Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program is a scholarship from the South Carolina Department of Education named for South Carolina's first poet laureate that offers twelfth-grade public school students the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in one of five arts disciplines: creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts.

The program encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence among South Carolina high school seniors. Students submit original compositions, process folios, and other required documentation in their chosen discipline. Applications are available online in October each year, with entries due by early February — the 2025-26 deadline was February 2, 2026.

Eligible applicants are twelfth-grade students enrolled in South Carolina public schools. Award amounts vary; applicants compete for scholarship recognition in their specific arts discipline.

Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program - South Carolina Department of Education - 04/20/2026 7:02 PM Districts & Schools Educators Family & Community Career and Technical Education Early Learning and Literacy / Instructional Supports Special Education Services Virtual SC/Virtual Education District / School Closures Federal Education Programs School District Memoranda School Planning & Building Assessment Quick Links for Teachers Career and Technical Education Student Assessment Information Alternative Certification Programs Applying for Certification CTE Teacher Certification Noncertified Teacher Pilot Program Recruitment and Recognition Initiatives Certification Quick Links Adding Certification Fields Certification Assessments Certification Forms & Transcript Information Critical Need Subjects & Schools Exchange Visitor Teacher Programs Educator Certification Status: Public Lookup Employing Retired Educators Military Spouse Applicants Required Credentials for Educator Assignments Renewing a Professional Certificate Retired Educator Certificate Transferring an Out-of-State Certificate Career and Technical Education Early Learning and Literacy Duplicate High School Diploma GED/TASC Diploma or Transcript Freedom of Information Act Requests (FOIA) Health Education Information Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program Deadline: Entries must be received at the SCDE by 5:00 p.

m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 or postmarked on or before Monday, February 2, 2026.

The Archibald Rutledge Scholarship program, named for South Carolina’s first poet laureate, offers twelfth-grade students (enrolled in a public school in South Carolina) the opportunity to compete for a scholarship in creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts as well as encourages and recognizes academic and artistic excellence among South Carolina students. What does the program include?

Students will mail or deliver original compositions, process folios, and other required documentation in one of the five arts disciplines (creative writing, dance, music, theatre, or visual arts) to the South Carolina Department of Education. When does the program begin? Applications will be available online in October 2025.

The deadline to submit an entry is Monday, February 2, 2026, delivered to the South Carolina Department of Education by 5:00 p. m. or postmarked on or before Monday, February 2, 2026.

Entries will not be accepted after the deadline. Entries should have been created during the 2024-25 or 2025-26 school year. How will the students be recognized?

Five scholarships (approximately $2,000 each) will be awarded in May 2026. The South Carolina Department of Education will make the necessary arrangements to transfer the scholarship funds directly to the South Carolina college or university of the student’s choice. Students planning to attend an out-of-state college or university are ineligible to apply.

The recipients may also be recognized by their local schools/school districts. Students must currently be enrolled in twelfth grade in a public school in South Carolina. Students must plan to attend a South Carolina college or university.

Students must be a U.S. citizen and have attended public school in South Carolina for the past two years. Students may only apply for one scholarship.

General composition criteria include (click on the individual arts form to access the application and criteria for that arts form): 2025-26 Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program An entry is defined as an original composition, created by the applicant, utilizing any form of creative writing including but not limited to journals, diaries, letters, memoirs, essays, poetry, storytelling, speeches, and free writing.

The composition should not exceed two, double-spaced pages in length. An entry is defined as an original creation of dance choreography timed at three to six minutes created for solo dancer or ensemble in any appropriate movement style. The applicant must perform in the recording of his or her creation.

An entry is defined as an original vocal or instrumental composition created by the applicant timed at four to ten minutes for solo performer or small ensemble (recommended no more than five parts) utilizing any appropriate compositional technique. Arrangements of existing works will not be permitted for this competition.

An entry is defined as an original one-act script created by the applicant with a runtime of eight to fifteen minutes. An entry is defined as original artwork that must be a completed, rendered visual creation, produced by the applicant. Art is limited to two-dimensional work such as drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, and collage.

Artwork must not be copies of master artworks or comic art. Additional criteria that each applicant/composition must meet are included on the individual entry forms. Click on the individual arts form for the application and criteria.

Entries produced in collaboration with others are not eligible for this competition. A panel of professionals in each of the five arts areas will select a recipient in each of the disciplines. The decision of the judges is final.

Students may compete in one arts area only. Compositions/artworks and process folios each count 50 percent towards the total score. Do not place your name or other identifying information on the original work, copies, including process folio, and reflection statement.

Eligible and interested students apply through their guidance department between November 1, 2025 and February 2, 2026. For more information, contact your school’s counseling office or Stephen Stokes, 803-734-3461; sstokes@ed. sc.

gov .