S.C. State Fair opens applications through March 15 for 53 college scholarships

The South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for its 27th-annual Ride of Your Life Scholarship program through March 15. Each year, this initiative allocates more than $500,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors across South Carolina. Applications can be submitted online at scstatefair.org/scholarships.

"At the South Carolina State Fair, we are dedicated to championing excellence within our state, beginning with the education of our young adults," said Nancy Smith, general manager of the South Carolina State Fair, in a news release. "Our mission is to play an active role in shaping the future of South Carolina through the invaluable gift of education."

The S.C. State Fair has expanded its scholarship program, made possible through a generous collaboration with Circle K stores and EMC Tickets. Circle K's donation of $34,000 presented to the South Carolina State Fair on Jan. 22 allows an additional three scholarships to be awarded - increasing the total to 53 total scholarships this year.

"It is our pleasure to contribute to the South Carolina State Fair's scholarship program and provide opportunities for students to achieve their dreams," said Lauren Conner, Circle K regional director of operations, in the release.

"EMC Tickets is proud to partner with Circle K and the South Carolina State Fair," said Steve White, CEO of EMC Tickets. "This effort not only expands educational opportunities, but underscores the positive impact that businesses and community events can have on shaping the future."

This year, $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to 53 high school seniors across South Carolina and will be paid out at $2,500 per year over four years. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year over two years. One of the 53 scholarships is exclusively designated for a Circle K employee or dependent.

The scholarship money must be used at a South Carolina university, college or institution and may cover tuition or other educational expenses such as on-campus housing, a computer or textbooks. Scholarships are awarded based on academic and extracurricular achievement, communication skills, need and completeness of the application. Recipients must retain a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and enroll in no less than 30 credit hours each academic year to receive funding for that year.

Prospective scholars and/or parents can learn more at scstatefair.org/scholarships or by contacting Betsy Cooper at betsyc@scstatefair.org or (803) 799-3387, extension 110.

Scholarship applications must be completed online atscstatefair.org/scholarships by March 15. Scholarship award recipients will be notified in mid-May of their award status.