Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina

Reverend Pinckney College Readiness

T

he Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program offers high school students in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties tailored support and resources throughout the college application process to help them prepare for, research, evaluate and ultimately select which college is right for them. The anonymous donors who started the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship Program at Coastal Community Foundation established College Readiness as an 18-month prerequisite program to help ensure students’ success leading up to, during and after college. Those who complete the College Readiness Program are exclusively eligible to apply for the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship Program in the second semester of their senior year of high school.

The College Readiness Program has a community-based focus to address education and wealth disparities in coastal South Carolina communities. Students eligible to participate are first-generation college students with a demonstrated financial need. Being the first in their families to go to college, these students may not be able to draw on experience at home to guide them through the college application and selection process. The Readiness program provides an extra level of support as they navigate a complicated process.

 

We call our students Visionaries.

This program is named after the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was known to be a visionary leader committed to justice, education, and contributing to a better future for his community. Students selected to the College Readiness program embody values of civic engagement, life-long learning, ambition, and mentorship.

 

About the program

At Coastal Community Foundation, our student success managers provide personalized support and guidance to students and their families. Students are coached on preparing for ACT/SAT tests, writing college essays, seeking and obtaining financial aid and scholarships and filling out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms. They are offered advice and counseling from college enrollment specialists and visit college campuses with their peers in the program. While it involves rigorous and consistent coaching, the program is designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate students’ activities, work and personal obligations.

The College Readiness Program incorporates four main areas of focus:

College entrance exam preparation

  • Students take diagnostic ACT and SAT exams, decide on one test to study for, and receive test preparation.

College exposure and application

  • Workshops and one-on-one meetings with the program instructor about college research, college tours, as well as information about and application to fly-ins and summer enrichment programs.
  • Students research colleges and apply to at least five schools.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

  • Family workshops and provide individual assistance with FAFSA and other financial aid applications, as well as scholarship recommendations and assistance.

Career and Soft Skills Training

  • Workshops and counseling regarding resume building, interview skills and etiquette, time management and study skills, and budgeting

 

Dreams are meant to be chased.

CCF’s Pinckney College Readiness Program places great emphasis on ensuring students are well-aware of the options available to them.

Students are consistently encouraged to take advantage of their personal strengths, and to make decisions about college based on their dreams and aspirations. Staff believe in students’ potential to chase ambitious goals, building their confidence and providing the tools to achieve them. Along the way, they gain instrumental real-world skills to ensure their success in college and beyond.

 

Students accepted into the program are expected to:

  • Be committed to attending and graduating from college.
  • Be a good citizen at school and in the community.
  • Be motivated, intellectually curious and ambitious.
  • Keep appointments, meet deadlines, and be responsive to all staff communications.

Criteria for eligibility:

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply the fall of their junior years of high school.

  • Permanent residents of Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper County
  • First-generation college student (whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree)
  • Have an unweighted GPA of at least 2.5
  • Taking courses to prepare for academic success during and after college
  • Planning to attend a two-year or four-year college upon graduation
  • Eligible for a Pell Grant (We will help determine this).

Students who meet threshold eligibility criteria are asked to write essays that help the Selection Committee determine applicants who are the best fit for the Pinckney programs goals. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to, character traits and aspirations that will serve as a fitting legacy to the life of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, demonstrated commitment to advancing social justice, involvement with religious communities and demonstrated commitment to community service.

Application process and schedule:

Applications are accepted in the fall semester of students’ junior year of high school, and selections are announced in December. Up to 40 students are selected each year. Students who meet the criteria can apply beginning in August. Please create an account to access our online application system. The deadline to apply October 15.

For High School Counselors & Teachers

Through this program, we aim to support the work you do every day in your high schools to put bright students on the path to higher education. If you have students in mind who meet the following criteria, please encourage them or their parents to consider applying:

  • First-generation college students with demonstrated financial need
  • Permanent residents of Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper County
  • Students planning to attend a two-year or four-year college upon graduation
  • Unweighted GPA of at least 2.5 and have taken a college-prep curriculum

If you have any questions, please email Samya Gilchrist at samya@coastalcommunityfoundation.org for Charleston County or Monisha Brown at monisha@coastalcommunityfoundation.org for Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper counties.