Financial aid at Clemson University includes University scholarships and grants, Palmetto Fellows, LIFE and HOPE Scholarships (for S.C. residents), Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, State Need-Based Grants (for S.C. residents), Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Work-Study, Federal Perkins Loans and PLUS Loans.

Award packages are developed with the assumption that applicants wish to receive the maximum amount of gift aid (grants and scholarships). Financial need not met by gift aid awards may be met with work or loan assistance, depending on the student's requests and on other factors. For many applicants, full financial need cannot be met with federal student aid.

Students' aid packages may require adjustments to avoid an over-award, defined by federal regulations as financial aid in excess of financial need. Students who are awarded University, state or federal aid and who later receive additional aid not considered in the development of the initial aid package may receive an adjusted award letter reducing aid as required by law. Over-award adjustments may require students to return funds previously received as a refund. Due to the University's commitment to releasing refunds early, over-awards may be corrected after refunds are disbursed.