High school seniors across South Carolina have more reasons to celebrate this spring as the South Carolina State Fair has expanded its “Ride of Your Life” scholarship program. Thanks to a significant corporate partnership, the fair will award a record number of scholarships to students pursuing higher education within state lines.
Traditionally, the South Carolina State Fair awards 50 scholarships annually. However, for the 2026 cycle, that number has climbed to 54. This growth is fueled by a $40,000 donation from Circle K stores and EMC Tickets. As part of this commitment, one of the four additional $10,000 awards is specifically reserved for a Circle K employee or their dependent.
A Legacy of Educational Support
Since the inception of the scholarship program in 1997, the South Carolina State Fair—a self-supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit—has awarded nearly $6 million to local students. The organization, which dates back to 1869, views the program as a core part of its mission to promote South Carolina’s agricultural roots while investing in the state’s future leaders.
Each scholarship is valued at $10,000, distributed at a rate of $2,500 per year. The funds are versatile, designed to cover tuition or other critical educational costs, including on-campus housing, textbooks, or required technology like computers.
Eligibility and Academic Standards
To qualify, applicants must be South Carolina high school students planning to attend a public or private college, university, or technical college within the state. The selection committee evaluates candidates based on:
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Academic and extracurricular achievement
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Communication skills
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Demonstrated financial need
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Completeness of the application
The support does not end at the initial award. To maintain funding throughout their collegiate career, recipients must remain dedicated to their studies. Requirements include maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and completing at least 30 credit hours each academic year.
Application Window Now Open
The application period officially opened on February 1 and will remain active through March 15. Following a review process, the scholarship winners will be announced in mid-May.
Prospective students are encouraged to gather their academic records and extracurricular portfolios early to ensure their applications are complete before the March deadline.
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