The Baptist Foundation of South Carolina awards scholarships primarily through income received from endowed funds left through wills and trusts of individuals whose desire was to assist students obtaining degrees at institutions of higher learning. Generally, qualifying students must have obtained sophomore level or higher to qualify for a Baptist Foundation scholarship.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
Scholarship applications with ALL required documentation MUST be submitted by the scholarship deadline with no exceptions allowed. Incomplete applications will be returned. The scholarship deadline is April 30 (postmark, fax or email) of each year unless another deadline is listed for a specific application. We begin accepting applications in mid-January. If you are emailing your application, ALL documentation must be with the application and be sent in ONE PDF document. Individual documents will not be accepted. (Please note that ONLY legible applications will be accepted. Screen shots or photographed applications will not be accepted. Please print, scan, or “save as” PDFs and make sure all documentation is legible before submitting your application.)
Mail or fax completed applications with ALL required documentation to:
Scholarships
Baptist Foundation of South Carolina
190 Stoneridge Drive
Columbia, SC 29210-8239
Fax: 803-799-9003
Email: bfsc@scbaptist.org
Questions: Call us at 803-227-6000
Scholarship award checks are distributed directly to the institution to which the student is attending. Unless otherwise noted, award checks are processed as of the end of July each year.
AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
Review the application information below to determine your eligibility and then complete the applicable writable application for those scholarships for which you may be eligible.
General Scholarships – General scholarships are small scholarships in which the Foundation matches qualified general applications to scholarship qualifications outlined by the endowment donor. Most scholarships have been designated for students pursuing degrees in ministry-related fields. However, there are some monies available for students pursuing other degrees. Each eligible applicant must:
- be a member of a South Carolina Baptist Convention church for at least nine months prior to the application deadline
- be a full-time undergraduate of at least sophomore level at a South Carolina institution of higher learning OR be a full-time masters-level or doctoral-level student at a Southern Baptist seminary or South Carolina Baptist institution of higher learning
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent of at least C+ (2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
- submit one letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher, or employer by the application deadline
BFSC GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Barry B. Edwards Trustee Scholarships – Trustee scholarships are awarded annually from funds contributed by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. A minimum of three trustee scholarships are awarded annually to students pursuing degrees related to Christian vocations at each of our SC Baptist universities (Anderson, Charleston Southern, and North Greenville). Each eligible applicant must:
- be a full-time undergraduate of at least sophomore level OR a full-time graduate level/seminary (graduate or doctoral) student in a preparation for ministry program
- be pursuing a full-time Christian vocation as evidenced by their field of study and their written “call to vocational Christian ministry.”
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent to at least C+ (2.5 or higher)
- be an active member of a South Carolina Southern Baptist Church
- submit TWO letters of recommendation – one from the applicant’s pastor
- submit a current FAFSA or most recent Federal Income Tax Return (please conceal SSNs) of the party (student or parent) responsible for paying tuition
BARRY B. EDWARDS TRUSTEE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Beth Acker Scholarships – Beth Acker scholarships are for female students attending Southern Baptist seminaries. Priority for scholarship award will be given to students in the following order of preference: 1) members of Riverland Hills Baptist Church, Irmo; 2) members of a church in the Lexington Baptist Association; 3) members of other Southern Baptist Churches in the State of South Carolina. A qualified applicant may receive no more than $500 per year from this scholarship fund. Each eligible applicant must:
- be a female masters-level or doctoral-level student at a Southern Baptist seminary
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent to at least C+ (2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
- submit one letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher, or employer by the application deadline
BETH ACKER SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Brenda Whittington Jeffcoat Music Scholarships – Brenda Jeffcoat scholarships are for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in church-related music at one of our SC Baptist universities (Anderson, Charleston Southern, North Greenville). This scholarship is in memory of Brenda W. Jeffcoat, former Executive Assistant to the Executive Director-Treasurer of the SC Baptist Convention. Brenda was a church pianist and enjoyed using her musical talents in worship. Each eligible applicant must:
- be pursuing a degree in church-related music
- be a full-time undergraduate of at least sophomore level at a South Carolina Baptist institution of higher learning
- be a member of a South Carolina Baptist Convention church for at least nine months prior to the application deadline
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent to at least C+ (2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
- submit TWO letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the pastor of the applicant’s home church or the church in which the applicant is attending or serving
BRENDA W. JEFFCOAT MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Seminary Scholarships – Priority York Association – these scholarships are for Southern Baptist seminary students, with priority to students who are living or whose home church is in the York Baptist Association. The application deadline for this scholarship is November 30th and award checks are processed by year end. Each eligible applicant must:
- be a full-time masters-level or doctoral-level student at a Southern Baptist seminary
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent to at least C+ (2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
- submit one letter of recommendation from a pastor, teacher, or employer by the application deadline
SEMINARY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Preston and Myrtle Ross Young Scholarship – Young scholarships are for students attending South Carolina state-supported institutions of higher learning who are active in Baptist Collegiate Ministry at their school. Preference shall be given to students who have served as summer missionaries. Each eligible applicant must:
- be a full-time undergraduate of a state-supported institution of higher learning in South Carolina
- be active in Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM)
- submit evidence of a Grade Point Average equivalent to at least C+ (2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale)
- submit TWO letters of recommendation, one from the applicant’s Collegiate Minister and one from a ministerial staff member from the applicant’s home church