Meeting Street Scholarship Fund expands to Spartanburg County

An affordable college education became a reality on Thursday for hundreds of high-achieving, under-resourced Spartanburg students because of the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund.

The expansion was made possible through an initial $40 million commitment from Philanthropists Susu and George Dean Johnson, Jr. The Scholarship will cover up to $40,000 in college tuition, fees, housing and food for five graduating classes of eligible Spartanburg County students.

“Spartanburg is our home, and we are thrilled to support the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund’s expansion here,” said the Johnsons. “Education has the power to change lives, and this Scholarship will open doors for talented and deserving students across the county. An investment in education is an investment in our collective future, and it will strengthen the fabric of our community, state and country.”

The announcement was made during a special event at the Chapman Cultural Center attended by more than 200 local leaders, educators and students.

The addition of Spartanburg is a milestone in the Scholarship Fund’s ambitious Mission 46 campaign, which has a goal of making the Scholarship available statewide. Starting Jan. 6, 2025, the Scholarship will accept applications from students in 13 of the state’s 46 counties.

“With the support of more visionary donors, we are determined to bring the Meeting Street Scholarship to even more students, ensuring that every eligible South Carolina student has the chance to earn a college degree—no matter where they live, no matter their financial background,” said Josh Bell, president of Beemok Education, which manages the Scholarship.

The expansion to Spartanburg is especially significant in terms of size. Spartanburg is the fifth largest county in the state. About 200 students annually are expected to earn the Scholarship in Spartanburg; a total of 398 students earned the Scholarship for the first time in 2024.

Philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro launched the Scholarship in 2021 for Charleston County students, and the Darla Moore Foundation expanded it later that year to eight Pee Dee counties. New donors, including Dave Proctor and Jessica and Todd Aaron, have provided additional support and enabled further expansion.

The Navarros’ Beemok Family Foundation covers all administrative costs to operate the fund.

The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund is a last-dollar scholarship program, designed to cover the gap between what a student receives in scholarships and financial aid and what they still need to attend college. Eligible students can receive up to $40,000, making college more affordable and helping to reduce the burden of student loans.

Students must meet five criteria to receive the Scholarship:

• Reside in one of 13 eligible counties (Allendale, Barnwell, Charleston, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Spartanburg or Williamsburg)
• Graduate from a public high school
• Qualify for a South Carolina LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship
• Complete the FAFSA and receive a Federal Pell Grant
• Enroll in an eligible in-state university

“This scholarship is a game changer,” Bell said. “It’s a guaranteed opportunity. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you earn it—no competition, no cap on the number of scholarships. This is an investment in the future of our students and our state.”

Since its inception, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund has awarded over $36.4 million to 954 students. Of these students, about 90 percent who completed at least one year of college are still enrolled, and 44 percent are first-generation college students.

The Scholarship’s impact extends beyond financial aid. It provides students with a community of support, including mentorship, guidance and resources.

To learn more about the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund and how to apply, visit www.meetingstreetscholarshipfund.org.