Rising Star Fellowship (pilot program)

Note: All existing funds for the pilot program have now been committed. No additional applications will be reviewed at this time.

The Rising Star Fellowship strives to increase diversity in the graduate school ranks by recruiting students from South Carolina's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Rising Star Fellows receive funding to offset the cost of tuition, health insurance and other associated fees.

The Award

As Rising Star Fellows, students will receive full tuition and fees, a full health insurance subsidy, and an annual stipend as stipulated below:

4+1/3+2 students: A stipend of $5000 per year for up to two years of enrollment in the UofSC graduate program.
Master's students: A stipend of $5000 per year for up to two years of enrollment in the Master's program.
Doctoral students: A stipend of $10,000 per year for up to four years of enrollment in the Doctoral program.

Eligibility

Effective Spring 2022 or later....

The applicant has received or will receive their undergraduate degree from a South Carolina Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

The applicant enrolls in a 4+1 program, 3+2 program, a Master's or Doctoral degree program that falls under the purview of the Graduate School.

The applicant enrolls full-time.

Application

Graduate Directors must nominate prospective fellows for the fellowship after they have been admitted to their graduate program. Graduate directors will then be responsible for submitting a funding recommendation request through the CollegeNet ADMIT system.

Academic units will be limited to three Rising Star Fellowships per degree at any given time. The awarding of fellowships will be contingent upon the availability of funds.

Graduate School