Freshmen who have been accepted to USC Aiken and who qualify by having an SAT score of 1170 and/or an ACT score of 24 are eligible to apply for acceptance into the Honors Program at USC Aiken. To apply, students should send (either via regular or electronic mail) their name, contact information, High School, SAT/ACT score, planned major, and class rank. In addition, the applicant should ask two high school teachers to send letters of recommendation to Dr. Michelle Vieyra, Honors Program Director. Students should also send a writing sample from a recent course.

All applications must be postmarked by April 15. Students are informed within two weeks of sending in a completed application whether or not they have been accepted into the program. All correspondence should be sent to the Honors Program Director, Dr. Michelle Vieyra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The mailing address is 471 University Parkway, Aiken SC 29801.

Continuing university students with 45 credit hours or less and a GPA of at least 3.5 may also apply to the Honors Program.

See how to Apply to the Honors Program

• Unique learning experiences exclusive to Honors students
• One-on-one classroom experiences with USC Aiken faculty
• Close fellowship and study opportunities with USC Aiken’s best students
• Undergraduate research opportunities
• Potential to receive an Honors scholarship
• Access to a private Honors lounge (with computers and free printing!)
• Priority Registration (You will sign up for classes first!)
• Honors Housing
• Special ceremony each year recognizing Honors graduates
• Honors graduate designation on transcript
• Competitive edge when seeking employment or acceptance into graduate/professional schools

If you are not admitted into the Honors Program as a freshman you will have another chance to apply if you have earned a 3.5 GPA or higher during your first semester or year of coursework.

Yes. You must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA the first two semesters in the program, a 3.1 the third and fourth semesters, a 3.2 the fifth and sixth semesters, and a 3.3 the seventh and eighth semesters . Further, all courses applied to honors credit must be passed with a grade of "B" or better to remain in the program.

Should your GPA fall below the minimum requirement for the semester you just completed, you will be placed in probationary status. You may continue to take Honors courses during your probation, but you must bring your GPA back up to that required by the end of the following semester to be reinstated in the Honors Program. Should you not be able to do so, you will be dismissed from the program.

Most Honors Program courses will be offered only during the fall and spring semesters. Some colloquia may be available during summer sessions. If you would like to take a summer Honors enriched (501) course either as part of your General Education or Major requirements, please check with Dr. Michelle Vieyra.