The Governor Robert E. McNair Scholarship Program at Francis Marion University
The Governor Robert E. McNair Scholarship program prepares Francis Marion students to become leaders who will make a difference in their communities and instill a lifelong commitment to public service.
McNair Scholars will receive free tuition, fees, book allowance, and room and board for the four years attending the university.
The scholarship covers study abroad (one semester, junior year) as an exchange student in one of six programs. Francis Marion maintains student exchange agreements with universities in England, France, Germany, Ireland, and Mexico.
Throughout their academic careers, McNair Scholars will be encouraged to participate in service learning opportunities, especially through programs that benefit the Pee Dee Region.
Scholarship students will live in the Forest Villas Apartments, the newest housing on campus. These furnished units contain four private bedrooms, two bathrooms, and shared living room and kitchen space (one and two bedroom units may be available).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Complete an application
- Be a South Carolina resident
- Achieve a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Be a high school senior with a combined SAT score of 1100 or higher (mathematics and critical reading) or have an ACT score of 24 or higher
- Submit two original essays: One focused on the value of public service. One focused on how you would make the most of your study abroad
- Agree to participate in service learning and study abroad opportunities while enrolled at FMU
- Aspire to a career in public service
The McNair Scholarship is renewable for a total of four years provided that the recipient completes 30 semester hours each year and maintains a 3.0 GPA.
Application deadline is November 20, 2009
Who was Governor Robert E. McNair?
Robert McNair was an attorney who served as Governor of South Carolina from 1965 to 1971. He was a progressive pro-education governor with an illustrious background. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was awarded a bronze star for his service. Prior to becoming governor, he served in the SC House of Representatives and as lieutenant governor. While governor, he signed legislation creating Francis Marion University in 1970 and the University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2005. McNair died in 2007.
For more information about the program please contact the following people:
Jim Schlimmer
Director of Admissions
P.O. Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502
Tel. 843-661-1231
Email: jschlimmer@fmarion.edu
Alissa Warters, PhD
Director, McNair Center
P.O. Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502
Tel. 843-661-1616
Email: twarters@fmarion.edu