Scholarship students to get more money
Clemson says biggest increases going to math, science majors

Published: Friday, July 6, 2007 - 2:00 am

STAFF REPORT

CLEMSON -- Legislation passed this year by the state General Assembly means more money for students in the state's LIFE and Palmetto Fellows scholarship programs.

Clemson University has announced that Palmetto Fellows who are math and science majors with more than 30 semester hours will receive an additional $3,300 for a total of $10,000 per academic year.

Palmetto Fellows recipients who aren't math and science majors can expect an increase of $800 for a total of $7,500, according to a statement from Clemson.

LIFE Scholars who are math and science majors with more than 30 hours will receive an additional $2,500 for a total of $7,500.

The increase in funding will be available beginning with the fall 2007 semester. Clemson currently receives $32 million for the scholarship programs.

"This means an increase of over $5 million for Clemson students," said Marvin Carmichael, student financial aid director, in a prepared statement.

"Additional resources from the General Assembly means some students will have to borrow less money and be at a lower risk of going deeper into debt from college payments amid continued increases in tuition and fees."

Last week, Clemson raised tuition for the coming year by 5 percent and added a $50 library fee for most students.

Clemson enrolls half of the Palmetto Fellows attending public institutions in South Carolina and 38 percent of the fellows overall.

The student financial aid office at Clemson will communicate with students and families during the fall semester on specifics of the enhanced scholarship legislation.

In the meantime, Carmichael said Clemson is working with the Commission on Higher Education and other institutions in the state on a plan for implementation.