Counseling to receive this loan. This process can be done by visiting www.studentaid.gov/mpmn/ and signing in with your FAFSA ID and password. The Financial Aid Office will receive notification of completion electronically from the Department of Education. There is a 1.059% loan fee that’s is taken out prior to the disbursement of the loan if disbursed after October 1, 2021. Fees are subject to change per government regulations.

Graduate PLUS Loan for Graduate Students Only - This loan is in the student’s name.  Students must be credit-worthy in order to receive this loan.  The Grad PLUS has a fixed interest rate of 5.30% for students who take out a Direct Federal Grad PLUS Loan between July 2, 2020 and July 1, 2021  Students must be enrolled at least half-time (3 credit hours).  Student are required to complete a Master Promissory Note to receive this loan.  This process can be done by visiting www.studentaid.gov/mpmn/. The interest rate is fixed at 7.08% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2019 (rates will be different for loans received prior this date). There is a 4.236% loan fee that is taken out prior to the disbursement of the loan if disbursed after October 1, 2021. Fees are subject to change per government regulations.

Military Assistance

ROTC Scholarships

These scholarships are available to sophomores who meet all qualifications designated by the ROTC Department. Scholarships will fund the full cost of tuition, fees and books for the junior and senior years. If you are interested in this program, you should contact 843-863-7148 for the Air Force ROTC and 843-270-9590 for the Army ROTC.

Yellow Ribbon

CSU is a Yellow Ribbon Program participant for certain programs. If you apply to use Chapter 33 VA Educational Benefits you may be eligible to participate in this program if your Certificate of Eligibility shows that you are at the 100 percent rate. You need to notify the Veterans Services Coordinator at CSU that you plan to use Chapter 33 VA Educational Benefits no matter what percentage rate you may receive. CSU requires a FAFSA to be completed each year to be eligible for CSU’s Yellow Ribbon.

Veterans and Military Programs

Any student who plans to use VA Educational Benefits should contact the CSU Veterans Services Office. Active duty personnel eligible to use tuition assistance should contact the Education Services Office at the military base where they are stationed and our Student Accounts office at 843-863-8058.  The CSU Veterans Services Office assists students with VA educational benefits including Montgomery GI Bill®, Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Veterans Readiness & Employment (formerly known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), and Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program.

For more information, visit our campus Veterans Services Office located in the Student Center or call 843-863-7050.

Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) School Compliance Form

As part of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, section 3679(e) of Title 38, United States Code was amended. Effective August 1, 2019 the State Approving Agency, or the Secretary when acting in the role of the State Approving Agency, shall disapprove a course of education provided by an educational institution that has in effect a policy that is inconsistent with the areas below:

NOTE: A Covered Individual is any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under Chapter 31, Veterans Readiness & Employment, or Chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.

• Any covered individual attending Charleston Southern University is permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under Chapter 31 or 33  (a certificate of eligibility can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website - eBenefits, or a VAF 28-1905 form for Chapter 31 authorization purposes) and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

1. The date on which payment from VA is made to the institution.
2. 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

• Charleston Southern University will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.
• A chapter 33 certificate of eligibility or chapter 31 authorization for entitlement to educational assistance for the covered individual must be received no later than the first day of a course of education.
• A fee may be imposed for the amount that is the difference between the amount of the student’s financial obligation and the amount of the VA education benefit disbursement.

• CHAPTER 30:

You may qualify for Chapter 30 benefits if you have:

• Served honorably for at least 2 years
• Entered active duty for the first time on or after June 30, 1985
• For students who have never used their benefits previously, you will need to complete VA Form 22-1990. You can apply online at https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/#modal.
• You will need to verify your enrollment each month on WAVE: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do 

To find out more information about how to use your Chapter 30 benefits, please visit: https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_ad.asp

• CHAPTER 1606:

You may qualify for Chapter 1606 benefits if you have:

• Completed initial active duty training
• Are a Reservist or National Guard member who signed a six-year obligation on or after July 1, 1985.
• For students who have never used their benefits previously, you will need to complete VA Form 22-1990. You can apply online at https://www.vets.gov/education/apply/#modal.
• You will need to verify your enrollment each month on WAVE: https://www.gibill.va.gov/wave/index.do 

To find out more information about how to use your Chapter 1606 benefits please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/mgib_sr.asp

• CHAPTER 31:

You may qualify for Chapter 31 benefits if you have:

• Have not had a dishonorable discharge
• Have a 20 percent service-related disability rating by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs

To find out more information about how to use your Chapter 31 benefits, please visit:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/index.asp

To utilize your Chapter 31 benefits, veterans need to make an appointment with the Veterans Readiness & Employment office.  Their location is:

4600 Goer Drive

Suite 110

North Charleston, SC 29406

You can also call 843-740-9114 to speak with a Veterans Readiness & Employment Counselor. For veterans who utilize their Chapter 31 benefits, you must show your CSU ID and a copy of your class schedule before purchasing books and supplies in the CSU Bookstore. Please make sure that you register for classes early if you plan to use your benefit.

• CHAPTER 33:

The Post 9/11 GI Bill® is a bill that gives educational and housing support to students that have at least 90 days of aggregate service on or after September 11, 2001.

For Payment Rates visit:  https://benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/comparison_chart.asp

To find out more information about how to use your Chapter 33 benefits, please visit:

https://www.vets.gov/education/gi-bill/post-9-11/

• CHAPTER 35:

You may qualify for Chapter 35 benefits if you are the spouse or dependent of a veteran:

• Who is totally/permanently disabled due to a service-related injury
• Who has died due to a service-related injury

To find out more information about how to use your Chapter 35 benefits, please visit: https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/survivor_dependent_assistance.asp

Graduate Assistantship Guidelines

• There will be a maximum of eight (8) graduate assistantships approved for each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer I, Summer II) for a maximum of 3 graduate credit hours each. The graduate assistant positions will be allocated according to the needs of the graduate departments on a semester-by-semester basis. The final decision of assignments rests with the VPAA.

Funding for this program is not guaranteed. University funds will be allocated on a per semester basis.

• A Graduate Assistantship Request Form must be completed and signed by the student, supervisor and chairperson of the Graduate Council for each term and submitted to the Financial Aid office. The Graduate Assistantship will only be allowed for three (3) credit hours. Should the student be registered in more than three credit hours for any term, the Graduate Assistantship will be allowed for the course with the lesser tuition charge. The student must be registered for the course before the Graduate Assistantship Request Form will be processed.

•Funds received through the Graduate Assistantship are considered a tuition waiver and will be applied to the students account. The Graduate Assistantship is a tuition waiver and is considered a fringe benefit by the IRS. Taxes are not included in the Graduate Assistantship award. The student will receive a 1098-T Form at the end of the tax period indicating the fringe benefit amount.

• Should the graduate student not fulfill the requirements of the Graduate Assistantship as approved on the Graduate Assistantship Request Form, the supervisor has the responsibility to notify the financial aid office and the Graduate Assistantship will be removed from the student’s financial aid award.

Eligibility Criteria:

1.      Applications must be received 30 days prior to beginning of the term in which assistance is requested.  

2.      Assistantship awards to a student who applies late will be on a term to term basis and will be contingent on the availability of funds. 

3.      Students holding the bachelor’s degree must be regularly admitted to one of the graduate programs before an assistantship can be awarded. 

4.      A second semester senior undergraduate student may apply for a graduate assistantship for the terms following graduation and assuming the student has been regularly accepted in the graduate program if he or she has met all application requirements except for (1) receiving the bachelor’s degree and/or (2) submitting scores from required tests. In this case, an assistantship may be awarded contingent on successful completion of these requirements.  

5.      Prior to being recommended for an assistantship, an applicant must submit a degree study plan to his or her graduate director showing enrollment for a minimum of three (3) graduate credit hours per term during the academic year. 

6.      For each three (3) credit hour graduate course for which a graduate assistant receives a fee waiver, he or she will be required to work seventy (70) hours for the university in accordance with the provisions of the job description provided by his or her Graduate Assistant Site Supervisor. 

7.      All graduate assistantships are awarded by the Graduate Directors of the respective programs. In addition, Graduate Directors will determine work assignments for their respective departments. All approved applications will be submitted to the Graduate Council Chair who will then sign and forward the documentation to the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Information (Tuition)

Business Office

Payment of Accounts

The registration of a student signifies the assumption of definite and legally enforceable obligations between the University and the student. This includes an agreement by the student to fulfill the financial terms as stated in the catalog. The student agrees to pay all collection costs and/or legal fees incurred in debt collection efforts.

All accounts are due and payable no later than “Registration Day” the week classes begin. The student may not receive an official transcript until all financial obligations are settled. The Business Office will accept VISA, MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER  via the CSU Web site at www.charlestonsouthern.edu, through MyCSU, or in person at the cashier window.  The Cashier’s Window does not accept Credit Cards, but payments may be made online with credit/debit cards. A payment plan, for each major semester, is available at nominal cost to those who enroll in the plan prior to the semester.

Graduate Program Tuition and Fees

*All course materials are included in these rates

General & Miscellaneous Fees:

*Tuition charges and fees are subject to changes, pending Board of Trustees’ approval.
Current information is deemed to be accurate at the time of this publication. Errors and/or changes are subject to adjustment by the Business Office. 
** Permit will be issued online through Rydin Permit Express beginning by fall.  The increase reflects the 3.39% credit card processing fee, the $3.99 charge by Rydin and .48 cents postage.

Additional Online Course Fees

No additional charges such as proctoring fees may be associated with online courses beyond the established price of tuition and technology fees unless students are otherwise notified.  Students are notified at the time of registration on the course schedule of such fees. Additional notification may include electronic announcements, postings, policy sheets, handbooks, or frequently asked questions available to students prior to enrolling in a given course.

Billing

Students will be billed according to their tuition classification. Tuition classification will be determined by the student’s official Registration and Change of Schedule forms processed by the Office of the Registrar by the last date to add a class for each term. Bills are posted online through MyCSU. Preliminary bills will be posted at least one week before each major semester begins. Final bills will be posted approximately one week after the last date to drop/add a course. Payment is due no later than Registration Day each academic term.

Refund Checks Issued in Error

The Business Office makes every effort to issue refund checks as quickly as possible. Due to this emphasis, on rare occasions, amounts are refunded in error. The University has the right and will reclaim these funds. Electronic refund is the required method at CSU and students must sign up for this service through MyCSU.  CSU does not have access to this information and therefore cannot take this information directly from the student.  Refunds begin processing after final aid and charges have posted, approximately 3-5 weeks into each semester.

Refunds

• 100 percent refund for withdrawals through the last date of drop/add. 
• 25 percent refunds of tuition are made only for students who formally withdraw from the University, during major semesters, as follows: 25 percent refund for withdrawals between the first day after the last day to add and end of the first quarter of the term. See the Academic Calendar for specific dates.

Demand for residence hall space routinely results in denial of this privilege to some students. Thus, no refund of room fees will be made after the drop/add date. Students who officially withdraw from the residence hall will receive a prorated refund for meals not taken after their withdrawal.

Return of Federal Financial Aid

Federal financial aid funds are awarded with the expectation that students will complete the entire period of enrollment. Students “earn” a percentage of the funds they are disbursed with each day of class attendance. When a student who has received federal financial aid (Title IV funds) leaves school before the end of the semester or period of enrollment, federal law requires the University to calculate the percentage and amount of “unearned” financial aid funds that must be returned to the federal government. This calculation may have the effect of requiring the student to repay funds that have already been disbursed to the student.

Once a student has completed more than 60 percent of the enrollment period, students are considered to have earned all funding received. The university will not reduce the amount owed simply because of the loss of eligibility of financial aid. Thus, withdrawal prior to completion of 60 percent of the semester may result in the student having to pay from personal funds a larger portion of the money owed to the university. Students are urged to consider these financial implications prior to making the decision to withdraw from school.

Returned Check Policy

For each check, paper or online, returned because of insufficient funds or stop payment, a charge of $30.00 will be assessed. The University maintains the right to refuse additional personal checks from (1) any party who cashes or remits to the University, for any reason, a “non-sufficient funds” check or (2) any party who places a “stop payment” on a personal check without University approval. This policy will not apply if a statement from the bank, on letterhead stationery, is submitted to the Business Office verifying that the check was returned due to the bank’s error.

Identification Cards

A Charleston Southern University Identification Card (“student I.D.”) is required for all students (new and returning; full-time and part-time). New students are issued Charleston Southern University Identification Cards upon arrival. These cards are necessary for admission to all official school functions, for cashing checks, for using the meal plan, for checking books out of the library, for using University equipment, for buying books from the bookstore, for voting in campus elections and for purchasing tickets for Student Activities concerts. I.D. cards can be replaced for a fee of $10.00.  Upon request, I.D. cards should be readily presentable to any school official while on the CSU campus.