Historic Changes Made to the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program

At the March 15, 2022 Commission Meeting, the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission reviewed and voted to approve recommendations from Commission Staff regarding changes to Program policies, eligibility criteria, and Maximum Grants.  These recommendations, which were made public prior to the semi-annual Commission Meeting in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act requirements, included changing the definition and determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress, allowing appeals for additional circumstances not previously accepted for review, and changing the methodology used to determine Maximum Grants for approved Non-Traditional Programs.

“The changes coming to the South Carolina Tuition Grant are monumental in making higher education more affordable for students attending eligible non-profit in-state colleges and universities,” said Limestone University President Dr. Darrell Parker, who Chairs the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission. “The South Carolina Tuition Grant is making it even more affordable to attend of our outstanding institutions – either on-campus or through the non-traditional programs such as online higher education. We greatly appreciate the annual appropriation by the State General Assembly for the South Carolina Tuition Grant that lessons the financial burden of our future scholars and our leaders of tomorrow.”

All colleges and universities are required to have a Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy that meets federal requirements for Title IV Federal Student Aid.  The Commission previously required additional conditions on Tuition Grant recipients, in some cases creating additional obstacles for students who would otherwise benefit from the Program.  The newly approved change to the Program’s SAP policy to align with institution’s federal SAP policy ensures the focus of the Tuition Grants Program on being a need-based grant first, without creating additional barriers to access.  Commission Staff estimate an additional 1,000 students may be eligible based on these changes and are encouraged by the opportunity to expand access to more students working on their first baccalaureate degree.

In addition to adjusting the SAP policy, the Commission approved to allow the Commission’s Appeals Committee to accept and review appeals from students requesting to receive up to an additional two semesters (one academic year) of SC Tuition Grants funding beyond the 8-semester/4-year maximum grant limit currently in place.  With this approval, students who are on-track to graduate within 1-2 semesters beyond the 8^th received semesters, can appeal to request SC Tuition Grants funding for their final year.  Students must meet all eligibility requirements, including being enrolled full-time and submit documentation from an Academic Advisor confirming the student is on-track to graduate in a timely manner.

Another change impacting Program policies, the Commission voted to approve setting Maximum Grants for approved Non-Traditional Programs the same as the Maximum Grant for all colleges’ Traditional Program.  Previously, the Maximum Grant for an approved Non-Traditional Program was pro-rated based on the Tuition & Fees when compared to the colleges’ Traditional Program Tuition & Fees charges.  This led to varying Non-Traditional Maximum Grant Amounts, different at each college and university with an approved Non-Traditional Program.  With the approval of this adjustment, the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program Maximum Grant will be the same across all programs at all participating colleges and universities.

Lastly, after voting to approve the above policy changes, the Commission voted unanimously to set the Initial Maximum Grant Amount to $4,500 at all participating colleges and universities across all approved programs.  This amount is a $110 increase over the 2021-2022 Maximum Grant and is the highest grant amount in the Program’s 52-year history.

“At the Tuition Grants Commission, our mission is to provide our state residents with the opportunity to attend the postsecondary institution of their choice, while placing an emphasis on their individual needs and career goals,” said Katie Harrison, Executive Director of the SC Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission.  “We are excited that we now have the ability to expand the reach and the value of the Tuition Grants Program to additional students by implementing these significant changes.”

Today, Commission staff began sending Tentative Eligibility Notifications to students who indicated at least one eligible college or university on their 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used as the official application for a South Carolina Tuition Grant.  These electronic notifications are sent via email to the valid email address provided on the FAFSA.  Tentative Eligibility Notifications will continue to be sent, on a weekly basis, until the beginning of the Fall semester.  Students who have yet to complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA must do so on or before the Tuition Grants application deadline of June 30, 2022.

The final Award Amount for 2022-2023 is contingent on final funding approved by the General Assembly with the State Budget and is subject to change.