Reverend Pinckney College Readiness & Scholars Programs

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everend Clementa Pinckney’s legacy inspires the Coastal Community Foundation’s College Readiness and Scholarship programs, which open doors to higher education for first-generation college students with demonstrated financial need. The Pinckney Programs were created to honor Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the youngest Black state legislator in South Carolina at the time, elected to the SC House of Representatives at age 23. He was a pastor and respected community leader, passionate about education and social justice. He was also one of the nine worshippers murdered during a racially motivated hate crime at Emanuel AME Church in 2015 in Charleston, SC.

The Rev. Pinckney College Readiness and Scholarship Programs (Pinckney Programs) were established to break down systemic barriers in local communities, including the counties Pinckney represented, that face educational and wealth disparities. Through support, financial resources, programming and community, the Pinckney Programs help ensure students’ success leading up to, during and after college.

The Pinckney Programs are for ambitious, first-generation college students with demonstrated financial need in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Applicants who demonstrate leadership, commitment to education, community service, faith, and other qualities that defined Rev. Pinckney are particularly sought for these programs.

Reverend Pinckney College Readiness

This program provides students from historically underrepresented communities tailored support and resources throughout the college application process to help them prepare for, research, evaluate and select which college is right for them.

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Reverend Pinckney Scholarship Program

This program promotes access to higher education for students through tuition support, mentoring, and professional training throughout college.

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