SOUTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES, INC. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXCELLENCE ALLEN ANDERSON College Guide BENEDICT 2019-2020 CHARLESTON SOUTHERN CLAFLIN COKER COLUMBIA COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL CONVERSE ERSKINE FURMAN LIMESTONE MORRIS NEWBERRY NORTH GREENVILLE PRESBYTERIAN SOUTHERN WESLEYAN SPARTANBURG METHODIST VOORHEES WOFFORD CUSTOMIZATION, CONVENIENCE & COMMUNITY: THE& COMMUNITY: DINING EXPERIENCE YOU EXPECT THE DINING EXPERIENCE YOU EXPECT ARAMARK, A PROUD SPONSOR OF SouthARAMARK, Carolina A PROUD Independent SPONSOR Colleges OF & Universities www.aramark.com South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities www.aramark.com ALLEN ANDERSON Greetings: BENEDICT CHARLESTON On behalf of the 20 independent colleges and universities that are members of South SOUTHERN Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, I am pleased to share with you our 2019-2020 CLAFLIN College Guide. In its pages students, families, counselors and others can explore the many COKER “Opportunities for Excellence” available at South Carolina’s outstanding private institutions of COLUMBIA higher learning. COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL With so many options, choosing the right school is both an exciting prospect and a daunting CONVERSE challenge. Finding a good fit – the institution that meets your unique intellectual, financial, ERSKINE and personal needs – requires time and thoughtfulness. FURMAN The sooner you begin your selection process, the better. Explore schools of different sizes, LIMESTONE locations, characteristics, and costs. Keep an open mind. MORRIS Most importantly, after the choices have been narrowed, take time to visit each campus on NEWBERRY your short list. Take a tour, meet with students, attend a class, read the campus newspaper, eat NORTH GREENVILLE in the student center, and spend the night in a residence. PRESBYTERIAN Let the journey begin! I suggest you start with a closer look at South Carolina’s wonderfully SOUTHERN WESLEYAN diverse independent colleges and universities. In the pages that follow, you will find detailed SPARTANBURG school profiles, visitation dates, and an extensive discussion of available federal, state, and METHODIST institutional student financial aid. Additional information and resources may be found at VOORHEES www.scicu.org. WOFFORD Should you have any questions about the SCICU member colleges and universities, don’t hesitate to contact me or any of the campuses. 1706 SENATE STREET I wish you the very best in finding the college or university that will help you grow personally, COLUMBIA, SC professionally, and intellectually. 29211 (803)799-7122 WEB: scicu.org E-MAIL: L. Jeffrey Perez, Ph.D. [email protected] President & CEO South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities Opportunities for Excellence ..................... 2 Limestone College .....................31 Consider an Independent College or University ... 3 Morris College .........................33 2019 Excellence in Teaching Awards .............. 4 Newberry College . 35 Quick Facts ...................................... 5 North Greenville University .............37 Presbyterian College ...................39 College and University Profiles ................... 8 Southern Wesleyan University ..........41 Allen University ......................... 9 Spartanburg Methodist College ........43 Anderson University. 11 Voorhees College ......................45 TableB enedictof Contents College . 13 Wofford College. 47 Charleston Southern University .........15 Claflin University . 17 The Affordable Difference .......................50 Coker University .......................19 General Financial Aid Information ...............51 Columbia College ......................21 Federal Student Aid Programs . 52 Columbia International University ......23 South Carolina Financial Aid Programs. 54 Converse College ......................25 Erskine College. 27 Student Loan Programs .........................61 Furman University. 29 College and University Visitation Days ...........64 SCICU gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors of the 2019-2020 College Guide for their support of independent higher education in South Carolina: Aramark • Pioneer College Caterers Sodexo • South Carolina Student Loan Corporation The College Guide is published annually by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Inc. 1706 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Copyright © 2019 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. All Rights Reserved Please visit the SCICU website (scicu.org) to learn more about private colleges and universities in South Carolina. Cover: Coker University campus 1 SCICU…Providing Opportunities for Excellence FOUNDED • South Carolina Independent Colleges SCICU Staff and Universities, Inc. was established in 1953 to promote independent higher education in South L. Jeffrey Perez, Ph.D. Carolina. President and CEO [email protected] MEMBERSHIP • To be eligible for membership in SCICU, an institution must meet the following Eddie Shannon criteria: (1) Be a two or four-year college or university Executive Vice President with its primary emphasis on the liberal arts, (2) Have [email protected] received qualified accreditation by the Southern Brenda Torrence Association of Colleges and Schools, (3) Must be a non-profit institution, and (4) Be headquartered in Director - Finance South Carolina. and Administration [email protected] MEMBERS • SCICU represents 20 independent Shay Shealy West colleges and universities, each with a unique Director - Communications historical, cultural, and in many instances, faith and Marketing background, including five historically black colleges [email protected] and universities and two women’s colleges. MISSION • SCICU supports and promotes the values of independent higher education in South Carolina. SCICU seeks to advance higher education through fundraising, scholarships, and research, as well as by facilitating collaborative activities among the member institutions. SCICU also enhances a positive public image and encourages government policies that support independent higher education. South Carolina Independent Colleges MANAGEMENT • A board of trustees composed of and Universities, Inc. the presidents from each member institution and business and community leaders from across the state directs SCICU. 1706 Senate Street Columbia, SC 29201 TAX STATUS • SCICU is a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. SCICU has been designated a 501 (c) Phone: (803) 799-7122 (3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service and all contributions are tax deductible. Contributions www.scicu.org should be made payable to SCICU and mailed to 1706 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. 2 Why Should You Consider an Independent College or University? The value of a quality education cannot be overestimated. In South Carolina, there are abundant opportunities to obtain an exceptional, affordable higher education at an independent liberal arts college or university. While each college or university is unique, they all share a common belief that a liberal arts education prepares a student not only for a career, but for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service. In determining which learning environment is right for you, consider the many advantages and benefits available at any one of SCICU’s twenty member institutions of higher learning: Classes are taught by professors, most with terminal degrees in their field, whose primary focus is the student. Low student-to-faculty ratios and small classes allow for more individualized attention in a supportive, personal, and interactive environment. An emphasis on teaching and learning: A liberal arts education helps students to develop a sense of personal and social responsibility and creates a framework for students to think expansively and acquire strong, transferable knowledge and the practical skills needed to prepare Smallthem for successful, classes fulfillingand laboratories: professional and personal lives in an increasingly complex, diverse, and changing world. Each of SCICU’s 20 member colleges and universities has a unique historical, geographic, cultural, and in many Theinstances, opportunity faith background. for a liberal arts education with a 21st century focus: Small, close-knit campus communities encourage healthy interpersonal relationships and participation in a variety of campus living, learning, service, athletic, and leadership activities. Diversity: Independent college and universities have very strong retention and on-time graduation rates. The relatively small size and quality of the graduating classes result in a higher percentage of placements in careers and in graduate and Community:professional schools. The cost of an outstanding independent college education is often comparable to that of a public university after Success:consideration of institutional scholarships (academic, athletic, leadership and need-based) combined with state and federal scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. Obtaining a postsecondary education is a tremendous investment in both time and money, but one that pays lifelong dividends. Students and families are encouraged to use the many resources in this guide and those found Value:elsewhere to help them make the best college/university selection based on their unique needs. 3 2019 Excellence in Teaching Awards The hallmark of South Carolina’s private non-profit colleges and universities is their emphasis on individualized learning and student achievement. This can only be accomplished by a faculty of the highest quality