The South Carolina State Fair has officially opened applications for its 2025 Ride for Your Life Scholarship, offering financial support to high school seniors across the state as they pursue higher education. This annual program provides $500,000 in scholarships, reinforcing the fair’s long-standing commitment to education in South Carolina.
Scholarship Details
Each year, 50 high school seniors are selected to receive a $10,000 scholarship, paid in increments of $2,500 per year over four years. Students pursuing a two-year degree will receive $2,500 per year for two years. These scholarships can be used at any public or private college, university, or technical college in South Carolina and may cover tuition, on-campus housing, textbooks, or other educational expenses.
To remain eligible for continued funding, scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and enroll in at least 30 credit hours each academic year.
Additional Scholarships Funded by Circle K
In 2025, the program is expanding thanks to a generous $37,000 donation from Circle K and EMC Tickets. This contribution allows the fair to award three additional $10,000 scholarships, bringing the total number of recipients to 53. One of these scholarships will be specifically designated for a Circle K employee or their dependent, reinforcing the company’s commitment to education and community support.
How to Apply
Interested students can apply online at scstatefair.org/scholarships. Applications are open until March 15, 2025, and winners will be announced in mid-May.
I. Eligibility:
A. Applicant must be a full time resident of South Carolina and a senior in a public or private high school or home school in South Carolina.
B. Applicant must complete the online application form in its entirety.
C. Applicant must attach a current photograph (preferably a senior class photo).
D. Applicant must attend a public or private college, university, or technical college in the state of South Carolina.
II. Award:
A. Applicant will be judged based on need, academic and extra-curricular achievement, communication skills, and on aptitude for completion of application.
B. Scholarship will be paid directly to the treasurer’s office of the college or university attended.
C. Fifty-Two (52) $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to students across the state to be paid at the rate of $2,500 per year over a four-year period. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year over the two year period.
D. One (1) $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Circle K employee or dependent to be paid at the rate of $2,500 per year over a four-year period. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year over the two year period.
A Legacy of Educational Support
The South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting nonprofit organization, has awarded over $5 million in scholarships since launching the Ride for Your Life Scholarship in 1997. The fair, which has been a staple of South Carolina’s agricultural and educational landscape since 1869, continues to invest in the future of its students.
This year’s South Carolina State Fair will take place October 8-19, 2025.
For more information and to submit an application, visit scstatefair.org/scholarships.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
