Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Clemson, SC
How students pay for Clemson University
Sticker price $35,250 a year. After grants, the average student pays $22,032, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $14,638 to $27,922.
- 38%admitted
- 23,300undergraduates
- 88%graduate
- 53%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $42,378 a year versus $15,854 for South Carolina residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
53%grant from Clemson Universityavg $7,127
14%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,383
52%state grantavg $6,402
33%federal student loanavg $5,351
Scholarships from Clemson University
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- Resident Merit ScholarshipVaries (first-year recruiting awards range from $500 a year to full cost of attendance)
South Carolina residents who receive the Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarship and meet class rank, test score and other criteria.
- Out-of-State Tuition ScholarshipVaries
Domestic out-of-state first-year students with an exceptional high school record; renew with 24 credits a year and a 3.0 GPA.
- National Scholars ProgramTuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses
Top applicants to the Clemson Honors College, chosen after an interview.
- Breakthrough Scholars ProgramTuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses
South Carolina residents majoring in STEM who plan on advanced degrees, chosen from top Honors College applicants after an interview.
- Clemson Scholars
Top students at targeted South Carolina public high schools and some independent schools; financial need and first-generation status are considered.
- Lyceum Scholars Program$60,000 over four years
Incoming first-year students of any major in a great-books program on the foundations of a free society.
- Clemson-Sponsored National Merit Scholarship$1,500 a year for four years (Freshman Award: $2,500 first year, then $1,500 a year)
National Merit Finalists selected by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Priority FAFSA deadline: January 1 (incoming first-year students, to qualify for need-based aid and named scholarships).
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · South Carolina
South Carolina Need-Based Grant
Set each year by the state and awarded by your college; at the University of South Carolina it is $100 to $1,500 per semester
Who qualifies: South Carolina residents with financial need, enrolled full-time in a first bachelor's degree at an eligible South Carolina college.
How: File the FAFSA; no separate application. No state deadline is published, so file early and ask your aid office for its date.
Official rules →State grant · South Carolina
LIFE Scholarship
Up to $5,000 a year at a four-year college ($4,700 for tuition plus $300 for books); up to $7,500 for eligible science and math majors from the second year. The state sets the amount each year.
Who qualifies: South Carolina residents who graduated from a South Carolina high school (or were dependents of a resident) and met two of three: a 3.0 high-school GPA on the state's Uniform Grading Scale, an SAT of 1100 or ACT of 22, and a top-30% class rank.
How: No application: your college checks eligibility and awards it automatically.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Clemson
| Studio | $1,050/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $1,100/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $605/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 29634. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in South Carolina
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage applies. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$19,500median federal debt≈ $222/month over 10 years
$79,064median earnings10 years after enrolling
88%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for Clemson University
What scholarships does Clemson University offer?
Resident Merit Scholarship (Varies (first-year recruiting awards range from $500 a year to full cost of attendance)); Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship (Varies); National Scholars Program (Tuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses); Breakthrough Scholars Program (Tuition, fees, housing, food and other expenses); Clemson Scholars. Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does Clemson University really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $22,032 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $14,638 to $27,922. The full cost of attendance before aid is $35,250.
Does Clemson University give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 53% of first-year students received a grant from Clemson University itself, averaging $7,127. 14% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,383).
How much is rent near Clemson University?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (29634) is $1,100 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,210 for a two-bedroom, about $605 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at Clemson University?
Yes. The minimum wage in South Carolina is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do Clemson University graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $19,500, about $222 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $79,064.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with Clemson University. How these pages work.
More in South Carolina: University of South Carolina-Columbia · All colleges in South Carolina →