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Scholarships & Financial Aid

 

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Seniors: Browse below and keep visiting for up-to-date scholarship information.  Don't forget to turn in copies of all scholarship and grant offers you receive to your School Counselor!

 

MAROON and BLUE words are links

Sept 2024 Senior Night Powerpoint 

State Scholarships and Grants CHE website       CHE Powerpoint 

  • HOPE Scholarship - A one year, merit-based scholarship created for students attending a four-year institution who do not qualify for the LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.  More information.
  • LIFE Scholarship - A merit-based scholarship.  More information.
  • Palmetto Fellows Scholarship - Eligible students may receive up to $6,700, per year for college. More information.  
  • Lottery Tuition Assistance - For the current academic year (fall, spring, and summer terms), eligible students may receive up to $110 per credit hour to be used toward the cost-of-tuition.More information.
  • SC Need-Based Grant - Need-based grant is to provide additional financial aid to South Carolina’s neediest students. A student may receive up to $2,500 annually if enrolled full-time or up to $1,250 annually if enrolled part-time as a degree-seeking student at an eligible S.C. public institution.  More information.  

National Guard College Assistance - financial assistance to members of the South Carolina Army and Air National Guard by providing incentives for enlisting or remaining for a specified time in either the South Carolina Army or Air National Guard (SCNG).  More information here. SC National Guard

SC Teaching Fellows Program - Fellows participate in advanced enrichment programs at Teaching Fellows Institutions, have additional professional development opportunities, and are involved with communities and businesses throughout the state. They receive up to $24,000 in fellowship funds (up to $6000 a year for four years) while they complete a degree leading to initial teacher certification here    DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1 

Call Me Mister program - Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models- Initiative is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader more diverse background particularly among the State's lowest performing elementary schools. Student participants are largely selected from among underserved, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. There are 8 Two Year colleges and 18 four year colleges participating in the program. Learn more here. Participating Colleges List

 

**FAFSA opens Dec 1**

FAFSA Guide from Sallie Mae for the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid

FAFSA Resources: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid Click here to find out more information and to complete the FAFSA to apply for federal financial aid. 

Check out  “Federal Student Aid” youtube videos,  from filling out the FAFSA to comparing awards between colleges. For more information go to:. https://www.youtube.com/user/FederalStudentAid/videos

SCCANGO provides resources to students, parents and counselors about college admissions to SC Colleges and Universities. Check out SCCANGO’s youtube videos about FAFSA and their FAFSA Toolkit

  1. Create an FSA ID. For most students, at least one parent will also need to create an FSA ID.
     
  2.  
    1. Most students will need to invite at least one parent as a "contributor" to their FAFSA form. They will invite the same parent(s) who they asked to create an FSA ID.
       
    2. Within three days of submitting their FAFSA form, students can log back into their FAFSA form to view their FAFSA Submission Summary. They will submit the Eligibility Overview section as part of their Meeting Street Scholarship Fund application.

The SC Commission on Higher Education, has developed a “Palmetto Calculator” to help students understand the cost of attending some of SC public colleges or universities. Students can enter their FAFSA “Estimated Family Contribution” as well as other scholarships, loans, etc. to help determine cost. Visit the Palmetto Calculator for more information. 

Don’t see the college you want to attend on the “Palmetto Calculator”? Every college has a “net price calculator” so visit the financial aid page of your chosen colleges/universities website for more information.

 

MyinTuition.org - Estimate your cost of of attendance at more than 70 top colleges

Knowing the Rules of Financial Aid 

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The SoFi video series recordings for parents of college bound students. (All of these videos can also be found on SoFi’s YouTube channel)

• Evaluating College Acceptances and Appealing Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships
• What Merit Scholarships are and How to Find Them
• Financing your Student's Education
• Financial Aid and Changes to FAFSA, Especially for Divorced Parents

https://www2.sofiatwork.com/Collegeboundresourceguide

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Check the high school lounge for printouts of a few of the applications

 
 
 
Meeting Street Scholarship Fund

Are you Life Scholarship or Palmetto Fellows eligible AND qualify for a Federal Pell Grant AND planning to attend an eligible SC College/University? If so, you may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 of additional funds EVERY YEAR*! That’s potentially an additional $40,000 for college. (* recipients must remain Life and Palmetto Fellow eligible each year in college)

There is no limit on the number of Charleston County students who can earn the scholarship, but you must apply.  

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will have to be completed to determine if you are Pell Grant eligible. FAFSA will open December 2024. Completing the FAFSA will also determine if you qualify for other federal financial assistance to help cover college costs. https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Visit https://meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org/ for more scholarship information and to sign up for scholarship updates. 

DEADLINES: Accepting applications January - May

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5th Annual Xi Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Competition

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will receive a cash prize ($300, $200, and $100 respectively).

I. Registration
The application can be found on the website www.summervillealphas.com. The application submission deadline is January 31, 2025.
II. Requirements for Eligibility:
A. Students must be enrolled in public or private schools within Berkeley County, Charleston County, and Dorchester District 2 and 4 School Districts.
B. Students/contestants must be in middle and high school.
C. The speech must show creativity and originality and pertain to the theme provided.
D. ONE typewritten copy of each contestant’s speech must be submitted online to Xi Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The deadline for submitting typewritten copies of speeches is Friday, January 31, 2025.
E. The Xi Phi Lambda Oratorical Competition Committee will select the top 10 typewritten submissions that will be orally presented on February 8, 2025.
Contestants will be notified of their participation in the contest. If less than 10 contestants apply, all applicants will participate in the contest.

Application deadline extended DEADLINE NOW - January 31, 2025

 

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Hagan Scholarship

The Hagan Scholarship is a nationwide need-based merit scholarship, providing recipients “regardless of nationality” with the opportunity to achieve their goals and graduate college debt-free. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 each semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Applicants must graduate from a high school located in the United States. Eligible high schools include public, private, charter, magnet, and STEM schools. The Applicant’s Adjusted Gross Household Income reported for 2023 Federal Income Tax Purposes must not have exceeded $100,000. 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 637 colleges and universities located in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Hagan Scholars who graduate college while in the Hagan Scholarship Program can apply for a Hagan Graduate Scholarship good for up to four additional semesters in college receiving up to $7,500 each semester.

Website

Brochure

Deadline: 

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2025 SCAC Scholarship Program

2025 SCAC Scholarship Program Now Open

High school seniors in 13 counties can now apply for one-time college scholarships to be awarded in 2025.

Each year, SCAC's Presidential Scholarship Program awards one $5,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior who is a resident of the same county as the SCAC President. The 2025 Presidential Scholarship will be awarded to an Allendale County resident in honor of SCAC President and Allendale County Council Vice Chairman William E. Robinson.  

A resident from each of the following counties will be selected to receive a $5,000 Board of Director's scholarship: Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Charleston, Chester, Edgefield, Hampton, Lee, Sumter, Union, York.  

Learn more about how to apply via the scholarships page.

Deadline: February 1, 2025

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Annual Journalism Contest

2025 Theme: “Access to Good Jobs for All”

The winner of the 2025 Journalism Contest receives a four-year scholarship to the South Carolina state SC Governors Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities-supported institution of his or her choice provided, of course, that the winner is otherwise qualified.

The scholarship pays for undergraduate tuition and fees. Each institution  has its own definition of tuition and fees. The winner must be able to verify financial need (such as qualifying for a direct subsidized federal student loan) to the chosen state-supported institution, which typically requires completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Colleges and universities recommend that students in financial need complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1 of the year they will enroll to establish eligibility for student aid. This may require providing income tax return information. The FAFSA is available at https://studentaid.gov/.

The scholarship may be canceled if the recipient does not maintain general scholastic and conduct standards established by the institution.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the contest, you:
•    must be a South Carolinian 16 to 19 years old;
•    must not have entered a post-secondary school before March 1, 2025; and
•    must be a high school senior, or otherwise qualified to begin post-secondary education no later than the 2025-2026 school year.

More information and application

Deadline: February 7, 2025

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National Society of Black Engineers Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Graduating high school seniors
  • The applicant must be an African-American, a US citizen, and a South Carolina resident of one of the following counties: Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester
  • Must plan to pursue an undergraduate degree with a major within a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field, and must be accepted for enrollment into a STEM
    degree program.
  • Must be a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (3.4375 on a 5.0 scale)

Application can be found online

Deadline: February 22, 2025

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Alzheimer's Foundation of America Alzheimer's Awareness Teen Scholarship

$5000

Applicants are asked to write an essay (1,500 word maximum) or submit a video no more than 4 minutes long, describing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned from it. 

Brochure

Application

Deadline: March 1, 2025

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Rotary Club of North Charleston Scholarships

HISTORY

The Rotary Club of North Charleston Scholarship Program has been in existence since the 1950s.  Through this scholarship program, we enable students in North Charleston area to have the opportunity to achieve a college degree and grow into successful citizens and future Rotarians for our community. Since its inception, the Rotary Club of North Charleston Scholarship Program has awarded over 285 scholarships, totaling in excess of $562,000.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

For 2025, The Rotary Club of North Charleston is awarding three (4) $6,000 college scholarships to graduating seniors. Scholarships are awarded at $1,500 for the first year, and $1,500 may be earned for each of the next three years; provided the eligibility criteria are met. The purpose of these scholarships is to provide support to students who uphold the ideals of Rotary and who are committed to improving their lives through education.  Students who have strong moral character, a willingness to work hard in order to overcome obstacles, and who have a demonstrated desire to give back to their community should consider applying for the scholarship.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Students interested in applying for the scholarship must complete the application package and submit the entire body of work to their School Counselor by Friday March 14, 2025.

GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, applicants must be a student, in good standing, in one of the locally designated high schools. Applicants must reside in zip codes designated as North Charleston 29404, 29406, 29416, 29420, 29456, 29485, 29405, 29415, 29418, 29423 and 29470. Dependents of North Charleston Rotarians are not eligible. Applicants must complete all parts of the following application package, including:


Once selected, recipients and their parents or guardians will be invited to attend the Rotary Scholarship Luncheon held in May 2025 at The Hilton Garden Inn in North Charleston.

Applications available in the School Counselors' offices.

Deadline: Friday, March 14, 2025

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The Cindy Kimbrell Scholarship

The Cindy Kimbrell Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Cindy Kimbrell, who was a friend and dedicated employee of Sweetgrass Pediatrics.

$2000 payable to the 2-year or 4-year college/trade school

2025 Requirements

  • Completed application received by March 15, 2025
  • Official high school transcript showing a GPA of at least 3.0
  • A brief description of planned area of study and career goals
  • Essay detailing applicant’s personal cancer story or the cancer story of parent or immediate family member. The essay should be typed in the Times New Roman font size 12 pt.
  • Optional letter of referral

Application Submission and Review Process:

Submit completed application and all attachments to scholarship@sweetgrasspediatrics.com. Indicate The Cindy Kimbrell Scholarship in the subject line of your email.

Deadline for receipt of application is March 15, 2025. All applications will be reviewed by members of the Scholarship Committee. Selection will be based on the criteria set forth above.

Finalists may be contacted for an interview. The recipient will be notified by phone of scholarship award on or before April 15, 2025.

Employees of Sweetgrass Pediatrics and their children are not eligible to apply.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Questions? Email scholarship@sweetgrasspediatrics.com

More information and to apply

Deadline: March 15, 2025

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South Carolina State Fair Scholarship

I. Eligibility:

A. Applicant must be a full time resident of South Carolina and a senior in a public or private high school or home school in South Carolina.

B. Applicant must complete the online application form in its entirety.

C. Applicant must attach a current photograph (preferably a senior class photo).

D. Applicant must attend a public or private college, university, or technical college in the state of South Carolina.

II. Award:

A. Applicant will be judged based on need, academic and extra-curricular achievement, communication skills, and on aptitude for completion of application.

B. Scholarship will be paid directly to the treasurer’s office of the college or university attended.

C. Fifty-Two (52) $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to students across the state to be paid at the rate of $2,500 per year over a four-year period. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year over the two year period.

D. One (1) $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Circle K employee or dependent to be paid at the rate of $2,500 per year over a four-year period. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year over the two year period. 

Apply online

Deadline: March 15, 2025

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc North Charleston Alumnae Chapter 2025 Scholarship 

This scholarship is sponsored by the North Charleston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as a
means of assisting deserving graduating high school students who want to continue their post- secondary
education at a four-year college/university. To be an eligible applicant for this scholarship one must:

* Copy of SAT or ACT Scores, (PSAT Scores will NOT be accepted)
* Two (2) letters of Recommendation:
* From either your Principal, School Counselor, or Academic Advisor highlighting academic achievement in
a sealed envelope.
* From a community or church affiliate that can verify your public service involvement, state your duties,
show the total hours earned, and attest to your character in a sealed envelope.
* Typed one-page autobiographical sketch, including academic/career goals, public service involvement, a
statement of why the scholarship is important, and the expected benefit to be derived.
* A sealed official high school transcript to include first semester grades of the senior year and must include
cumulative GPA.

APPLICATION PACKET

Deadline: March 17, 2025

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Mark Cobb Memorial/Ron McWhirt Scholarship

Applicants must be a CCSD student whose parent or legal guardian is a full-time CCSD employee. Employment verification will be conducted by CCSD Human Resources after the nominees are selected to determine eligibility. The scholarship amount is $2,500.00 and 8 scholarships are available. 

Application

Deadline: March 17, 2025

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Women In Industry Day 2025 Scholarship

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must:

* Be currently enrolled as a high school senior in one of the following South Carolina Counties: Dorchester, Berkeley, or Charleston.
* Identify as a woman.
* Be attending an ABET-accredited program in a STEM related field.
* Plan to attend full-time.
* Not be fully funded.
* Be able to provide proof of enrollment (if chosen as a scholarship recipient) for the upcoming academic year of 2025-26 starting in the Fall.

Flyer

Deadline: March 21, 2025

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SkillPointe Foundation Scholarships

Check out the various scholarships here.

Funding for scholarships for career paths in construction, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, public service, and transportation. Scholarships that are currently open are listed at the top of the website, with other scholarships listed below them.

Deadlines vary

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The Government Finance Officers Association of SC

Presidents High School Scholarship

Amount of Scholarship: $1,250

Who May Apply: Any high school student who meets all the following criteria:

· The applicant must be a resident of the State of South Carolina;

· The applicant must be a high school senior;

· The applicant must be attending a South Carolina technical college or university working towards a certificate, Associate Degree, or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business related field;

· The applicant must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Application 

Deadline: April 7, 2025

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2025 Malik Samir Werts Charleston County School of the Arts Scholarship

It is with great pleasure that we announce our 2025 Malik Samir Werts Charleston County School of the Arts Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship was established by Race for Achievement Inc. to honor the late Malik Samir Werts. On January 31st, 2020, we tragically lost this beautiful life as another victim of gun violence. Malik was a brother, bestfriend, son, cousin, entrepreneur, and clearly a gifted artist. This scholarship is funded by the TyWanza Sanders Scholarship Fund

Malik Samir Werts Charleston County School of the Arts Scholarship Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/race4achievementinc/r4asmaliksamirwertscharlestoncountyschooloftheartsscholarship2025

Deadline: May 2, 2025 11:59pm

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2025 Daniel Stern Citadel Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship was established by Race for Achievement Inc. to acknowledge the efforts of Daniel Stern to our organization and is awarded to a Charleston area minority student accepted to The Citadel for the 2025-26 academic year. A graduate of the Class of 2006, Dan majored in Sports Management at The Citadel and helped create “Doughnut Dash 5k #Race4Wanza” in 2016. This scholarship is funded by the TyWanza Sanders Scholarship Fund

Daniel Stern The Citadel Scholarship Form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/race4achievementinc/r4asthedanielsterncitadelscholarship2025

Deadline: May 2, 2025 11:59pm

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Winthrop University TIPS Scholars Program -Scholarship for STEM Students

The TIPS Scholars Program is designed to support high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need, providing scholarships of up to $15,000 per year (up to $60,000 over four years). This program offers not only financial support but also valuable academic and career development resources.

For other eligibility criteria and addition program benefits, please visit 
https://www.winthrop.edu/cas/chemistry/tips-scholars-program.aspx

To apply, please visit 
https://winthrop.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4e9o7y3Qcmv8km

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2025 Charleston Southern University has launched Buc Promise, a new renewable scholarship for Pell-eligible South Carolina residents with a minimum 3.5 high school unweighted GPA. This is our promise: if a student is admitted to CSU and qualify for Buc Promise, CSU will pay their tuition.

Students eligible for Buc Promise must:

  • Hold at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA 
  • Complete the FAFSA 
  • Be Pell-eligible for more than the “Minimum Pell Grant” 
  • Enroll full-time in a traditional degree program 
  • Be pursuing a first bachelor’s degree  

More info on the CSU website.

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Reading Partners South Carolina  

Reading Partners South Carolina is searching for an upcoming high school graduate who participated in the Reading Partners program as a child. We are giving a $1,000 scholarship to an alum in honor of our 10th anniversary in SC. We are a national literacy non-profit providing one-on-one reading intervention by dedicated community volunteers.

Flyer

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UNCF SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships for students interested in STEM! https://uncf.org/scholarships
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Gardner Webb University Scholarships

Check out the various scholarships available for applicants, including Marching Band, Merit, and Non-major scholarships.

https://gardner-webb.edu/admissions-aid/scholarships-and-grants/

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College Board Opportunity Scholarships

Beginning SOPHOMORE year - Turn your efforts into scholarships

Students can search more than 10,000 scholarships by using our Scholarship Directory. Sophomores, juniors, and Seniors can earn entries for monthly BigFuture® $500 and $40,000 scholarship drawings.

Check out the website for more information.

cb.org/Opportunity

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Army ROTC

Programs at Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) and Host Schools – Kennesaw State (KS), Emory University (EU), and Agnes Scott College (ASC)). 
 
Join at the host school GT, or at the cross enrollment and partnership schools EU, ASC or KSU; however, there are roughly 275 host schools and over 700 additional partnership schools across the United States that offer Army ROTC.
 
Furthermore, the Army ROTC offers four- and three-year scholarships via the National Army Scholarship board that pay full tuition (or room and board up to $12,000 yearly), $1200 for books – per year, and a $420.00 monthly stipend while in school (not during the summer).
 
Additional incentives include a monthly language stipend ($100 -250), a study abroad program, special incentives for nurses, and postgraduate programs for medical.
 
Important Scholarship Dates:
1st High School Selection Board Deadline for Documents ...........................14 Oct 24
2nd High School Selection Board Deadline for Documents.......................... 20 Jan 25
High School Application Deadline for SY 20-21 ...........................................4 Mar 25
Final (3rd) High School Selection Board .....................................................17 Mar 25
For information on scholarships please visit https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships Let your students know that the scholarship application window is opened now, and it is not a complicated process at all.

The last and final board is March 17th; thus, students must start an application by March 4, 2025, and all required documents must be submitted by Mar 17, 2025, for last board.
 
Lastly, if students are not awarded scholarships from the national board, they can still apply for a scholarship once they arrive on campus and enroll in ROTC.

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University of North Georgia

Army ROTC Scholarships

We’re looking for high school seniors and college freshmen who want to serve our nation as second lieutenants (officers) in the U.S. Army. Scholarships pay for room and board (up to $12,000 per year) or tuition and fees.  It also pays a $420/month stipend and a $1,200/year book allowance.

Click here for eligibility criteria, benefits, and how to apply. In addition, Georgia resident ROTC scholarship recipients receive grants of up to $2,000 per semester. These benefits combine for about $15,570/year to $19,500/year.

The scholarship leads to a professional career as an active-duty Army second lieutenant (O1) with excellent benefits and starting compensation (Department of Defense Calculator):

  • Single with less than 2 years of service stationed at Ft. Stewart near Savannah, GA: $72,769
  • Single with 4 years of service as a Soldier in the Guard while in the Corps of Cadets at Ft. Benning, GA:  $79,053
  • Married with less than 2 years of service at Ft. Liberty, NC:  $67,562
  • Married with four years of service at Ft. Campbell, KY:  $80,853

Second lieutenants become captains (O3) at four years’ time of service after graduating from UNG and commissioning. Army captain compensation (Department of Defense Calculator):

  • Single with 4 years of service, stationed at Ft. Cavazos, TX: $105,324
  • Married with 4 years of service at Ft. Lewis, WA:  $116,619

In addition to regular military compensation, Army lieutenants accumulate incomparable leadership experience, pay no health insurance (families included), get 30 days of paid vacation, pay inexpensive dental and life insurance, and reap the benefits of a blended retirement system.  

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Naval ROTC Programs (4 scholarship programs available, one specific to Savannah State)

For more information go to: https://www.savannahstate.edu/cost/nrotc/

https://www.netc.navy.mil/Commands/Naval-Service-Training-Command/NROTC/Requirements

* National Scholarship (four-year scholarship, Navy and USMC option)

* Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation (MSISR) Scholarship for Navy

* Minority Serving Institution Scholarship Reservation (MSISR) Scholarship for Marine Corps: The Frederick C. Branch scholarship

* Naval Preparatory Program (NPP) Scholarship

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Common College Financial Planning Myths: Slaying Myths About Paying for College


More Scholarships can be found on the Scholarship List in Naviance

Fastweb.org

The Scholarship System - Lots of free webinars and resources available to help with scholarship searches.

   Military Scholarships Guide

Niche

Sallie Mae Scholarship Search - Flyer

    Filing the FAFSA Flyer

Unigo

StudentScholarships.org  - April Newsletter

sigep.org/scholarships

 

Scholarship