Established in 1949, the James F. Byrnes Foundation has awarded more than 1,263 scholarships totaling over $7 million to South Carolina students. Candidates must be current high school seniors, U.S. citizens, and South Carolina residents with one or both parents deceased, demonstrate financial need, hold a satisfactory academic record, and plan to attend an in-person, accredited four-year college or university full time. Recipients receive $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years (about $20,000 total), and join a lifelong Byrnes Scholars community with an annual luncheon and other gatherings. The 2026 cycle is closed; Fall 2027 applications open in December 2026.
Eligibility
DemographicsMust have one or both parents deceased; U.S. citizen and South Carolina resident
Applying
Renewable up to 4 years (~$20,000 total over a bachelor's degree). The Foundation's own site does not post a dollar figure on the pages checked; $5,000/year is the long-standing, widely and consistently reported amount.