With the 2021-2022 school year quickly approaching, the thought of how to pay the increasing prices in higher education can weigh heavily on the minds of students and their families. Thankfully, with the help of generous donors in our community, the Community Foundation provides more than 175 scholarship opportunities to students.

These scholarships help to alleviate some of the financial burden placed on students and allows them to place their focus on their studies and professional development.

“I have been able to focus on my academics and valuable unpaid experiences as opposed to pursuing a job that could pay for my tuition,” Kylie Loadholt, recipient of the 2020 Sonoco Scholarship, says. “Instead, I have been able to volunteer as a young girls’ basketball coach and work as an unpaid undergraduate researcher in an organic chemistry lab on campus. I have loved both experiences, and I have gained so much academically and personally from them.”

Scholarship recipients can fill this extra time with internships, volunteer work, and becoming more involved across campus. Roderick Bishop, Pierce/Zimmerman Scholarship recipient, took full advantage of this and immersed himself in extracurricular opportunities on campus.

“I am now serving as President of both SC State chapters of Golden Key International Honor Society and the National Society of Black Engineers,” Roderick says. “I also was able to finish this semester with a 4.0! Of course, I would not be able to accomplish these goals if it were not for [the] giving hearts” of the CCCF fundholders who made my scholarship possible.

Scholarships also help build our next generation of philanthropists, as many recipients express their gratitude through giving back to others. Sheldon Johnson is a recipient of the Jacqueline M. Miller Scholarship for the 2019-2020 school year. The scholarship allowed him to begin his undergraduate degree at Clemson University in architecture and is inspiring him to give back to his community after graduation.

“Though I may try to express my gratitude through words, I feel as if actions will always speak louder. When I reach a level of success and economic stability, I plan to give back to my community in ways such as you have given to me,” Johnson says. “I plan to be an active member of my community who will hold the torch of service and unity. I want to help build upon my community and watch it prosper.”

Not only do scholarships allow higher education to be more attainable to students, these gifts have a lasting impact on their recipients.

To learn more about the 2021-2022 scholarships that are available, students should visit www.yourfundation.org/scholarships to view eligibility criteria and complete the online application.