Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties: January 20, 2015 – As students begin to receive college acceptance letters, Coastal Community Foundation is proud to offer financial assistance to Tri-County high school seniors who plan to pursue a two- or four-year college degree.
Made possible through the generosity of donors, Coastal Community Foundation distributes more than $300,000 in scholarship funds each year. Awards ranging from $500-$10,000 are available from the Foundation’s 33 scholarship funds (listed below).
While applications are open to all seniors from Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties, some Funds have been established to benefit students from particular geographic areas or high schools, those who are planning on attending certain post-secondary institutions, or who are entering certain fields of study.
Additionally, scholarships are awarded based on character & personality, involvement in extra-curricular and community activities, financial need, academic success, aspirations, and ability to overcome obstacles.
Applications are available online through the web-based program SmarterSelect. Prior to creating an online account, students should review the scholarship descriptions to determine their eligibility. In completing one application, students can be considered for each of the Foundation scholarships for which they are eligible. Additionally, the service allows students to make online requests for recommendation letters from faculty and mentors who will submit the letters electronically.
The deadline for completed applications is March 18th, 2015. For more information, please contact Sydney Meeks Fowler at sydney@coastalcommunityfoundation.org or Richard Hendry at richard@coastalcommunityfoundation.org.
To access scholarship descriptions and the online application, please visit https://coastalcommunityfoundation.org/special-events/.
Available 2015 Scholarship Funds:
Amanda’s Scholarship Fund
Established in 2010 in memory of Amanda Welling Dykes. To honor Amanda’s life, her mother used money that she had set aside to pay for Amanda’s college to award an annual scholarship to a student in Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester counties. Two to three awards totaling $3,000.
Anne Byrd Scholarship Fund
Established in memory of Anne Byrd, former Chair of the James Island Constituent School Board, who is remembered for changing the landscape of public education on James Island through dedication, hard work, and tireless advocacy on behalf of students. Candidates must attend a James Island Constituent District High School. One award of $600.
Banks-Williams-Banks Fund
This Fund accepts applications from high school seniors who are students at Summerville High School. The Banks-Williams-Banks Award looks particularly for students who deserve support, but who may not be an obvious candidate for other scholarship assistance. To quote the founders, “We would favor a student who is well-rounded and likeable, with interests not limited to one or two primary areas. A healthy balance is encouraged.” One award of $1,000 will be made for each of four years of college.
Burke Promise Fund
Established in 2008 by donors who wanted to provide scholarship support for a graduating senior from Burke High School. One award of $500.
Charleston First Responders Scholarship
Established by donors to honor all first responders who put their lives at risk to protect the lives and property of the people of our community. Applications are accepted from first responders (or their children, step-children, spouse, or other living dependent) who have served for at least one year with a fire, police, or EMS unit based in and serving Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County. Up to five awards totaling $6,600.
DeCosta/Pinckney Scholarship
Awarded to a student with plans to pursue a career as a craftsman with a focus on the building trades critical to historic architectural restoration and preservation. Preference for but not restricted to African-Americans. This award is possible thanks to combined income from the DeCosta Scholarship Endowment (Emily & Herbert DeCosta) and the Pinckney Family Fund (William L. Pinckney). Awards will total $3,300.
Donna Reyburn and Michael Griffith Fund
Established in 1999 by Donna Reyburn and Michael Griffith to provide annual scholarships to seniors at St. John’s High School (John’s Island, SC) who demonstrate the potential to succeed in college, high academic motivation, and the initiative and drive to help finance his or her college education by having worked and by having applied for other loans and scholarships. Two awards, to total $4,000, renewable throughout college if certain conditions are met. (Available only if present winners do not renew).
Esther Lorine Bailey Rivers Scholarship Fund
Established in 1998, this Fund will be used to award an annual scholarship to a high school senior who intends to pursue a college education, whose primary residence is in Berkeley County, S.C., and who is a member of an A.M.E. church. There is a preference for African-American students, and students who are members of Mt. Carmel A.M.E. Church in Moncks Corner are especially encouraged to apply. One award of $500.
Future Military Officer’s Scholarship Fund
Established in 1997 through hundreds of gifts from members of the Charleston Chapter of the Military Officers’ Association of America, this Fund provides an annual scholarship to a college-bound (or in-college) student living in the 294_ _ zip code area. Applicants must be (or plan to be) enrolled in an R.O.T.C. program or other military officer candidate program, and intend to become a military officer. Two awards of differing amounts are available depending on a student’s academic year. One award of $500 for a student in the first two academic years and one award of $1000 for a student in the last two academic years.
Gadsden Family Fund
Established in 1983 through the 1963 Will of Miss Jeanne Gadsden, and subsequently strengthened by her family. This Fund provides scholarships to help residents of Berkeley or Dorchester Counties, with a preference for those going to either Winthrop or Clemson Universities. One award of $600.
Gamma Lambda Boule Scholarship
Created in 2006 by the Gamma Lambda Boule Fraternity, this Fund provides an annual scholarship to an African-American student in the Boule membership area (includes coastal SC to Wilmington, NC). Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA as well as demonstrated leadership qualities, financial need, and evidence of positive character traits. Students from Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, or Colleton Counties are eligible to apply. One award of $1,500.
Isaiah Bennett Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2003 by family and friends in memory of Mr. Bennett, civil rights activist and labor organizer. The Fund provides scholarship support to help an African-American student with financial need who lives in the Awendaw-McClellanville area and is graduating from a public high school to attend a four-year college. One award of $450.
J. C. and Alberta Long Fund
Originally established in 1982 by the children and grandchildren of Mr. Long in his honor and subsequently in the honor of Mrs. Long as well. This Fund accepts applications from any high school senior who has lived in the Tri-county for at least the past four years, 3-5 awards will be made, totaling $6,800.
Jasiri L.K. Whipper Scholarship Endowment
Established in 2009 in memory of Jasiri Whipper by his parents to award an annual scholarship to a student to attend a historically black college or university or a South Carolina state-supported college. One award of $1,000 will be given, renewable with conditions throughout four years of college. (Available if present winner does not renew).
Jack Muller Scholarship Fund
Established in 1980 and transferred to the Foundation in 1993. This Fund provides a four-year scholarship annually to a high school senior about to enter a four-year college. Applicants must be residents of public housing properties owned by and/or managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston. One award of $400, renewable throughout college.
Jefferson Scholarship Endowment
Established to provide scholarships for students from Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester counties working toward a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing at any college or university. Based primarily on academic record, career plans, and financial need, two to three awards will be given totaling $5,000.
Lawrence A. Holt Scholarship Fund
Created in 2000 in memory of Lawrence Holt by his parents to award an annual scholarship to an African-American senior at Garrett Academy of Technology, with a preference for those who are seeking to study architecture or engineering through two- or four-year college programs and who reflect a passion for sports and community service.
One award of $800.
Linda Oshinsky Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Created in 2007 to honor the memory and contributions of “Mrs. O”, a beloved and inspiring English teacher at Stratford High School in Berkeley County. This Fund provides an award to a graduating senior from Stratford High who plans to major in either English or Education in college. One award of $550.
Morris D. Finkelstein Scholarship
Established by family, friends, and former students in 1994 in memory of the highly-respected coach at the High School of Charleston. This Fund provides a renewable scholarship for up to four years to help a deserving athlete to receive a college degree. Open to any student athlete from Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester counties to go to any college in the State of South Carolina. One award of $500, renewable for four years. (Available if present winner does not renew).
P&B Music Scholarship
Established by the Board of Directors of the Catfish Row Company from proceeds of local theatrical productions of Porgy and Bess. This Fund accepts applications from African-American students who have lived in the Tri-county area for five years or more, and who wish to pursue a four-year college major related to music or music education. All applicants must be talented with musical instrument or in voice. Awards generally range from $1,000-$2,000.
Phillip O’Neill Hanvey Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established in 1963 and transferred to the Foundation in 1990. This Fund provides scholarships to help Charleston County students to attend college. Two awards of $500 – $1,000.
Rachel Amey Scholarship Endowment Fund
Established in 2013 to honor Rachel Amey’s years of service to the Charleston County School District and its English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. One award is given annually to recognize a student graduating from a school in the Charleston County School District with plans to attend college, with strong preference given to applicants who have learned English as a second language. One award of $500-750.
Rufus C. Barkley, Jr. Leadership Scholarship Fund
Created by friends of Rufus Barkley in 2000, the fund accepts applications from students who are residents of Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, or Colleton counties. Financial need may be considered in making the award, but academic merit and character are the principal criteria. We will look for evidence of well-rounded interests and demonstrated concern for those less fortunate. One award of $10,000 will be made for each of 4 years of college.
Santee Hunting Club Fund
Established in 2001 by members of the Santee Club, a hunting preserve north of McClellanville. The Fund accepts applications from students who live in the area between McClellanville, SC and the South Santee River. One or two awards to total $3,800.
Seymour I. Barkowitz Fund
Established in 1988 by family and friends of Mr. Barkowitz in his memory. This Fund accepts applications from Tri-county students intending to pursue a 4-year degree at the College of Charleston. One award of $700.
T. C. Drayton Scholarship Fund
Established by the City of Charleston in memory of T. C. Drayton. This fund accepts applications from residents who live on the East Side community in the city of Charleston and who are seniors in high school, about to begin studies at a two- or four-year college; preference will be given to students who participate in the community through school activities or volunteer work, demonstrate financial need, and rank in the top 50% of his/her class. One award of $500.
Thaddeus J. Bell, II Memorial Scholarship
Created in 1992 and transferred to the Foundation in 1997. This Fund accepts applications from students who are pursuing or who intend to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Applicant’s permanent residence must be South Carolina, with a preference for students from Charleston County. One award of $2,000 for each of four years at Morehouse. (Available if present winner does not renew).
Volf Family Fund Scholarships
Chris and Butch Volf of Moncks Corner recommend an annual gift from the Volf Family Fund to our scholarship program to provide two awards, each of $1,000, for graduating seniors from Berkeley County High School.
Warren O. Pinckney Scholarship Fund
Created in 1973 through the will of Mr. Pinckney and transferred to the Foundation in 2001, this Fund has provided scholarships for decades, to help students with financial need from Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester County to pursue a college degree. Multiple awards ranging from $500-$2000.
William Ferguson Seabrook Scholarship Endowment for Morris Brown AME Youth
Established in 2000, this Fund accepts applications from high school seniors who are members of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church, attended Title I schools throughout K-12, and plan to enroll as a full-time college student for the fall semester. Financial need is a priority. One award of $1,000.
William Melvin & Juanita W. Brown Scholarship
Established in 1995 by Ms. Juanita Brown, in memory of her husband. This Fund accepts applications from African-Americans who live in Charleston County, who are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and who are about to begin studies at a four-year college. One award of $2,000 will be given, renewable with conditions throughout four years of college.
William and Prudence Finn Scholarship Fund
Established in 2008 to provide scholarship support for graduating high school seniors who are children or step-children of AstenJohnson employees (employed with AstenJohnson at least five years), to help pay fees for 2-year or 4-year colleges. Each award will be approximately $2,000.
Wofford College Fund
Established by the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust (William E. Murray, Esq., Trustee). This Fund accepts applications from Tri-county students intending to pursue a four-year degree at Wofford College. One award of $850.
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