The Charles Gardner Youth Scholarship is a merit based scholarship established in 2020 to assist students from low income households with school supplies during the first year of college. Many good students face challenges that make it difficult to compete for other funding. The scholarship is named in honor of Charles Gardner, a lifelong Greenville resident. He has championed many causes to uplift and provide opportunity for underserved communities and supported youth development. Gardner retired as the City of Greenville Director of Community Development.
His passion for youth led him to find a sponsor and create the CCC Raiders little league youth football team where he coached for many years. During that time, he not only led three generations of youth championship teams, but as a mentor, he helped players develop beneficial life skills. This solidified his legacy of commitment to community and to youth.
Requirements to qualify for the Charles Gardner Youth Scholarship
- South Carolina resident
- Greenville County School District graduate of a traditional or charter high school
- Accepted to attend a 2 or 4 year accredited institution of higher learning
- High school transcript provided that documents a minimum GPA of 2.7
- In addition to transcript, application packet must include the following:
a. Photo of applicant
b. Autobiography: minimum of 200 words
c. Three letters of recommendation
- Completion and submission of the application packet by June 30 to:
Black History USA Youth Scholarship Foundation
Attention: Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 6516
Greenville SC 29607
- All applicants will be considered regardless of race, sex or religion Selection
Notification and Disbursement of Funds
- Selection is made by the Scholarship Committee
- Recipients will be notified by August 1st of award year
- The total award is $250.00
- Funds will be sent directly to the recipient's institution of higher learning in the first term of the freshman year
Download the Scholarship Packet