Ronnie M. Cole CLE Scholarship

Purpose: Financial assistance for South Carolina Bar members to afford continuing legal education (CLE) credits.

Geographic Scope: South Carolina

Focus Areas:

• Continuing legal education support
• Priority for public service attorneys
• Preference for attorneys working with or previously employed by SC Bar Foundation grantees

Eligibility:

• Any member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing
• Resident of South Carolina
• Practicing attorney
• Must demonstrate sufficient financial need preventing affiliation of specific CLE course
• Must not have already registered for the CLE course

Award Details:

• Income-based sliding scale coverage
• Limited to 14 credit hours per MCLE compliance period
• Covers CLE tuition only (not SC Bar social events, travel, hotel, meals)
• Scholarship valid only for South Carolina Bar CLE programs unless otherwise specified
• Limited number available each year based on rolling fund balance

Special Provisions:

• If unable to attend approved program, recipient may request 12-month extension with explanation
• For programs with high applications, number of awards may be limited
• If CLE program is cancelled, applicant may submit new application

Contact:

• Phone: 803.765.0517
• Address: PO Box 608, Columbia, SC 29202
• Website: scbarfoundation.org

Application Process

Applications accepted year-round; encouraged within four weeks of seminar date.

Required Information:

1. Personal Information
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Email Address
   • SC Bar Member #
   • Phone
2. Employment Information
   • Firm/Employer name
   • Firm/Employer address
   • Title
   • Current employment status (FTE percentage)
   • Current income range
3. CLE Program Details
   • Title of CLE
   • Location of CLE
   • Date of CLE
   • Cost (including early bird cost if applicable)
   • Whether attending to meet current year CLE requirement (Yes/No)
4. Eligibility Verification
   • Currently located in South Carolina (Yes/No)
   • Currently practicing attorney (Yes/No)
   • Have you received a Cole Scholarship during current compliance year? (Yes/No)
5. Essays/Narrative (up to 500 characters each)
   • Explain financial circumstances and/or nature of need
   • How attending this CLE program will benefit you as an attorney/your practice
6. Consent
   • Confirm understanding of guidelines and accuracy of information provided

Before Applying:

• Review the Ronnie M. Cole Scholarship Fund rules and regulations