Barnwell County Students Now Eligible for Meeting Street Scholarships

November 29, 2022

Thanks to a generous group of anonymous donors, we now offer college scholarships to students in Barnwell County. The group of philanthropists is passionate about expanding access to education and hopes to inspire students to reach their highest potential and be a positive influence in their community, state, and nation. With the addition of Barnwell County, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is now available in 10 counties across South Carolina.

Less than half of 2022 Barnwell County high school graduates are currently enrolled in a two or four-year college. With the expansion of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, we hope students who may be otherwise deterred from applying for or attending college due to financial costs will take advantage of the scholarship and pursue higher education. With no limit on the number of scholarships granted, Meeting Street Scholarship Fund offers up to $40,000 over four years to all students who qualify. 

At the event announcing the expansion to Barnwell County, Dr. Marcella Shaw (pictured above), superintendent of Barnwell County Consolidated School District, addressed the crowd of educational leaders, board members, and elected officials. “What a win today’s announcement is for Barnwell County,” she said. “It is bridging the pipeline for our scholars to leave high school for a higher education opportunity without financial concerns or stress on the family. I’m sure I speak on behalf of all mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunties, and uncles who are investing in our scholars when I say thank you to our anonymous donors because this is a win!”

Now entering our third scholarship cycle, we are on track to grant at least 200 college scholarships to students in Barnwell, Charleston, and eight counties in the Pee Dee region. In our first year, we granted 95 scholarships to Charleston County students and in our second year, we awarded 181 scholarships to students in Charleston County and eight Pee Dee counties.

The eligibility criteria is simple. To qualify, a student must:

• Reside in Barnwell, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, or Williamsburg county 
• Graduate from eligible public or public charter high school
• Receive a Pell Grant
• Earn an SC LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship 
• Plan to attend one of South Carolina’s best colleges 

Applications are open for the 2023 – 2024 school year and applicants will be notified of their eligibility within a week of each monthly submission deadline. 
To apply for a Meeting Street Scholarship, more information, and student resources, visit MeetingStreetScholarshipFund.org. For updates, news, and more, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.

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