Kickoff luncheon held UNCF fundraiser

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) provided scholarships for 181 South Carolina students this year.

The nonprofit scholarship organization will continue this fundraising effort with its fourth annual "Salute to Education" gala March 22 at the Palmetto Expo in Greenville. A kickoff luncheon was held for the UNCF fundraiser Monday in Stephenson Dining Hall at Limestone College. This year's Cherokee County UNCF campaign is cochaired by Rev. J.W. Sanders Jr. of Bethel Baptist Church and retired educator Naomi Stanley.

Last year's education gala raised $232,000 in Upstate South Carolina for the UNCF. A total of $534,053 raised statewide for the nonprofit scholarship organization. The UNCF provides operating support to 39 member historically black colleges and universities. This allows the schools to keep tuition down to a rate 54 percent lower than tuition at comparable schools. UNCF members in South Carolina include Benedict College, Claflin University, Morris College and Voorhees College.

"The UNCF helps its 39- member colleges and universities keep their tuition costs low," said Jimmy Durant, chairman of this year's Upstate South Carolina Campaign. "This allows students who otherwise might not be able to go to college to benefit from a high-quality education and nurturing educational environment."

A student does not have to attend a historically black college to receive support from the UNCF. For example, Durant said a Limestone College student could attend the local school on a UNCF scholarship. A total of 17 UNCF scholarships

were given this past year to students who did not attend one of the UNCF supported historically black colleges. The difference is only UNCF member schools can receive money towards operating costs from the nonprofit organization.

High school students are eligible to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholars program funded with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to lowincome minority students nationwide who have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Gates Millennium Scholars provide scholarship money for these minority students to pursue a bachelor's degree and later request more funds so they can attend graduate school.

For more information about UNCF scholarship opportunities, call 1-800-331- 2244, or access the organization's Web site at www.uncf.org.