The deadline is approaching for qualified area high school students to apply for the Horry County Higher Education Commission's Leadership and Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships.

March 1 is the deadline to apply for the scholarships. To qualify, applicants must have earned at least a 2.5 high school grade point average through their junior year and must also be admitted to Coastal Carolina University. Complete requirements and application forms are available through high school guidance counselors.

The HCHEC Leadership Scholarship is designed to promote service and citizenship and to recognize students for their leadership, volunteerism and academic excellence. The HCHEC Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship is designed to assist exceptionally talented Horry County high school seniors who plan to major in art, music, musical theater or dramatic arts. An audition or portfolio is required.

Each of the scholarship awards provides $2,500 per academic year for up to four years to qualified Horry County students. For the 2007 fall semester, 10 awards will be available for new freshmen.

About 65 percent of Coastal Carolina's students receive some form of financial aid, which is comparable to the national average.

For additional information about the HCHEC scholarships, contact the Scholarship Office at Coastal Carolina University at 349-2308.