Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · South Carolina · House Apr 14, 2026

H 5482: Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-104-20, RELATING TO THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, SO AS TO ADD THE CLASSIC LEARNING TEST AS AN APPROVED ASSESSMENT FOR RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-50, RELATING TO THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP, SO AS TO AMEND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A LIFE SCHOLARSHIP TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-20, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "TALENTED AND QUALIFIED RESIDENT" TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship eligibility by adding new standardized tests, thereby increasing access to higher education funding for more students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Testing & Assessment

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Apr 16, 2026

S 1061: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS

This bill approves new regulations for the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program in South Carolina, which provides financial aid to eligible students attending state colleges and universities. The key change updates the program rules to reflect the removal of the ACT Science subject test requirement for composite scores, while also clarifying other administrative procedures and definitions. The regulations take effect once the Governor signs them into law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes ACT Science requirement, making scholarship program more accessible to students, thereby expanding educational access and supporting higher education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Sep 1, 2026

S 1018: Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-104-20, RELATING TO THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, SO AS TO ADD THE CLASSIC LEARNING TEST AS AN APPROVED ASSESSMENT FOR RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIPS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-50, RELATING TO THE LIFE SCHOLARSHIP, SO AS TO AMEND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A LIFE SCHOLARSHIP TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-26-20, RELATING TO THE DUTIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, SO AS TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "TALENTED AND QUALIFIED RESIDENT" TO INCLUDE ACT AND CLT SCORES.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship options by adding Classic Learning Test scores, increasing educational access for students seeking higher education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Testing & Assessment

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 897: Measels Vaccine Required to Attend Public School

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 44-29-180, RELATING TO VACCINATION AND IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS OF SCHOOL PUPILS AND DAY CARE CENTER CHILDREN, SO AS TO REMOVE THE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION FOR THE MMR VACCINE FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO DEFINE AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT AS ONE WHO HAS HAD A MMR VACCINE OR A MEDICAL EXEMPTION; BY AMENDING SECTION 59-41-20, RELATING TO CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR GRANTS, SO AS TO INCLUDE A REQUIREMENT THAT AN ELIGIBLE CHILD HAS A MMR VACCINE OR MEDICAL EXEMPTION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-600 SO AS TO MANDATE A PERSON MUST HAVE A MMR VACCINE TO ATTEND A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enforces MMR vaccination for public school attendance, strengthening health requirements to protect school environment and student safety in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes religious exemptions for MMR vaccine in public schools, strengthening vaccination rates and public health programs. Directly supports disease prevention in healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Public Health

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 959: Tuition Gap Scholarship 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCovers remaining tuition costs for scholarship recipients, expanding higher education access and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 13, 2026

H 4782: Nursing Scholarships and Loans

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "GRADUATE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP AND FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 8 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59 SO AS TO ADDRESS PRIMARY CARE SHORTAGES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS BY INCREASING ACCESS TO GRADUATE-LEVEL NURSING EDUCATION THROUGH FORGIVABLE LOANS, TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates forgivable loans for graduate nursing education, expanding access to higher education funding and addressing workforce shortages through educational support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAddresses nursing shortages via forgivable loans for education, directly improving healthcare workforce access in underserved areas95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Primary Care

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 13, 2026

H 4741: Tuition Gap Scholarship 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by covering remaining tuition costs for scholarship recipients, ensuring full financial coverage for eligible students pursuing higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Jan 21, 2026

S 692: Education Scholarship Trust Fund

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-110, RELATING TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP TRUST FUND DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO FURTHER DEFINE ELIGIBLE EXPENSES TO INCLUDE EDUCATION CLASSES DESIGNED TO SUPPLEMENT A STUDENT'S LEARNING PROGRAM PROVIDED BY AN ELIGIBLE SCHOOL AND TO FURTHER REMOVE ANY OTHER EDUCATION EXPENSES APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ENABLE PERSONALIZED LEARNING; AND BY AMENDING SECTION 59-8-115, RELATING TO THE STANDARD APPLICATION PROCESS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A PARENT TO CERTIFY THAT AN ELIGIBLE STUDENT IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN A HOME BASED PERSONALIZED LEARNING PROGRAM NOT SPECIFICALLY APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 59-65-10 AND TO DELETE A PROVISION ALLOWING A PARENT'S SIGNATURE TO SATISFY THE STATE'S COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE LAW.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands eligible expenses for education scholarship fund to include supplemental classes and personalized learning, enhancing student access and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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signed · South Carolina · House May 19, 2025

H 3632: STEM scholarship stipends

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-149-15, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL LIFE SCHOLARSHIP STIPENDS, AND SECTION 59-104-25, RELATING TO REQUIREMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP STIPENDS, BOTH SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN COURSEWORK IN ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS STATISTICS MUST COUNT TOWARDS CERTAIN REQUIRED FRESHMAN YEAR COURSEWORK IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE, AND TO CLARIFY THESE PROVISIONS APPLY BEGINNING WITH ACCOUNTING MAJORS WHO COMPLETED SUCH COURSEWORK AS FRESHMEN IN THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR. - RATIFIED TITLE

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends scholarship requirements to mandate STEM-related coursework in math/science, expanding educational access and promoting STEM pathways for college students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 14, 2025

H 3577: Nursing loan and scholarship forgiveness

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-110-60, RELATING TO SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT LOANS, AND GRANTS UNDER THE SOUTH CAROLINA CRITICAL NEEDS NURSING INITIATIVE ACT, SO AS TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF LOANS FOR NURSING EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WHO CONTRACTUALLY AGREE TO PRACTICE NURSING IN CERTAIN CRITICAL NEEDS GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, AND TO PROVIDE REQUIRED TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SUCH CONTRACTS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands nursing education loan availability, supporting higher education access and workforce development in critical areas.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nursing education funding to address workforce shortages in critical areas, improving healthcare access and supporting healthcare professionals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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