More than 400 students in Lexington, Richland counties projected to benefit
IRMO — More than 400 high school seniors in Lexington and Richland counties are expected to receive a combined $3.2 million in college assistance through the expanded Meeting Street Scholarship Fund, which will provide eligible South Carolina students with up to $10,000 for college expenses.
The scholarship expansion was highlighted during a visit to Dutch Fork High School by fund leaders as part of a statewide awareness tour.
The program will serve eligible students graduating from South Carolina high schools in spring 2027. The South Carolina General Assembly approved $18.7 million in recurring funding in this year’s state budget to expand the scholarship statewide through a public-private partnership.
Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington, highlighted the Scholarship’s impact on the state’s students and overall economy.
“A good-paying job is the pathway to the American Dream, and the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund will ensure more hard-working students earn college degrees so they can secure those jobs,” he said. “This Scholarship is helping us build our skilled workforce while keeping students in state, and that’s critical to our ability to attract businesses to South Carolina. More than 400 students in Lexington and Richland counties are projected to earn $3.2 million for college through the Meeting Street Scholarship, and it’s an honor to support the state’s investment in these amazing students.”
Nearly 3,000 students across South Carolina are expected to benefit. Projected recipients include 227 students in Richland County, 175 in Lexington County, 44 in Sumter County, 39 in Orangeburg County, 38 in Kershaw County, 21 in Newberry County, 15 in Fairfield County, 11 in Calhoun County and seven in Saluda County.
The scholarship helps cover the cost of tuition, housing, meals and fees for students who qualify for the state’s LIFE or Palmetto Fellows merit scholarship and receive a Federal Pell Grant. Eligible students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), graduate from a South Carolina high school in spring 2027 and enroll full time at an eligible in-state college.
The program is designed to help students pursue higher education without taking on significant student debt. According to the fund, students who receive merit-based state scholarships and qualify for Pell Grants still face an average annual gap of $7,870 in basic college expenses.
“We spend years encouraging our students to work hard, challenge themselves and prepare for college, and the Meeting Street Scholarship gives them another powerful reason to do exactly that,” said Lexington-Richland School District Five Superintendent Dr. Akil Ross Sr. “This Scholarship gives students more options when choosing where they want to go to college.”
The scholarship was initially funded through private philanthropy and expanded to 14 counties before the state-funded partnership made it available statewide to the Class of 2027. Private donors have committed more than $87.8 million to 2,219 recipients, according to the fund.
In addition to financial assistance, the program offers community-building, leadership development and work experience opportunities to help students succeed in college and beyond.
Applications for the 2027-28 school year are expected to open Nov. 9. Students can review eligibility requirements and sign up for application updates at meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org.
