Reverend Pinckney Scholarship Program

Geographic Scope: Coastal South Carolina (nine-county service area: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry and Jasper counties)

Target Population: African-American high school students in coastal South Carolina

Purpose:

• Promote access to higher education for African-American students
• Award scholarships and provide comprehensive support resources
• Support students throughout their college career
• Work to close equity gaps in higher education and college completion rates

Key Statistics:

• Research shows less than half of Black students complete four-year colleges compared to higher rates for White and Asian peers
• In 2018, only 2% of African American students in South Carolina who took the ACT measured as prepared for college
• Black students more likely to graduate from under-funded high schools with substandard curriculum

College Readiness Program Component:

• Started 2019; expanded services for junior and senior high school students
• Provides guidance on college admissions, financial aspects, campus tours, college essay writing, resume building, and interview workshops
• Goal: Support students in choosing colleges that best fit social, financial and academic needs
• Specialist: Zahra Gauthier (in-house)
• Eligibility Update (2020 onwards): Only students who have participated in the College Readiness program are eligible for consideration for the Rev. Pinckney Scholars Program during senior year

Funding: Established through generosity of anonymous donors

Contact Information:

• Website: www.coastalcommunityfoundation.org/college-readiness
• Charleston: 1691 Turnbull Avenue North, North Charleston, SC 29405 | Phone: 843-723-3635
• Beaufort: 2015 Boundary Street, Suite 215, Beaufort, SC 29902 | Phone: 843-379-3400