Education (Higher Education)

in committee · South Carolina · House May 7, 2026

H 5638: A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO DETERMINATION OF RATES OF TUITION AND FEES, DESIGNATED AS

This bill approves new regulations for the South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education regarding how tuition and fee rates are determined. The primary change involves updating residency rules to align with recent state laws, specifically requiring individuals to obtain a South Carolina driver's license within 45 days of moving to the state. Additionally, the regulations reduce the number of documents needed to prove residency and aim to simplify the overall process for students and colleges. Once signed by the Governor, these changes will take effect and standardize how institutions classify student residency for billing purposes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill simplifies residency rules to expand access to higher education and reduce administrative barriers for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed · South Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

H 5504: Foreign Influence Operations Out of American Education Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "FOREIGN INFLUENCE OPERATIONS OUT OF AMERICAN EDUCATION ACT" BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-425 SO AS TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FROM SOLICITING OR ACCEPTING CERTAIN GIFTS OR TRAVEL FROM FOREIGN ADVERSARY NATIONS, FOREIGN PRINCIPALS, OR FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, TO RESTRICT FOREIGN INFLUENCE ON HIRING, CURRICULUM, AND CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF GIFTS AND CONTRACTS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES AND FOREIGN PRINCIPALS TO THE OFFICE OF THE STATE TREASURER.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts educational access by prohibiting institutions from accepting foreign gifts and travel, limiting academic freedom and international engagement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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passed · South Carolina · House Mar 11, 2026

H 5351: South Carolina Higher Education Day

This bill is a concurrent resolution that designates April 16, 2026, as "South Carolina Higher Education Day" to recognize the state's colleges and universities. It directly affects the South Carolina General Assembly and the public by creating an official day of recognition for higher education institutions. The resolution acknowledges the contributions of public and private colleges, technical colleges, and universities in preparing students for careers and leadership roles. It does not create any new laws, funding, or operational changes, but rather serves as a symbolic gesture to honor the state's higher education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates a day to recognize higher education institutions, acknowledging their contributions to student preparation and leadership development, showing positive support for education.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · House Mar 26, 2026

H 5177: Baccalaureate in Culinary Arts Management Degree

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-103-15, RELATING TO THE MISSIONS AND FOCUSES OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE AN APPLIED BACCALAUREATE IN CULINARY ARTS MANAGEMENT DEGREE AT TRIDENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPROVED FIRST BY THE BOARD FOR TECHNICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND THEN THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, AND TO PROVIDE THE DEGREE PROGRAM IS ALLOWED SO LONG AS NEW STATE GENERAL FUNDS ARE NOT APPROPRIATED FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes new culinary arts management degree at Trident Tech, expanding higher education program options without state funding requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Feb 25, 2026

S 959: Tuition Gap Scholarship Program

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 59-150-385 SO AS TO CREATE THE TUITION GAP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING THAT ELIGIBLE STUDENTS RECEIVING LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, HOPE SCHOLARSHIPS, OR PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE THEIR REMAINING TUITION COSTS FULLY COVERED DURING ANY SEMESTER IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE SUCH SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCovers remaining tuition costs for scholarship recipients, expanding higher education access and reducing financial barriers for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · South Carolina · House Feb 26, 2026

H 5269: College Tuition and U.S. Citizenship

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 59-112-20, RELATING TO DOMICILE FOR TUITION RATES AND FEES FOR CERTAIN STATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, SO AS TO PROHIBIT IN-STATE RATES FOR PERSONS WHO ARE NOT CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, ESTABLISH FINES FOR VIOLATIONS, AND PERMIT CERTAIN TAXPAYERS TO FILE LAWSUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts in-state tuition access for non-citizens, directly limiting educational access for non-citizens in higher education.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationProhibits in-state tuition for non-citizens, restricting access to state education benefits per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 785: University Employee Free Speech

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "REMEMBERING CHARLIE KIRK ACT"; BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-700 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEE MAY BE DISCHARGED FROM EMPLOYMENT FOR CAUSE FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS; AND BY ADDING SECTION 59-101-710 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL DEVELOP A SPEECH CODE FOR PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES THAT MUST BE ADOPTED AND ENFORCED BY THE GOVERNING BOARDS OF THE STATE'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR A PUBLIC COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WHO DOES NOT ADOPT OR ENFORCE THE SPEECH CODE.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts academic freedom by allowing discharge for certain public communications and mandating speech codes for university employees, directly limiting educational expression.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentAllows discharge of university employees for certain public communications, restricting workplace free expression rights and weakening employee protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 27, 2026

H 5015: University Campus Events Zoning

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 53-1-20, RELATING TO COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES EXEMPT FROM THE PROHIBITION ON SUNDAY PUBLIC SPORTS, SO AS TO DEFINE TERMS PERTAINING TO CAMPUS EVENTS AND LAND USE APPROVAL, TO PROVIDE THAT NO COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY MAY PROHIBIT, RESTRICT, CONDITION, DELAY, OR REQUIRE LAND USE APPROVAL FOR EVENTS HELD ON THE CAMPUS OF A STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING BASED ON ZONING ORDINANCES OR LAND USE CLASSIFICATIONS, AND TO CLARIFY THE APPLICATION OF GENERALLY APPLICABLE SAFETY LAWS.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes local zoning barriers for campus events at state-supported higher education institutions, enabling more educational and community activities without municipal interference. This supports institutional autonomy in higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · House Jan 22, 2026

H 5008: South Carolina Fostering Futures Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTERING FUTURES ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59, SO AS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO WAIVE TUITION AND FEES FOR CERTAIN CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND LIMITS; AND TO REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND REPORTING.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires public colleges to waive tuition/fees for foster youth, enhancing educational access and financial support for vulnerable students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · South Carolina · Senate Jan 15, 2026

S 824: South Carolina Fostering Futures Act

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA FOSTERING FUTURES ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 11 TO CHAPTER 111, TITLE 59, SO AS TO REQUIRE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO WAIVE TUITION AND FEES FOR CERTAIN CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND LIMITS; AND TO REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND REPORTING.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives tuition/fees for foster youth in higher education, directly increasing access and financial support for a vulnerable student group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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