The Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation (GKF) is proud to award scholarships to students with physical impairments (sight, hearing, movement) at the College of Charleston. The scholarship can be renewed for up to a total of four years.

The recipient needs to be willing to serve as a representative of the Foundation and participate in GKF-related functions that occur during the scholarship year. This could include attending a Riverdogs baseball game on Disability Awareness Night, a cocktail party, or the James Island Connector Run, which is held the first Saturday of every November on "Students with Disabilities Day," proclaimed by Mayor Joe Riley, Jr.

Download the application (MS Word)

If you do not have MS Word, you may download the application as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file.
The deadline for the 2007 GKF Scholarship application is September 4th, 2007.

The application must be accompanied by the following:

• Personal letter outlining your educational and vocational desires
• Complete, official transcript of your academic record
• Small photo of yourself
• List of extracurricular activities, and organizations/clubs of which you currently or have previously held membership status
• Minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a former teacher

The scholarship recipient is selected by the Gavalas-Kolanko Staff and Board Members. They make the selection based on academic achievements, community involvement, and need of financial assistance.

Founded in 1770 and chartered in 1785, the College of Charleston is the oldest institution of higher education in the state of South Carolina and the thirteenth oldest in the United States. For more information about the College of Charleston, click HERE.

Past winners:

2007 In September 2007 the GK Foundation was proud to award seven scholarships to College of Charleston students.  The seven receipients were: Rachel Beahm, Shane Clark, Alex Jackson, Daniel Klein, Alan Sea, Jordan Thomas, and Ryan Watkins.  Mayor Riley, President George Benson, Nick Gavalas, and Ron Kolanko awarded these seven students with scholarship certificates on October 17, 2007 at a reception at Alumni Hall.

Pictured: Ryan Watkins, Alex Jackson, and Board Member Joe Riley, III, at a fundraiser at J.Paulz on 10/29/2007.

2001: Marjorie "Taylor" Elliott - Charleston, SC Taylor Elliott met with Nick Gavalas and Dr. Ronald Kolanko after hearing she had been named recipient of the 2001 Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation Scholarship.

Founders Dr. Ronald Kolanko and Nick Gavalas present the GKF Scholarship check to the 2001 Winner, Taylor Elliott at the 3rd Annual James Island Connector Run.

2000: Martin Grant - James Island, SC Martin Grant, Jr. of James Island, SC was the first recipient of the Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation Scholarship. A psychology major at the College of Charleston, Martin received $1,250 from the GKF to help with his college expenses. "I'm truly grateful and honored," said Martin, who was nominated for the scholarship by C of C Psychology Professor Carol Toris and Maria Richardson, the school's former Coordinator of Disability Services. Martin graduated in June of 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

Martin Grant, Jr. holds his scholarship check from the Gavalas-Kolanko Foundation (GKF). On hand to present the award were the GKF founders Nick Gavalas and Dr. Ronald Kolanko.