Incoming Freshmen Salutatorian Presidential Scholarship

The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University provides academically talented students with innovative and unique educational experiences. The Clyburn Honors College encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and independent work skills by offering exciting academic and cultural activities as well as the opportunity for close working and social relationships with the faculty.

To graduate with University Honors, a student must:
Complete at least 17 credit hours of university studies courses as honors sections. *
Complete at least 30 community service hours each semester (Effective Fall 2026).
Enroll in at least 15 credit hours each semester.

Maintain academic eligibility:
A cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better must be established by the end of each semester for Presidential, Valedictorian, and Salutatorian Scholars.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or better at the end of each semester for General, Achiever, Transfer and Membership Scholars.
A cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better must be established by the end of each semester for Clyburn Scholars.

Earn a minimum of a “C” in all honors college courses.

If a student earns a grade below “C” in an honors university studies course, the grade may count toward that student ‘s university studies requirements but not toward his or her honors requirements. If that student wishes to complete the honors requirements for
University Honors, the student must take an additional honors university studies course and earn no lower than a “C.”

Students earning below a “C” in Honors UNIV 101, HPIL 101, HPIL 102, HPIL 201, HPIL 202, LS150, CI300, must take additional seminars, respectively, and earn no lower than a “C.”

Adhere to all other policies as outlined in the SCSU Clyburn Honors College Student Handbook, SCSU Undergraduate Catalog, and SCSU Student Handbook.

Award
Tuition, Room & Board, Books, and Fees - 4 years
Deadline
03/20/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Legal Full Name
  2. Preferred Name
  3. SCSU Email Address
  4. Alternative Email Address
  5. Permanent Mailing Address
  6. Local Mailing Address (if applicable)
  7. Mobile Phone
  8. Home Phone
  9. I am applying for admission to the Clyburn Honors College as:
  10. Are you a current student at South Carolina State University?
  11. Have you been accepted to South Carolina State University?
  12. Please upload a copy of your undergraduate official transcript indicating showing your cumulative GPA calculation of 3.4 or above.
  13. Please upload your official copy of the SAT scores-1200 or higher on the SAT (math and verbal combined) OR your official copy of the ACT scores-27 or higher on the ACT
  14. Please enter your unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. If your high school does not report an unweighted GPA, enter your weighted GPA and indicate that your school does not calculate unweighted GPAs.
  15. I submitted a of Score 4 or higher on tests in the Advanced Placement College of the College Entrance Examination Board to the SC State Office of Admissions to receive credit. (*Optional for SC State Clyburn Honors College)
  16. Do you have an unweighted Cumulative GPA 3.5 or above?
  17. Did you graduate in the top ten percent of your high school class?
  18. Please upload a letter from the principal on official letterhead indicating rank.
  19. Please respond to the prompt listed below and submit your response with your application. Your 500 word essay should be strong, well-written, free of errors, and formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font with a 1.5 spacing between lines. PROMPT: Deciding on which college to attend is probably the most difficult step in the entire process. As you reflect on this process, why have you decided to apply to SC State and the Clyburn Honors College? What do you hope to gain from attending SC State and being a Clyburn Honors College Scholar? What do you hope to contribute to SC State and the Clyburn Honors College? What will it mean to you to become a member of the Clyburn Honors College?
  20. Please respond to the prompts listed below and submit your response with your application. Your 500- word essays should be strong, well-written, free of errors, and formatted in 12-point Times New Roman font with a 1.5 spacing between lines. Describe a community service or leadership experience that has had a lasting impact on you. What motivated you to get involved, what role did you play, what did you learn about yourself and others, and how has this experience shaped your desire to become a Clyburn Honors College Scholar at South Carolina State University?
  21. Please submit your resume. Please feel free to submit supporting documents to elaborate on a particular activity (optional).
  22. Please submit at least two Letters of Recommendation with your application. • Please ask one of your teachers (professors for transfer applicants) and your counselor, administrator, and/or a community member (that are non-relatives) to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf for admission to Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University. The letters must be on an official letterhead. Be sure to provide the person writing the letter with the name of the school, intended program of study, other related information regarding this process, and the date you need the letter. The letter should include an assessment of your potential strengths (as well as your weaknesses) as an honors student in college.
    • First letter of recommendation
    • Second letter of recommendation
  23. Please list the names and titles of the person writing a letter of recommendation for you.
    • Name and title of person for the first letter of recommendation:
    • Name and title of person for the second letter of recommendation:
  24. Please upload a Personal Statement- A one-page typed autobiography.
  25. Please upload a headshot photograph.
  26. Please be advised that the Honors College fee of $300.00 is due upon acceptance. Kindly submit your payment promptly to secure your membership. This fee covers items such as your Honors College blazer, T-shirt, stoles, and other related materials. Please submit your fee to the Dr. Emily England Honors College at https://www.scsu.edu/give/now.php. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the fee or the payment process, please contact us. Upon successful completion of the application process, including the interview, I agree to pay a non-refundable Honors College fee of $300.
  27. Honors College Interview Requirement Acknowledgment: By submitting this application, I acknowledge that participation in a formal interview with the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College administration is a required component of the admissions process. I understand that my admission is contingent upon successfully completing this interview, demonstrating my academic readiness, leadership potential, and alignment with the mission and values of the Honors College. I affirm that I will make myself available for scheduling and fully participate in the interview process as directed by the Honors College administration.
  28. Please sign and date and include your SC State 900#:
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