Ruiz 4 Kids Scholarship: Eligibility and Opportunities for Students and Teachers

Ruiz 4 Kids is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to support education. Its Board of Directors is composed entirely of Ruiz Foods Team Member volunteers. The organization offers several programs, including scholarships for students and grants for teachers. This article will focus on the eligibility requirements for these Ruiz 4 Kids initiatives, as well as highlight other scholarship opportunities available in related service areas.

Ruiz 4 Kids Scholarship for Students

The Louis F. Ruiz Scholarship Program, established to support higher education, has awarded over $4,500,000 in scholarships since its inception. This scholarship is funded by sponsors of the annual Louis F. Ruiz Golf Invitational. In 2017, Ruiz 4 Kids expanded the program to include community college students transferring to four-year institutions.

Eligibility Requirements for Student Scholarships

To be eligible for the Ruiz 4 Kids Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria related to location, academic standing, and educational goals. The selection process considers applicants who:

Attend a high school or community college within specific areas near Dinuba/Tulare, California; Denison/Frisco, Texas; or Florence, South Carolina.
Are high school seniors with a minimum overall 3.0 GPA if applying to attend a four-year college/university, and a 2.5 GPA if applying to attend a trade school or community college.
Are community college students with a minimum overall 3.0 GPA who are receiving their Associate's Degree and applying to attend an accredited four-year college/University.

A $1,200.00 scholarship will be awarded annually to each public high school in our service area if all criteria are met: Darlington (2), Florence (3), Johnsonville (1), Pamplico (1).

The deadline to apply for the Ruiz 4 Kids Scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year is March 9, 2025.

Ruiz 4 Kids Teacher Grants

Ruiz 4 Kids recognizes the financial constraints that often limit teachers' ability to implement creative and enriching classroom projects. To address this, they offer grants to educators teaching in public K-12 schools.

Eligibility Requirements for Teacher Grants

This program is available to educators teaching in a public K-12 school. Geographic restrictions apply:

In California, the school must be within a 35-mile radius of Dinuba.
In Texas, the school must be within a 50-mile radius from Denison or 35-miles from Frisco.

Ruiz Foods team members donate money out of their pay to fund these grants. K-12 public school teachers in the areas listed below are invited to apply.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Besides the Ruiz 4 Kids Scholarship, students in South Carolina have access to a variety of other scholarship programs. Several of these scholarships focus on supporting students in the Pee Dee region and those pursuing careers in education or specific fields.

Scholarships with Deadlines in Early 2025

Turner Youth Award Scholarship: The Farah M. Turner Youth award recognizes youth in the community where Fallen Hero and Delta Sigma Theta Member, Farrah M. Turner, served tirelessly to provide safe schools and communities. The Farrah Turner Youth Award will be given to students that show exceptional leadership and community service. Students in the Florence Alumnae Service area are eligible to receive this award. The award is a $500 scholarship. To receive this award, students must: Submit a completed application; Demonstrate leadership in civic engagement and advocacy through high school and community activities; Be on track to receive a high school diploma; Submit two professional references (Member of Florence Alumnae and School Official); Have a 2.5 grade point average; Write an essay on: “How has your involvement in community service made an impact on you as a high school student?”; Be accepted to a two or four-year college or enrolled in the military. Application: Farrah M. Turner Youth Award Scholarship Application. Deadline to Apply: January 13, 2025.
Santee Electric Cooperative Scholarships: Santee Electric Cooperative offers three scholarship opportunities for high school seniors in their service territory, with a deadline of April 1, 2025:
- Operation Round Up Scholarship: One student in each of the four counties they serve (Williamsburg, Clarendon, Florence, and Georgetown) will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
- Empower the Future Scholarship: Multiple $1,000 scholarships are awarded per year.
- Annual Meeting Scholarship: Eight $500 scholarships will be awarded during their Annual Meeting to two students from each of the four counties they serve.
Pee Dee Chapter National Pan-Hellenic Council Scholarship: The Pee Dee Regional Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council is awarding $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in the Pee Dee and Williamsburg Counties. Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2025.
The Barrett Frick Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship awards multiple scholarships: (1) $2,500 Scholarship, (2) $1,000 Scholarships, and (2) $250 Scholarships. Eligibility Requirements:∙ Current high school student (Senior) living in Florence, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Horry, or Georgetown County.∙ Have personally experienced challenges with mental health or had someone close to you experience mental health challenges.∙ Attach a picture of yourself. Deadline: April 15, 2025.
Dr. Jen Orthodontics Scholarship Program: The Dr. Jen Orthodontics Scholarship is awarded in the amount of $1,000. The applicant must be a past or present patient of Dr. Jen Orthodontics. Deadline: Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Joye Law Firm Scholarship: Joye Law Firm will award seven scholarships of $2,000 each to graduating seniors in South Carolina planning to attend a four-year institution of higher learning in the fall. Deadline: May 1, 2025.

Scholarships Focused on Education

South Carolina Educators Association-Retired Scholarship: Students must attend a school in South Carolina and plan to pursue a career in education. Completed applications must be returned to Ms.
Florence County Education Association-Retired Scholarship: The Florence County Education Association-Retired administers a scholarship fund. Two scholarships are awarded annually to encourage promising young students to prepare for careers in education at an accredited two or four-year college or university in South Carolina. The amount of each scholarship is five hundred dollars ($500) payable to the student. Students must attend a school in South Carolina and plan to pursue a career in education as a teacher, administrator, counselor, speech therapist, school nurse, curriculum specialist, or school social worker. Deadline to Apply: March 28, 2025.Interested students may apply using the following application: JJFCEA-R Scholarship Application 2025.
The Michelle Yolanda Glenn Carey Scholarship: This fund provides a scholarship to a graduating Pee Dee area high school senior who plans to major in education and teach at the elementary level. The fund was established in memory of Michelle Yolanda Glenn Carey who dedicated twenty years to the teaching of kindergarten students at Theodore Lester Elementary School in Florence, South Carolina. Eligibility: Graduating senior from a high school in the following counties: Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, or Williamsburg - AND - a goal to pursue a degree in elementary education and teach in an elementary school. Amount: $1,000.

Scholarships Offered Through Eastern Carolina Community Foundation (ECCF)

Eastern Carolina Community Foundation (ECCF) offers multiple scholarships with varying eligibility criteria related to location and field of study.

FBi Construction Scholarship: FBi Construction created a scholarship fund at ECCF in 2017 to encourage students to enter the construction industry. Eligibility: Applicants may be graduating high school seniors or returning post-secondary students at a technical school, college or university, or someone continuing education after time spent in the workforce. Applicants must be from Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, or Williamsburg County - AND - are pursuing a career in a construction related industry. Amount: $1,000.
Jason Vance Chatlosh Memorial Scholarship: The scholarship will keep Jason’s swimming goals and dreams alive while helping students pursue their own college swimming and academic goals. Eligibility: Graduating senior from a high school in the following counties: Sumter, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, or Williamsburg - AND - swim at the college level on a college team. Amount: $1,000.

Other Scholarship Programs

Hampton Wildlife Fund Scholarships: These scholarships support students in natural resources disciplines.
- Harry Hampton Scholarship: For students in wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine or environment science. Four Years: $5000/year
- Thomas Webster Hardwick Jr. Scholarship: For students in wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine or environmental science. Four years; $5000/year
- Wallace F. Pate Scholarship: For students in wildlife biology, fisheries biology, forestry, marine or environmental science. One year/$2500
- James O Thomason Scholarship: For students who wish to further their education in print or photo journalism, advertising, public relations or mass communications. The scholarship requires the student to submit a topical essay. Four years: $2000/year
- Davis M. Cline Scholarship: For students who wish to further their education in law enforcement/criminal justice/ forensic science. Pre-medical curricula on a path to forensic medicine does NOT qualify for this scholarship.
Back to School Scholarship: Deadline to Apply: Sept. 15, 2024. Award Amount: FULL-TUITION (for a maximum of 5 years)
The Gates Scholarship (TGS): The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.
Wrigley Foundation Scholarship: Deadline to Apply: Sept. high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who can show us how products can be labeled but people can’t. We understand the harm in mislabeling and believe the best ideas begin with a fresh slate - without prejudices or preconceptions. For this reason, we want you to forget about any labels you’ve received in the past related to academics or talent.
Louis F. Ruiz Scholarship Program: Program helps exceptional students become leaders in today’s society. amount ranges from $6,000 to $90,000 (four-year awards). Scholarship requires students to have a minimum GPA of a 3.0. September 30, 2024. or higher and to also play a competitive sport in high school. apply is October 17th at 3:00 pm.

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