School Counseling

1. Seniors are reminded to complete the Senior Plans Form to let the counseling office know what they intend to do after graduation.  Every senior should complete this form.  It is available at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/c7MNt4rTyT.

2. The counseling office needs to collect information about any scholarship offers that students have received.  We will use this information to recognize seniors at our Senior Awards Night program.  Please report any scholarship OFFERS (regardless of whether you plan to accept the scholarship or not) at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/K1SreXwhzh.  We must have this information by April 29 in order to have time to include it in the awards program.

3. AP exams will take place April 30-May 15 for students who are enrolled in AP courses this year.  Students will receive their testing locations from their AP teachers.  AP students should be present and seated in their testing rooms no later than 7:45 a.m. for morning exams or 11:45 a.m. for afternoon exams.  Metal detector screening will open at 7:30 a.m. by the cafeteria doors to ensure that students are able to arrive at their exam rooms on time.  It is important that students arrive on time for testing; because of College Board regulations, we cannot delay the beginning of exams for latecomers.  Most afternoon exams will extend beyond the end of the regular school day, so families should make appropriate transportation arrangements.  The full exam schedule is available at https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1774955945/richlandoneorg/g8apiw3waed915oowfch/APExamOutlineSchedule_1.pdf

4. Senior Awards Night will take place in the Dreher auditorium on May 21 at 6:00 p.m.  Seniors and their families are invited.  Students should arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. in order to line up outside the auditorium for the processional.  Students should wear dressy attire (dress, suit, or nice shirt and pants) for the ceremony.  Students will receive honor cords and awards at the ceremony, and the winners of the Dreher Foundation scholarships will be announced.  

5. Seniors can apply for scholarships being offered by the Dreher Foundation.  The scholarship application is available at https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1776194238/richlandoneorg/dpkwfkoqwgoxx8fgq1vo/DreherFoundationScholarshipsApplication2026.pdf .  Applications are due to the counseling office by May 1 and must be submitted on paper.  

6. Junior Awards Night will take place in the Dreher auditorium May 20 at 6:00 p.m.  We invite juniors and their families to attend.

7. Diplomas will be mailed following graduation in early June to the address we have on file in PowerSchool.  If your address in PowerSchool is not current, please contact Dreher’s registrar, Quenna Smith, at (803) 253-7020 or quenna.smith@richlandone.org  no later than May 22 so that she can ensure your diploma is mailed to the correct address.  Diplomas will not be mailed for any students who have outstanding debt.  Debts must be paid to the main office before diplomas will be mailed or released. 

8. If you are a senior who has newly met the criteria for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship or who is re-taking the SAT and/or ACT in May or June in order to potentially qualify for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship, please contact Kevin Kirkley in the counseling office no later than May 22 at kevin.kirkley@richlandone.org so that he can help you with the required application.  If you previously submitted an application for Palmetto Fellows earlier this year, there is no need to reapply; this is purely for seniors who have newly qualified or who are re-taking the SAT or ACT in May or June in hopes of qualifying.  Guidelines for Palmetto Fellows can be accessed here:  https://www.che.sc.gov/students-families-and-military/scholarships-and-grants-sc-residents

9. AP students have until June 20 to specify which college or university they wish to receive their AP scores.  When students log in at https://myap.collegeboard.org, they will be prompted to designate a college or university to receive their scores.

10. Seniors who need their final transcripts sent to a college must place a request using Dreher’s transcript service, Parchment.  Students can create an account at www.parchment.com and send a transcript electronically to any college in the United States.  Students can place a request now via Parchment; they should select the option to “hold for grades” in order to ensure that their final transcript is the one that is sent.  Students should request their transcript to be sent no later than June 12 in order to ensure processing before the counseling office closes for the summer break.  Final transcripts will be available for sending in June.

 In order to help with planning for our end-of-year activities, the counseling office needs all seniors to complete TWO online forms.  

1. Each senior needs to complete the Dreher Senior Plans form at https://forms.office.com/r/c7MNt4rTyT.  Seniors will use this form to report their plans for next year (college, military, workforce, etc.).  The counseling office needs this form for every graduating student.  Some of you may not know yet what your plans for next year are, but we ask that you complete this form as soon as you know prior to graduation.

2. Each senior should also complete the Dreher Scholarship Report at https://forms.office.com/r/K1SreXwhzh.  Please use this form to report any scholarships you have been offered at any college (regardless of whether you plan to attend that college).  We want to recognize you and the entire class of 2026 at the senior awards program in May, so we need to know about any scholarship offers in order to do so.  

Click on the first page to access page two of the Modified AP Exam Schedule.

Seniors who have met the early requirements for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship have been identified by the counseling office and received the required application information earlier this year.  

If you are a student who has new or updated SAT or ACT scores that you think would newly qualify you for the Palmetto Fellows award, please contact Mr. Kirkley at kevin.kirkley@richlandone.org no later than Wednesday, April 15, so that your application can be submitted by the early award deadline.  Palmetto Fellows requirements can be downloaded here:  https://www.che.sc.gov/students-families-and-military/scholarships-and-grants-sc-residents.  If Mr. Kirkley submitted an application for you earlier this year, there is no need to re-apply; however, please remember to complete the online Designation Form in your Palmetto Fellows account to specify where you intend to go to college next year.

Seniors who have met the early requirements for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship have been identified by the counseling office and have received the required application information.  

If you think that you have met the Palmetto Fellows requirements and have not been contacted, please contact Kevin Kirkley at Kevin Kirkley.  

Palmetto Fellows requirements can be downloaded here:  Palmetto Fellows Requirements  

Briefly, Palmetto Fellows must rank in the top 6% of the class at the conclusion of 10^th or 11^th grade, have a 3.5 or higher GPA, and have a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT.  Alternatively, they may qualify by having a 4.0 or higher GPA and earning a 1400 SAT or 31 ACT.  

Scores for students who took the SAT on March 18 will be available online at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/scores beginning April 16, 2026. 

Students who took the ACT at Dreher on March 10 should receive the scores in approximately 6 weeks.  Scores will be available online at https://www.myact.org.  Students can create a MyACT account using the directions that were mailed and provided on test day.  

The 2025-2026 School Profile will be sent by School Counselors to colleges to which our seniors are applying. 

You may download the two-page profile here: 2025-2026 School Profile

(Click on the first page to read the entire document)

Ten Point Grading System in SC

The Course Selection Worksheet consists of two pages.  Click on page one below to view the complete worksheet.

NCAA Eligibility Center

Career Clusters Guide

SCOIS

Richland One Virtual School

Virtual SC

Juniors and seniors who display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity are invited to apply for Horatio Alger Scholarship . Students must have financial need and a determination to turn adversity into opportunity.

Junior Application Period for Undergraduate Scholarships:
December 1 – March 1

Senior Application Period for Undergraduate Scholarships:
December 1 – February 15

Application Period for Career and Technical Scholarships:
March 15 – June 15

The Dreher Foundation is honored to announce this year's Dreher Foundation Scholarships.  The Dreher Foundation will award 22 $500 scholarships this year to students in Dreher's class of 2026.  Please see the document below for descriptions of this year's scholarships.  Seniors who wish to be considered for this year's scholarships should complete the application questions on the document below and return their typed applications to Mr. Kevin Kirkley in the counseling department no later than May 1, 2026.  The scholarship winners will be announced at this year's Senior Awards Night to be held on May 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.  We thank the Dreher Foundation and their generous donors for their support of our seniors and of all of the Dreher community!

Click on the first page of the document below to read and download the complete descriptions and application.

Click on first page below to access and print the application.  Due Date is May 1, 2026

Richland County Master Gardener Scholarship 

The founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., recognized the importance of the intellect in all matters pertaining to the advancement of mankind. As such, they made scholarship the foremost of the fraternity's four Cardinal Principles: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift. Scholarship is no side issue – it is an integral and deep-rooted component of this organization. Every member, chapter, and district of the fraternity is dedicated to scholarship. This scholarship is not needs-based and is open to all qualified applicants, regardless of financial need.

Scholarship Qualifications

• Candidates must:
  • Be a male high school senior who is enrolled full time and attends a public high school in Richland One, Richland Two, Lexington One, Lexington Two, Lexington Three, Lexington Four, Lexington/Richland Five, or Fairfield County Schools
  • Be a graduate during the 2025-2026 academic school year and provides proof of enrollment in a two-or four-year accredited institution of higher learning
  • Demonstrate character that aligns with and represents the Fraternity's Four Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift

Link to Scholarship Application

Landrum Washington Legacy Scholarship Fund Application

Please take the time to review the Eligibility Requirements before applying. Deadlines vary per scholarship.

Jackie Robinson Scholarship:  https://jackierobinson.org/apply/

Ron Brown Scholar Program: https://ronbrown.org/

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship: https://www.regions.com/about-regions/inclusion-belonging-impact/supporting-communities/essay-contest-scholarship

2025 Starfish Scholarship: https://attorneyssc.com/wpf-2025-starfish-scholarship/

St. Pierre Scholarship: https://www.thestpierrealliance.com/the-scholarship

Life Lessons Scholarship: https://lifehappens.org/life-lessons-scholarship-program/

The Pink Rose Foundation, Inc.- This is for students who have lost a parent to Breast Cancer: https://www.pinkrose.org/apply-now.html

Barbar and Clayton Campbell Breast Cancer Scholarship: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/barbara-and-clayton-campbell-breast-cancer-scholarship

Voice of Democracy: https://vfwar.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp?pid=79991

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest: https://aynrand.org/students/essay-contests/atlas-shrugged/

Financial Goals Scholarship: https://www.1fbusascholarship.com/

U.S. Bank Student Scholarship: https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/community/student-scholarship.html?ecid=PS_76736&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Student+Scholarship_(Prospecting-BD)_BD_All_All_NAT_13152&ds_a=Brand_Exact+%26+Phrase&ds_k=us+bank+student+scholarship&ds_kids=309004651614&i=1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22222852493&gbraid=0AAAAADpM1fyNfYABZOzvUOTC98XNhX_M9&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2LvLw5-zkAMVLSrUAR1UUTFMEAAYASAAEgI7ufD_BwE

Stamps Scholars: https://www.stampsscholars.org/our-program/how-to-apply/

$10,000 "No Essay" Scholarship: https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/search/10000-no-essay-scholarship/

Create-A-Greeting Card Contest: https://www.gallerycollection.com/greetingcardscontests.htm?srsltid=AfmBOoqe0PupnfKN3J325tmBoosK7A_1tBduCKX1xqqgLd3xntAVA1N3

Science Ambassador Scholarship: https://www.scienceambassadorscholarship.org/

Fulbright Scholars Program: https://fulbrightscholars.org/

2025 Good Works Scholarship: https://www.virginia-criminallawyer.com/2025-good-works-scholarship/