Serena Lai and Katie Tanner of Rincon have been awarded Charter Scholarships by the University of Georgia’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

The Charter Scholarship, named to reflect the university’s distinction as the nation’s first state-chartered public university, recognizes first-year students with stellar academic records, leadership and community involvement and a respect for and commitment toward intellectual, social and cultural diversity. The Charter Scholarship is funded by the University of Georgia Foundation.

In-state students receive $1,000 per year in addition to the HOPE Scholarship. Out-of-state recipients are given non-resident tuition waivers with their $1,000 annual scholarships. Usually the top five percent of entering first-year students are named Charter scholars.

This year’s Charter scholars had an average SAT score that exceeded 1,400. Their average high school GPA also exceeded 4.0.

Students can renew the scholarship for up to three more years if they meet certain academic standards.

Lai, a graduate of Effingham County High School, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin Lai.

Tanner, a South Effingham High School graduate, is the daughter of Ronnie and Nita Royal.

The university awarded Charter Scholarships to 154 members of its 2007 freshman class.