Our Mission

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund creates a pathway for thousands of hard-working Charleston County School District graduates to attend a great South Carolina college by helping families with limited means to pay for college with up to $10,000 in annual scholarship awards.

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The application for fall 2021 Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is now open. The application is very simple and takes less than 30 minutes. Complete the application today to see if you qualify for the scholarship.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund Opportunity

Student Eligibility

  • Reside in Charleston County
  • Graduate in 2021 from a Charleston County public high
    school or eligible charter high school
  • Earn LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
    • Two of the following three requirements must be met:
      • Earn at least a 3.0 GPA in high school
      • Score at least 1100 on SAT or 24 on ACT
      • Rank in the top 30% of your graduating class
  • Qualify for a federal Pell Grant by completing FAFSA
  • Attend one of the eligible SC colleges and universities

 

Eligible Colleges & Universities*

  • Anderson University
  • Bob Jones University
  • Claflin University
  • Clemson University
  • College of Charleston
  • Columbia College
  • Columbia International University
  • Converse College
  • Erskine College
  • Furman University
  • Newberry College
  • North Greenville University
  • Presbyterian College
  • Southern Wesleyan University
  • The Citadel
  • University of South Carolina – Columbia
  • Wofford College
  • Winthrop University

 

* Includes South Carolina colleges & universities which have a six-year graduation success rate of >50% (based on National Center for Education Statistics)

If you’re interested in learning more about the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund Opportunity, please read our recent press release here.

FAQs

Which Charleston County high schools are eligible for scholarship?
  • Academic Magnet High School
  • Charleston Advancement Academy
  • Baptist Hill High School
  • Burke High School
  • Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies
  • Charleston Charter School for Math & Science
  • Charleston County School of the Arts
  • Early College High School
  • East Cooper Center for Advanced Studies
  • Greg Mathis Charter High School
  • James Island Charter High School
  • Lowcountry Leadership Charter School
  • Military Magnet Academy
  • North Charleston High School
  • Oceanside Collegiate Academy
  • Palmetto Scholars Academy
  • R.B. Stall High School
  • Septima P. Clark Academy
  • St. John’s High School
  • Wando High School
  • West Ashley High School
Are private school graduates eligible?

No.  Students must graduate from a Charleston County School District traditional public or public charter high school.

Will every recipient receive the full $10,000 annual scholarship?

The amount of the scholarship award will be based on the college costs of attendance and the student’s funding gap after other scholarship and grant awards are applied.

The costs of attendance are determined by the college, to include tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other applicable expenses.

If the funding gap is greater than $10,000, the full amount of the Meeting Street Scholarship will be awarded.

If the funding gap is less than $10,000, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund will provide up to the remaining amount owed to the college.

How many Meeting Street Scholarship Fund awards will be made each year?

There is no limit on the number of Charleston County students who can earn the scholarship.  If school district performance improves, then we will see an increase in the number of students who meet the criteria and pursue college.

How do I continue to earn the scholarship?

Students must maintain the SC LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and complete the FAFSA form annually in order to maintain eligibility.

Does my family have to demonstrate financial need to qualify for the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund award?

Yes – students must be eligible for a Pell Grant.  The Federal Pell Grant program identifies students with exceptional financial need and families who are unable to contribute to college costs. This is determined based on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

What colleges and universities are eligible for the Scholarship Fund?

South Carolina colleges and universities which have a six year graduation success rate of more than 50% are automatically eligible. 

Can I use the scholarship for out-of-state colleges?

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is designed to make access to college attainable with existing South Carolina scholarship programs, and is not eligible to be used outside the state.

Are there requirements for what college majors are acceptable to be eligible to receive the Meeting Street Scholarship?

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund has no restrictions about what a successful applicant studies or chooses to major in.

Will there be required programs for selected students?

The Scholarship Fund is just beginning, and the initial priority is to help hard-working students access the resources to attend college.  There may be future opportunities or program requirements for learning, networking, and support available for Meeting Street Scholarship Fund recipients. 

Can I contact someone at Meeting Street Scholarship Fund to get answers to additional questions?

Yes – you can call us at 843-890-3190 or email us at info@meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org

Upcoming Dates

Application launches by February 25th

April 16th — scholarship award notifications begin

News Stories

Post & Courier

“Scholarship recipients will be awarded up to $10,000 per year, for a total of $40,000 over four years, to help pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities across South Carolina.”

Full Article

WCSC, Live 5 News

“Meeting Street Schools Founder Ben Navarro, and his wife Kelly Navarro, are providing millions of dollars in need-based academic scholarships for students with a strong academic record.”

Full Article

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Inspired by Meeting Street Schools

Meeting Street Schools is a groundbreaking initiative to raise the bar for education in South Carolina. The schools were founded upon the belief that all children deserve an excellent education regardless of their geographic or socioeconomic circumstances, and all children have the ability to excel in the classroom. Where access to quality public education or affordable private alternatives is often severely limited, Meeting Street Schools is providing children with transformational educational opportunities.

Quotes from Leaders

 

We are excited about the role the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund will play in providing educational opportunity for hard-working students in Charleston County public schools. We believe that educational opportunity and access to college should be open to many more students.  Removing financial barriers to higher education is critical to developing our community and South Carolina’s future leaders.

 

— Ben Navarro, Meeting Street Schools Founder

Quotes from Leaders

 

For more than 15 years, Ben and Kelly Navarro have invested their time and energy to help young people achieve their full potential. The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund will create a lasting impact by providing incredible opportunity to earn a college degree to many who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

 

— US Senator Tim Scott

Quotes from Leaders

 

Every student deserves access to a quality education and the opportunity to succeed. Now, with the creation of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, the dream of attending college will become a reality for thousands of students throughout Charleston County. Ben and Kelly Navarro’s remarkable act of generosity will benefit local students and their families for generations to come.

 

— Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg

Quotes from Leaders

 

Students in Charleston County now have a new reason to dream of attending the state’s top colleges and the opportunities that come with a college degree. I am thankful for the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund’s remarkable commitment to provide access to a quality education for every single deserving child, regardless of their background.

 

— Dot Scott, Charleston Branch NAACP President

Quotes from Leaders

 

This scholarship fund provides a tremendous opportunity for more Charleston County School District students to fulfill their goal of earning a college degree. Hopefully, this will allow students who previously thought college was unattainable to now see it as a viable option for them.

 

— CCSD Superintendent Gerrita Postlewait

Quotes from Leaders

 

Today’s Meeting Street Scholarship Fund announcement represents a major milestone for public education in Charleston County. Every student in our schools deserves this path-changing opportunity. It is our responsibility to make sure more students are college-ready and scholarship eligible. Our schools and educators will rise to the challenge.

 

— CCSD Board of Trustees Chair Rev. Eric Mack

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If you know students who may be eligible or want to raise awareness of this exciting new initiative, please use the links above to follow us on social media!

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund and its qualifications are subject to change in the sole discretion of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. The information on this website is qualified by the final scholarship application, which will be available to potential applicants. Contact us at 843-890-3190 or info@meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org