This bill approves new regulations for the South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education regarding how tuition and fee rates are determined. The primary change involves updating residency rules to align with recent state laws, specifically requiring individuals to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 45 days of moving to the state. Additionally, the regulations reduce the number of documents needed to prove residency and aim to simplify the overall process for students and colleges. Once signed by the Governor, these changes will take effect and standardize how institutions classify student residency for billing purposes.
This bill is a concurrent resolution that designates April 16, 2026, as "South Carolina Higher Education Day" to recognize the state's colleges and universities. It directly affects the South Carolina General Assembly and the public by creating an official day of recognition for higher education institutions. The resolution acknowledges the contributions of public and private colleges, technical colleges, and universities in preparing students for careers and leadership roles. It does not create any new laws, funding, or operational changes, but rather serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the state's higher education system.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-103-15, RELATING TO THE MISSIONS AND FOCUSES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AN APPLIED BACCALAUREATE IN CULINARY ARTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE AT TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPROVED FIRST BY THE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND THEN THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE THE DEGREE PROGRAM IS ALLOWED SO LONG AS NEW STATE GENERAL FUNDS ARE NOT APPROPRIATED FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-150-385 SO AS TO CREATE THE TUITION GAP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT ELIGIBLE STUDENTS RECEIVING LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS, OR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE THEIR REMAINING TUITION COSTS FULLY COVERED DURING ANY SEMESTER IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE SUCH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 53-1-20, RELATING TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES EXEMPT FROM THE PROHIBITION ON SUNDAY PUBLIC SPORTS, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO CAMPUS EVENTS AND LAND USE APPROVAL, TO PROVIDE THAT NO COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY MAY PROHIBIT, RESTRICT, CONDITION, DELAY, OR REQUIRE LAND USE APPROVAL FOR EVENTS HELD ON THE CAMPUS OF A STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING BASED ON ZONING ORDINANCES OR LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS, AND TO CLARIFY THE APPLICATION OF GENERALLY APPLICABLE SAFETY LAWS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTERING FUTURES ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59, SO AS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO WAIVE TUITION AND FEES FOR CERTAIN CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND LIMITS; AND TO REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND REPORTING.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTERING FUTURES ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59, SO AS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO WAIVE TUITION AND FEES FOR CERTAIN CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND LIMITS; AND TO REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND REPORTING.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-150-385 SO AS TO CREATE THE TUITION GAP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT ELIGIBLE STUDENTS RECEIVING LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS, OR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE THEIR REMAINING TUITION COSTS FULLY COVERED DURING ANY SEMESTER IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE SUCH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FORMING OPEN AND ROBUST UNIVERSITY MINDS (FORUM) ACT" BY ADDING CHAPTER 148 TO TITLE 59 SO AS TO DEFINE NECESSARY TERMS, TO PROVIDE MEASURES TO PROTECT EXPRESSIONS BY STUDENTS AND STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS IN CERTAIN PLACES ON THE CAMPUSES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE RELATED REQUIREMENTS FOR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, AND TO PROVIDE MEANS OF REDRESS FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT, AMONG OTHER THINGS.
A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-35 SO AS TO CREATE A MANDATORY ORIENTATION TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN THIS STATE, TO PROVIDE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD SECRETARY OF EACH INSTITUTION.
