Palmetto Electric Cooperative WIRE Scholarship 

A scholarship, ranging from $500-$1000, is available to high school seniors in Palmetto Electric Cooperative’s three-county service area.

The co-op’s community outreach organization WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification) each year rewards a deserving senior living in southern Beaufort, Jasper, or Hampton counties. Students who have average or above-average grades and demonstrate a financial need can apply. Applicants must describe in 150–200 words how the scholarship will help them accomplish their goals.

Applications are available each January through February, online at palmetto.coop. The scholarship recipient is typically recognized at Palmetto Electric’s Annual Meeting. The essay, along with the application, ACT and/or SAT scores, and a copy of your high school transcript should be submitted before the February deadline.

Applications will be available January 1, 2025. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2025

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Missy Santorum, Public Relations Manager:

Missy Santorum
Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc.
111 Mathews Drive, Hilton Head, Island, SC 29926
(843) 681-0072

Palmetto Electric Trust Scholarships

The Palmetto Electric Trust awards Palmetto Electric Trust (PET) Scholarships, which are worth up to $5,000 and $3,000 a year for qualified students. PET, the volunteer board that administers member donations to Operation Round Up, established the scholarships to assist qualified students in pursuit of a post-secondary education who demonstrate financial need and a willingness to learn.

One PET scholarship covers up to $5,000 a year for four consecutive years at a four-year university or college. The other is for up to $3,000 a year at two-year technical colleges. Scholarships for both categories will be given to a qualifying student from each of the counties served by Palmetto Electric—southern Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton.

Applicants must be legal residents of one of these counties and must be high-school seniors scheduled to graduate in the spring of the current school year. Applicants must have a cumulative grade average between 80 and 92 and an SAT score of 800 or better, or 14 or better on the ACT while demonstrating financial need.

For questions, please call (843) 208-5551 

Applications will be available by January 2, 2025. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2025

Palmetto Electric Trust Scholarship – University (4-year) Scholarship 
Career Field: Any
Area served: southern Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties
Financial need: Yes
Amount: Up to $5,000 per year for four consecutive years.

APPLY HERE: 4 YEAR SCHOLARSHIP

Palmetto Electric Trust – Technical (2-year) Scholarship
Career Field: Technical Studies
Area served: southern Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties
Financial need: Yes 
Amount: Up to $3,000 per year

APPLY HERE: 2 YEAR SCHOLARSHIP

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship

The Jenny Ballard Opportunity Scholarship for Women is awarded annually by South Carolina WIRE (Women Invoved in Rural Electrification), a community service organization affiliated with Palmetto Electric Cooperative and other co-ops in South Carolina.

The WIRE Opportunity Scholarship is awarded to a woman who may not have been able to attend college when she graduated from high school but now wants to further her education. WIRE awards the scholarship based on her financial needs and personal goals.  More information can be found online at South Carolina Living.

Applicants for the WIRE Opportunity Scholarship must:

• Be a member/customer of a South Carolina electric cooperative

• Have graduated from high school or earned your GED at least 10 years ago

• Obtain acceptance into an accredited South Carolina college or university

• Demonstrate financial need and personal goals

Women who have previously obtained a four-year college degree are not eligible for this scholarship; however, applicants may have previously earned a two-year degree or some college credits.

The scholarship will be paid jointly to the winner and her college of choice.

The deadline for the 2025 application is June 1, 2025.

For more information, visit The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, or contact Missy Santorum, Palmetto Electric Public Relations Manager:

Missy Santorum
Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc.
(843) 681-0072

Washington Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit

During the Washington Youth Tour, June 15-20, 2025, high school juniors will experience Washington, D.C. with students from across the country, meeting lawmakers and touring all the sights. Palmetto Electric will cover the costs of three students’ round-trip plane tickets, tours and meals. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to one participant from South Carolina. 

At the Cooperative Youth Summit, July 14-17, 2025, three high school sophomores and/or juniors will get to experience South Carolina’s capital like never before. Tour the Statehouse, meet lawmakers and see how co-ops are preparing for our state's energy future. Plus, there will be plenty of fun with visits to popular Columbia attractions.  Palmetto Electric will cover your expenses. 

Washington Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit applicants' primary residence must be served by Palmetto Electric Cooperative.

Applications will be available January 1, 2025. Deadline to apply is February 28, 2025.  For questions, please contact Brooke Mingledorff at (843) 208-5556 or email youthtour@palmetto.coop