Scholarships

Links for the Shahani Family Scholarships will be open from February 1-26, 2024

Links for the additional Endowed and Memorial scholarships will be open March 1, 2024--DELAYED DUE TO FAFSA DELAYS- we expect to open the window on April 1st

Each scholarship has different metrics for judging applications.

 All personal identifiers are removed from the applications.  Instead, each application is given a unique number.  The unmarked applications are sent to the scholarship benefactor and/or the scholarship committee for selection. The judges will read all of the applications without knowing the applicants' names and are required to recuse themselves from judging applications of family members.  This practice ensures that the winners are selected based on the quality and strength of their applications and essays alone.  

The Spring Valley Education Foundation Granted over $40,000 to 27 Unique winners to the Spring Valley Class of 2023!

Students have received a link from Lisa Bishton via Student Square to apply for the scholarship.  Should you need the link again, please email damick@richland2.org 

 Spring Valley Education Foundation

Endowed & Memorial Scholarships Spring 2024

Use the checklist at the end of the document to determine your eligibility and to prepare your essays before beginning the application process.

The application deadline is April 15 at 11:59

W. Ben Nesbit Scholarship - $500

This scholarship is given in honor of Dr. Ben Nesbit, SVHS Principal 1977-1992. It is awarded to a student graduating from Spring Valley who is the son or daughter of a faculty or staff member of Richland School District Two. The student must have a strong school and personal record in academics and in school or community activities.

The Kenny Senterfeit, Sr. Memorial Scholarship -$500

This scholarship is given to celebrate the life of Kenny Senterfeit, Sr., the father of SVHS Assistant Principal, Stacey Baker.  Applicants must have a superior work ethic and be of good character and be a proven hard worker in both school and life. Applicant must have a desire to work with his or her hands and plan to attend a Tech or Trade School, ideally pursuing a career in welding or metal fabrication

Alan and Susan Brill "Turnaround" Scholarship - $500

To be awarded to a "turn-around student" who has changed course and overcome significant obstacles in order to pursue his/her education. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.

Wendy Noel Lippincott Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is given in memory of Wendy N. Lippincott, who graduated from SVHS and attended Clemson University before her death. Any female student who will attend Clemson University has a "B" or above average, is active in sports and school activities, and has not received other scholarships is eligible. The applicant need not be in the top part of her class or have financial need.

Ethel McDuffie Overton Lea Memorial Scholarships-$1,000

This scholarship was established by Dr. Jim Overton, a former member of the SVHS Guidance Department, in memory of his mother, who was an educator. Multiple merit-based $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to individuals who demonstrate a sincere and active commitment to learning, focused extracurricular involvement and unique character. Applicants should submit a copy of an essay used in their college application.

Eddie Benton Memorial Scholarship- $1,500

This scholarship was started as a way to honor the memory of Eddie Benton, A SVHS graduate and employee with the Richland School District Two Maintenance Department for nearly 30 years.  Applicant must plan to attend a Technical College or Trade School and have a 2.0 GPA or higher and be of good character.

The Dilley Wilson Change Maker Scholarship-$1000

This scholarship is a minority based, one time gift for high school seniors pursuing higher education. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who enroll at an accredited college or university as a full time freshman in the summer or fall semester.  Applicant must commit to an accredited college or university (this includes technical colleges), be a minority/person of color, possess an overall minimum 3.0 GPA, and submit a 1-2 page essay ( no word requirement) about someone who changed their life via academics and how that person has helped them to fulfill their dream of going to college.

Financial need will be taken into consideration.

Legette Legacy Scholarship-$1000

This scholarship is given in honor of Coach Teresa Legette. Known for her love of Spring Valley and amazing heart, she started her work at the school in 2005. She made her first mark as a front office assistant. She eventually moved into the athletic administrative assistant position until 2020. Coach Legette played a role as an assistant coach to the four South Carolina state basketball championships won in the years 2009, 2011, 2016, and 2018. In addition to her tremendous contributions to Spring Valley’s girls basketball team success, Coach Legette also coached the East Columbia Basketball League and Carolina Shooting Stars AAU team.

Coach Teresa Legette embodied school spirit and pride. She took extra care to support all student-athletes and coaches to the best of her abilities. Her nurturing spirit and tenacity kept everyone she encountered focused and on track. Her bravery and humility lined the walls of Spring Valley High School. We remember her upon entrance to the Legette’s Legacy Locker Room. We seek to honor her by awarding the Legette Legacy Scholarship to a deserving student-athlete with the spirit and love for Spring Valley High School to match that of herself.

Applicants must have a 3.5 or better GPA.  A female Varsity level athlete at SVHS that demonstrates Viking Pride.  Applicant must submit a letter of recommendation and an essay describing in 500 words or less, her journey in athletics, as a woman and the role that sports has helped her in achieving success both academically and personally.  

Mohammed Ahsan Siddiqui Memorial Scholarship- $1,000-

This scholarship fund was created in memory of Mohammed Ahsan Siddiqui.  Mohammed was a third year medical school student at the University Of South Carolina School Of Medicine who had just begun his clinical rotations when he passed away on July 22, 2017. Mohammed was an ambitious, thoughtful, loving and altruistic person who enjoyed helping those in need. No matter how busy he was with work or school, Mohammed always found time to volunteer and help others. With this scholarship his friends want to honor Mohammed and his spirit by assisting students like him achieve their goals to help others when they need it most. The Mohammed Ahsan Siddiqui Memorial Scholarship is a merit-based, one-time gift for new college entrants pursuing an education in medicine, engineering or science related program. Applicants must be a graduating high school Discovery student enrolling in a medical, engineering or science-related program at an accredited college or university as a full-time freshman in the current summer or fall semester, possess a GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, display a commitment to volunteering and community service.  Applicants should submit a 1000-word essay on "Why I want to pursue a career in one of the following areas of study: medicine, science or engineering.  Need is not a consideration in awarding scholarships except when two or more applicants have equal qualifications.

Ashley Nicole Dent Math & Science Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

This scholarship is given in memory of Ashley Dent, a Discovery student at SVHS in 2006, who died during her Junior year. Ashley was an Honors student, Varsity soccer player and lettered in cross country. Ashley's infectious smile and love of life was evident to all who knew her. Ashley planned to major in medicine and her goal was to be an orthopedic surgeon. Applicants should be highly motivated students, planning to major in Math or Science, have a "B" or above average and be active in sports. The scholarship will be paid directly to the university that the recipient attends.

Application Checklist

W. Ben Nesbit Scholarship - $500

·         Child of a faculty or staff member of Richland School District Two.

·         Have a strong school and personal record in academics and in school or community activities.

 Kenny Senterfeit, Sr Memorial Scholarship-$500

·         No GPA requirement, but should have a superior work ethic.

·         Student must be of good character and be a proven hard worker in both school and life.

·         Eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from a teacher, a mentor, or an adult with knowledge of the student’s work. Foundation will reach out to applicant to discuss recommendation after the application is submitted

Alan and Susan Brill “Turnaround” Scholarship - $500

·         3.0 or better cumulative GPA.

·         Overcome significant obstacles in order to pursue his/her education.

Wendy Noel Lippincott Memorial Scholarship - $1000

·         3.0 or better cumulative GPA.

·         Active in sports and school activities.

·         Has not received any other scholarships.

Ethel McDuffie Overton Lea Memorial Scholarships-$1000

·         Active commitment to learning, extracurricular involvement, and unique character.

·         Applicants should submit a copy of an essay used in their college application.

Eddie Benton Memorial Scholarship- $1500

·         2.0 or better cumulative GPA.

·         Be of good character.

·         Applicant must plan to attend a Technical College or Trade School.

The Dilley Wilson Change Maker Scholarship-$1000

·         3.0 GPA or better.

·         Be a minority/person of color.

·         Commit to an accredited 2-4 year college or university (this includes technical colleges).

·         Applicant must submit a 1-2 page essay (no word requirement) about someone who has changed your life via academics and how that person has helped to fulfill your dream of going to college.

·         Financial need will be taken into consideration.

Legette Legacy Scholarship- $1000

·         Applicants must have a 3.5 or better GPA. 

·         A female Varsity level athlete at SVHS that demonstrates Viking Pride. 

·         Applicant must submit a letter of recommendation and an essay describing in 500 words or less, her journey in athletics, as a woman and the role that sports has helped her in achieving success both academically and personally. 

Mohammed Ahsan Siddiqui Memorial Scholarship- $1,000

·         3.5 on a 4.0 scale GPA.

·         Discovery magnet student enrolling in a medical, engineering, or science-related program.

·         Display a commitment to volunteering and community service. 

·         Submit a 1000-word essay on "Why I want to pursue a career in one of the following areas of study: medicine, science or engineering.

·         Need is not a consideration in awarding scholarships except when two or more applicants have equal qualifications.

Ashley Nicole Dent Math & Science Memorial Scholarship - $1,000

3.0 or better cumulative GPA.

Planning to major in Math or Science.

Active in sports.