Senior Information 2025-2026
Class of 26 Scholarship opportunities
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
10/29/25
This event is in Virginia, however the online webinars may be very beneficial. See the web link for all the details and to register.
Announcement:
Meghan Johnson
Oct 24
On behalf of the USC Aiken College of Sciences and Engineering, we’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the third year of our Computer Science Scholarship for High School Students!
This scholarship is designed specifically for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing one of our program areas, including:
$1,000 scholarships awarded to junior and senior high school students
USCA program and competition areas: Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Game & Simulation, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence
Deadline is December 5, 2025
** See below flyer for link and QR code to the application **
USCA Pacer Computer Science Scholarship HS.png.pdf
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
Oct 23
Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program
Deadline: Entries must be received at the SCDE by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 or postmarked on or before Monday, February 2, 2026.What is it?
The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship program, named for South Carolina’s first poet laureate, offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts as well as encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence among South Carolina students.What does the program include?
Students will mail or deliver original compositions, process folios, and other required documentation in one of the five arts disciplines (creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts) to the South Carolina Department of Education.When does the program begin?
Applications will be available online in October 2025. The deadline to submit an entry is Monday, February 2, 2026, delivered to the South Carolina Department of Education by 5:00 p.m. or postmarked on or before Monday, February 2, 2026. Entries will not be accepted after the deadline. Entries should have been created during the 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year.How will the students be recognized?
Five scholarships (approximately $2,000 each) will be awarded in May 2026. The South Carolina Department of Education will make the necessary arrangements to transfer the scholarship funds directly to the South Carolina college or university of the student’s choice. Students planning to attend an out-of-state college or university are ineligible to apply. The recipients may also be recognized by their local schools/school districts.Eligibility criteria:
- Students must currently be enrolled in twelfth grade in a public school in South Carolina.
- Students must plan to attend a South Carolina college or university.
- Students must be a U.S. citizen and have attended public school in South Carolina for the past two years.
- Students may only apply for one scholarship.
General composition criteria include
(click on the individual arts form to access the application and criteria for that arts form):General Information
- 2025-26 Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program
Creative Writing
- An entry is defined as an original composition, created by the applicant, utilizing any form of creative writing including but not limited to journals, diaries, letters, memoirs, essays, poetry, storytelling, speeches, and free writing. The composition should not exceed two, double-spaced pages in length.
Dance
- An entry is defined as an original creation of dance choreography timed at three to six minutes created for solo dancer or ensemble in any appropriate movement style. The applicant must perform in the recording of his or her creation.
Music
- An entry is defined as an original vocal or instrumental composition created by the applicant timed at four to ten minutes for solo performer or small ensemble (recommended no more than five parts) utilizing any appropriate compositional technique. Arrangements of existing works will not be permitted for this competition.
Theatre
- An entry is defined as an original one-act script created by the applicant with a runtime of eight to fifteen minutes.
Visual Arts
- An entry is defined as original artwork that must be a completed, rendered visual creation, produced by the applicant. Art is limited to two-dimensional work such as drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and collage. Artwork must not be copies of master artworks or comic art.
Additional criteria that each applicant/composition must meet are included on the individual entry forms.
Click on the individual arts form for the application and criteria.Additional Information:
- Entries produced in collaboration with others are not eligible for this competition.
- A panel of professionals in each of the five arts areas will select a recipient in each of the disciplines. The decision of the judges is final.
- Students may compete in one arts area only.
- Compositions/artworks and process folios each count 50 percent towards the total score.
- Do not place your name or other identifying information on the original work, copies, including process folio, and reflection statement.
How do students apply?
Eligible and interested students apply through their guidance department between November 1, 2025 and February 2, 2026. For more information, contact your school’s counseling office or Stephen Stokes, 803-734-3461; sstokes@ed.sc.gov.
Archibald Rutledge scholarship 2025.pdf
Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program - South Carolina Department of Education
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
Oct 22
The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides $2,000 to help pay for essential items to attend college and up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Free workshops, Free Schwab Brokerage Accounts, and Free Study Abroad provide recipients with a practical understanding of important life skills not typically covered in the school curriculum. Hagan Scholars have attended 745 colleges and universities located in 50 states and the District of Columbia and have studied abroad in 58 countries.
USC Columbia, USC Upstate and Charleston Southern University are the participating colleges in South Carolina.
Must have a 3.5 GPA
Parents adjusted gross income must not exceed $100,000
See attached brochure for additional eligibility requirements and other participating schools.
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
Oct 21 (Edited Oct 21)
The purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program "A Constitutional Speech Contest" is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership skills, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights, and privileges of American citizenship. All Department & Semi-Final Scholarships must be used within five years from graduation from high school.
Quadrant (local)Scholarship
- 1st Place Award - $1000.00
- 2nd Place Award - $500.00
DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
- 1st Place Award - $2500.00
- 2nd Place Award - $1500.00
- 3rd Place Award - $750.00
- 4th Place Award - $750.00
The winner at the Department/state) level who is certified into and participates in the first round of the national contest will receive a .
Each first round winner who advances to and participates in the second round, but does not advance to the final round, will receive an additional to pursue education at any college or university in the United States.
A contestant must give both their prepared oration and the assigned topic discourse in order to receive the scholarship.
If you are interested, please see your school counselor this week to get more information!
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
Oct 15
Appalachian State updates
Students can apply to App State for free from October 20-26!
This week runs from and pertains to students applying through both NC College Connect and the Common App.
Should a student apply outside of this timeframe, the can be paid in their MyMountaineer Portal, or a fee waiver can be sent (by their counselor) to processing@appstate.edu.
Scholarships and Deadlines
Apply now — our rolling admissions process means students will hear back within 2–4 weeks.
To be considered for scholarships:
If students applied through the, no extra steps are needed for most scholarships. If students applied through, complete the scholarship forms in your MyMountaineer Portal
Students can join us for. They can explore campus, meet faculty and students, and learn about admissions, scholarships, and student life.
Saturday, October 25 | 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 8 | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
UNC System Updates
Here is a quick update to the UNC System’s minimum eligibility admission requirements!
For Fall 2026 applicants and beyond:
- Minimum High School GPA: .
- Standardized Test Scores: Students with a weighted High School GPA are required to submit a standardized test score of a .
Announcement:
Gail Hicks.
Oct 14.
Winthrop University’s on This immersive experience will allow you to led by our esteemed faculty and explore a variety of artistic mediums, including.
We only have a few more spots available, so take advantage of this exciting opportunity. Please share this registration link and attached flyer with your students: https://slate.to/FZJwrrA0
If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact our Senior Arts Recruitment Coordinator, Paula Garofalo, at garofalopl@winthrop.edu.
https://classroom.google.com/c/NzA3MDk3MTEwNjEz/p/ODEyNzYzMDgzNTI0
Announcement:
Gail Hicks
Oct 14
Attached you will find information on the Teaching Fellows scholarship at Francis Marion.
TEACHING FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP AT FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY
The goal of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program at Francis Marion University is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and then develop leader ship qualities within them. Teaching Fellows at Francis Marion University may receive up to $6,000 in yearly scholarships during the time they are completing a degree leading to teacher licensure.
3 REASONS TO CHOOSE FMU
1) One of the Lowest Tuitions in the State
2) Brand New, State of the Art Facility
3) Small Class Sizes, Friendly Faculty
HOW TO APPLY
Complete an application for the program online at...
https://www.cerra.org/page/teaching-fellows-application
OR
Scan QR code
(Application Opens October 1 and closes on December 1.)
Contact us for more information:
Email: soe@fmarion.edu
Phone: 843-661-1460