The bill H. 3327 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws to enhance the Educational Lottery Teaching Scholarship Grants Program. It proposes to provide scholarships and grants for teachers to obtain a master's degree in their content area, full scholarships for undergraduates majoring in education, and grants for teachers and certified prospective teachers to repay student loans. The bill also establishes terms, conditions, and procedures for these programs. Additionally, it introduces a new section stating that students will not qualify for a LIFE scholarship until after completing their freshman year, and it amends the existing HOPE scholarship provisions to include the same requirement.

The bill highlights the need for improved retention rates among scholarship recipients and aims to allocate funding more effectively to support teacher education and retention. It specifies that the Commission on Higher Education will oversee the development of the scholarship programs and will prioritize funding for critical subject areas. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing current scholarship recipients to continue receiving their awards under existing conditions.

Statutes affected:
12/05/2024: 59-150-380, 59-149-170, 59-150-370
02/05/2025: 59-150-380, 59-149-170, 59-150-370
Latest Version: 59-150-380, 59-149-170, 59-150-370
12/06/2024: 59-150-380, 59-149-170, 59-150-370