South Carolina Scholarships

The South Carolina Junior Scholars Program was developed by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) during the 1985-86 school year to identify eighth grade students with exceptional academic talent and to develop strategies for inclusion into special programs. What does the program include? The program includes a process for screening a potential talent pool of students, identifying and recognizing those students with exceptionally high scholastic achievement and intellectual ability, and sponsoring summer opportunities in collaboration with participating South Carolina colleges and universities. When does the program begin? Students are screened and identified in the eighth grade. Educational plans are developed following identification. How will the students be recognized? Students who qualify for this special recognition will be recognized in local award ceremonies, receive an Award of Merit certificate from the South Carolina Department of Education, and may be invited to attend summer opportunities at participating South Carolina colleges and universities. Eligibility for testing criteria: Students must currently be enrolled in eighth grade in a public, private, or home school in South Carolina. Home-schooled students must meet home school statute eligibility (statutes 59-65-40, 59-65-45, 59-65-47) to participate. For public schools, potential Junior Scholars may include those students who scored Exemplary in English language arts and mathematics on the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) in the seventh grade. For private and home schooled students, the respective associations will determine the selection of potential Junior Scholars. To be eligible, all students must apply through a designated Junior Scholars School District Coordinator or a designated Junior Scholars Private or Home School Association Coordinator. Identification criteria include: Eligible students who score 50 or higher on the PSAT in verbal, math, or writing will be identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars, or Eligible students who participated in Duke University's Talent Identification Program (TIP) during their seventh-grade year, who met the eligibility requirements as outlined by that program, and were identified and recognized by Duke TIP at the State Recognition or Grand Recognition ceremony will be identified as South Carolina Junior Scholars.

The mission of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and to help them develop leadership qualities. Each year, the program provides fellowships to up to 200 high school seniors. Awards: Up to $6,000 yearly scholarship for four years, including $300 a year for summer enrichment. Eligibility: Written and oral application process, high academic achievement, a history of service to the school and community, and a desire to teach South Carolina's children.

Awards: Each delegate will be awarded a $5,000 College Scholarship for undergraduate studies. The William Randolph Hearst Foundation sponsors and provides funding for this program. Eligibility: Any high school junior or senior student is eligible for the program provided he or she has not previously been a delegate to Washington Week and has not received a USSYP scholarship. The student is required to be currently serving in an elected or appointed capacity in any one of the following student government, civic or educational organizations: A. Class President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer B. Student Body President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer C. Student Council Representative D. Student representative elected or appointed (appointed by a panel, commission or board) to a district, regional or state-level civic and/or educational organization approved by the state selection administrator. Contact: Interested students should contact their guidance counselor or principal or Wanda Davis at the South Carolina Department of Education, 803-734-8485.

The Dayco Scholarship is a merit-based/need-based scholarship administered by the S.C. Commission on Higher Education. To be eligible, applicants must be either an employee or a dependent of an employee of Dayco Products, Inc. employed by a branch of the company located in South Carolina for at least four calendar years. The Dayco Scholarship may be used towards the cost of attendance for up to eight terms based on the student's initial college enrollment date. Students must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree.

The General Assembly established the S.C. Need-based Grant Program in 1996 to provide additional financial assistance to South Carolina’s neediest students attending eligible SC public institutions. Eligible full-time students may receive the following: ♦ Up to $2,500 per year if enrolled full-time or up to $1,250 per year if enrolled part-time ♦ Up to eight (8) full-time equivalent terms of funding ♦ Foster care youth may receive the maximum award in addition to Need-based Grant funds specifically for foster care youth. Youth must self-identify by May 1st. Initial Eligibility Requirements: ♦ Must complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year ♦ Must be enrolled and attending or have completed at the time of the grant disbursement a minimum of six credit hours if part-time or twelve credit hours if full-time for the term ♦ Must meet all general eligibility criteria