Institute for Families in Society
Be A Champion for Youth and Families!
The Michael Daniel Smith and Alexander Tyler Smith Scholarship is funded by an endowment created by Mr. Robert L. Thomas and awarded to the University of South Carolina in memory of Michael and Alexander, who died under tragic circumstances. Each year, the Institute for Families in Society is pleased to offer one scholarship ($1500-$2000, depending on available funds) to a full-time undergraduate student from the UofSC Columbia campus. The student will show outstanding promise in becoming a helping professional for children and families in need. To be eligible, students must be a junior in standing and a Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, or Public Health major. The scholarship funds will be awarded during the student’s senior year.
2026 Smith Scholarship Awards
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Smith Scholarship through March 20, 2026 and we look forward to announcing the awardee later this Spring.
APPLY TODAY FOR THE 2026 AWARD
To be eligible to apply, the student must be
- Of Junior level standing
- Major in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, or Public Health on the Columbia Campus of UofSC
- Planning to pursue a career in direct service to children, youth, or families, and
- Be recommended by a faculty member in Psychology, Social Work, Public Health, or Nursing.
NOTE: Completed applications must be submitted by 5pm on Monday March 20, 2026. The
scholarship awardee will be notified prior to semester end.
The application has two parts, one for the recommending faculty member to
complete and one for the student applicant to complete. Both parts of the
application need to be completed and submitted via email to
Andrenette Hudley at HUDLEY@mailbox.sc.edu by
5pm on Monday March 20, 2026.
(Applications can also
be
printed, scanned and then faxed to the attention of Andrenette Hudley at 803-777-1120, by the same deadline).
Questions? Please contact Dr. Cheri Shapiro at cshapiro@mailbox.sc.edu