COLUMBIA, S.C. — Continuing its 65-year relationship with SCICU member colleges and universities, Dominion Energy is increasing its scholarship investment to $100,000 – 100 scholarships worth $1,000 each – for eligible SCICU students beginning fall 2021.

“We are committed to equitable educational opportunities across the communities we serve,” said Rodney Blevins, president of Dominion Energy South Carolina. “Investing in these students can help provide future members of South Carolina’s workforce with the tools they need to succeed.”

“On behalf of SCICU’s member institutions and the students they serve I want to thank Dominion Energy for their generosity and support of independent higher education,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “We are deeply grateful for this additional scholarship support that helps students attend the private college or university of their choice.”

The Dominion scholarships are available to traditional-age students attending SCICU member colleges and universities who meet the following requirements:

1. GPA 3.0 or higher
2. Scholarship recipient or their parent(s)/guardian(s) are current Dominion Energy customers in the 16 states served by the company, including South Carolina and North Carolina
3. STEM-related majors are preferred but not required

Based on these eligibility requirements, financial aid directors at the 20 SCICU member colleges and universities select students for the Dominion Energy scholarships. The increased scholarship availability will begin with fall semester 2021.

“Dominion’s relationship with SCICU began in 1956 with a donation from South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G),” said Eddie Shannon, SCICU executive vice president. “This $100,000 gift will push Dominion’s total support to students at SCICU campuses to more than $1 million.”

“With this gift Dominion demonstrates its commitment to the future of South Carolina by fostering the students at SCICU member institutions who will become our state’s next generation of leaders,” said Perez.

About Dominion Energy
More than 7 million customers in 16 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.

Push for enhancing S.C. Tuition Grants —

SCICU joined Governor McMaster, the SC Commission on Higher Education and the SC Technical College System at a press conference advocating an increase in the state lottery’s contribution to needs-based aids, including the South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Program.

In his Executive Budget the governor proposed an additional $10 million of lottery funding for Tuition Grants, which would increase the maximum grant from the current $3,600 to $4,380.

Converse College President Krista Newkirk spoke on behalf of SCICU member institutions. She noted that fully 60 percent of South Carolina residents attending private colleges and universities in the state are supported by the Tuition Grants Program. President Newkirk spoke of the many students who have had families stricken by the pandemic, or lost their jobs, and that the increased aid could make all the difference in completing their education.

Zy’Keria Moultrie, a junior at Columbia College, spoke eloquently on behalf of the more than 12,000 students who receive Tuition Grants. She shared her desire to become a nurse and midwife and that increasing tuition grants would put her closer to achieving that dream.

COVID-19 Liability Protection

The Senate is moving S.147, which would provide businesses and organizations with temporary protection from lawsuits associated COVID-19. SCICU member institutions that have worked so hard to provide precautions should not be second-guessed in time-consuming and distracting lawsuits.