Merit-Based Scholarships
Recognizing your exceptional achievements and potential to make a meaningful impact at Furman and beyond.
Celebrating Academic Excellence
Merit-based scholarships support students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. These scholarships recognize your accomplishments while investing in your future success through Furman’s transformative educational experience.
In awarding merit-based scholarships, we consider:
- Academic performance and GPA
- Strength of curriculum and course rigor
- Standardized test scores (if submitted)
- Personal essay and demonstrated writing ability
- Leadership experience and co-curricular involvement
- Community service and impact
Your application for admission automatically serves as your application for merit-based scholarships – no separate application required.
Our Premier Scholarship Programs
James B. Duke Scholarships
Our most prestigious academic awards
The Duke Scholarship represents the pinnacle of academic recognition at Furman, awarded annually to incoming first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic accomplishments, significant leadership experience, and meaningful service to their communities. These full scholarships go to our most outstanding applicants – typically the top 1-2% of our applicant pool.
Award Benefits:
- Full scholarship covering tuition, room, board, and all fees
- Renewable for four years or eight semesters
- Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars program
- Membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars with exclusive programming and opportunities
Selection Process: Select students will be invited in early February to attend a Scholarship Interview Event in March. Finalists typically demonstrate:
- Exceptional academic records with the most challenging curriculum available
- Standardized test scores typically above 34 ACT or 1500 SAT
- Significant leadership positions and extraordinary co-curricular involvement
- Exceptional creativity, commitment, and enthusiasm in all endeavors
- Impact at county, state, or national levels
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:
- Academic record: In past years, finalists have taken the most challenging curriculum available to them, including honors and AP classes, IB or other advanced curriculum choices. A’s dominate the transcripts of finalists. Standardized test scores of finalists are typically above 34 on the ACT or above 1500 on the SAT I.
- Extracurricular involvement: Finalists typically are involved in many activities outside the classroom. They hold significant leadership positions in their school or community and display exceptional creativity, commitment and enthusiasm in all they do. Often, they have been involved in activities on the county, state or national level.
- Personal achievement: In all they do, finalists seek challenges and make the most of opportunities presented to them.
Joseph A. Vaughn Scholarships
Honoring excellence and resilience
Named in honor of Joseph Vaughn, Furman’s first African American student, these prestigious scholarships are awarded to five exceptional South Carolina residents who demonstrate outstanding academic potential, strong leadership commitment, service excellence, and remarkable resilience.
Award Benefits:
- Full scholarship covering tuition, room, board, and all fees
- Renewable for four years or eight semesters
- Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars program
- Membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars
Eligibility: Current South Carolina residents who demonstrate academic excellence and strong commitment to leadership, service, and resilience. Select students will be invited to participate in a selection interview in March.
John D. Hollingsworth Scholarships
Developing South Carolina’s civic leaders
Hollingsworth Scholarships recognize outstanding South Carolina students who combine academic achievement with a demonstrated commitment to community service and civic engagement. Recipients are selected based on their admission application with no separate interview required.
Award Benefits:
- $36,000 per year, renewable for four years
- Participation in exclusive Public Leadership Seminars connecting students with government and civic leaders
- Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars program
- Membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars
Selection Criteria: South Carolina residents who demonstrate passion for community service, strong leadership skills, and commitment to continued civic engagement at Furman.
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.
Charles H. Townes Scholarships
Recognizing national academic excellence
Named for Nobel Prize winner and Furman alumnus Charles H. Townes, these scholarships honor exceptional students from outside South Carolina who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and commitment to bettering their communities.
Award Benefits:
- $36,000 per year, renewable for four years
- Participation in exclusive Public Leadership Seminars
- Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars program
- Membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars
Selection Criteria: Students residing outside South Carolina who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership experience, and commitment to community impact. Recipients are selected based on their admission application.
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.
Bell Tower Scholarships
Supporting high-achieving students
Bell Tower Scholarships recognize high-achieving students whose academic performance, co-curricular involvement, community service, and leadership experiences demonstrate their potential to make positive contributions to the Furman community.
Award Benefits:
- Variable scholarship amounts based on academic achievement and potential
- Renewable for up to four years or eight semesters
- No separate application or interview required
Selection: Recipients are selected based on their admission application, recognizing students who show strong academic performance and meaningful engagement in their communities.
PREMIER SCHOLARSHIPS
Furman’s premier scholarships include participation in The Riley Institute’s AdvantageScholars Program and membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars, which providesaccess to faculty mentors and social, cultural and intellectual programing throughout the year.
Priority deadline: November 1
Candidates for premier scholarships may be asked to interview on campus.
Your Path to Success
Merit scholarships represent more than financial support – they’re an investment in your potential to create meaningful impact. At Furman, scholarship recipients join a community of high-achieving students supported by:
- Faculty-mentored research opportunities advancing your academic and professional goals
- Comprehensive career services with 98% placement rate for graduates
- Alumni network of 35,000+ providing mentorship and career connections
- Study away programs expanding your global perspective
Leadership development through the Riley Institute and campus organizations
Ready to Begin?
Your journey toward a merit scholarship starts with your application for admission. Submit your strongest academic record, showcase your leadership experiences, and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.
Apply today and take the first step toward joining Furman’s community of scholars, leaders, and changemakers.