Sponsored by Women Involved in Rural Electrification (WIRE), a service organization associated with South Carolina’s electric cooperatives, the scholarship is a one-time award based on financial need and personal goals.

The scholarship is named after Jenny Ballard, who founded WIRE over 40 years ago. The Opportunity Scholarship program began funding education for women returning to college in 2004.

Application forms for the 2022 WIRE scholarship are available online.

Applicants for the program must:

• Be a member of Berkeley Electric or another South Carolina electric cooperative.
• Have graduated from high school or earned a GED at least 10 years ago.
• Be accepted into an accredited S.C. college or university.
• Demonstrate financial need and clear academic goals.

Recipients will receive the scholarships for the Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 semester, with funds paid to the college or university.