Pelion Pride 2020
Issue 1: October 1, 2020
Stay in touch with the Counseling & Advisement Office
Twitter: @PelionCounselor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PelionCounselor
Mrs. Jessica Burke (Director): Last Names A-C jburke@lexington1.net
Ms. Amber Hartley: Last Names D-Mc alhartley@lexington1.net
Mrs. Alysha Walker: Last Names Me-Z awalker@lexington1.net
Mrs. Dana Crumpton: Career Specialist dcrumpton@lexington1.net
Ms. Tara Simmons: Graduation Coach tsimmons@lexington1.net
Please bring your college acceptance letters and scholarship award letters to Ms. Kirby in the School Counseling Office.
College Visit Procedures
Requesting Transcripts
Transcript requests for scholarship applications should be made to Ms. Kirby in the Counseling & Advisement Office.
FAFSA Workshop plus Scholarship Info
What to bring:
- Federal tax info from 2018 taxes
What to do ahead of time:
- Apply for a Federal ID number so you can sign the form electronically.
- DO THIS STEP NOW! Click HERE
Monday, Oct 7, 2019, 06:00 PM
Pelion High School, Lydia Drive, Pelion, SC, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
FAFSA
Every college-bound senior needs to complete the FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have not completed the FAFSA, The Educational Opportunity Center at Midlands Tech will help you. You do not have to be attending Midlands Tech to use this service.
Call 803-822-3749 to schedule an appointment. You will need to bring the following items to your appointment:
- Picture ID
- Permanent Resident card (if eligible non-citizen)
- Social Security card
- Most recently filed tax return and W-2 forms
- Parents’ most recently filed tax return and W-2 forms (dependent students only)
Student-Athletes: Are you planning to play sports in college?
NCAA link: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/
NAIA link: https://www.playnaia.org/
Important Deadlines:
Clemson University
December 1 – Applicants who apply by this date will receive an admissions decision the week of February 15. Final deadline to apply for Fall admission is May 1.
College of Charleston
November 1- Early Decision Deadline – Students’ applications and all supporting documents – including transcripts and secondary school reports – must be submitted or postmarked by this date. Students should select the early decision option only if they have selected College of Charleston as their first choice and will not use scholarships and financial aid as a primary factor in their decision. Application materials for early decision candidates must be submitted by November 1. Decision letters are issued by early December 1.
University of South Carolina
October 15 - Early Application Answer Deadline – Students who submit complete applications and all required credentials by this date will hear from the admissions office by December 19. Answers may be acceptance, denial, or deferred decision until mid-March.
November 15, 2019 - Deadline for SC Honors College and Top Scholars Applications
December 1 - USC Regular Application Deadline
University of South Carolina now accepts the Common Application. There are three ways to apply to the University: University of SC Application, the Coalition Application or the Common Application. USC uses self-reported standardized test scores to make initial admission and scholarship decisions. Students can report their scores through their Admissions Portal after they apply.
College Open House/Visit Dates
Benedict College: Fall Open House - Saturday, November 1
Case Western Reserve University: Open House - October 14, & November 11
Converse Petrie School of Music Preview: October 25 and October 26
Converse Open House: October 19, 2019 and April 17, 2020
Lander University: Open House – November 9 – Bearcat Days – November 13
Midlands Tech: Senior Day – November 15 – 8:00am-1:30pm – Airport Campus
Morris College: Fall Open House – October 19, 2019
Newberry College: Open House –November 2, 2019
North Carolina A & T State University: Aggie Nights – Columbia, October 30
To register visit:
http://undergraduateadmissions.ncat.edu
North Carolina State: Open House – October 19, 2019 ncsu.edu/open house
Seton Hall University: Open House - October 27, 2019, November 24, 2019
USC Upstate: Open House – October 12, November 9, 2019
Winthrop University: Open House – October 26, 2019
You can also check college websites for postings of Open House dates.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Interested in Cosmetology or Barbering School?
WACE - National Co-Op Scholarship Program
Amount: 160 Merit Scholarships worth $4.2 million
Application: https://www.waceinc.org/
Go to Go the website for the most informative source about college level co-op programs. Students who are admitted to one of the eleven institutions listed in the scholarship brochure can apply for one of the scholarships. Go to www.waceinc.org to apply.
Make the U Scholarship
Amount: $15,000
Application: https://www.colgatepalmolive.com/en-us/core-values/community-responsibility/make-the-u
Colgate-Palmolive in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, encourages you to get on the path to higher education.
The Haz La U Program helps put Hispanic youth on the track to college by providing financial relief via educational grants totaling 100,000
YOU COULD WIN ONE OF 31 SCHOLARSHIPS
- 10 Bronze Grants, each at $2,000
- 10 Silver Grants, each at $3,000
- 10 Gold Grants, each at $3,500
- 1 National Grant, at $15,000
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Academic excellence
- Dedication to community service
- Demonstration of leadership in one's community
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans Scholarship
Amount: up tp $25,000
Application: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/
- Several different scholarships available
- Must be planning to enter college next fall
- Must have a commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor's degree
- Critical Financial Need
- Community activities
- 2.0 GPA or higher
Heisman High School Scholarship
Amount: $500 - $5,000
Application: Heisman Scholarship
CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION
- Students whose senior year of high school is the 2019-2020 academic year, graduating with the class of 2020.
- Students who have at least a weighted “B” grade average (3.0 GPA) during grades 9, 10 and 11.
- Students who participate in at least one high school sport.
- Students who have participated in volunteer service, community involvement or leadership within his/her school or community.
- Students who are a resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia (D.C.).
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
- A student may begin the application process by clicking the Register button at the top right of the application website.
- Students will enter their email address and be prompted to provide some basic account information and create a username and password for their application.
- If deemed eligible, students should then select “Begin Application” to complete the rest of the student profile section.
- Once a complete profile is created, the student’s unique application ID will appear at the top of his/her application by their name. It is important to retain this number for prospective customer service inquires.
- Eligible students may then continue to fill out the application. The application is scored by Scholarship America to determine school winners through national finalists. National winners are selected by a committee who reviews the national finalist applications.
- Students may navigate the various sections of the application using tabs located at the top of the application after the student profile is created. If the student misses a required section, he/she will receive an error message and will not be able to submit their application until the required information is entered.
- Students must provide an accurate email address of the school official who will login to review the application and its contents, and confirm its accuracy. This school official cannot be related nor a parent/guardian of the student.
- Students may login to their accounts as often as needed prior to the student application deadline, or until their application has been submitted. Students will need to retain their username and password to login again.
Ron Brown Scholarship
Amount: $40,000
Application: Available in the School Counseling Office
- Must be Black/African American.
- Must excel academically.
- Must exhibit exceptional leadership potential.
- Must participate in community service activities.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card.
- Be a current high school senior at the time of your application. NOTE: Current college students are not eligible to apply.
SC Association of Educational Office Professionals
Amount: $1,500
Application: https://www.scaeop.org/student-scholarships.html
- Complete the application form
- Write a one-page essay on "What career you have chosen to pursue and why"
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Transcript
- 2.0 or higher GPA
- Plan to attend an institution of higher learning
- U.S. Citizen
Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarship
Amount: up to $6,000
Application: https://spirit.prudential.com/
- Students who have initiated volunteer activities
- Certification page should be emailed or hand delivered to Mrs. Burke to get the appropriate signatures before November 5, 2019
Gardner-Webb University - Tucker Sholars
Amount: Full Tuition
Robertson Scholars Leadership Program
Amount: Full Tuition
Application: https://robertsonscholars.org/
- Designed to build next generation leaders
- Full Tuition at either Duke University or the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Kittie M. Fairey Educational Scholarship Fund
Amount: up to half tuition plus room and board
Application: https://www.csascholars.org/kmfr/
Applicants Must:
- Be enrolled in or planning to attend full-time an accredited college or university in the state of South Carolina.
Additional Desired Qualifications:
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Demonstrate financial need.
SC Teaching Fellows Program Scholarship
Amount: $24,000
Application: http://www.cerra.org/teaching-fellows.html
The South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program was created to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession. High school seniors who are legal South Carolina residents may apply. Selection is based on academic achievement, community and school involvement, references, interview, and writing assessment. Teaching Fellows participate in advanced enrichment programs in Teaching Fellows Institutions, professional development opportunities during summer months, involvement with communities and businesses throughout the state and receive up to $6000 in yearly scholarships for four years (up to a total of $24,000) while they complete a degree leading to teacher certification. A Fellow agrees to teach in South Carolina one year for every year he/she received the Fellowship.
This award may be combined with either Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarships. Apply online. The online application will open on Sept. 1 and the deadline is December 1, 2019 11:45 pm. All letters of recommendation and transcripts must be received by 5:00 pm Dec. 8, 2019.
The Teaching Fellows program is available at the following institutions:
- Anderson University - Website / Fellows Program Info / Brochure / Flyer
- Charleston Southern University - Website / Brochure
- Clemson University - Website / Brochure
- Coastal Carolina University - Website / Fellows Program Info / Brochure / Paper
- College of Charleston - Website / Brochure
- **Columbia College - Website
- Francis Marion University - Website / Fellows Program Info
- Lander University - Website
- **Newberry College - Website
- USC-Aiken - Website / Fellows Program Info
- USC Columbia - Website / Fellows Program Info
- USC Upstate - Website / Fellows Program Info
- Winthrop University - Website / Brochure
**Columbia College and Newberry College are no longer accepting new students into their Teaching Fellows Program.
Francis Marion - Robert E. McNair Scholarship
Deadline: December 2, 2019
Amount: Full Tuition
Application: https://www.fmarion.edu/mcnaircenter/mcnairscholarsprogram/
BENEFITS OF THE GOVERNOR ROBERT E. MCNAIR SCHOLARSHIP:
- Free tuition, fees, and room and board for four years of study.
- A book allowance each semester.
- Opportunity to travel abroad during spring break of the freshman year.
- Opportunity to study abroad in one of nine exchange student programs. McNair Scholars can choose to study in Canada, England, France, Germany, and Ireland.
- Admission to the Francis Marion Honors Program. This includes the opportunity to travel on the yearly Honors trip held every Fall. Locations include New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
- Opportunity to participate in the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City.
- Early class registration.
- Upgraded Housing. McNair Scholars will live in the Forest Villas Apartments, the newest housing on campus. These furnished units contain four private bedrooms, two bathrooms, and shared living room and kitchen space. (One and two bedroom units may be available).
- Experiential Learning Opportunities outside the classroom.
- Participation in public service activities to further strengthen the local community.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Be a South Carolina resident.
- Be a high school senior.
- Achieve a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Have an SAT score of 1160 or higher (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Math) or 24 or higher ACT score.
- Display a dedication to public service.
- Agree to participate in service learning/public service opportunities.
- Agree to participate in travel and study abroad opportunities.
- Submit two original essays: One focused on the value of public service. One focused on how you would make the most of your study abroad.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, guidance counselor or employer.
* The McNair Scholarship is renewable for a total of four years provided that the recipient completes 30 semester hours each year and maintains a 3.0 GPA.
Clemson University - Lyceum Scholars Program
Amount: $10,000
Application: https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/capitalism/lyceum/
Open to incoming freshmen, the Lyceum Scholars Program is the first college program in the US to use a Great Books approach to studying liberty, capitalism, the American Founding, and moral character.
All Lyceum Scholars are assigned faculty "Socratic Tutors" who guide their intellectual development for their entire four-year education.
Those interested in becoming Lyceum Scholars should apply in their senior year of high school to Clemson University and to the Lyceum Scholars Program.
South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Application: https://www.scholarshipprograms.org/
- Plan to attend a 4 year college in South Carolina
- Play gold recreationally or competitively
- 2.75 or higher GPA
- Must have community involvement
The AXA Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $10,000-$25,000
Application: https://us.axa.com/axa-foundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship.html
The AXA Achievement Scholarship offers college scholarships of $10,000 and $25,000 to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community or the workplace. The scholarship is sponsored by the AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA US. Your application MUST be one of the first 10,000 submitted electronically by the deadline date. Apply early!
Palmetto State School Counselor Association Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application: How a School Counselor Made a Difference
Winners will be selected and notified by April 15, 2020
Eligibility:
- Must be a high school senior attending a public or private secondary school in the state of South Carolina.
- Must be a permanent resident of the state of South Carolina.
- Must plan to attend a post-secondary institution during the 2020-2021 school year.
Applicants must:
- Submit an application.
- Complete an essay of no more than 500 words about a school counselor who has made a difference in your academic, career, social, and/or emotional development. You may additionally include your career goals, post-secondary education plans, and an explanation for how the scholarship will help you.
- Include an official copy of high school transcript.
- Submit a letter of recommendation.
- Allow their essay to be shared with the school counselor they write about if feasible.
Criteria for selection:
- Essay
- High school academic record
- Community service, and school activities
- Letter of recommendation (non-family member)
Harry Hampton Fund Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Application: http://www.hamptonwildlifefund.org/scholarship.html
- Harry Hampton Scholarship: $5,000/year up to 4 years($20,000) for students interested in majoring in natural resources disciplines of wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine or environmental science.
- Wallace F. Pate Scholarship: One time $1,500 for students interested in majoring in natural resources disciplines of wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine or environmental science.
- David M. Cline Scholarship: One time $2,000 for students who wish to further their education in law enforcement, criminal justice, or forensic science.
- James O. Thomason Scholarship: $2,000/year for up to 4 years ($8,000) for students who wish to further their education in print or photo journalism, advertising, public relations, or mass communications.
Navy ROTC Scholarship
Amount: 4-year Scholarship worth $180,000
Application: http://www.nrotc.navy.mil/
Earn a 4 year scholarship with no obligation to the Navy until your sophomore year. Program completion and graduation will result in Commissioning in the US Navy. A 5 year minimum active duty obligation as a naval officer will be required.
- Must be at least 17 years old and not older than 23
- Minimum SAT Score of 1050, or Minimum ACT score of 22, or graduate in the Top 10% of high school class
GE-Regan Foundation Scholarship
Amount: up to $40,000
Application: https://www.reaganfoundation.org/education/scholarship-programs/
To be eligible for this award, applicants must:
- demonstrate at school, at the workplace, and within the community the attributes of leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship;
- demonstrate strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent);
- be citizens of the United States of America;
- be current high school seniors attending high school in the United States (students living on U.S. Armed Forces base and homeschooled students are also eligible); and
- plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study toward a bachelor’s degree at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year.
American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Program
Amount: from $1,500-$18,000
Application: http://scarolinalegion.org/page/content/programs/the-american-legion-hw-dare-maness-high-school-oratorical-contest
The purpose of The American Legion's Oratorical Constitutional Speech Contest is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States. Please see the rules and regulations on The American Legion Website.
John F. Kennedy: The Profile of Courage Essay Contest
Amount: $500-$10,000
Application: https://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest.aspx
Eligibility
The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and members of their families are not eligible to participate.
Discover Student Loans Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Application: https://scholarship.collegecovered.com/
Students and parents can enter by signing up to receive tips and resources on CollegeCovered.com. No purchase or loan necessary to enter or win.
The College Plan Scholarship
Amount: $250
Application: Available in the School Counseling Office
The winning student must be accepted into an accredited college, university, or technical school by the end of the year. The scholarship will be made payable to the attending college, university, or technical school.
Midlands Technical College Foundation
Amount: Varies
Application: https://www.midlandstech.edu/FoundationScholarships
The MTC Foundation offers 45 unique scholarships just for MTC students.
To apply for these scholarships as well as state and federal aid, you'll need to fill out a FAFSA.
Here's how it works:
When the MTC Foundation scholarships are open for application, we'll send you a letter or email with a link to apply online. You'll enter your information one time, and we'll match you with all the MTC Foundation scholarships that you qualify for. It's that easy!
Christian Connector, Inc Scholarship Drawing
Amount: $2,500
Application: http://www.christianconnector.com
The scholarship runs each year from June 1st through May 31st. The drawing winner of each scholarship is selected at random and The Christian Connector, Inc. reserves the right to change the random drawing selection process at any point. Individuals must meet the below guidelines in order to be eligible to receive the scholarship.
Drawing Guidelines:
- The scholarship recipient must have plans to enroll for the first time as a full-time student at a Christ-centered Christian college or Bible college within 16 months of being notified by The Christian Connector, Inc. that he/she has won the drawing.
- The Christian Connector, Inc. reserves the right to make the determination of whether or not a particular school qualifies. Any school that is a member of the CCCU, NACCAP or ABHE automatically qualifies.
- The scholarship recipient may not currently be enrolled at a Christian college or Bible college.
- The scholarship will not be sent to the individual recipient, but rather it will be sent directly to the school of choice, meeting the above criteria.
- An individual cannot enter the scholarship drawing more than once, however, he/she may use the request form and Christian Connector services as often as they wish.
- By completing the information request form, the winner of the scholarship allows their name, city and state to be used on the site and in promotional materials, announcing that he/she is a Christian Connector scholarship recipient.
Should the initial randomly selected individual(s) not meet the above guidelines for the scholarship drawing entered, the scholarship will be forfeited and offered to another individual until a selected individual who meets the above guidelines is awarded the appropriate scholarship.
AmericanMuscle Automotive Scholarships
Amount: $2,000
Application: https://www.americanmuscle.com/scholarships.html
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
Scholarships are restricted to those students pursuing an automotive degree or related field of study.
Ponton Law Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Application: https://www.jamesponton.com/practices/car-accidents/#scholarship
- This scholarship is judged & awarded primarily on merit & need.
- Completed application must be submitted online by July 31, 2020. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
- INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
- Applicant must plan to attend college by fall semester 2020.
- Must have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0.
- A transcript must be attached for application for consideration.
- Applicant must submit an un-opened copy of official transcripts if selected as a finalist.
- This scholarship is a one-time award worth $1,000 to be awarded the fall semester of 2020.
- Although not required, applicants are encouraged to submit recommendation letters and/or resumes to substantiate their application.
- Applicant will be required to demonstrate both their merit and their need for this scholarship
More Scholarship Resources
Always check the college's financial aid page for scholarship opportunities.
Pelion High School
Website: http://www.pelionpanthers.com
Location: 600 Lydia Drive, Pelion, SC, United States
Phone: 803-821-2208
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PelionCounselor
Twitter: @PelionCounselor