COLUMBIA, SC – Six graduating seniors from Charter Institute at Erskine (Institute) schools will begin their college journeys with significant financial support through a partnership with Erskine College. Each student will receive a minimum of $100,000 in financial aid over four years, contingent upon meeting standard academic requirements.
The announcement was made during the Institute’s annual Awards Banquet on May 20, where more than 600 students, families, educators, and community partners gathered to recognize excellence across South Carolina’s charter school communities.
This scholarship program reflects a formal partnership between Erskine College and the Institute, designed to expand access to higher education and strengthen postsecondary pathways for graduating students from Institute-authorized charter schools.
The following students were recognized as scholarship recipients:
- Aden Allen (South Carolina Connections Academy)
- Thomas Belflower (South Carolina Connections Academy)
- Nicholas Birchmore (South Carolina Connections Academy)
- Mitchell Birket (Gray Collegiate Academy)
- Jhoelle Osbourne (Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences)
- James (JT) Shorter (Thornwell Charter School)
“At the Institute, our responsibility doesn’t end at graduation. It’s about what comes next and making sure every student leaves high school with a clear, achievable path forward,” said Institute CEO and Superintendent Cameron Runyan. “Through our partnership with Erskine College, we are opening doors to higher education while also helping keep South Carolina’s brightest talent here at home, learning, growing, and ultimately contributing to the future of our state. We are grateful to Dr. Steve Adamson and Erskine College for sharing in this commitment and making this opportunity possible.”
Erskine College established the Charter Institute at Erskine in 2018. The Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves 30 campuses and 30,000 students in every county across the state.
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The Charter Institute at Erskine is the fastest-growing school district in South Carolina. Serving 30 campuses and 30,000 students across the state, the Charter Institute at Erskine is committed to innovative, creative, high-quality methods of education. For more information about the Institute, please visit www.erskinecharters.org
