The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education announces a new website called SCholar (www.SCholar.com). SCholar.com will be the first of its kind to provide comprehensive online opportunities to research and apply online to South Carolina institutions. Because the site profiles institutions within the Commission as well as those that are not, students can apply to the full range of colleges, universities and other programs in the state. Members of the Association of Private Colleges and Universities and other private vocational and certificate programs in the state are all included.

"SCholar.com is an exciting, comprehensive and easy to use resource base for prospective students in South Carolina. This project is a hallmark of cooperation among all South Carolina schools, and puts the interests of students first and foremost," said Dr. Karen Woodfaulk of the Commission.

The site is slated to be built in stages and is currently underway with individual schools going live with their custom online application for admission. According to Robert Barkley, Director of Admissions, Clemson University, "last year was Clemson's first with the online application. We were very pleased; not only with the way with our students adapted to the online format, but with the way the process has worked. In its first year, we received 15-20% of our freshman applications and over 30% of our transfer applications on-line. We look forward to an increase this year, as well as the day when this format becomes the standard for all prospective students."

When students visit SCholar.com, they find all the information and resources they need when applying to college: deadlines, tuition costs, financial aid information and online applications. If they wish to apply to multiple schools, this is accomplished quickly and easily. Applications can be completed in multiple sessions with a password and accessed from any computer with an Internet connection. This provides real convenience when parents and guidance counselors want to help.

After completing one application, all common information, such as home address and other personal data, automatically flows into any subsequent application a student chooses. This saves a lot of time by getting rid of repetitive data entry. Automatic error and completeness checking eliminates many common errors that can delay processing of an application or even cause it to be rejected.

When an application is complete and ready to submit, the school's customary application fee is easily paid online by credit card or electronic check. Once the application is submitted and the fee is paid, a confirmation of receipt is immediately sent back assuring the student the most timely consideration of his/her application. Later, the student can return to the site any time they wish to view a log of activity including: when they last saved an application, when they submitted it, and when the school confirmed receipt. All student data submitted is transmitted securely and is held strictly confidential.

The Commission is building SCholar.com collaboratively with the assistance of CollegeNET, Inc., based in Portland, OR.

About the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education serves as the state coordinating board for the state's 33 public post-secondary institutions. General responsibilities include academic program review & approval, evaluation of institutional performance and allocation of state appropriations, and scholarship administration.

About CollegeNET, Inc.
CollegeNET, Inc. (corp.collegenet.com) is focused on providing technologies that save institutions money and improve educational access and affordability for our citizens. The company provides innovations in admissions, forms commerce, alumni development, email management, and event and resource scheduling to colleges, universities, and nonprofits worldwide. CollegeNET e-solutions are now used by more than 1000 institutions including Virginia Tech, M.I.T., Georgia Tech, University of Washington, and University of Nebraska. The Company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.