S.C. colleges and universities receive scholarship funding

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South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities, a Columbia-based higher education nonprofit, has distributed $60,0000 to private schools statewide through a grant from the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C.

More than $1.5 million in student scholarships were distributed nationally through the CIC/UPS Educational Endowment, started by UPS in the 1970s.

“The UPS Foundation has been a long-time and generous supporter of independent college higher education, not only in South Carolina, but nationwide,” Jeff Perez, president and CEO of SCICU, said in a news release. “We are very appreciative of their support and recognize that the lives of many worthy students have been changed for the better.”

S.C. colleges receiving scholarship funds this year include: Allen University, Anderson University, Benedict College, Charleston Southern University, Claflin University, Coker University, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Converse College, Erskine College, Furman University, Limestone University, Morris College, Newberry College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Methodist College, Voorhees College, and Wofford College.

“Independent colleges and universities in this country are remarkably effective at educating and graduating low-income and first-generation students in less time, with less student debt,” said Richard Ekman, CIC president. “Helping these students afford a private college education is a truly critical need in our society, and it is rewarding to be a partner with the UPS Foundation and the SCICU as we help to support deserving students.”

The CIC/UPS program has made a private college education possible for more than 21,000 low-income, first generation, and minority students, according to the release.

“The UPS Foundation is honored to work with CIC to provide scholarships for students at independent colleges and universities,” said Eduardo Martinez, president of the UPS Foundation and chief diversity and inclusion officer at UPS. “Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community.”