FMU set to eliminate tuition costs for eligible freshmen

Francis Marion University is taking another step towards making high quality higher education accessible with the establishment of a new financial award aimed at next fall’s incoming freshman.

The new FMU Freshman Supplement will make it possible for all freshmen who are South Carolina residents, and who have demonstrated financial need, to cover the cost of all tuition and fees during their first year at the University. 

The supplement will pay the difference between a student’s first-year tuition and fees and all federal grants, state scholarships, institutional scholarships, stipends, and other external awards a student may receive. The amount of the supplement available to each student will vary depending upon the other awards and scholarships received.

Dr. Fred Carter, FMU’s president, says the freshman supplement is logical next step for the University.

“Opening the door to a quality university education has been FMU’s mission since its founding 50 years ago and it’s no less a part of whom we are today,” says Carter. “Helping students with demonstrated need overcome those hurdles is one of the most critical things we do. It’s why we established the First Generation Fund last year, and it’s why we’re creating the FMU Freshman Supplement now.”

To receive the FMU Freshman Supplement, students must be eligible for a full federal Pell Grant award and being receiving the full Pell amount.

For more information on the Freshman Supplement, visit https://www.fmarion.edu/freshmensupp/.

FMU launched the First Generation Fund last year. It’s designed to provide resources for students who are the first in their family to attend college. Donate or find out more at: https://www.fmarion.edu/firstgen/

The deadline for freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2020 to meet the initial requirements for the FMU Freshman Supplemental Award is Feb. 1, 2020.

To be eligible for the freshmen supplement, students must meet the following criteria:

• Be accepted to FMU as a first-time freshman, which means completing an application well in advance of the deadline.
• Have completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Francis Marion University.
• Qualify for full Federal Pell Grant Eligibility.
• Be a South Carolina Resident
• Enroll as a full-time student at FMU for the fall 2020 semester.

 More information on the FAFSA and financial aid from FMU in general is available at https://www.fmarion.edu/financialassistance/. The FAFSA application can be accessed at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa.