SCS Noonan Scholars

South Central Scholars (SCS) was established in 2001 by philanthropists James and Patricia London, originally as a scholarship program serving a few high-achieving low-income students in the Los Angeles area. Quickly realizing the demand for a multi-stage, integrated program of support, SCS began supporting these students throughout college with scholarships, academic intervention, academic and social-emotional support, and career guidance and networking. Within a few years, SCS was yielding impressive results: 90% of Scholars who were attending very selective schools like Harvard, Brown, Williams, USC, etc. were graduating within 6 years.

In 2014, our founders decided to replicate their program in Boston, under the name Noonan Scholars, as a pilot for further regional, and eventual national, expansion. After three years of successful outcomes in Boston, we are now ready to go national, under the SCS Noonan Scholars flag, as one fully merged organization. We will support the top low-income students of color across the country with the same refined model of service which has come to define our success in L.A. and Boston.