A few ideas

Author: Shadow_of_the_Dome (4688 Posts - Original UHND Member)
Posted at 12:13 am on Oct 3, 2025

First, you should contact the TRIO program at USC for guidance. They can advise on his prospects.

His low GPA is going to be an issue for many merit based scholarships. The only exception I can think of may be an ROTC based scholarship. (Generally 2.5 and above.) He should look at that.

He could also consider employment at someplace with tuition reimbursement, and start out part-time college to get his grades up. For example, in Aiken he could go to work in the factory at ASCO Valve (an Emerson Subsidiary), and get his tuition covered. There are many others that offer tuition reimbursement.

I’m not familiar with the community college situation, but working to get his grades up has got to be first priority if he ever wants a merit based scholarship.

SATs measure aptitude, but GPA is a measure of motivation. (Generalized statement, but how it is typically viewed by academia.)

For bright kids that were not motivated in High School, I think the best path in life may be through the Military. He should take the ASVAB, and see if he can enlist into a computer based (or other technical) MOS. That training for a few years, plus the GI Bill may get him on the path to college.

I hope this at least gives you a few ideas.


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