Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program Grant

The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program assists high school students in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties with college preparation. This 18-month program supports first-generation college students and those with financial needs, ensuring they have the resources to navigate the college application process. Participants receive personalized coaching on standardized tests, financial aid, and scholarship applications, promoting academic success and civic engagement. Named after Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the program fosters ambition and mentorship among its students.

NOTE: Applications are accepted in the fall semester of students’ junior year of high school, and selections are announced in December.
The Reverend Pinckney College Readiness Program offers high school students in Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties tailored support and resources throughout the college application process to help them prepare for, research, evaluate and ultimately select which college is right for them. The anonymous donors who started the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship Program at Coastal Community Foundation established College Readiness as an 18-month prerequisite program to help ensure students’ success leading up to, during and after college. Those who complete the College Readiness Program are exclusively eligible to apply for the Rev. Pinckney Scholarship Program in the second semester of their senior year of high school.
The College Readiness Program has a community-based focus to address education and wealth disparities in coastal South Carolina communities. Students eligible to participate are first-generation college students with a demonstrated financial need. Being the first in their families to go to college, these students may not be able to draw on experience at home to guide them through the college application and selection process. The Readiness program provides an extra level of support as they navigate a complicated process.
This program is named after the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was known to be a visionary leader committed to justice, education, and contributing to a better future for his community. Students selected to the College Readiness program embody values of civic engagement, life-long learning, ambition, and mentorship.
About the program
At Coastal Community Foundation, our student success managers provide personalized support and guidance to students and their families. Students are coached on preparing for ACT/SAT tests, writing college essays, seeking and obtaining financial aid and scholarships and filling out FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms. They are offered advice and counseling from college enrollment specialists and visit college campuses with their peers in the program. While it involves rigorous and consistent coaching, the program is designed with flexibility in mind to accommodate students’ activities, work and personal obligations.
The College Readiness Program incorporates four main areas of focus:

• College entrance exam preparation
• Students take diagnostic ACT and SAT exams, decide on one test to study for, and receive test preparation.
• College exposure and application

Workshops and one-on-one meetings with the program instructor about college research, college tours, as well as information about and application to fly-ins and summer enrichment programs.
Students research colleges and apply to at least five schools.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Family workshops and provide individual assistance with FAFSA and other financial aid applications, as well as scholarship recommendations and assistance.
Career and Soft Skills Training
Workshops and counseling regarding resume building, interview skills and etiquette, time management and study skills, and budgeting

Eligibility

Students accepted into the program are expected to:

• Be committed to attending and graduating from college.
• Be a good citizen at school and in the community.
• Be motivated, intellectually curious and ambitious.

Keep appointments, meet deadlines, and be responsive to all staff communications.Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply the fall of their junior years of high school.
Permanent residents of Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton or Jasper County
First-generation college student (whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree)
Have an unweighted GPA of at least 2.5
Taking courses to prepare for academic success during and after college
Planning to attend a two-year or four-year college upon graduation
Eligible for a Pell Grant (We will help determine this).