The proposed bill H. 5158 aims to establish the Rural Physician Tuition Grant Program in South Carolina, which will provide tuition assistance to medical students who commit to practicing in rural areas of the state for a minimum of five years. The program will be administered by the Commission on Higher Education and funded through revenues from the South Carolina Education Lottery. Eligible students must be legal residents of South Carolina, accepted or enrolled in an accredited medical school, and agree to fulfill a service obligation after completing their medical training.

The bill outlines specific eligibility criteria, grant administration procedures, and consequences for failing to meet the service obligations. It includes provisions for prioritizing applicants in medical specialties needed in rural areas and allows for deferrals or waivers of the service obligation under certain circumstances. Additionally, the Commission on Higher Education is required to submit an annual report detailing the program's outcomes, including the number of grants awarded and recipients practicing in rural areas. The bill also includes a new section that explicitly allows the use of Education Lottery funds to support this grant program.

Statutes affected:
02/11/2026: 59-150-385
Latest Version: 59-150-385