Scholarship Information

Check Financial Aid Opportunities at www.sccollegeaid.org, www.finaid.org and www.fastweb.com (You can do a free search on fastweb of 60,000 scholarships that are in their database.  The search is based on your personal information, which will take you 20-30 minutes to input a great way to look for scholarships).

South Carolina Scholarship Opportunities

S.C. Tuition Grant Programs (administered by S.C. Tuition Grants Commission) - $2500 full time, $1250 part-time. Provided to attend a private college or university.  Submit FAFSA.  Check information at www.sctuitiongrants.com.

 Life Scholarship - $4700 plus a $300 book allowance.  Must meet 2 of the 3 criteria:  SAT 1100 or ACT 24, 3.0 GPA, top 30% of class.  Must attend SC public or private college of university.  Institution will notify students who meet eligibility criteria.

Palmetto Fellows – $6700 annually.  SAT 1200 or ACT 27, 3.5 GPA, rank top 5% of the class.  Attend SC public or private college or university.  High school counselor will notify student of nomination.

SC Hope Scholarship - $2500 (including $150 book allowance) during first year of attendance only.  High school graduate. 3.0 GPA.  Be a full-time degree seeking student at a SC public or private college or university not eligible for Palmetto or Life Scholarships.

Lottery Tuition Assistance – Portion of tuition, dependent on number of participants and funds available.  Available for two year public and private institutions only.  Must file FAFSA.  Contact a local technical college for additional information.

SC Needs Based Grant Program - $2500 full time, $1250 part time. Administered by financial aid office on each public college campus.  Complete FAFSA.

Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship – Applicants rated on 100 point scale SAT/ACT – 30%, class rank – 25%, GPA – 25%, extracurricular – 15%, guidance recommendation – 5%.  See high school guidance counselor or contact the SC Department of education at 803-734-8116.

Archibald Rutledge – one time $5,000.  Must be planning to attend state college.  Scholarships in drama, creative writing, music and visual art.  Download applications from SC Department of Education website.

Sheffield Wood Scholarship – Student must be nominated by FAC faculty member.  Deadline:  May each year.

Kitty Moss Fairey Trust Fund Scholarship – Must attend SC college or university.  SAT 900, GPA 3.0.  Based on academic merit and financial need.  Income not to exceed $50,000.  Deadline:  January each year.

Helen Stokes Memorial Fund PTA Scholarships – Academics, extracurricular activities, recommendations, SAT/ACT scores, essay.  Must plan to attend school in South Carolina.  See home school guidance counselor.

Robert E. David American Legion’s Children’s Scholarship - $500.  Must be a relative of a SC American Legion Member.  Scholarship is based on need and academics.  See home school guidance counselor.

J E Sirrine Scholarship:  Must complete FAFSA, complete application, return School Recommendation form.  See home school guidance counselor.  Deadline March.

James F. Bynes Foundation - $2750 each year for four years.  One or both parents must be deceased, South Carolina resident, pursue a bachelor’s degree, satisfactory academic record, need for financial assistance.  Write to:  PO Box 9596, Columbia, SC or visit www.byrnesscholars.org.

Rotary Club of Greenville - $1000.  For students whose parents or grandparents are members of the Rotary Club of Greenville.  Need, academic achievement and community/school involvement.  See home school guidance counselor for application.

Tall Clubs International KAE Summer Einfeldt Scholarship Award – Applications available in lat November.  For further information, contact Professor Shirley Ritter, Furman University, Education Dept.  Phone: 294-3086 or e-mail: shirleyritter@furman.edu.

S.C. Student Loan Corporation - $1000 Giveaway or $25000 Teachers Loan or Career Changers Program.  Phone 1-800-347-2752. 

SC Center for Teacher Recruitment Scholarship/Loan Program - $24,000 over four years to become SC teacher.  Must attend one of 11 teaching institutions in SC.  Phone: 1-800-476-2387 ext. 6408. 

SC Teaching Fellows Program – 205 GPA, 966 on SAT or 20 on Act.  Top 25% of class.  $6,000 yearly scholarship to become SC educator.  Fellowships are based on academic achievement, references community and school involvement, an interview and a writing assignment.  Students must attend one of the 11 teaching fellows institutions (Anderson College, Charleston Southern University, College of Charleston, Columbia College, Furman University, Lander University, Newberry College, SC State University, USC Columbia, USC Upstate and Winthrop).  Applications can be down-loaded at www.cerra.org.  Deadline is November 1. 

Prudential Spirit of Community Aware – State Honorees receive $1,000 and a trip to Washington, D.C.   National Honorees receive $5,000.  This program honors students for outstanding acts of community service to reward and encourage volunteerism.  For more info visit www.prudential.com/spirit. 

Presidential Freedom Scholarships:  $1000 ($500 scholarship, $500 match from local source).  Requires 100 hours of service, 2 students per high school.  Write to 1150 Conn. Ave. N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036.  Phone 866-291-7700, 202-742-5390 (local), 202-742-5393 (fax) 

Elks National Foundation – Based on scholarship, leadership and financial need.  Visit www.elks.org. 

Horatio Alger Association – seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength in character, critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross income per family), good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education and a desire to contribute to society.  Application and supplemental materials are due by Oct. 15.  www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. 

National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts-Recognizes young artists in dance, film/video, jazz, music, photography, theatre, visual arts, voice and writing.  Phone 1-800-970-ARTS (2787) or visit www.ARTSawards.org. 

USA Funds Access to Education Scholarships – Plan to enroll at an accredited two or four year school, adjusted gross income of $35,000 or less, US citizen.  Can download application at www.usafunds.org. 

AnyCollege.Net – A free college search program.  For scholarship information, go to www.anycollege.com and click on “Win a Scholarship” button that is located on the “Start College Search” page.  Fill out the short application form and click on “Submit Form.”  #1000. 

AXA Achievement Scholarship – in association with US News and World Report  - 52 $10,000 state scholarships and 10 $15,000 national scholarships will be awarded.  To qualify, students should be well rounded, determined to succeed and have demonstrated achievement at a job, sport or extracurricular activity.  Go to www.axa.achievement.com to learn more about the program, download an application and read the inspiring stories of some AXA achievers.  Application deadline is December 15. 

Vocational Rehabilitation Department – Scholarships are individual.  Allergies considered a disability if documented as an impairment.  Students should contact Voc Rehab directly at 252-328-1321. 

NFIB Free Enterprise Scholars Award - $1000.  Must be nominated by a dues paying member of NFIB.  Additional information and applications are available on the web at www.nfibeducationfoundation.org. 

Jeanette C. Cannada/Red Ribbon Memorial Scholarship – visit www.redribbonworks.org. 

Senior Youth Foundation National Scholarship Program.  One time monetary scholarship of $1500.  Selection based on academic performance, leadership skills, and participation in school and community activities.  Applications are available at the customer information center at Haywood Mall from the end of January through mid March.  Scholarships announced at the end of May. 

Easley National Scholarships – Academic excellence and character.  For application send self-addressed, stamped envelope plus $2 handling fee to National Academy of American Scholars, c/o Merit Committee, 5196 Benito Street, Suite #15, Room #A, Montclair, CA  91763-4028. 

Discover Card Tribute Award - $1250 to $2500.  Juniors only.  Cumulative GPS 2.75.  Based on accomplishment in four of the following areas:  special talents, leadership, obstacles overcome, unique endeavor, and community service.  Applications received by the American Association of School Administrators.  Phone (703) 875-0708. 

Pastel Society of America (Pastel Scholarship) – Tuition only, no cash awards.  Open to talented pastel artists at all levels of study.  Awards are for the study of pastel arts only.  20 awards per year.  Deadline:  June 30.  Write to 15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003.  Phone 212-533-6931. 

National Sculpture Society - $1,000.  Scholarships are available for students of figurative or representational sculpture.  Applicants must submit 8-10,8x10 inch photos of his/her work and a brief biography.  Scholarships are paid directly to the academic institution through which the student applies.  Deadline: May 31 of each year.  Write for complete information:  1177 Avenue of the America, New York, NY 10036.  Phone: 212-764-5645, Fax 212-764-5651. 

Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation (Elizabeth Greenshield Grant) - $10,000.  Open to both Graduate and Undergraduate students.  Intended for young artists creating representational or figurative works through painting, drawing, printmaking, or sculpture.  Write for more information:  1814 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3H 1E4.  Phone 514-937-9225. 

National Scholarship Trust Fund (Printing and Publishing Industry National Scholarship Program) – Open to Graphic Art entering freshmen, sophomores and juniors.  Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPS and must submit recommendations.  Deadlines:  March 15 (college students), January 15 (entering freshmen).  Write for additional information:  4615 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3796. 

Toyota Community scholars Program – Senior with 3.0 GPA and involved in service to community.  Must be nominated by home high school.  See guidance counselor at home school. 

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - $4,000 to $20,000.  Awards 1.8 million annually to 250 students who demonstrate leadership, commitment to community and academic achievement.  Application deadline is October 31.  Visit www.coca-colascholars.org. 

Sam Walton Community Scholarship - $1000 up to $20,000 or Walton Foundation Scholarship - $8,000.  Visit www.walmartfoundation.org. 

USA Today/Got Milk? Sammy 2003:  Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award Program - academics, athletics, leadership, community service, and milk experience.  Must be nominated, high school seniors are allowed and encouraged to nominate themselves.  Visit www.whymilk.com. 

Art Institute of Atlanta – Design and Media Arts Scholarship, National Portfolio Review, Congressional Art Competition and National Art Honor Society Scholarship are a few of the scholarships offered by the Art Institute.  Deadlines and qualifications vary.  Phone 1-800-275—4242 or visit www.avia.artinstitute.edu. 

Savannah College of Art and Design (GA) - $1,500-$10,000.  Portfolio, merit and academic scholarships.  Campus Visitation Day.  Register by calling 1-800-869-7223.  Visit www.scad.edu (Admission Financial Services) 

S.C. Broadcasters Association - $1,500.  Good only at USC College of Journalism and Communication.  Contact SC Broadcasters Association at 803-732-0086 or www.SCBA.net.

East Carolina University School of Music/School of Art – Entering SC freshman, NC in-state tuition based on portfolio review.  Visit www.ecu.edu (Prospective Students Financial Scholarships)

ESSAY CONTEST AWARDS 

Golden Palmetto All State Leadership Team – 500 – 1000 word essay on your community service, transcript, resume of leadership roles, letter of recommendation.  See home school guidance counselor. 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Essay Contest – “Voice of Democracy” essay.  Visit www.vfw.org (Community Support, Awards & Scholarships) 

Luke H. Chapman Scholarship (Alpha Phi Alpha) – Essay on “How this scholarship will help me pursue my career goals.”  Based on 2 letters of recommendation, grades, SAT/ACT, citizenship.  www.gglapa.org.

 Kaplan/Newsweek  “My Turn” Essay Competition – Up to $5000.  Original 500-1000 word essay on a topic of student’s choice, where the student shares his or her opinion, experience, or personal feeling.  Phone 1-800-KAPTEST (527-8378) or visit www.kaptest.com (College Admissions Financial Aid, Scholarship Center)

 Ayn Rand Novel: The Fountainhead – Essay contests.  Phone (310) 306-9232 or visit www.aynrand.org/contests.

 South Carolina Sheriff’s Association - $1000 award.  1000 word research paper on the topic: “The role of the Sheriff during war times.” Transcript, extracurricular activities, recommendation from principal and guidance counselor.  Phone 803-749-0265.  Sheriffsc@aol.com.

 South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Foundation – Must write an essay on a specified topic.  Use www.scleoa.org and print the application.  Phone (803) 781-5913.

 The Chapel of Four Chaplains – Essay Contest.  215-218-1943 or www.fourchaplains.org.

 FAFSA forms must be completed to qualify for many scholarships.  Most students complete this process online.