Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship

Women returning to school to earn college degrees have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance from the Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship program each year.

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. For the past two years, Horry Electric has had two members who were awarded the Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship. In 2021, Erica Gore was awarded this scholarship to complete her associate degree in baking and pastry arts. In 2022, Jacqueline Kelly-Silva received the scholarship to complete her psychology degree.

The $2,500 scholarship is named after Jenny Ballard, who founded WIRE 40 years ago. The Opportunity Scholarship program began funding education for women returning to college in 2004.

For 2023, the deadline to apply is Thursday, June 1, 2023. Application forms for the 2023 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 2023 or Spring 2024 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