COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has opened applications for its 29th annual Ride of Your Life Scholarship program, awarding $540,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors across South Carolina. Applications are open through March 15, 2026 and may be submitted online at scstatefair.org/
Thanks to a generous $40,000 donation from Circle K and EMC Tickets, the S.C. State Fair is able to award an additional four scholarships this year, increasing the total from 50 to 54. One of the 54 scholarships is exclusively designated for a Circle K employee or dependent.
“As we look ahead to the 250th anniversary of the United States, we’re proud that the South Carolina State Fair has been part of this state’s story since 1869 — bringing people together and strengthening communities,” says Nancy Smith, general manager of the South Carolina State Fair. “Our scholarship program is one way we continue that legacy today by investing in education and helping South Carolina students put down strong roots for lifelong success.”
Since its launch in 1997, the Ride of Your Life Scholarship program has provided nearly $6 million in educational support to South Carolina students, expanding access to higher education and reinforcing the fair’s year-round commitment to service beyond its annual event.
Scholarship Details and Application
In 2026, 54 high school seniors will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, paid out at $2,500 per year over four years. Students pursuing two-year degrees will receive $2,500 per year for two years.
Scholarship funds may be used at any South Carolina university, college or institution and may cover tuition or other educational expenses, including on-campus housing, textbooks or a computer.
Awards are based on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, communication skills, financial need and completeness of the application. Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and enroll in at least 30 credit hours each academic year to receive funding for that year.
To learn more, visit scstatefair.org/
The 2026 South Carolina State Fair will be held October 15-25, 2026.