This bill, passed in 2022, establishes scholarships (College Transition Program Scholarship) for students with intellectual disability (ID) attending a CTP inclusive postsecondary program. In-state students may receive up to $5,000/semester in scholarship money, regardless of financial need. Similar to prior years, the state budget also includes needs-based funds for students with ID.
The South Carolina state budget includes funds to provide needs-based financial aid to students with ID enrolled in one of South Carolina’s CTPs. They are disbursed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The state budget also allocates lottery scholarship funds to support students with ID who have financial needs and are enrolled in a CTP. Each student may receive a scholarship, called the College Transition Program Scholarship, of up to $5,000 per academic year. In FY 2020-21 and 2021-22, $750,000 was awarded to support needs-based scholarships for students with ID.
A bill introduced in January 2019, this legislation would have established terms for the South Carolina Promise Scholarship Program, which would enable students from the general population (not just those with disabilities) to receive a postsecondary education scholarship. Recipients must be enrolled for at least six credit hours and must have a high school or equivalent within two years of applying for the scholarship. They must also maintain a 2.0 GPA and may not have already received a bachelor’s degree.
