The Deadline to Apply is Monday, MARCH 31, 2023. Don't delay, apply now!
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Southern Scholar!
The Dr. Doretha Pressey Southern Scholars Initiative, Inc. was developed to honor the life and further the legacy of Dr. Doretha Pressey and Mrs. Clara Mae Coleman. Dr. Pressey was a graduate of Denmark-Olar High School and a successful, passionate, and committed educator. Mrs. Coleman was Dr. Pressey’s mother and the woman who most inspired and encouraged her success; she was also a longtime Denmark resident and an active supporter of Denmark's public schools. Dr. Pressey’s daughters, her husband, and Mrs. Coleman’s family developed Southern Scholars after these two great women passed away in late 2018. The family hopes that these scholarships will help inspire and assist hard-working, committed students of color from the rural South to get into college, graduate on time, become successful in their chosen careers, and give back to those in need.
Southern Scholars Initiative offers two types of awards:
1. The Dr. Doretha Pressey Academic Scholarship and
2. The Mrs. Clara Mae Coleman Technical School Award
Please carefully read through the below eligibility requirements for each award before you apply. Please note, you will only be allowed to apply for one type of award.
The Dr. Doretha Pressey Academic Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
All students who will be graduating from Denmark-Olar High School, Bamberg Ehrhardt High School, or Hunter-Kinard Tyler High School in South Carolina in 2023 with at least a 2.5 GPA and who intend to pursue higher education at a fully accredited four-year college or university (not a trade school, community college, or technical college) are eligible to apply for The Dr. Doretha Pressey Academic Scholarship. Qualifying post-secondary institutions must be eligible to receive Title IV funding (Federal Financial Aid). If you are interested in attending a community college, trade school, or technical college, please apply for the Clara Mae Coleman Technical Award.
Specifically, the ideal 2023 Dr. Doretha Pressey Scholarship recipient will be:
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Graduating from Denmark-Olar High School, Bamberg Ehrhardt High School, or Hunter-Kinard Tyler High School in 2023.
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Accepted as a full-time undergraduate student at a not-for-profit four-year college or university by fall of 2023
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A person of African, Latino, Asian, or Indigenous descent
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A Pell Grant recipient
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Exhibit determination in the pursuit of goals
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Have a commitment to and demonstrated history of giving back and helping those in need
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Willingness to commit to and participate in each of Southern Scholars’ programs, including College Coaching, Mentorships, Community Service, and Travel Opportunities.
Award Amount:
The Dr. Doretha Pressey Scholarship provides the selected scholar with a total of $18,000 (evenly distributed over the course of four years). Students who meet the eligibility criteria, complete the application requirements on time, and are chosen to become scholarship recipients by the Scholarship Selection Committee are eligible for a scholarship. Payment is typically renewable each year and is disbursed per semester as long as the Scholar is enrolled full-time (at least nine credits) and submits a complete scholarship renewal request by the applicable deadline.
The Mrs. Clara Mae Coleman Technical School Award
Eligibility Requirements:
All students who will be graduating from Denmark-Olar High School, Bamberg Ehrhardt High School, or Hunter-Kinard Tyler High School in South Carolina, in 2023 with at least a 2.5 GPA and who intend to pursue higher education at a trade school, technical school, or a community college (not a fully accredited four-year college or university) are eligible to apply for the Clara Mae Coleman Technical School Award. Qualifying post-secondary institutions must be eligible to receive Title IV funding (Federal Financial Aid). If you are interested in attending a four-year college or university, please apply for the Dr. Doretha Pressey Academic Scholarship.
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Denmark-Olar High School, Bamberg Ehrhardt High School, or Hunter-Kinard Tyler High School in 2023.
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Accepted as a full-time undergraduate student at a trade school or technical school, or college
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A person of African, Latino, Asian, or, Indigenous descent
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Able to demonstrate financial need with Student Aid Report from FAFSA
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Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
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Exhibit determination in the pursuit of goals
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Have a commitment to and demonstrated history of giving back and helping those in need
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Willingness to commit to and participate in each of Southern Scholars’ programs, including College Coaching, Mentorships, Community Service, and Travel Opportunities.
Award Amount:
The Mrs. Clara Mae Coleman Technical School Award provides the selected scholar with a total of $6,000 (evenly distributed over the course of two years). Students who meet the eligibility criteria, complete the application requirements on time, and are chosen to become scholarship recipients by the Scholarship Selection Committee are eligible for a scholarship. Payment is typically renewable each year and is disbursed per semester as long as the Scholar is enrolled full-time (at least nine credits) and submits a complete scholarship renewal request by the applicable deadline.
How to Apply
Please follow this link or use the button below to apply now:
https://southernscholars.awardspring.com/
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on March 30, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.
Questions? Call us at 803.200.1910 or email our Assistant Director, Kris Robinson, at kris@southernscholars.org.