May 7 2025, SMC Awards Luncheon at Summerville Country Club

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1.  What does it mean to be a resident of Berkeley or Dorchester County?  This means your high school has to be in one of these school districts.

2.  What documentation is needed to qualify? One of the following documents can be easily obtained from your teacher, guidance department or doctor.  

• Current IEP - Section 1-5
• Psychological Eval/Re-Evaluation
• Medical Evaluation
• 504 Plan

3. If I'm out of high school, can I still apply for a scholarship?

• Yes, The Summerville Mayor's Committee Scholarships and the Rotary Club Scholarship are all for 18 and older students whose primary residence is in Berkeley or Dorchester Counties even though living at school.

4.   Do I have to have references?  

• Yes, Ask a teacher, employer, principal, counselor, or friend to support you.  

5.  Do I have to have chosen a college or training facility before applying?

• Yes.  We realize it takes time to get accepted, but for you to receive the scholarship award, you have to list the school contact info.  Also it looks better on your application if you can say 'I've been accepted to' rather than 'I plan to attend' a college.

6.  What are tips for the Essay?

• We recommend you discuss this with family or teachers to help guide you in meeting the requirements of Step 7 in the Guidelines.  The topic this year is, " How my community will benefit from my education."  Get someone to read and make suggestions for improvements.  Make sure you follow the guidelines.  Many recipients have lost an opportunity by not following directions.  

7.  Can I reapply if I don't get chosen or if I have received a scholarship before?

• Yes

8.  To Maintain scholarship what do I have to do?

• Maintainability 12 hours per semester - regular courses not remedial
• 2.0 GPA or greater
• Update the SMC Scholarship Coordinator before and after each semester of grades and upcoming schedule.

9.  What will ensure that my application is reviewed?

• Make sure you use the Scholarship Submission Checklist.  Applications that are missing parts or out of order, will not be reviewed.

10.  How do I send my application?

• Mail - SMC - Scholarship. PO Box 231, Summerville, SC 29484 before the March deadline for submission as noted in the guidelines.
• Email - CassandraTownsend@FOCUSResources.net

11.  Do I have to refund money if I can't meet the scholarship guidelines?

• NO. If you don't meet the semester contract guidelines for the scholarships, you do not pay that award back. But it is your responsibility to contact SMC to continue payment for second semester if you have met requirements.  

12. Can I use the scholarship money for Remedial classes?  

• No.  Yet any time you have concerns please ask our support and advice.  We want you to succeed.

13.  Why is the cover page so important?

•  In any contract you have with different people, you should always provide your contact info and you should keep the SMC Scholarship Coordinator's contact info.  We are here to support you, and this makes our job easier.