Committee Report

May 01, 2024

 

S. 974

 

Introduced by Senator Bennett

 

S. Printed 05/01/24--H.

Read the first time February 27, 2024

 

________

 

The committee on House Education and Public Works

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 974) to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Sections 59-104-20, 59-149-10, and 59-150-370, all relating to the definition of "Public Or Independent Institution", etc., respectfully

Report:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:

 

SHANNON ERICKSON for Committee.

 

 

statement of estimated fiscal impact

Explanation of Fiscal Impact

State Expenditure

This bill adds ACCSC accredited institutions to the definition of public or independent institutions for the purposes of extending Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and Hope Scholarship funding to qualifying students attending those institutions. 

 

This bill may result in additional requirements for CHE in their facilitation of scholarship disbursements.  CHE and the Tech System indicate that any additional responsibilities as a result of the bill will be managed with existing staff and resources.  Therefore, this bill will have no impact on CHE or the Tech System.

 

As follows are the accredited institutions in the state whose students would qualify for scholarship funding under this bill:

 

           Source: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

 

CHE is responsible for licensure and oversight of each ACCSC accredited institution.  According to the agency, enrollment across all eight institutions totaled 895 students in the fall semester of 2023.  CHE does not collect academic information from these institutions, and therefore, the current number of students who would qualify for the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, or Hope Scholarships is currently unknown.  If all enrolled students qualified for the largest scholarship award available, Palmetto Fellows, in the amount of $6,700 per student per academic year, this could increase annual scholarship disbursements by at least $5,996,500.  The maximum Palmetto Fellows scholarship award increases to $7,500 per student in their second academic year and each year thereafter, which could further increase the impact to scholarship disbursements.  However, it is unlikely that every student attending ACCSC accredited institutions would qualify for the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, or Hope scholarships, and therefore, the impact on total scholarship disbursements would be lower. 

 

For reference, the following table represents the possible impact on FY 2022-23 scholarship disbursements if students attending ACCSC accredited institutions had qualified for the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and Hope scholarships.  These figures include the amount appropriated and actual disbursements for each scholarship in FY 2022-23 and are based on 895 additional students receiving the maximum first-year award for each category of scholarship.

 

Source: Commission on Higher Education, FY 2022-23 Annual Appropriations Act

 

 

Frank A. Rainwater, Executive Director

Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office

 

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A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTIONS 59-104-20, 59-149-10, AND 59-150-370, ALL RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "PUBLIC OR INDEPENDENT INSTITUTION" FOR PURPOSES OF THE PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS, THE LEGISLATIVE INCENTIVES FOR FUTURE EXCELLENCE (LIFE) SCHOLARSHIPS, AND THE SC HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS, RESPECTIVELY, SO AS TO ADD AN INSTITUTION ACCREDITED BY THE ACCREDITING COMMISSION OF CAREER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES TO THE DEFINITION.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 59-104-20(F)(1) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (c) not for profit institutions accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

 

SECTION 2.  Section 59-149-10(B) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (3) not for profit institutions accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

 

SECTION 3.  Section 59-150-370(B) of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    (3) not for profit institutions accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

 

SECTION 4.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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