Financial Assistance
Providing students with opportunities
At FMU, we have worked diligently to keep our costs as low as possible for our students without sacrificing the quality of the education you receive. We’re committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to receive the best education possible without breaking the bank. By choosing to invest in a Francis Marion University education, you’ll not only receive a powerful education, you’ll also be able to do it affordably by attending the university with the best educational value in South Carolina.
The Financial Assistance Office at FMU is committed to helping you every step of the way as you explore your options for paying for college. Not only will we provide you with comprehensive information on the types of financial assistance available, we’ll also assist you as you go through the financial assistance application process and determine your eligibility for assistance.
Types of Aid
LOANS
There are a number of different types of loans available to students. Two terms to be aware of are subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Subsidized loans are need-based while unsubsidized loans are not.
In addition, the subsidized loan does not begin accruing interest until six months after students stop attending college, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest as soon as the loan begins.
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
Work study is need-based and allows students to work on-campus and receive federally subsidized pay.
GRANTS
Federal and state grants are available to students. Grants include the Pell Grant and SC Need-Based Grant.
SUMMER AID
YOU MUST REGISTER FOR SUMMER CLASSES AT FMU BEFORE COMPLETING A SUMMER AID APPLICATION.
Please contact the Office of Financial Assistance if you need aid to attend summer school.
DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY OUR OFFICE TO DO SO.
SUMMER AID IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SUMMER COURSES.
FAFSA
The first step in the financial assistance application process is completion of the FAFSA. Click here to access FAFSA. The FAFSA collects information that will be analyzed for use by Francis Marion University’s Office of Financial Assistance to determine the types of assistance for which you qualify. It is highly recommended that you and your parent(s) apply for a FSA ID before completing your FAFSA. FMU’s Title IV School Code is 009226.
The FAFSA must be completed for every academic year that you want assistance. Each academic year begins in the fall and ends in the summer. For example, the 2023-2024 FAFSA is for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms at Francis Marion University. The 24-25 FAFSA opens up in the month of December at FAFSA.gov and will be for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms. The FMU priority processing deadline for financial assistance is March 1st of each year.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
We are committed to offering a high-quality education and will do everything possible to ensure that you and your family can afford Francis Marion University. As a result, if your family’s financial situation has changed since you filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or your family has circumstances affecting your ability to pay which are not captured on the FAFSA, you may qualify to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated under the following circumstances:
If income reported on the FAFSA is higher than what will be received during the academic year due to a loss or change in employment, divorce or separation, or a death in the family — you may qualify to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated. Please complete and return the 2023-24 Anticipated Income Form
In the event a parent or student’s marital status changes after completing the FAFSA application-please complete and return the appropriate required documentation:
Student is now:
Married
- A copy of your marriage certificate
- A copy of both your and your spouse’s tax return transcript
Divorced
- A copy of your divorce decree
- A copy of your tax return transcript
- All W2 forms
Separated
- Separation Certification Form (click here to download form)
- All W2 forms
Widowed
- A copy of death certificate
- Tax return transcripts
- W2 forms
Parent is now:
Married/Remarried
- A copy of your marriage certificate
- A copy of both your and your spouse’s tax return transcript
Divorced
- A copy of your divorce decree
- A copy of your tax return transcript
- All W2 forms
Separated
- Separation Certification Form (click here to download form)
- All W2 forms
Widowed
- A copy of death certificate
- Tax return transcript
- W2 forms
Scholarships
SC SCHOLARSHIPS
Francis Marion takes pride in enrolling more than 1,200 students annually who benefit from South Carolina’s Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE scholarships. Individual students can work with guidance counselors at their schools to apply for the state grants, but FMU counselors can assist if needed.
UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
The minimum criteria for all University Scholarships at FMU includes admittance to the University for upcoming fall semester, a score of 1100 or better on the SAT (CR and Math only) or 24 ACT Composite, and a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students meeting those requirements could qualify for any of the University awards.
DONOR SCHOLARSHIPS
IMPORTANT: Students must turn in a scholarship application by March 31, in order to be considered for non-renewable scholarships.
These awards may be from the University or outside sources. Generally, full-time enrollment is required to receive a scholarship. Unless otherwise stated in your initial award letter, scholarships are non-renewable.
Apply here: 2024-25-Donor Scholarship Application
FMU'S NET PRICE CALCULATOR
Francis Marion University’s Net Price Calculator uses the latest available data to provide an estimated cost of attendance to current and prospective students based on what similar students paid in a previous year.
The calculator includes tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board (meals) and other related expenses, minus estimated grant and scholarship aid.
CONTACT US
The Office of Financial Assistance is here to serve you. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00AM-5:00PM. Our staff is available to answer your questions when you call, email or visit us. We can be reached by phone at 843-661-1190, email at FINASST@fmarion.edu, or in person at the Stokes Administration Building 117.
Title IV School Code: 009226
Location: 117 Stokes Administration Building (SAB)
Telephone: 843-661-1190
Fax: 843-661-1195
Email: finasst@fmarion.edu
Mailing Address:
Francis Marion University
Office of Financial Assistance
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502-0547