The bill S. 959 aims to establish the Tuition Gap Scholarship Program in South Carolina, which is designed to ensure that eligible students receiving LIFE Scholarships, HOPE Scholarships, or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships have their remaining tuition costs fully covered during any semester they receive these awards. The new section added to the South Carolina Code, Section 59-150-385, outlines the eligibility criteria for students enrolled in public institutions of higher learning and specifies that the Tuition Gap Scholarship will cover the difference between the actual cost of full-time tuition and the total value of the scholarships awarded to the student, including any STEM supplements.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that the Tuition Gap Scholarship cannot be used for non-tuition expenses such as fees, room and board, or books. The program will be administered by the Commission on Higher Education, which is responsible for developing application procedures, coordinating with institutions to calculate tuition costs, and reporting annually to the General Assembly on the program's impact. Importantly, the funding for the Tuition Gap Scholarships will come exclusively from the proceeds of the South Carolina Education Lottery, with no general fund appropriations allowed. The act will take effect upon approval by the Governor and will first apply to the academic year starting in the Fall Semester of 2027.

Statutes affected:
02/25/2026: 59-150-385
Latest Version: 59-150-385