The Shining Star Scholarship (Foundation)

The Shining Star Scholarship is a signature award administered by the South Carolina State University Foundation to recognize academic excellence, leadership, service, and character. The scholarship is awarded annually to one student from each of the University’s six academic colleges and is funded through proceeds from the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Gala. The policy is rooted in transparency, equitable access, and the Foundation’s fiduciary duty to ensure that all scholarships are awarded following donor intent and financial stewardship principles.

Awards are up to $10,000 per student and are designated solely for tuition, required University fees, and on-campus or extended campus housing. Funds are disbursed in two equal installments across the Fall and Spring semesters. Final award amounts are determined based on financial aid verification of unmet need and current account balances. Students must participate in designated engagement activities and remain in full-time status to retain eligibility.

Shining Star Scholarship Student Eligibility:
• Full-time student (12 credit hours or more; the only exception
applies to students in their last semester.)
• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior for undergraduate classification
• Declared major in one of the six Colleges:
        College of Agriculture, Family, and Consumer Sciences
       College of Business and Information Systems
    College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences
    College of Graduate and Professional Studies
    Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College
    College of Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics and Transportation
• Be in good standing in their department
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better
• Have an unmet financial need not provided by other sources
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Displays good character and integrity
• Shows promise of future career success or positive societal impact
• Demonstrates outstanding leadership and a commitment to
enriching the SCSU student body through constructive engagement
with the university
• Is not a previous recipient of the Shining Star Scholarship

Award
Up to $10,000 per student
Deadline
09/12/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Have you completed your FASFA yet?
  2. Hours enrolled must be greater than or equal to 12
  3. My cumulative GPA is greater or equal to 2.5
  4. My classification includes SO, JR, SR:
  5. Have you declared a major in one of the six following Colleges:
  6. Leadership and Extra Curricular Activities:
    • List a contact person's name and email address
    • List university activities in which you are involved in and the degree of involvement.; including student organizations.
    • Please list any honor's awards or recognition received.
    • State positions held (i.e. President, Member).
  7. Employment Information:
    • Dates of employment:
    • Employer's Address (Street, City, State, Zip Code):
    • Name of current employer:
  8. Community Involvement:
    • List campus or community service activities in which you are involved and the degree of involvement.
    • Please include a contact person's name and email address:
  9. I agree to allow the University and the Foundation to release and and use information about me and photographs for publication and marketing purposes promotional purposes
  10. I agree to participate in scholarship recipient activities (if anything is scheduled)
  11. I authorize the university to release "directory information" as defined by the University FERPA Records Access Policy
  12. I promise to write, under supervision of the foundation representatives or staff, thank you letter(s) to the donor(s) of my scholarship/award/fellowship
  13. I listed campus and community service activities in which I am involved and the degree of involvement
  14. Under penalties of perjury, I certify that the statements and information in this application are true and accurate. Please sign and date:
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