Merit-Based Scholarships

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:

GPA
Strength of curriculum
Test scores (if submitted)
Essay
Co-curricular activities

Your application for admission also serves as your application for merit-based scholarships.

James B. Duke 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.

Full Scholarship covering tuition, room, board, and all fees, renewable for four years or eight semesters
Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars, a four-day residential program for incoming freshmen to discuss real-world issues and build community
Membership in Furman’s Community of Scholars, which provides faculty mentors, as well as social, cultural, and intellectual programing throughout the year

Learn more about the selection process for the James B. Duke Scholarship

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.

John D. Hollingsworth Scholarships

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.

$35,000 per year, renewable for four years
Participation in Public Leadership Seminars which connect students with government and civic leaders
Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars, a four-day residential program for incoming freshmen to discuss real-world issues and build community

Learn more about the selection process for the John D. Hollingsworth Scholarship

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

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.

$35,000 per year, renewable for four years
Participation in Public Leadership Seminars which connect students with government and civic leaders
Participation in the Riley Institute’s Advantage Scholars, a four-day residential program for incoming freshmen to discuss real-world issues and build community

Learn more about the selection process for the Charles H. Townes Scholarship

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

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 who currently reside in the state of South Carolina and have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and a strong commitment to their communities.

Vaughn Scholarships are Full Scholarships covering tuition, room, board, and all fees, renewable for four years or eight semesters
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. Eligibility criteria to maintain the Vaughn scholarship is satisfactory academic progress.

Bell Tower Scholarships

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.