SCIA and BIG Establish $40,000 Endowed Scholarship at Fletcher Technical Community College

Bayou Region students attending Fletcher Technical Community College have a new scholarship opportunity following a $40,000 contribution from the Bayou Industrial Group through the South Central Industrial Association.

The funding establishes the Bayou Industrial Group Legacy Endowed Scholarship at Fletcher Technical Community College, providing financial assistance to students from Lafourche, Terrebonne, Assumption and St. Mary parishes pursuing education and training through Fletcher.

Selected recipients may receive up to $500 per semester for up to four consecutive semesters, with summer enrollment eligible for consideration. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to Fletcher Technical Community College in the recipient’s name and credited to the student’s account at the beginning of each qualifying semester.

To continue receiving the award, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and remain enrolled full time. If a student transfers to Nicholls State University during the scholarship award period, the remaining scholarship balance may transfer with the student, provided the student meets the applicable enrollment and GPA requirements at Nicholls.

“SCIA and BIG have always believed that investing in students means investing in the future of our region. Fletcher plays an important role in preparing students for the skilled careers our industries depend on, and this endowment allows us to expand our support to more of those pathways,” said Hillary Charpentier, SCIA executive director. “Whether a student is working toward a two-year degree, a four-year degree or an industry-recognized certification, we want to help remove barriers and make those opportunities more accessible to students right here in the Bayou Region.”

While the primary focus of the SCIA and BIG scholarship program remains two- and four-year degree programs, the organizations will now also consider applications from students pursuing industrial certifications and other non-degree programs through Fletcher. Scholarship amounts for these programs will be determined based on program costs and other factors.

The expanded eligibility recognizes the important role industry certifications and specialized training play in developing the region’s workforce and preparing students for in-demand careers.

The Fletcher endowment builds on a nearly three-decade commitment by SCIA and BIG to supporting education and workforce development in the Bayou Region. Together, the organizations have awarded more than $500,000 in scholarships to hundreds of local students pursuing educational opportunities that strengthen the region’s workforce and industries.

Because the contribution establishes an endowment, the fund is designed to provide scholarship support in perpetuity, with opportunities for the principal to grow through investment and additional contributions.

Students interested in reviewing full requirements and applying can submit applications through SCIA’s website at sciaonline.net/scholarship-programs.

Learn more about Fletcher Technical Community College at fletcher.edu.

Bayou Industrial Group, a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, administers the BIG Scholarship for students pursuing education in business and industrial careers in the Bayou Region. The group hosts events, fundraisers and educational programs to support the scholarship and promote local career pathways.

The South Central Industrial Association, a 501(c)(6) organization, advocates for and creates opportunities for industry in the Bayou Region. Representing more than 250 member companies and 200,000 workers worldwide, SCIA serves as the economic engine for Louisiana’s offshore energy and marine services hub by advocating for infrastructure, coastal preservation, levee protection, workforce development and regulatory issues.