Latest News and Updates

Payout request forms for the Spring 2024 Semester will become available on October 23, 2023. On this date, payout eligible Carson Scholars will receive an email containing access to the payout portal where they can choose to defer, request or release their scholarship funds. The payout portal will close on November 17, 2023, at 8 […]

The Carson Scholars Fund’s 2024 Scholarship Season has begun! This marks our 28th year of discovering promise and rewarding excellence. As we make our way through the season, please keep the important dates and information below in mind. All Carson Scholarship applications are due by 8:00 p.m. EST on Friday, January 12, 2024. New Carson […]

I am grateful for the opportunity to return to the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) as the Executive Director. I was first introduced to CSF in 2012 when I joined the staff. I spent five years as Scholarship Director getting to see first-hand the impact of the Carson Scholars Fund. I remember fondly my first scholarship […]

My tenure at the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) as the executive director has spanned four and one-half administrations, eight Olympics, one round of 17-year cicadas and a worldwide pandemic. But it is time to say goodbye as I retire. It has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented, dedicated and inspirational individuals during […]

James Patterson and Dr. Ben Carson, two prolific authors, philanthropists and educational advocates have partnered to provide a scholarship opportunity to further education for students who have already received the prestigious Carson Scholarship award. Patterson has generously committed $600,000 to the pilot program which will be called the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for Carson Scholars. Beginning […]

For years, bestselling and prolific author James Patterson has been writing novels. Now he has partnered with Dr. and Mrs. Ben Carson and the CSF to help Carson Scholars author their own academic stories. In May 2024, the CSF will launch the Patterson HBCU Scholarship pilot program. Eligible Carson Scholars attending a Historically Black College or […]

On October 24, 2022, the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) hosted its first Maryland Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Cattail Creek Country Club in Glenwood, MD. CSF Co-founder Candy Carson greeted the 85 golfers who participated in the tournament to support our programs. It was a misty but beautiful fall day on the course. A highlight of […]

Students at Cullowhee Valley School in Cullowhee, North Carolina are “Diving Into Reading.” On Monday, October 10, the students, staff and special guests gathered to celebrate the opening of their Think Big Reading Room. During the ceremony, the day’s musical selections centered on reading. The Cullowhee Valley School seventh and eighth grade chorus sang “When […]

It was a thrillingly happy day for EVERYONE at Cullowhee Valley School in western North Carolina! So much so, that when you walked into the vestibule, even the life-size bronze statue of their mascot, Cully the Wolf, might have been wagging his tail and winking his eye…when he thought no one was looking! (If you […]

Palm Beach Public Elementary Reading Room Palm Beach Public Elementary School was the first public school built on the island of the city of Palm Beach, Florida!  And the year 2021 marked the school’s 100th anniversary (1)!! Last year, Covid restrictions prevented celebrations, but the school and community found another way to celebrate! The opening […]

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On Thursday, October 6, 2022, the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF) opened its 258th Ben Carson Reading Room at Palm Beach Public School. This accomplishment was made possible due to the generosity of the Harvey Oyer family and the Crowell and Frisbie family. Dr. and Mrs. Ben Carson were in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony […]