College of Engineering and Computing

Each year, hundreds of undergraduate students receive scholarships from the College of Engineering and Computing. By submitting one application (download PDF), the College will consider you for all general scholarships for which you are eligible. There are two types of these scholarships:

Engineering and Computing Merit Scholarships
Each year the College of Engineering and Computing awards merit scholarships to deserving future and current undergraduate students. These scholarships are for up to $1,000 per year and for up to four years, and can supplement State and University-level Scholarships. Both college-wide and major-specific scholarships are awarded based on academic merit.

Incoming freshman with a minimum GPA of 3.50 and a minimum SAT score of 1250 (combined math and verbal) or equivalent ACT score are generally considered. For transfer and current students, demonstrated excellence in college-level coursework is a key requirement.

Applications are due by March 1 each year for consideration for scholarships that will begin the next Fall semester, and by October 1 for scholarships that will begin in the Spring. Scholarship decisions are generally made by the end of March for Fall awards and November for Spring awards. For additional information about these scholarships, please contact Ms. Becky Mayo at mayo@cec.sc.edu or 803-777-1461.

Engineering and Computing Expanded Life Scholarships (ECELS)
ECELS is a special scholarship program to cover the difference between State (i.e., LIFE or Palmetto Fellows) and University-level scholarships, and the cost of tuition and fees (not including room and board). Regardless of tuition and fee increases, the total scholarship amount will be adjusted each year to cover the difference. There is no application for ECELS. Students are automatically considered if they have a LIFE scholarship or Palmetto Fellows award.

Other Scholarships for Engineering and Computing Students

The College also awards several scholarships with a separate application and process. These include:

Rothberg Scholarship
Students pursuing degrees in chemical engineering with strong academic records who have been involved in high school and community leadership may be selected to receive Henry M. Rothberg Bicentennial Scholarships. For additional information, contact the Department of Chemical Engineering, at 803-777-4181 or visit http://www.che.sc.edu/futurestudent/

Wilson Scholarship
Students with strong academic records and leadership experiences who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in one of the programs of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering may be selected to receive a Wilson Scholarship. For additional information, contact the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at 803-777-2880 or visit http://www.cse.sc.edu/undergraduate/wilson-scholarship

John H. Fain Scholarship
The Fain Scholarship is intended to provide an incentive for Computer Science majors to become entrepreneurs. Awards are made to selected seniors that meet GPA and similar requirements and have pursued coursework that would set them on a career path toward creating their own businesses in the computing industry. For additional information, contact the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at 803-777-2880 or visit http://www.cse.sc.edu/undergraduate/fain-scholarship

FIRST Robotics Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to selected high school seniors have are have been on a FIRST team at their high school for at least two years, including their senior year, have a minimum GPA of 3.50, minimum SAT score of 1250 (combined math and verbal) or equivalent ACT combined score, and meet USC academic enrollment requirements. Applicable teams are associated with the FIRST Robotics Competition, the FIRST Vex Challenge and the FIRST Tech Challenge. The recipient of this scholarship will receive up to $1,000 per year for up to four years. Applications must include a USC FIRST Scholarship Application and a Letter of Recommendation from a Teacher or FIRST Mentor explaining the applicant’s role and contribution to their FIRST Team. Applications are due February 15, 2012. For more information about an application, please contact Stefanie Pirwitz, Outreach, Recruitment, Retention Coordinator, at email or 803-777-2706.

Columbia Sailing Club Scholarship
The Columbia Sailing Club Scholarship is available to incoming freshman or rising sophomore CEC students who have an interest about and experience in sailing. CEC students with above-average ACT/SAT scores or USC GPA are invited to submit a short essay (one or two pages) to Becky Mayo describing their past and future interests in sailing and how they may wish to integrate competitive or recreational sailing into their life as a student and/or how they might promote the sport of sailing among their peers at USC. For more information, contact Becky at mayo@cec.sc.edu or 803-777-1461.