Merit-based scholarships support students who show great potential to make a positive impact on the Furman community. In awarding merit-based scholarships, we consider:
Your application for admission also serves as your application for merit-based scholarships.
Duke Scholarships are Furman’s most prestigious academic awards, given each year to incoming students in recognition of their exceptional academic accomplishments as well as significant leadership, service and co-curricular involvement. These awards go to our most outstanding applicants–typically the top one or two percent of our applicant pool. Select students will be invited in early February to attend a Scholarship Interview Event, which will take place in March.
The Scholarship Committee identifies finalists for the James B. Duke Scholarship and extends invitations for an interview. The interviews are held in late March. Candidates will be notified by mail if they are selected to compete. Students selected as winners of these awards will receive this scholarship in lieu of any Bell Tower Scholarships previously awarded.
As committee members review your admission application, they consider the following factors:
Hollingsworth Scholarships are awarded to select incoming students from South Carolina who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to their communities. Students will be considered for Hollingsworth Scholarships based on their admission application. There is no interview required to be selected for these scholarships.
As committee members review your admission application, they look for South Carolina-area scholars who have demonstrated a passion for helping others and making an impact in their communities. Candidates have demonstrated strong leadership skills and hope to continue a high level of civic engagement while attending Furman.
Townes Scholarships are awarded to select incoming students from outside of South Carolina who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to bettering their communities. Students will be considered for Townes Scholarships based on their admission application. There is no interview required to be selected for these scholarships.
As committee members review your admission application, they look for scholars from outside of South Carolina who have demonstrated a passion for helping others and making an impact in their communities. Candidates have demonstrated strong leadership skills and hope to continue a high level of civic engagement while attending Furman.
Joseph A. Vaughn Scholarships honor the memory of the late Joseph Vaughn, Furman’s first African-American student. Vaughn Scholarships will be awarded to five, new, incoming Black or African-American students currently reside in the state of South Carolina and have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to their communities. Vaughn Scholarships are renewable, full-tuition scholarships, awarded for up to four years. Students will automatically be considered for the Vaughn Scholarship based on their admission application. Recipients will be notified upon receipt of the financial aid award. Vaughn Scholars will be invited to personally connect with the Chief Diversity Officer and supporting faculty and staff. Eligibility criteria to maintain the Vaughn scholarship is satisfactory academic progress.
Bell Tower Scholarships support high-achieving students whose academic, co-curricular, community service, and/or leadership experiences suggest that they will make positive contributions to the Furman community.
Students will be considered for Bell Tower Scholarships based on their admission application. There is no interview required to be selected for these scholarships.
Bell Tower Scholarship amounts vary and are renewable for a maximum of four years, or eight semesters.