College of Charleston | Multicultural Student Programs and Services

MSPS Scholarships

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded TRIO program named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, Ph.D., who perished aboard the Challenger space shuttle in January 1986.

The McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement program prepares disadvantaged undergraduate students for doctoral study to help them succeed in obtaining doctoral degrees. Projects must provide opportunities for research and other scholarly activities at the recipient institution or graduate center, summer internships, seminars, tutoring, academic counseling, and activities to help students enroll in graduate programs. Projects may also provide services to improve financial and economic literacy, mentoring, and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students.

The College of Charleston receives approximately ($220,000 annually) of the McNair Scholars Program budget from the U.S. Department of Education to serve 25 currently enrolled students who have earned 60 credit hours. Administered through the Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services, (a unit of the Division of Student Affairs), McNair offers students one year of faculty mentoring along with an opportunity to conduct research outside the classroom with a faculty research advisor, and participation in other scholarly activities, including the opportunity to present their work at established research conferences.

For more information, please contact Carrie Ben-Yisrael at (843) 953 6755.

Avery Scholarship

The Avery Scholarship is named after the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture. Established at the College of Charleston in 1985, Avery seeks to collect, preserve and document the history of African Americans in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry. The College has created the Avery Scholarship Program to help underrepresented freshmen and transfer students fund an excellent education.

The Access & Equity Student Award Description

The Offices of Human Relations and Multicultural Student Programs & Services are seeking applicants for the Access & Equity Student Award. This $1,500 award is a one time amount which can be used to supplement your summer school tuition, local conferences, workshops or summer study abroad programs. Applications will be reviewed and judged on the basis of financial need, academic record, community and professional activities and future goals as a College of Charleston student. This award is applicable to Maymester and Summer 1 session only.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
Applicants must have a minimum of 30 credits completed by Summer 1 Session
Applicants must submit a 1(one) page essay
Applicants must be in good standing with the College
Applicants must complete student award application
Applicants must have recommendation form completed
Applicants must verify their financial eligibility

Note: Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions.

Return Applications and letter of recommendation to:

Multicultural Student Programs and Services
c/o Teresa Smith
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424