2026 Scholarship Programs

Description of Scholarships

This year, the South Central Industrial Association will award a variety of scholarships in 2026 to eligible high school seniors and non-traditional applicants.

While the focus of our scholarship program is still on graduating high school seniors, we will also consider applications from non-traditional students residing in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, or St. Mary parishes.

Through the BIG Legacy Scholarship Program, SCIA plans to award the following scholarships in 2026:

1. Nicholls State University Award will include up to $500 per semester for up to 8 consecutive fall and spring semesters to selected applicant(s) enrolled in Nicholls State University. The award is paid directly to Nicholls in the award recipient’s name to be credited to their student accounts at the start of each qualifying semester. To continue receiving the award, students must maintain cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0 and maintain full-time status. The number of scholarships awarded and any additional scholarship amounts will be determined by fund capacity in 2026.
2. Fletcher Technical Community College Award will include up to $500 per semester for up to 4 consecutive semesters (summer may be included) to selected applicant(s) enrolled at any Fletcher Technical Community College campus in the parishes listed above. The award is paid directly to Fletcher in the award recipient’s name to be credited to their student account at the start of each qualifying semester. To continue receiving the award, students must maintain cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5 and maintain full-time status. Should the student transfer to Nicholls State University during the scholarship award period, the scholarship balance is transferable to Nicholls providing the enrollment and GPA requirements applicable to Nicholls students are met. The number of scholarships awarded and any additional scholarship amounts will be determined by fund capacity in 2025.

*While the main focus of our scholarship program is still on 2 and 4 year degree programs, we will now also consider applications for students pursuing industrial certifications and non-degree programs. Scholarship amounts for these programs will depend on program costs and other factors. We recognize the importance of these certifications to the employers in our region, and we proudly support students’ efforts in attaining them since it improves our local workforce.

Eligibility Requirements

Consideration for the BIG Legacy scholarships shall be given to 2026 graduating high school seniors in Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, and St. Mary Parishes who will be enrolled as full-time students at Nicholls State University or Fletcher Technical Community College (campuses in Terrebonne and Lafourche) in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. Non-traditional students who have enrolled in classes or have at least been accepted into a program that qualifies may also apply. Applicants should:

1. Demonstrate scholastic ability, leadership, and school/community volunteer involvement;
2. Be a resident of Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, or St. Mary Parish;
3. Be a 2026 graduating senior from a Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption, or St. Mary Parish high school or approved home-schooling program OR be a non-traditional student residing in those same parishes who has already registered for classes or has at least been accepted into a program at Nicholls or Fletcher;
4. Have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (Nicholls applicants) OR a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (Fletcher applicants); While there is no minimum high school GPA for applicants pursuing industrial certifications, high school GPA will still be considered.
5. Correctly complete the BIG Scholarship Application with any required attachments (Nicholls applicants must upload essay, all graduating high school seniors must upload high school transcript) by the deadline of FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026.

Through the Gordon “Bubba” Dove Foundation, SCIA will award 3 merit-based scholarships valued at $1,000.00 each to qualified high school seniors.

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Candidate must be a child/grandchild of an employee of an SCIA member firm in good standing.
• Candidate must have a cumulative high school grade point average (at least 9-11) of 2.5 or greater based on a 4.0 scale.
• Candidates must have a minimum of 20 ACT score. (except for the Fletcher Scholarship)

• Candidate must attend an accredited Louisiana two or four-year college program.
• Candidates must be willing to have their name and the amount of assistance specified in an annual report provided to the SCIA.

Through the Chevron Maritime Scholarship Fund, SCIA will award 2 merit-based scholarships valued at $1,000.00 each to qualified high school senior or non-traditional applicants enrolled or planning to be enrolled in a Louisiana-based Maritime program.

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Full time student
• Employee, child, or grandchild of an SCIA member company

• Applicants must have and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

All applicants must correctly complete the SCIA Scholarship Application with any required attachments (Nicholls applicants must upload essay, all graduating high school seniors must upload high school transcript) by the deadline of FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026.

Application Submission and Recipient Determination

All information including application links are available on the SCIA website: www.sciaonline.net. Contact Hillary at hillary@sciaonline.net with any questions. Make sure to allow enough time for a response before the deadline. If an application question does not pertain to you, you may leave it blank but be careful since the response to each question may affect your chances of being chosen for a scholarship.

• Application for graduating high school seniors attending Nicholls:

https://www.jotform.com/form/260675557065061

Deadline to submit completed application: FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2026

Failure to follow instructions will disqualify your application. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS – PLEASE REVIEW THESE REQUIREMENTS WITH APPLICANTS.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their awards via e-mail and U.S. mail in early June 2026. Scholarship payment will be made directly to the school in the student’s account.

By applying for a South Central Industrial Association/Bayou Industrial Group scholarship, the applicant acknowledges that he or she understands the rules for scholarship administration; that he or she qualifies in every respect; that he or she agrees to abide by the rules; and that the information furnished on this application is true and correct to the best of the applicant’s knowledge.

SCIA/BIG’S Obligation to Continue Scholarships

SCIA/BIG reserves the right to modify or cancel this scholarship program at any time. In the event that any modifications or cancellations affect students currently receiving a SCIA/BIG scholarship, those students and the schools will be notified no later than 60 days before the program is to be modified or canceled.

SCIA/BIG shall not be liable for the debts or conduct of the recipients of SCIA/BIG’s scholarships, and such recipients have no right to anticipate, assign, or transfer rights acquired through the awarding of the SCIA/BIG scholarships.