South Carolina State University, the historically Black educational institution in Orangeburg, has entered into an agreement with the United States Coast Guard.
The partnership between the Coast Guard and South Carolina State provides a gateway for students to more easily access resources needed to join the branch through the Coast Guard’s College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative. The agreement is designed to optimize outreach and engagement efforts while providing tuition-saving choices for South Carolina State students and academic options and solutions for faculty.
Students who are accepted into the scholarship program will be enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard, complete basic training during the summer and receive full funding for up to two years of college. Funding includes not only payment of tuition, books, and fees, but a full-time Coast Guard salary, housing allowance and medical benefits.
James E. Clark, president of South Carolina State University, stated that “This [partnership] highlights the value that SC State brings to the table. It highlights the value of partnerships and collaborations with various entities. It highlights the value of what people see in the students of this institution.”
