Power:Ed awards $50,000 in scholarship support to SC State students

Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: August 21, 2024|All News

Check presentation — Left to right: Dr. David Finklea, SC State Foundation executive director; Angelia Jackson, director of operations for institutional advancement; Willie Jeffries, SC State’s head football coach emeritus and a Power:Ed board member; Claire Gibbons, Power:Ed executive director; Alexander Conyers, SC State president; and Dr. John M. Lee Jr., vice president for institutional advancement.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The South Carolina State University Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC), to provide scholarships to 17 deserving SCSU students who meet the university's requirements for financial support.

“Power:Ed and SC Student Loan Corp. are proud to support SC State University and its vital work to educate and build a skilled workforce in South Carolina,” Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons said. “Need-based scholarships can make all the difference in helping students complete their education and succeed in school, their careers and in life.”

High-achieving students at South Carolina State University face several disparities that prevent them from continuing their education. Some students are forced to disenroll due to their inability to pay student tuition.

SC State is dedicated to eliminating the challenges dealt by poverty through tuition scholarships. Providing scholarships assists in equipping students with the opportunities needed to excel in their educational pursuits while preparing them for entry into the South Carolina workforce.

“Power:Ed has been a vital partner for SC State in recent years,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said. “The organization’s generous support has helped the university retain students toward completing their degrees and fulfilling their promise as productive citizens.

“I thank Ms. Gibbons, Power:Ed and the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation for their support of SC State and our students,” Conyers said.

In FY 2023-24, Power:Ed awarded $1,000,000 in 25 grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations, and the SCSLC philanthropy is committed to investing another million this fiscal year, starting with this grant to SC State. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is October 1, 2024.

Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, minority, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. Nonprofit organizations serving middle school through post-college talent who are interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.