High-achieving South Carolina students with demonstrated financial need can now apply for up to $10,000 for college through the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, which opened its application statewide today for the 2027–28 academic year.
For the first time, eligible high school seniors in all 46 South Carolina counties can apply for the Scholarship, thanks to a public-private partnership supported by private philanthropy and recurring state funding approved by the South Carolina General Assembly in August. About 3,000 new students are projected to earn the Scholarship for the 2027-28 school year.
“This Scholarship has the power to change the trajectory of students’ lives, giving them the opportunity to pursue a college degree without taking on burdensome debt,” said Josh Bell, president of Beemok Education. “Its impact goes far beyond individual students. By helping more South Carolinians earn college degrees, we’re developing the talented, educated workforce our state needs to grow its economy and thrive for generations to come.”
Unlike many scholarships that cover only tuition, the Meeting Street Scholarship can be used for housing, food and fees.
The Scholarship Fund has launched an entirely new, simplified online application. It’s faster and easier to navigate with the goal of removing unnecessary barriers for students seeking financial assistance.
Students can apply at myportal.meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org and will be notified within two weeks whether they are a candidate for the Scholarship.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, students must:
- Reside in South Carolina
- Graduate from high school in spring 2027
- Earn the LIFE Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and qualify for a Federal Pell Grant
- Enroll full-time at one of 16 in-state colleges.
Students can review their eligibility here.
Statewide outreach
Since receiving state funding to expand, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund has mounted an ambitious outreach campaign to ensure students know about the opportunity.
Over the past several months, Scholarship Fund representatives have:
- Received more than 4,300 interest forms from prospective applicants, including at least one from every South Carolina county
- Presented to more than 5,000 students
- Visited more than 100 high schools
- Traveled more than 7,000 miles across South Carolina.
With the support of private philanthropy, the Scholarship Fund also has expanded its team and strengthened its program offerings to better serve thousands more students.
About the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund
The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund helps high-achieving, under-resourced South Carolina students access a college education without taking on significant student debt. Founded in Charleston County in 2021 through private philanthropy, the Scholarship expanded over time to 14 counties before a public-private partnership made it available statewide beginning with the Class of 2027. Eligible students can receive up to $10,000 toward tuition, housing, food and fees at participating South Carolina colleges. Beemok Education covers the Scholarship’s operating costs, allowing public and philanthropic funds to directly support students.
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Patrick Byrne lives in Tega Cay with his wife and two daughters. After 25 years working for a Big 4 bank, he retired to pursue his passion for writing. Additional articles and content can be found on his blog (reverian1776.blogspot.com) and freethepeople.org.
Patrick can be reach via email at [email protected]
