Olive Reierson Scholarship

The Olive Reierson Scholarship is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

• What is the application process?

  Applications must be submitted online through the Center for Scholarship Administration (CSA) website. There are three steps to complete the application:
  
  1. Click the "create application" button below to answer the prequalifying questions. When you submit these, it will automatically take you to the profile page.
  2. Create or update your profile. Save and continue to the online application.
  3. Complete the online application. A confirmation email will be sent when the online portion of your application is complete. Applicant should contact CSA if a confirmation email is not received.
  4. Mail in, or email, the packet of additional required materials. See "What constitutes a complete application" below.
  If you need assistance,please email: hanna@csascholars.org.

• Who is eligible for the scholarship?

  1. Applicants must be the dependent child of a qualified employee. Dependent children must be claimed on the employee/parent`s tax return. A qualified employee must have 2 years of continuous,full-time service as of December 31st, 2025. Retired, disabled or deceased employees must have been continuously employed for a period of 2 years as of January 1 immediately prior to retirement, disability or death.
  2. Applicants must be either a high school senior, a high school graduate, must have completed a GED program or be a full-time student attending or planning to attend a degree-granting, accredited post-secondary college or university.
  3. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  4. The Scholarship Selection Committee will select winners each year according to financial need and academic merit.

• When is the deadline for submission of materials?

  The deadline for submission of the online portion of the application is March 12, 2026.
  Deadline for receipt of the additional required materials is 5:00 pm est. March 12, 2026.
  The additional materials required must be mailed or emailed in ONE envelope/email to the Olive Reierson Scholarship, PO BOX 1465, Taylors, SC 29687 or emailed to hanna@csascholars.org. The additional materials required must be RECEIVED no later than 5:00 pm est. March 12, 2026.
  
  Once an applicant has applied online and submitted the application they will receive an email immediately letting them know their application has been received and reminding them to submit by mail the remaining items required to complete the application. Failure to provide the additional materials within the designated time frame will result in an "incomplete" application. Incomplete applications will not be considered for scholarships.

• What constitutes a complete application packet?

  You must submit the following additional materials:

  • Signed Student Authorization and Acknowledgements Form, found in the online application, signed by the scholarship candidate.
  Download the Student Authorization and Acknowledgements Form.

  • Official TRANSCRIPT with grades and cumulative GPA posted through the Fall 2025 semester. (It must be OFFICIAL)

  • Submit a SIGNED LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION from a teacher/professor.

  • Submit a PERSONAL STATEMENT/ESSAY. Submit a one-page signed personal statement explaining why the scholarship is important to the applicant. Include college and career plans, if known.
  Include applicant name and name of scholarship on the page.

  • Submit a LIST OF YOUR ACADEMIC HONORS, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, ETC.

  • Submit a copy of your SAR Report. (This is the report you receive after your FAFSA application has been processed)

• What is the value of the scholarship award?

  Carris Reels will award individual scholarships in amounts of up to $6,000, and this amount is subject to change and is based on the total funds available each year. The amount of the award takes into account educational costs at the college, other scholarship aid, the family financial situation, and whether the student is boarding or commuting.

• What college may I attend?

  Recipients may attend an accredited, public or private, two-year or four-year, college, university, technical college or trade school located in the United States or Canada. If the student is attending school in the United States the school of choice must be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  
  All recipients must be full-time each semester and working toward an undergraduate degree.
  
  The institution must be an educational organization that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly carried on. To the extent the institution is involved in the selection of the recipients (if at all), such involvement must comply with the Fund's policy of awarding scholarships on an objective and non-discriminatory basis as well as the Fund's Conflict of Interest Policy.

• What if I am unable to attend consecutive semesters?

  Extenuating circumstances requiring a student to sit out a semester must be explained in writing to CSA. You will be notified of the final decision. If a recipient is out for a semester and doesn`t receive approval, then that semester is forfeited.

• How are winners selected?

  An independent Scholarship Selection Committee will consider the respective ability, academic merit, educational goals, and career ambitions of each applicant.

• How will I be notified if I am chosen as a recipient?

  All applicants will be notified in writing by email, whether or not they have been selected to receive a scholarship. Those students selected will download a package from their online account that includes a scholarship agreement and information about the scholarship terms.

• Is this scholarship renewable?

  This scholarship is non-renewable; however, current recipients may reapply for a maximum of three years and be considered in competition with new applicants. CSA will notify current recipients to determine if they wish to reapply for the scholarship.