SC Student Loan Speaks

We’re taking the microphones behind the scenes! This October, SC Speaks goes Outreach Unplugged as the team shares stories from the road, outreach highlights, unexpected moments, lessons learned, and what keeps them motivated to serve students, families, counselors, and communities across South Carolina. Get ready for some laughs, real talk, and a different side of outreach.

What does it take to prepare students to make smart financial decisions before they ever step onto a college campus? On this episode of SC Student Loan Speaks, we sit down with Chandler Jordan, Executive Director of the South Carolina Council on Economic Education, to talk about the importance of economics and personal finance education in South Carolina's schools. We explore how educators can help students build money skills, why financial literacy matters for college and life, and how stronger financial knowledge can empower the next generation to make confident decisions about their future.

In this episode of SC Student Loan Speaks, we’re joined by April Baur, Executive Director of Financial Aid, and Joshua Tyson, Executive Director of Admissions at Presbyterian College for a candid conversation about the college experience from both the admissions and financial aid perspective.We dive into what students and families need to know—from the application process to understanding financial aid packages, scholarships, and making a confident college decision. April and Joshua share real insights, clear guidance, and practical advice to help students navigate each step with confidence.Whether you’re considering Presbyterian College or just trying to better understand how admissions and financial aid work together, this episode gives you the inside perspective you don’t want to miss.

College can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. On this episode of SC Student Loan Speaks, we sit down with the College Access team (Kathy Rollins/Alantis Seckal) from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE) to talk about how they support students as they navigate the journey from high school to higher education.We break down CHE’s role, the importance of early planning, and how students can take advantage of college access resources across South Carolina. This episode is perfect for students who aren’t sure where to start and families looking for guidance along the way.

What does it really take to get to college — and pay for it — in South Carolina?In this episode of SC Student Loan Speaks, we’re joined by Gerrick Hampton, Associate Director of Student Affairs at the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education (CHE), for a real‑talk conversation about college access, affordability, and opportunity across the state.We break down the biggest mistakes students and families make when planning for college, how state programs and partnerships support first‑generation and underrepresented students, and what resources every South Carolina student should know about before applying and enrolling.If you’re a student, parent, counselor, or educator, this episode pulls back the curtain on how college access works in SC — and how to make smarter decisions with less stress and less debt.

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Ray Jones of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation (SCSLC) for an in‑depth conversation about student access, affordability, and pathways to success in South Carolina. Ray shares insights from his work with SCSLC and discusses how state‑led solutions are helping students and families navigate higher education and student loan decisions.

In this episode, we sit down with Amber Westbrook, Program Officer w/ the Central Carolina Community Foundation to talk about scholarships, student support, and the partnerships powering philanthropy across the Midlands.CCCCFs' Social Medial: Facebook – Central Carolina Community FoundationInstagram – @cccf_midlandsLinkedIn – Central Carolina Community Foundation CCCF Scholarship Page – go here to apply: https://www.yourfoundation.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships/ if this URL is a lot and we feel clearer communication is needed, they can simply go to yourfoundation.org and go to scholarships.If anyone would like to donate to an established scholarship fund-use this link to donate: https://www.yourfoundation.org/give-now/scholarship-fund/If anyone is interested in starting a scholarship fund, please reach out to Mimi Slade, our VP of Advancement, [email protected].

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 1 of "SC Student Loan Speaks," the official podcast of South Carolina Student Loan. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Tim Behling, Founder and CEO of SuccessTeam, a youth‑focused nonprofit organization empowering students through mentorship, leadership development, college readiness, and community engagement. Since 2015, SuccessTeam has impacted 10,000+ youth through programs like the Youth Council, Jr. Leadership Academy, and exposure‑based learning opportunities.Tim also shares exciting news about SuccessTeam’s upcoming Columbia, SC chapter, with access to biweekly sessions, SuccessTeam Leadership Academy, college tours, and volunteer experiences for high school students across the Midlands.For more information, visit to apply: Successteam Youth Council Application – Successteam ConnectTim Behling's Social Media Accounts:Tim's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timbehling___?igsh=MWI0dmE5eWRxZ2Jvdw%3D%3D&utm_source=qrTim's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17JgrGg5EE/?mibextid=wwXIfrSuccessTeam's Social Medica Accounts:YouTube: https://youtube.com/@successteamuniversity?si=X2sFQEt5OedUGzBrInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/successteam___?igsh=ZGRncHI1M2puaHBmFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Successteam.org?mibextid=wwXIfr

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