Women returning to school to earn college degrees have until June 1 to apply for financial assistance from the 2022 Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship program.
Sponsored by Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE), a service organization associated with South Carolina’s electric cooperatives, the scholarship is a one-time award based on financial need and personal goals.
“We know there are so many inspiring women in our community who are resuming their education after starting families and careers,” says Susan Brown, WIRE coordinator at Horry Electric. “They are an inspiration to us and their fellow members and this is an opportunity to support them.”
Horry Electric member Erica Gore was awarded the Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship in 2021 to complete her associate degree in baking and pastry arts from Horry-Georgetown Technical College. You can read more about Gore in our September 2021 edition of South Carolina Living magazine.
The scholarship is named after Jenny Ballard, who founded WIRE over 40 years ago. The Opportunity Scholarship program began funding education for women returning to college in 2004.
Application forms for the 2022 WIRE scholarship are available online, or you can download a copy here.
Applicants for the program must:
- Be a member of Horry Electric or another South Carolina electric cooperative.
- Have graduated from high school or earned a GED at least 10 years ago.
- Be accepted into an accredited S.C. college or university.
- Demonstrate financial need and clear academic goals.
Recipients will receive the scholarships for the Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 semester, with funds paid to the college or university.
Completed application forms can be attached to an email addressed to Peggy.Dantzler@ecsc.org, or mailed to:
Peggy Dantzler
The Electric Cooperatives of S.C., Inc.
808 Knox Abbott Drive
Cayce, S.C. 29033