Scholarship amounts range from $2000 to full comprehensive fees. Amounts vary depending on donor criteria, academic qualifications, and special talents. Students who participate in scholarship competitions will be notified of their awards within two weeks of the competition. After the scholarship competitions, scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. You can quickly calculate what your scholarship will be using the Scholarship Calculator.

Need-based financial assistance is available based on the results of a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information on financial assistance and scholarship opportunities, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at (864) 596-9019.

Palmetto Fellows Full-Tuition Guarantee

South Carolina Petrie Science and Math Scholarship

The state of South Carolina has recognized a need for more students majoring in math and sciences.  In support of this effort, Converse offers the Petrie Foundation Science and Math Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed for students who plan to pursue a major in math and/or science, who have an interest in teaching and who are from South Carolina.

Recipients of the Petrie Science & Math Scholarship must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete a major in mathematics or one of the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, or biochemistry) at Converse College
• Students must complete six academic terms of tutoring at Spartanburg High School in their chosen major
• During her first academic term at Converse, each Petrie Scholar must complete an “Introduction to Tutoring and the Career of Teaching” course

To apply for the scholarship, students must submit the scholarship application along with a teacher recommendation and a resume of activities and awards to the Office of Admission by February 1.  Finalists will be required to compete for these awards at the Converse Scholarship Competition. The Petrie Science & Math Scholarship is an $8,000 annual award for four years totaling $32,000.  The scholarship may be combined with other merit scholarships received from Converse.  Only students who have been admitted to Converse are eligible to be selected as finalist. Please contact the Converse Admission Office for an application and more information.

Palmetto Girl’s State Scholarships

Each year, Converse recognizes students who compete in Palmetto Girls State with three $2,000 annual awards. Winners are selected based on the academics and involvement in service.

Valedictorian Awards

Converse recognizes valedictorians (students who rank first in their high school class upon graduation) with $1,000 awards.

Legacy Scholarships

This scholarship is awarded to students whose mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, stepmother, aunt or older sister is a traditional undergraduate Converse alumna. Students are eligible for $1,000 awards.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships

Transfer students who are members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society are eligible for $1,000 awards.

Applicants from Georgia, Florida and Tennessee

A resident of Georgia or Florida who qualifies for the Hope or Bright Futures scholarship and who meets the minimum scholarship requirements at Converse (1000 SAT or 21 ACT and 3.25 grade point average) will receive a Converse scholarship which meets or exceeds the amount of the Hope or Bright Futures awards at eligible private colleges in their respective home state. This award will be included in the total amount of any academic, leadership, or music scholarship Converse offers you.

Need-Based Scholarships & Grants

Converse Grants

Converse offers various need-based endowed scholarships, which are often named for friends and alumnae of the college by the donors who establish these funds. Criteria for these scholarships vary and may include considerations of major, county of residence, or leadership qualities of the students who qualify for financial assistance. Awards from need-based endowed scholarships are often an integral part of a student’s financial assistance package.

Federal Grants

This type of financial aid, like scholarships, doesn't have to be repaid. Eligibility is based on your level of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Any undergraduate student with demonstrated financial need may be eligible to receive:

Federal Pell Grant: Grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to the neediest of students.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: The FSEOG grants are awarded to students with exceptional need.

TEACH Grant

State Awards

South Carolina residents may receive additional assistance through other state-supported programs such as:

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship: These scholarships are awarded by the Commission on Higher Education to academically outstanding South Carolina residents who attend college in state. Eligible students must meet all of the following three criteria:
a minimum SAT score of 1200
a minimum grade point average of 3.5
rank in the top 6% of their class
OR
Score a minimum of 1400 on the SAT
have a cumulative 4.0 GPA at the end of the senior year

See your guidance counselor for more details. Application deadline is December 15 for early awards and June 15 for final awards.

South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grant: This is available yearly to students who attend the state's private colleges on a full-time basis and who demonstrate need as computed according to Federal criteria. Eligibility is based on your level of financial need as determined by the FAFSA. To be eligible to receive this grant for the following school year, you must file the FAFSA before June 30th.

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship: South Carolina residents who attend a four-year private or public institution in the state may be eligible to receive this scholarship. This is not a need-based program.

You must meet two of the following criteria:

1. At least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
2. A minimum SAT score of 1100 or ACT Composite of 24
3. Rank in the top 30% of your high school graduating class

South Carolina Hope Scholarship: South Carolina residents who do not meet the requirements for the LIFE Scholarship may be eligible to receive the Hope Scholarship provided they have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at high school graduation. The Hope Scholarship is limited to the freshman year of college only and is dependent upon funding from the state.

South Carolina Teachers Loan: Residents who plan to teach in the public sector in South Carolina upon graduation from college may apply for this loan. The deadline for applying is June 1st.